Why Senior Discounts on Grocery Delivery Matter
If you are 55 or older, you have probably noticed grocery prices going up. Add delivery fees on top, and a $80 grocery run can cost $95 or more. The good news is that several grocery delivery services offer discounts for seniors — if you know where to look.
This guide breaks down every senior discount and savings opportunity we could find across the major grocery delivery services. Some are official discounts. Others are membership waivers, AARP partner deals, or clever ways to stack savings. Every dollar counts when you are on a fixed income.
Quick Answer: Which Grocery Delivery Services Offer Senior Discounts?
Here is the short version. None of the big three grocery delivery services — Instacart, Shipt, and Amazon Fresh — offer a permanent, advertised senior discount. But that does not mean you cannot save money. Here is what each service offers instead:
| Service | Senior Discount? | Best Savings Route | Potential Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instacart | No direct discount | AARP free Instacart Plus ($99/yr value) | Up to $99/year |
| Shipt | No direct discount | Watch for free-month promos | $99/year |
| Amazon Fresh | No senior discount | EBT/Medicaid Prime discount ($6.99/mo) | ~$95/year |
| Walmart Grocery | No senior discount | Free pickup, no item markup | $35+ per order |
| Kroger Delivery | Senior Day (varies by store) | 10% off on senior shopping days | 10% per order |
As you can see, the savings routes differ. Some cut membership fees. Others cut per-order fees or give you a percentage off your total. Let's break down each one.
Instacart Senior Discounts and Savings
Instacart is the largest grocery delivery service in the US, partnering with over 1,400 retailers. While they do not advertise a senior discount, there is a real savings path through AARP.
AARP Member Deal: Free Instacart Plus
If you are an AARP member ($16 per year, or $12 per year with a multi-year plan), you can get a free year of Instacart Plus. This is a $99 value. Instacart Plus gives you:
- Free delivery on orders over $35 (normally $3.99 to $7.99 per order)
- Reduced service fees (about 1.5% instead of 5%)
- No busy pricing surcharges during peak hours
To activate this deal, log in to your AARP account at aarp.org, go to the member benefits section, and search for Instacart. The offer typically appears under "Everyday Savings" or "Groceries."
Additional Instacart Savings Tips for Seniors
- Order above $35: Even with Instacart Plus, orders under $35 still carry a small delivery fee. Aim for $35+ to get free delivery.
- Use the "Deal" tab: Instacart shows digital coupons inside the app. Check the Deals tab before checkout — you can often save $5 to $15 per order.
- Avoid " busy pricing": During holidays and weekends, Instacart adds percentage surcharges. Shop on weekday mornings for the lowest fees.
- Pick your own items: Instacart shoppers may substitute items if something is out of stock. Review substitutions carefully — some may cost more than what you ordered.
Want a full walkthrough? Read our complete Instacart guide for seniors for step-by-step instructions.
Shipt Senior Discounts and Savings
Shipt, owned by Target, delivers groceries from stores like Target, Meijer, and CVS in over 5,000 cities. Like Instacart, Shipt does not offer a standing senior discount. But there are ways to save.
Shipt Membership Waivers and Promotions
Shipt costs $99 per year for a membership, which includes free delivery on orders over $35. Here is how seniors can reduce or eliminate that cost:
- Free trial periods: Shipt frequently runs promotions offering 2 to 4 weeks of free membership. Sign up, use it for your grocery runs during the trial, then decide if the annual fee is worth it. Check shipt.com for current offers.
- AARP partner deals: AARP has occasionally partnered with Shipt for discounted memberships. Check the AARP benefits page or call AARP at 1-888-687-2277 to ask about current Shipt offers.
- Target Circle deals: If you shop at Target through Shipt, Target Circle members sometimes get free delivery promotions. Sign up for Target Circle (it is free) and watch for Shipt delivery credits.
Shipt Per-Order Savings Tips
- Order from one store: Shipt charges per store if you mix orders from different retailers. Stick to one store per order to avoid extra fees.
- Tip in the app, not cash: Tipping through the app avoids any cash-handling confusion and keeps a record for your budget.
- Use Shipt for prescriptions: Many CVS and Meijer locations deliver prescriptions through Shipt at no extra delivery cost with a membership. This can save a separate trip to the pharmacy.
For a full review, see our Shipt review for seniors.
Amazon Fresh Senior Discounts and Savings
Amazon Fresh is the grocery delivery arm of Amazon, available in over 2,000 cities. It requires an Amazon Prime membership ($14.99 per month or $139 per year). There is no senior discount on Prime itself, but there is a powerful alternative for low-income seniors.
EBT and Medicaid Prime Discount
If you receive SNAP benefits, have an EBT card, or qualify for Medicaid, you can get Amazon Prime for just $6.99 per month instead of $14.99. That is a savings of about $96 per year. Since Amazon Fresh delivery is free for Prime members on orders over $35, this is one of the best grocery delivery deals for qualifying seniors.
To sign up:
- Go to amazon.com/prime/qualify
- Select "EBT" or "Medicaid" as your qualification method
- Upload a photo of your EBT card or Medicaid letter
- Amazon verifies within 48 hours and activates your discounted Prime
You do not need to use your EBT card to pay for groceries on Amazon. The discount applies to your Prime membership only, and you can pay for groceries with any method you choose.
Additional Amazon Fresh Savings
- No item markup: Amazon Fresh prices match in-store prices at Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh stores. You are not paying extra for delivery.
- Amazon coupons: Amazon has a digital coupons section. Clip coupons before checkout for $0.50 to $3 off specific items.
- Subscribe and Save: For items you buy regularly (toilet paper, coffee, canned goods), Amazon's Subscribe and Save gives 5% to 15% off and free delivery, even without Fresh.
Read our full Amazon Fresh review for seniors for more details.
Walmart Grocery Delivery Savings for Seniors
Walmart Grocery is one of the most affordable delivery options because Walmart does not mark up item prices. The price you see in the app is the same price you would pay in the store. Walmart does not offer a senior discount, but their pricing structure already saves money compared to services that add markups.
Walmart Free Pickup
If you can drive or have someone who can drive you, Walmart offers free curbside pickup on orders over $35. You order through the app, pull into a designated parking spot at your local Walmart, and an associate loads your groceries into your car. There is no delivery fee, no tip, and no markup. This is the single best grocery deal we found for mobile seniors.
Walmart Delivery Fees
If you need delivery, Walmart charges a flat fee of $6.99 to $9.99 per order, depending on your location and time slot. There is no membership requirement — you pay per delivery. Compare this to Instacart's delivery fee ($3.99 to $7.99) plus a 5% service fee, and Walmart often comes out cheaper on orders under $100.
Walmart also offers Walmart+ ($12.95 per month or $98 per year), which includes free delivery on groceries and free shipping on Walmart.com orders. If you order groceries more than twice a month, Walmart+ can pay for itself in delivery fees alone.
For more details, see our Walmart Grocery delivery review for seniors.
Kroger Senior Discount Days
Kroger operates grocery stores under many names across the US, including Fred Meyer, King Soopers, Ralphs, Smith's, and others. Many Kroger-owned stores offer a weekly Senior Day, typically giving seniors 55+ or 60+ a percentage off their purchase.
How Kroger Senior Day Works
Senior Day details vary by store location, but the general pattern is:
- Day: Usually the first Tuesday or Wednesday of the month
- Discount: 10% off your total purchase (some stores offer 5%)
- Age requirement: 55+ or 60+, depending on the store
- Applies to: Most items, excluding alcohol, tobacco, and gift cards
To find out if your local Kroger store participates, call the store directly or ask at the customer service desk. Not all Kroger banners offer Senior Day, so check before you go.
Kroger Delivery and Senior Day
Here is the catch: the Kroger Senior Day discount typically applies to in-store purchases only. Kroger delivery (powered by Instacart or Kroger's own delivery fleet) does not automatically apply the senior discount. However, some stores will honor the discount if you call the store and ask them to apply it to a pickup order. Pickup orders placed through the Kroger app and picked up at the store have the best chance of getting the senior discount applied.
Kroger delivery fees range from $4.95 to $9.95 per order. For a full breakdown, see our Kroger delivery guide for seniors.
AARP Member Benefits for Grocery Delivery
AARP membership costs $16 per year (or $12 per year if you sign up for a multi-year plan). At that price, the grocery delivery savings alone can pay for your membership several times over. Here is a summary of AARP grocery-related benefits:
| AARP Benefit | What You Get | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Instacart Plus | Free annual membership | $99/year |
| Shipt promotions | Periodic membership discounts | $20-$99 |
| Restaurant and retail deals | Discounts at grocery-adjacent stores | Varies |
| Prescription savings | Discounts at participating pharmacies | Varies |
To access AARP benefits, you need your AARP membership number. You get this when you join at aarp.org or by calling 1-888-687-2277. Once you have your number, log in to the AARP website, go to "Benefits," and search for grocery or Instacart deals.
Is AARP Worth It Just for Grocery Delivery?
If you use Instacart regularly, yes. A single year of Instacart Plus through AARP saves you $99. AARP membership costs $16. That is an $83 net savings in your first year, plus you get all the other AARP benefits (travel discounts, insurance options, prescription savings). Even if you only use the Instacart deal and nothing else, AARP pays for itself five times over.
SNAP and EBT Grocery Delivery Discounts
If you receive SNAP benefits (food stamps), you can use your EBT card for grocery delivery through Instacart, Amazon Fresh, and Walmart. This was not always possible — the rules changed in recent years to allow EBT for online grocery orders.
Using EBT on Grocery Delivery Services
- Amazon Fresh: Accepts EBT for eligible food items. Combined with the Medicaid/EBT Prime discount ($6.99/month), this is the strongest deal for SNAP recipients.
- Instacart: Accepts EBT at participating retailers (Aldi, Walmart, and others). SNAP covers eligible food items, but you must pay delivery fees separately with another payment method.
- Walmart: Accepts EBT for eligible items on both delivery and pickup orders. Pickup is free on orders over $35, making this the best deal for SNAP recipients who can pick up their order.
For a detailed walkthrough, read our SNAP EBT grocery delivery guide for seniors.
How to Stack Discounts for Maximum Savings
The biggest savings come from combining multiple discounts. Here is how to stack them:
Stacking Strategy 1: AARP + Instacart
- Join AARP ($16/year)
- Activate free Instacart Plus through AARP ($0, value $99)
- Order above $35 to get free delivery
- Clip digital coupons in the Instacart app
- Shop on weekday mornings to avoid busy pricing
Total savings: $99 in membership fees + $4-$8 per order in delivery fees + $5-$15 per order in coupons. Over a year of weekly orders, that is $300 to $500+ in savings.
Stacking Strategy 2: EBT + Amazon Fresh
- Qualify for Medicaid or have an EBT card
- Get Amazon Prime for $6.99/month (saves $96/year vs regular Prime)
- Use EBT to pay for eligible food items on Amazon Fresh
- Clip Amazon digital coupons before checkout
- Set up Subscribe and Save on regular purchases for 5-15% off
Total savings: $96/year on Prime + $0 delivery fees on orders over $35 + $5-$10 per order in coupons. Over a year, $200+ in savings.
Stacking Strategy 3: Walmart Pickup + Coupons
- Order through the Walmart app for free curbside pickup (orders over $35)
- No membership fee required
- Check the Walmart "Savings Catcher" and rollback prices in the app
- If you need delivery occasionally, pay $6.99-$9.99 flat per order
Total savings: $0 in membership fees + $0 in delivery fees (pickup) + no item markup. The cheapest option if you can drive or have someone who can.
Other Ways Seniors Can Save on Grocery Delivery
Shop Seasonal Sales
Delivery services run sales during major holidays — Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, and New Year. During these periods, you may find free delivery promotions or discounted memberships. Set a reminder to check for deals around these dates.
Compare Service Fees Before Ordering
Before placing an order, compare the same grocery list across two services. Instacart and Shipt add a service fee (5% to 7.5%) on top of delivery fees. Walmart and Amazon Fresh do not charge a service fee. For a $100 grocery order, a 5% service fee adds $5. On top of a $7 delivery fee, that is $12 in extra costs. Checking before you order takes 5 minutes and can save you $5-$10 per order.
Ask Your Local Grocery Store
Many local and regional grocery chains offer their own delivery or pickup services. Some have senior discount days that apply to pickup orders. Call your local store and ask:
- "Do you have a senior discount day?"
- "Does the senior discount apply to pickup orders?"
- "Do you offer delivery, and what is the fee?"
Local chains often have lower fees than the national delivery apps, and some deliver for free within a certain radius.
Use the Eldercare Locator for Local Help
If you are homebound or have trouble getting groceries, the Eldercare Locator can connect you with local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) programs. Some AAAs offer free grocery delivery for eligible seniors. Call 1-800-677-1116 or visit eldercare.acl.gov to find services in your area.
Common Questions About Grocery Delivery Senior Discounts
Here are answers to questions seniors and their families ask us most often.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Instacart offer a senior discount?
Instacart does not have a standing senior discount, but AARP members can get a free year of Instacart Plus (a $99 value) through the AARP rewards program. This gives you free delivery on orders over $35 and reduced service fees. Call Instacart at 1-888-246-7822 to ask about current promotions.
Does Shipt have a discount for seniors?
Shipt does not offer a direct senior discount. However, seniors who are AARP members can sometimes access Shipt memberships through AARP partner deals. Shipt also runs occasional promotions where the first month of membership is free, which is worth watching for.
How can seniors save money on grocery delivery?
Seniors can save by using AARP partner deals for free Instacart Plus memberships, picking up orders at the store instead of getting delivery, ordering above the free-delivery threshold (usually $35), using digital coupons inside the delivery apps, and comparing service fees between Instacart, Shipt, and Walmart Grocery before placing an order.
Does Amazon Fresh offer senior discounts?
Amazon Fresh does not have a senior-specific discount. But if you qualify for Medicaid or have an EBT card, you can get Amazon Prime for $6.99 per month instead of $14.99. Since Amazon Fresh delivery is free for Prime members on orders over $35, this cuts your yearly cost from $179 to about $84.
What is the cheapest grocery delivery for seniors?
Walmart Grocery delivery is often the cheapest option because Walmart Grocery charges no markup on item prices. If you pick up your order at the store, pickup is free on orders over $35. For delivery, Walmart charges a flat $6.99 to $9.99 fee. Compare that to Instacart and Shipt, which add a 5% to 7.5% service fee on top of delivery fees.
Your Next Steps: A Senior Grocery Savings Checklist
Print this list or share it with a family member. Work through each step — every one of them can save you money.
- Join AARP ($16/year at aarp.org or call 1-888-687-2277) if you have not already. The Instacart Plus benefit alone pays for it five times over.
- Activate your free Instacart Plus through the AARP member benefits page.
- Check EBT/Medicaid eligibility for discounted Amazon Prime at amazon.com/prime/qualify if you receive SNAP or Medicaid benefits.
- Try Walmart free pickup for your next grocery order if you can drive or have someone who can. No fees, no markup.
- Call your local Kroger store and ask about Senior Day discounts for pickup orders. The number is on your store receipt or you can find it at kroger.com.
- Call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 if you are homebound to ask about free local grocery delivery programs.
- Compare prices on your next grocery list across two services before ordering. Five minutes of checking can save $5-$10 per order.
- Clip digital coupons inside the Instacart, Amazon, or Walmart app before every checkout.
Start with the step that fits your situation. If you already have an AARP membership, activate the Instacart Plus deal today — it takes about 5 minutes on the AARP website. If you receive SNAP benefits, sign up for discounted Amazon Prime first. Every small saving adds up to real money over a year.