Grubhub/Seamless Food Delivery App Guide [2020.4 Update: Rakuten Cashback on Grubhub Returns]

[2020.3 Update] The Rakuten app has restored cashback for orders placed through the Grubhub app. For existing users, it is still 1%—better than nothing.

[2020.3 Update] We welcome everyone to share your own Grubhub/Seamless refer links! We will periodically add them to the application links in this post. Each account can now refer only 20 people, so if you have reached your limit, please come back and let us know.

• Formatting requirements: similar to the requirements in Google Fi Refer sharing, please talk a bit about your experience using it, then post your Refer link. Please indicate which app the link is for; you may share links for both apps.
• We will periodically add readers' refer links to this post in batches, with helpful usage experience given priority.
• In addition to adding some links into this post, we will also choose some to pin for extra visibility.

Before the AMEX Gold redesign, most people probably either did not know about or had never used these two food delivery apps. After the redesign, the monthly $10 credit that comes with the Gold card is often used on these two apps. In fact, Grubhub and Seamless merged many years ago and are basically the same product under different branding; promotions are often interchangeable as well. In 2017, Eat24 was also officially merged into Grubhub.

Sign-up

The refer offer is now only $15-$5, and each account is limited to refer 20 people. Feel free to share your refer link in the comments section!

The current offer is $12 off your first order. It can be used on any first delivery order over $15, but it cannot be used for in-store Pickup orders. If you sign up using the same email, the same phone number, or the same address, these two apps will treat you as an existing user, and you will not be eligible for the first-order offer. You are welcome to use readers' links or pick a link from the comments section to sign up:

• Grubhub sign-up link
• Seamless sign-up link

How to Use It

After signing up, you can place an order either on the official website or through the app. I recommend downloading the Grubhub app to place orders (explained below).

• Order types: supports delivery (the first-order promo code is valid only for delivery) and pickup
• Supported credit cards: currently only U.S. credit cards and PayPal are supported. Since PayPal theoretically supports major credit cards from most major countries, including Chinese mainland cards that earn high overseas cashback, PayPal occupies a somewhat gray area in how Chinese mainland cards are classified. Usually it still goes through legitimate UnionPay V/M/AMEX/JCB channels (for example, China Construction Bank). If you like this app, you may consider pairing it with online spending from Chinese mainland banks; see KUKU's earlier article. [Note: if your PayPal cannot link a mainland China card, create a mainland China PayPal account first and then link it.]
• Ordering process: set the address — choose a restaurant — schedule a time and pay — restaurant accepts the order — delivery or pickup — order completed
• Ordering for a different location: both Grubhub and Seamless support ordering remotely, but you should set your time zone to the time zone of the delivery location. If you are outside the U.S. (including mainland China), you need to turn on a VPN and set your IP to the U.S. in order to place an order. The Grubhub app follows your phone's time when ordering, so if you do not set it up as above, you may not be able to order successfully. Express VPN is recommended; click here for details.
• Payment: of course we will very “generously” pull out our AMEX Gold card, since both apps earn 4X on the Gold. When there is a promotion, remember to enter the code, such as the first-order discount. If you use these apps regularly, any U.S. credit card should also code properly as dining.
• Tipping: unfortunately, the system strongly hints that you should tip when placing an order. It is not mandatory, but it is still best to leave something.

Because you can schedule deliveries in advance (even before the restaurant opens), you can order ahead and then close the app to save yourself some hassle. Grubhub and Seamless will send you email notifications after the restaurant accepts the order and after delivery. Likewise, if you are ordering for someone else, you can set the recipient as your LD/roommate/friend and enter their phone number. Since there is no SMS verification step, you can also simply use their phone to register the account.

How to Stack Discounts

• AMEX Grubhub/Seamless 1 additional MR offer, valid through December 31, 2020; just add it to your AMEX Gold card.
• The mobile version of Ebates (Rakuten) (existing users only need to download the mobile app) has an extra cash back offer for Grubhub. Activate it or jump directly into the Grubhub app on your phone to place the order. It is 10% on the first order, then 1% afterward. If you have the MR version of Ebates, even better. Currently this offer is available only in the mobile Ebates app. (Ebates sign-up link)

• Perks system: Grubhub/Seamless recently introduced the Perks system. You can check whether nearby restaurants have Perks, which are usually instant discounts or free extras. Perks will specify any minimum spend requirement and usage restrictions.
• All of the discounts above can be stacked!

So if you make good use of these offers, you can still get a decent amount of cashback.

AMEX Gold Credit Card Notes

• You need to hold an AMEX Gold card and enroll first. Click here, or just ask online customer service to enroll you.
• If you only plan to keep the AMEX Gold card for one year, then using an early-in-the-month application strategy means you can get $10 in the first month + $120 over a full year + $10 in the last month before canceling = $140, which helps “offset” $140 of the annual fee and at least feels a bit better psychologically.
• For example: if KUKU opens the card in early July, I should definitely receive the card before the end of July. After enrolling, I can immediately use that month's $10 credit, and the annual fee is charged on July X. On July X the following year, the second annual fee is charged, but by then you have already “happily” used up a full year's $120. You still have 30 days to cancel and get the annual fee refunded. Then once August 1 arrives, immediately use the August credit, and after the credit posts in 2-3 biz days, you can cancel the card.
• Of course, if you can also use up the first year's airline credit in December, then if you plan to keep the card for only one year, opening it in early to mid-December is even better, because you can use the $100 airline credit renewed in January of the third calendar year one more time. That means over one year of holding the card, you could use $100+$140+$100+$100=$440 in credit across three calendar years, producing a net gain versus the annual fee (+$190+referral bonus).

Important reminder: if you get too aggressive and keep churning one Gold every December, AMEX may shut you down very decisively (without FR).

Note: if, in the final month when you are planning to cancel after using the $10 credit, your own auto-pay unexpectedly pays the AMEX annual fee early, you can contact online customer service after closing the card and ask them to refund the annual fee either to your payment account (arrives in 2 biz days) or by check;

What Can You Order with $10 Each Month?

Normally, the first-order discount is only available once (unless you have multiple LDs, multiple phone numbers, email addresses, and addresses, in which case naturally you can do it more than once). So what can we order with the $10 monthly credit that AMEX Gold “gives” us each month?

First, a quick note: according to readers Aaron and S2M-824E, this $10 credit triggers as long as you have any spending on these two apps. There is no minimum purchase requirement, and it can reimburse up to $10 total. If there is no delivery option under $10 in your area, check whether there is a suitable pickup option instead, such as Panda Express or Subway.

In KUKU's great state of Texas, there are still $10 pizzas that can be delivered! (including a Coke and more than a 15% tip), as shown below:

If you really have no use for it yourself, ordering a pizza for your farmer friends in Texas is also an option.

Using Grubhub/Seamless to Force 4X at Chinese Restaurants

As we know, many Chinese restaurants do not accept the AMEX Gold dining 4X credit card directly. However, quite a few Chinese restaurants do partner with Grubhub/Seamless. So if you really want to use AMEX Gold there, choose one of these two apps and select Pickup, and you can still earn 4X or even more MR when stacking offers. The downside is that menu categories may be updated less often and the selection may be limited. Overall, though, it is a workable method.

Food Delivery App Roundup

• Uber Eats app guide
• DoorDash app guide
• For a roundup of food delivery app stackable offers and promotions, which we update regularly, please see here

Sign-up Links

• Grubhub sign-up link
• Seamless sign-up link