Grubhub+ Retention Offers: How to Get Your $9.99/mo Membership for Free
Grubhub+ doesn't offer retention discounts, but you can get the full $9.99/mo membership free through Amazon Prime. Here's how to activate it and save $119.88/year.
Grubhub+ does not offer retention discounts when you cancel—but you probably do not need to pay for it at all. Amazon Prime members get Grubhub+ completely free as a permanent membership benefit, saving $119.88 per year. If you are currently paying $9.99/month for Grubhub+ and you have Amazon Prime, you are wasting money. This guide covers how to activate the free Prime benefit, the Lyft Pink free year, student pricing paths, a break-even analysis for those without Prime, and a full comparison against DoorDash DashPass and Uber One.
Grubhub+ is one of the most straightforward subscription optimizations in the food delivery space. The service costs $9.99/month and provides unlimited free delivery on orders over $12, 5% credit back on pickup orders, priority customer support, and member-only restaurant deals. The value proposition is decent for frequent orderers—but the real story is that most people can get the exact same benefits for $0.
Since June 2024, Amazon Prime has included Grubhub+ as an ongoing, permanent member benefit. Not a trial. Not a limited promotion. A permanent inclusion. Lyft Pink members also get a full year free. And Prime Student members—paying just $7.49/month for Prime—get Grubhub+ included as well. Before you negotiate, evaluate, or cancel Grubhub+, check whether you already have access to it for free.
Current Grubhub+ Pricing (2026)
Grubhub+ costs $9.99/month ($119.88/year) when purchased directly, or $90/year on the annual plan ($7.50/month effective). But the optimal price is $0—free through Amazon Prime, which most U.S. households already have. If you are paying for Grubhub+ separately while also paying for Prime, you are overspending by $119.88 per year.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grubhub+ Monthly | $9.99/mo | $119.88/yr | Users without Prime who order 3+/month |
| Grubhub+ Annual | $7.50/mo (effective) | $90.00/yr | Committed users without Prime |
| Grubhub+ via Amazon Prime | $0 | $0 (included with $14.99/mo Prime) | Anyone with Prime membership |
| Grubhub+ via Prime Student | $0 | $0 (included with $7.49/mo Prime Student) | College students 18-24 |
| Grubhub+ via Lyft Pink | $0 | $0 (1 year free, then $9.99/mo) | Lyft riders with Pink membership |
| 14-day free trial | $0 | N/A | New subscribers testing the service |
What Grubhub+ Includes
| Benefit | Details | Value Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Free delivery | $0 delivery on eligible orders $12+ | $4-5 saved per order |
| Pickup credit | 5% back in Grubhub+ credits on pickup orders | ~$1-2 per pickup order |
| Priority support | Faster customer service response | Time savings |
| Member deals | Exclusive restaurant promotions and offers | Variable |
| Fee-free orders over $50 | All users (even non-members) get $0 delivery + $0 service fees on $50+ orders | New in 2026 |
New in 2026: Grubhub now waives both delivery and service fees on all orders over $50, regardless of membership status. If you typically order $50+ per delivery, you may not need Grubhub+ at all.
Grubhub+'s Retention Behavior: What Happens When You Cancel
Grubhub+ is a Hard Line service—no retention offers, no discounts, no pause option. When you initiate cancellation, you proceed directly to confirmation. The cancellation process takes under two minutes. Your benefits continue until the end of your current billing period, and your account is fully preserved if you resubscribe later.
The Cancellation Flow (Step-by-Step)
- Visit Grubhub.com or open the Grubhub app
- Sign in and tap your profile icon
- Navigate to Account settings
- Tap "Grubhub+"
- Select "Cancel subscription"
- Confirm cancellation
Alternatively, contact Grubhub support by phone at (877) 585-1085 or email accounts@grubhub.com.
What Happens After You Cancel
| What Happens | Timeline | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Benefits continue | Until billing period ends | Free delivery and credits remain active |
| Account preserved | Indefinitely | Order history, favorites, and addresses saved |
| Retention offer | None | Grubhub does not offer discounts to retain you |
| Win-back emails | Not documented | No verified post-cancellation discount pattern |
| Re-subscribe pricing | Standard rates | No returning-customer discounts |
| Refund eligibility | Cancel 24+ hours before renewal | No refund after renewal charge processes |
If You Subscribed Through Amazon Prime
If your Grubhub+ membership is linked through Prime, you do not cancel through Grubhub. Instead:
- Go to Amazon.com > Account & Lists > Memberships & Subscriptions
- Find "Manage apps & services with data access"
- Locate the Grubhub connection
- Revoke access to unlink the accounts
Note: Unlinking removes your free Grubhub+ immediately. If you want to keep Prime but cancel Grubhub+, this is the only path.
How to Get Grubhub+ for Free
The single most valuable thing you can do is check whether you already have free access to Grubhub+. Over 180 million Americans have Amazon Prime, which now permanently includes Grubhub+. If you have Prime, you have Grubhub+—you just need to activate it. This saves $119.88 per year compared to paying for Grubhub+ directly.
Path 1: Amazon Prime (Free, Permanent)
Since June 2024, all Amazon Prime members in the U.S. get Grubhub+ at no additional cost. This is not a trial—it is an ongoing, permanent benefit that continues as long as your Prime membership is active.
How to activate:
- Go to amazon.com/prime/offer/grubhub
- Click "Activate Grubhub+"
- Link your existing Grubhub account (or create one)
- Your Grubhub+ membership activates immediately
- Free delivery on $12+ orders begins with your next order
Key terms:
- Requires active Amazon Prime ($14.99/month or $139/year) or Prime Student ($7.49/month or $69/year)
- All standard Grubhub+ benefits included (free delivery on $12+, 5% pickup credit, priority support)
- Benefits end immediately if you cancel Prime
- You can order directly from Amazon.com or the Amazon Shopping app, in addition to the Grubhub app
The math: If you already pay for Prime ($14.99/month) and separately pay for Grubhub+ ($9.99/month), you are spending $24.98/month total. Activating the free Grubhub+ through Prime drops your total to $14.99/month—an instant $119.88/year savings.
| Current Situation | Action | Monthly Savings | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pay for Prime + pay for Grubhub+ | Activate free Grubhub+ via Prime, cancel paid | $9.99/mo | $119.88/yr |
| Pay for Grubhub+ only, no Prime | Evaluate Prime at $14.99/mo (includes Grubhub+ + all Prime benefits) | -$5.00/mo (more) | -$60/yr (but adds Prime benefits) |
| No Grubhub+, have Prime | Activate free Grubhub+ via Prime | $0 (new benefit) | Up to $119.88/yr in delivery fee savings |
Path 2: Amazon Prime Student (Free, Best for Students)
Prime Student costs $7.49/month (or $69/year) after a 6-month free trial and includes full Grubhub+ membership. For college students aged 18-24 who order delivery regularly, this is the best deal in food delivery.
Eligibility: U.S. college students with a .edu email address or proof of enrollment. Young adults 18-24 may also qualify through Amazon's expanded Prime Student eligibility.
| Cost Component | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Prime Student | $7.49 | $69.00 |
| Grubhub+ (included) | $0 | $0 |
| Prime Video (included) | $0 | $0 |
| Prime Delivery (included) | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $7.49 | $69.00 |
Compare this to a non-student paying for Prime ($14.99) + Grubhub+ ($9.99) = $24.98/month. Prime Student delivers the same benefits at 70% less.
Path 3: Lyft Pink (1 Year Free)
Lyft Pink (now called Lyft+) members receive one full year of Grubhub+ at no additional cost. After the year, it auto-converts to a paid $9.99/month Grubhub+ subscription unless you cancel.
Lyft Pink costs: $9.99/month or $99/year, and includes ride discounts, priority airport pickup, and the Grubhub+ year.
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Grubhub+ free duration | 12 months |
| Auto-renewal after free year | Yes, at $9.99/month |
| Cancellation required? | Yes—set a reminder at month 11 to cancel Grubhub+ before auto-billing |
| Lyft ride benefits | 5% off all rides, priority airport pickup, relaxed cancellations |
Warning: Set a calendar reminder for month 11. Lyft does not notify you before auto-converting to paid Grubhub+. If you forget, you will be charged $9.99/month automatically.
Grubhub+ Break-Even Analysis: Is It Worth Paying For?
If you do not have Amazon Prime and are considering paying $9.99/month for Grubhub+, you need to order at least 2-3 deliveries per month to break even. The average delivery fee without Grubhub+ is $4-5 per order, meaning 2 orders saves you $8-10 in fees—roughly the cost of the subscription. For 2026, the new $50+ fee-free policy means heavy orderers may not need Grubhub+ at all.
| Orders Per Month | Delivery Fees Saved (est.) | Grubhub+ Cost | Net Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 order | $4-5 | $9.99 | -$5 to -$6 (loss) |
| 2 orders | $8-10 | $9.99 | -$2 to $0 (break even) |
| 3 orders | $12-15 | $9.99 | $2 to $5 (profit) |
| 4 orders | $16-20 | $9.99 | $6 to $10 (clear savings) |
| 6+ orders | $24-30 | $9.99 | $14 to $20 (strong savings) |
The $50+ Order Wrinkle
As of February 2026, Grubhub waives both delivery fees and service fees on all orders over $50—for all customers, member or not. This fundamentally changes the break-even math:
- If your typical order is $50+, you get free delivery without Grubhub+
- Grubhub+ only adds value on orders between $12 and $49.99
- The 5% pickup credit is the main remaining benefit for heavy spenders
| Order Size | Without Grubhub+ | With Grubhub+ | Benefit of Membership |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under $12 | Delivery fee + service fee | Still pay delivery fee (minimum not met) | None |
| $12-$49.99 | Delivery fee ($4-5) + service fee | $0 delivery + reduced service fee | $4-5 saved per order |
| $50+ | $0 delivery + $0 service fee | $0 delivery + $0 service fee | None (both are free) |
Grubhub+ vs. Alternatives: Price and Feature Comparison
All three major delivery memberships—Grubhub+, DoorDash DashPass, and Uber One—cost $9.99/month with similar benefits. The differentiator is bundling: Grubhub+ is free with Amazon Prime, DashPass offers student pricing at $4.99/month, and Uber One includes ride discounts. Choose based on which ecosystem you are already invested in.
| Feature | Grubhub+ ($9.99/mo) | DoorDash DashPass ($9.99/mo) | Uber One ($9.99/mo) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $9.99 | $9.99 | $9.99 |
| Annual plan | $90/yr ($7.50/mo) | $96/yr ($8/mo) | $99.99/yr (~$8/mo) |
| Student pricing | Free with Prime Student ($7.49/mo) | $4.99/mo | $4.99/mo |
| Free delivery minimum | $12 | $12 | $15 (restaurants), $35 (grocery) |
| Pickup rewards | 5% credit back | No | Up to 10% off eligible orders |
| Free with Prime | Yes (permanent) | No | No |
| Free with Lyft | Yes (1 year) | No | No |
| Ride discounts | No | No | 6% Uber credits on rides |
| Priority support | Yes | Yes (DashPass members) | Yes |
| Restaurant selection | 365,000+ | 390,000+ | 400,000+ |
| Credit card perks | None currently | Chase cards (3-12 months free) | None currently |
Which Should You Choose?
| Your Situation | Best Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Have Amazon Prime | Grubhub+ (free via Prime) | $0 cost, full benefits |
| College student without Prime | DoorDash DashPass Student ($4.99/mo) | Cheapest paid option for students |
| College student with Prime Student | Grubhub+ (free via Prime Student) | $0 cost beats $4.99 DashPass |
| Use Uber for rides + food | Uber One ($9.99/mo) | 6% ride credits add value beyond food delivery |
| No Prime, no preference | DashPass or Uber One (largest restaurant networks) | More restaurant options in most cities |
| Orders typically $50+ | None (skip all memberships) | Grubhub waives all fees on $50+ orders for everyone |
Total Savings Breakdown
The maximum annual savings from optimizing Grubhub+ is $119.88/year—achieved by activating the free Prime benefit and canceling your paid subscription. For non-Prime users, the annual plan saves $29.88/year vs. monthly billing. For students, Prime Student + free Grubhub+ is the cheapest path to delivery savings.
| Strategy | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | Annual Savings vs. Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pay monthly (no change) | $9.99 | $119.88 | $0 |
| Switch to annual plan | $7.50 (effective) | $90.00 | $29.88 |
| Activate free via Amazon Prime | $0 | $0 | $119.88 |
| Activate free via Prime Student | $0 | $0 | $119.88 |
| Activate free via Lyft Pink (year 1) | $0 | $0 | $119.88 |
| Cancel entirely, order $50+ only | $0 | $0 | $119.88 |
| Switch to DashPass Student | $4.99 | $59.88 | $60.00 |
| Best: Free via Prime (if you have it) | $0 | $0 | $119.88 |
Household Savings
Amazon Prime membership covers one Grubhub+ account. For households with multiple food delivery subscribers:
| Household | Before Optimization | After (Prime activation) | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person (Prime + paid Grubhub+) | $24.98/mo | $14.99/mo (Prime only) | $119.88 |
| Couple (both paying Grubhub+) | $19.98/mo | $9.99/mo (one via Prime, one paid) | $119.88 |
| Student (Prime Student + paid Grubhub+) | $17.48/mo | $7.49/mo (Prime Student only) | $119.88 |
Your Action Plan
Check whether you have Amazon Prime. If yes, activate free Grubhub+ immediately at amazon.com/prime/offer/grubhub and cancel your paid subscription. This is a 5-minute task that saves $119.88/year. If you do not have Prime, evaluate whether your order frequency justifies $9.99/month or switch to the $90/year annual plan.
- Step 1 (2 minutes): Check if you have Amazon Prime (sign in to amazon.com, look for "Prime" badge)
- Step 2 (3 minutes): If you have Prime, go to amazon.com/prime/offer/grubhub and activate free Grubhub+
- Step 3 (2 minutes): Cancel your paid Grubhub+ subscription (Account > Grubhub+ > Cancel)
- Step 4: Verify free Grubhub+ is active by placing a test order over $12 and confirming $0 delivery fee
- If no Prime: Review your order history—do you order 3+ deliveries per month?
- If yes: Keep Grubhub+ but switch to annual ($90/year saves $29.88)
- If no: Cancel and use Grubhub’s $50+ fee-free policy for larger orders
- Students: Sign up for Prime Student ($7.49/mo after 6-month free trial) to get Grubhub+ free
- Lyft riders: Check if your Lyft Pink membership includes the Grubhub+ free year benefit
- Set reminder: If using Lyft Pink free year, set a month-11 reminder to cancel before $9.99/mo auto-billing
- Run a complete subscription audit to find similar hidden-freebie savings across all your subscriptions
How Much Would You Save?
How many lines do you need?
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With 1 line, you'd save
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That's $NaN/mo back in your pocket
Save $119.88/year by activating free Grubhub+ through Amazon Prime
Grubhub+ is the rare subscription where the best retention strategy is not negotiation—it is checking whether you already have free access. Over 180 million Americans have Amazon Prime, and most of them do not realize Grubhub+ is included. If that is you, activating the free benefit takes 5 minutes and saves $119.88/year. That is one of the highest savings-per-minute ratios in subscription optimization.
Related: Is Grubhub+ worth it in 2026? | Full subscription audit | Take the savings quiz