Food delivery has become a staple in our lives, and Grubhub gift cards have emerged as one of the most convenient gifts you can give a food lover. 

Whether you're looking to treat a friend, reward employees, or simply manage your own food budget, these prepaid cards offer flexibility and value that's hard to beat.

What is a Grubhub Gift Card?

A Grubhub gift card is essentially a prepaid card you can use to order food through the Grubhub platform. 

It works at over 200,000 restaurants nationwide, making it incredibly versatile for recipients.

These cards come in two formats:

• Digital eGift cards delivered via email that you can redeem immediately

• Physical plastic cards you can purchase in stores or online

What makes these cards particularly appealing is that they never expire and have no hidden fees. 

Every dollar on the card goes directly toward your food order, with no activation or maintenance charges eating into the balance.

One important detail to note: Grubhub gift cards only work on the Grubhub platform within the United States. 

You can't use them outside the country or on sister platforms. 

They're also not tied to specific restaurants - they're platform-wide credits. 

This means you can't use a restaurant's own gift card on Grubhub, only Grubhub's official cards.

Where to Buy Grubhub Gift Cards

You've got plenty of options when it comes to purchasing these food delivery credits:

Official Channels

The most direct route is through Grubhub's gift card page. 

Here, you can choose denominations ranging from $10 up to $1000, select a card design, add a personal message, and even schedule delivery for a future date - perfect for birthday surprises.

Online Retailers

Several major online stores offer Grubhub gift cards with instant delivery:

• Amazon (with immediate email delivery)

• PayPal Digital Gifts

• GiftCards.com

• Best Buy

These typically provide the same digital code you'd get directly from Grubhub, just through different purchasing channels.

Brick-and-Mortar Stores

If you prefer grabbing a physical card while shopping, you can find them at:

• Target

• Walmart

• Walgreens

• CVS

• Kroger/Safeway

• Staples

In-store cards usually come in denominations from $5 to $500, and the cashier activates them at checkout. 

Always keep your receipt until you've confirmed the card works properly.

Many people don't realize you can also buy these gift cards for yourself as a way to budget food spending or to take advantage of special promotions. 

Simply send the gift card to your own email address and redeem it to your account.

Finding Gift Card Deals and Discounts

Who doesn't love saving money? 

Here are some insider tips for getting Grubhub gift cards below face value:

Seasonal Promotions

During holidays and especially Black Friday, Grubhub often runs bonus offers. 

Past promotions have included "$10 bonus eGift when buying $20+ in gift cards." Keep an eye on Grubhub's social media accounts between November and December for these special deals.

Discount Marketplaces

Websites like Raise, CardCash, and Gift Card Granny regularly sell discounted Grubhub cards from people looking to offload unwanted gifts. 

You can typically save between 5-12% off the face value. One tracking site showed average discounts of 8-12%.

Retail Rewards Programs

Purchasing gift cards at grocery stores can yield additional benefits. 

For example, many grocery chains offer fuel points on gift card purchases, effectively giving you a discount at the pump as a bonus. 

Some credit cards also offer extra cashback for purchases at supermarkets or specific retailers, making the gift card even more affordable.

Stacking Savings

The savvy move is combining a discounted gift card with Grubhub promo codes or cashback offers. 

You might get a $50 card for $45, then use it with a 20% off coupon on your order - that's double savings!

Just be careful about scams - only buy discounted cards from reputable platforms with purchase guarantees. 

If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Once a Grubhub card is used, it can't be reissued if stolen.

Bulk Purchases for Business Needs

For companies looking to reward employees or thank clients, Grubhub offers specialized bulk gifting options.

Corporate Gift Card Programs

Businesses can access Grubhub's Bulk Gift Card Portal for orders exceeding $2,000. 

Payment is handled through corporate methods like ACH, wire transfers, or corporate credit cards, and may require setting up a dedicated account.

One advantage for businesses is the potential for volume discounts. 

While Grubhub doesn't publicly list their discount schedule, authorized corporate distributors advertise bulk discounts on large orders. 

Companies can often negotiate better rates based on quantity.

This program differs from Grubhub Corporate Accounts, which provide ongoing meal credits and invoicing. 

Gift cards are perfect for one-off rewards with a personal touch, while meal stipends work better for regular employee benefits.

Imagine sending each team member a $25 gift card as a work-from-home perk or holiday gift. 

Bulk ordering makes it easy to personalize and distribute these at scale.

If you're planning a corporate gift card purchase, remember that you'll need to factor in processing time.

Large orders might take a few business days, so plan ahead for holiday or appreciation events. 

Also, ensure your recipients are based in the U.S. since these cards don't work internationally.

How to Redeem Your Grubhub Gift Card

Got a gift card and ready to use it? Here's how to get that balance into your account:

Adding to Your Account

1. Log in to your Grubhub account (or create one if you're new)

2. Go to Account settings (look for your profile icon or name menu)

3. Select "Gift Cards" from the account menu

4. Tap "Redeem a Gift Card" and enter the 16-digit code

5. Click "Add to Account" - the balance transfers into your Grubhub wallet

Once redeemed, the funds appear as Grubhub credits in your account wallet. 

When placing orders, the system automatically uses this balance before charging your backup payment method.

Redeeming During Checkout

If you prefer, you can also apply a gift card during the checkout process:

1. Add items to your cart and proceed to checkout

2. On the payment screen, click "Add gift cards or promo codes"

3. Enter your gift card code

4. Apply it to your order

The gift card amount gets deducted from your total, and any remaining balance stays in your account for future orders.

You can add multiple gift cards to your account - there's no limit. 

All balances will accumulate in your wallet, giving you a larger pool of credits to spend.

A smart tip: Redeem cards as soon as you receive them. This ensures you won't misplace the code and secures the balance safely in your account.

Important Limitations to Know

Before planning how to use your gift card, understand these key restrictions:

No Cash Value

Grubhub gift card balances cannot be cashed out or refunded (except where required by law for small balances in certain states). 

Plan to use the full value for food orders.

Non-Transferable Credits

Once you've redeemed a gift card to your account, you can't transfer that credit to someone else's account. 

If you want to give someone Grubhub credit, you'll need to purchase a new gift card for them.

Code Limitations

Gift card codes are one-time use only.

After redeeming to an account, that code is tied to that account and can't be used again. Keep your code private until you've redeemed it.

Geographic Restrictions

As mentioned earlier, these cards only work within the United States on the Grubhub platform. 

If you're traveling internationally or if Grubhub expands to new markets, your gift card won't work outside the U.S.

Account Type Restrictions

Some special account types may not work with gift cards. 

For example, corporate accounts, campus dining programs, or other specific Grubhub programs might have restrictions on using personal gift cards. 

If you're using one of these special accounts and your gift card isn't working, this could be the reason.

Payment Limitations

You can't use Grubhub gift cards to purchase other gift cards, and they can't be combined with cash payments for delivery. 

All transactions must be completed in-app.

Checking Your Gift Card Balance

Keeping track of your remaining credit is simple:

In-App Balance Check

If you've already redeemed your gift card, just open the Grubhub app and go to the "Payments" or "Gift Cards" section of your account. 

Your current gift card credit will be displayed right there.

Pre-Redemption Check

If you haven't redeemed the card yet, Grubhub's website has a "Check your balance" tool where you can input the card code without applying it to your account.

Phone Support

For physical card holders, you can also call the customer support number on the back of your card to verify your balance.

Since Grubhub gift cards never expire, your balance remains intact until fully used. But it's still good practice to keep track of it so you don't forget about available funds.

When you've redeemed multiple gift cards, Grubhub combines them into one total balance in your account. 

This simplifies tracking since you'll just see one number rather than separate balances for each card.

Using Gift Cards with Grubhub+ and Promotions

Maximizing your gift card's value means understanding how it works with other Grubhub features:

Grubhub+ Subscription Considerations

While gift cards work great for food orders with a Grubhub+ membership, they typically can't be used to pay for the $9.99 monthly subscription fee itself. 

Grubhub usually requires a credit card on file for the subscription since it auto-renews monthly.

The good news is that having Grubhub+ (with its free delivery benefit) while using a gift card means your gift card goes entirely toward food and tip rather than delivery fees - stretching its value further.

Amazon Prime Connection

If you have Amazon Prime, you might qualify for free Grubhub+. 

This combination is powerful - free delivery through your Prime benefit, with gift card funds going 100% toward your meal.

Combining with Promotions

One of the best features of gift cards is they stack with promo codes and discounts. 

You can apply a coupon code (like $10 off $30) and then use your gift card for the remaining balance. 

The system treats gift cards like cash, so they don't conflict with promotional discounts.

Tipping Considerations

When it comes to tipping, there's an important nuance: Grubhub applies gift card funds to your total order including delivery fees and tip if you add the tip at checkout. 

However, if your gift card balance doesn't cover the entire amount including tip, your backup payment method will be charged for the remainder.

For the smoothest experience, add your tip during the checkout process rather than after delivery. 

This ensures the Grubhub tip is included in the initial charge, allowing your gift card to cover it if sufficient funds are available.

Solving Common Gift Card Problems

Even with something as straightforward as gift cards, issues can arise. 

Here are solutions to frequent problems:

Card Not Working at Checkout

If your gift card balance isn't applying, the most common fix is adding a credit/debit card to your account. 

Even if you plan to pay entirely with your gift card, Grubhub requires a backup payment method on file. 

This is a quirk that confuses many users, but once you've added a card, your gift balance should become available for use.

Invalid Card Code

Double-check for typos (especially confusing O/0). For store-bought cards, verify it was properly activated at checkout (keep your receipt!). 

If purchased online, make sure you're using the right redemption process - don't enter the gift card code in the promo code field.

If the code still fails, contact Grubhub support with your proof of purchase. 

They can investigate if the code was misprinted or incorrectly redeemed by someone else.

Missing eGift Email

If a digital gift card email hasn't arrived, first check that the correct recipient email was entered and verify the purchase confirmation. 

Look in spam folders for emails from Grubhub or CashStar (their gift card vendor).

For scheduled deliveries, remember the email won't arrive until the chosen date. 

If you still can't locate it, Grubhub's gift card support can resend the email or provide the code after verification.

Refunds and Cancellations

When you cancel an order paid with a gift card, Grubhub refunds the amount back to your gift card balance. 

This appears as a credit increase in your account, usually within a few hours or business days. If you don't see the refund, contact support with your order details.

Customer Support Contacts

For any gift card issues, reach Grubhub's support via:

• Toll-free number: 844-828-5331

• In-app chat support

• Email support

Grubhub can help with lost codes, balance discrepancies, and other gift card problems. Most users report positive experiences when working with support on these issues.

Grubhub vs. Competitor Gift Cards

How do Grubhub gift cards compare to other food delivery services? Here's a breakdown:

Format and Availability

Grubhub, DoorDash, and Uber Eats all offer digital and physical gift cards that never expire.

The key difference: Uber Eats gift cards function as Uber Cash, meaning they can be used for both food delivery and rides. 

Grubhub and DoorDash cards work exclusively for food orders.

Geographic Coverage

While Grubhub is U.S.-only, DoorDash operates in the U.S., Canada, and Australia (though gift cards are country-specific). 

Uber Eats has a global presence, but again, gift cards typically work only in their country of purchase.

For U.S. recipients, DoorDash offers the widest coverage with service in 4,000+ cities, including many suburban and rural areas. 

Grubhub has strong urban coverage, while Uber Eats excels in major cities and offers grocery/convenience options.

Usage and Features

All platforms allow gift cards to cover food and delivery fees. 

One notable difference: Uber Eats gift cards can easily cover driver tips since they convert to Uber Cash in your account. 

Grubhub and DoorDash typically require tips to be charged separately to a credit card if they exceed your gift balance.

Business Bulk Options

For corporate buyers, DoorDash offers robust branding options for bulk gifts and sometimes has lower delivery fees. 

Uber Eats works well for international teams, while Grubhub excels for U.S.-based workforces, especially in urban areas.

Platform Interoperability

Unfortunately, these gift cards are not interchangeable - a Grubhub gift card won't work on DoorDash or Uber Eats and vice versa. 

Choose the service your recipient already uses for maximum utility.

Maximizing Your Gift Card Value

Want to stretch your gift dollars further? Try these strategies:

Strategic Timing

Save your gift card for when Grubhub runs free delivery days or special discounts. Using your credit during a promotion effectively increases its value.

Avoid Unnecessary Fees

If you have Grubhub+ (especially free via Amazon Prime), you'll save on delivery fees, allowing your gift card to go entirely toward food, tax, and tip.

Even better, consider using the gift card for pickup orders. This eliminates delivery and service fees entirely, letting you spend the full value on actual food.

Loyalty Stacking

Many restaurants on Grubhub offer their own loyalty programs (like "order 7 times, get $10 off"). Using a gift card doesn't prevent you from earning these rewards, so you can build up credits for future orders while spending your gift.

Balance Management

Watch for small remaining balances. Even if you have just $3 left, you can apply it to your next order as a partial payment. Alternatively, add a small item to your order to use up the balance completely.

Security Best Practices

Treat your gift card code like cash - don't share it publicly. Redeem digital cards to your account immediately so the code is secure behind your login credentials.

Combining with Time-Limited Offers

While gift cards don't expire, promotional credits or referral bonuses often do. Use these alongside your gift card balance before they disappear.

Final Thoughts

Grubhub gift cards offer a flexible, convenient way to treat yourself or others to delivered meals from thousands of restaurants. With no expiration date or hidden fees, they provide lasting value that recipients can use on their own schedule.

Whether you're buying one as a thoughtful gift, rewarding employees, or managing your own food budget, you now have the knowledge to purchase, redeem, and maximize these versatile credits.

Ready to treat someone (or yourself) to a food delivery feast? Grab a Grubhub gift card and make the next meal a special one - your stomach and wallet will thank you.

Looking for even more food delivery options? Check out our comparison of DoorDash vs Grubhub pricing to see which service offers better value in your area.