Safeway Instacart: Instacart is a grocery delivery and pickup service. Customers order groceries from their favorite local stores and Instacart shoppers handpick the items and deliver them to the customer’s door.
So it’s basically like having a personal shopper who delivers your groceries right to your doorstep. You can either order your groceries online or through the Instacart app.
Do you usually shop for groceries at Safeway? If yes, you might probably be wondering if you can get your Safeway groceries delivered to you by Instacart.
Keep on reading to find out whether Safeway offers grocery delivery through Instacart or not! If yes, what products are available for delivery, and what are the delivery fees, Is Instacart more expensive than Safeway delivery, does Instacart mark up Safeway, and more!
Safeway Instacart Delivery In 2022
As of 2022, Safeway customers can order groceries using Instacart. So, if you’d like to have your Safeway groceries delivered, you can do so through Instacart.com or the Instacart app for iOS and Android devices.
However, Safeway still offers its own grocery delivery and pickup service, which is separate from Instacart.
So, if you’re interested in Safeway Delivery or Safeway Curbside pickup, you’ll need to visit Safeway.com or use the Safeway app to place your order.
With Instacart, you can get your Safeway groceries delivered in as little as two hours. So, if you’re ever in a bind and need to pick up some groceries, but can’t venture out of the house, Instacart is there for you!
Read below to find out what types of groceries you can purchase through Instacart, how much it will cost to have your Safeway groceries delivered through Instacart.com, and more!
How It Works
Safeway Instacart works by connecting customers with personal shoppers. Customers order their groceries through the app or website, and a personal shopper will be assigned to them.
The personal shopper will then go to the Safeway store and purchase all of the items that were added to the cart by the customer.
Once the groceries have been gathered, they will be delivered to the customer’s house within 2 hours.
For contactless delivery, customers will need to provide their personal shoppers with specific instructions on where to leave their groceries.
This could be outside the front door or in a garage. Once the groceries have been delivered, the customer will be notified.
Ordering Safeway Groceries Via Instacart
Using Instacart to order from Safeway is simple. The steps you need to follow include –
- Log onto the Instacart website or open the mobile app.
- Select Safeway as your preferred retailer.
- Browse Safeway’s selection of products and add items to your virtual cart.
- Choose a delivery window and enter your payment information to complete your order.
- Sit back and relax while your groceries are delivered to your doorstep!
If you select a customized delivery window, your order will be delivered within that time frame.
If you choose the Fast & Flexible delivery option, your order will be delivered as soon as the next available driver is dispatched.
And if you opt for Priority delivery, your groceries will be delivered in 60 minutes or less. In most cases, it will take around 2 hours for your groceries to be delivered from Safeway via Instacart.
However, delivery times may vary depending on the time of day and how busy the store is.
Items You Can Order
From beverages to baby items, almost all of Safeway’s products are available for purchase through Instacart.
Here’s a table showing all Safeway items you can order using Instacart –
| Product Category | Items |
|---|---|
| Bakery | Bread, pastries, cakes, cookies |
| Beverages | Coffee, tea, soda, juice, sports drinks |
| Baby items | Formula, diapers, baby food |
| Cereals & granola | Oatmeal, cereal bars, granola |
| Snacks | Chips, pretzels, nuts, candy |
| Frozen meals & ice cream | Pizza, frozen burritos, ice cream |
| Oils, vinegar & pickled foods | Olive oil, balsamic vinegar, pickles |
| Dairy | Milk, cheese, eggs |
| Produce | Fresh Fruits and vegetables |
However, there may be some exclusions depending on the store you order from. Once you open the app, all items that can be delivered to your location will be shown to you in the catalog.
Currently, you can order a wide variety of products including cereals, snacks, oils, vinegar, pickled foods, milk & creams, household items, produce, eggs & cheese, meat & seafood, bakery goods, and beverages from Safeway through Instacart.
So, if you are looking for bakery goods, beverages, or even baby items, Safeway has you covered. Even Deli food is available for delivery right to your doorstep.
Safeway Instacart Same-Day Delivery
Safeway is one of the many grocery stores that have partnered with Instacart to provide same-day delivery.
This means that customers who order groceries from Safeway through Instacart can expect their orders to be fulfilled in less than 1 hour.
So, if you’re in need of groceries and don’t have time to go to the store, Safeway’s same-day delivery option may be a good choice for you.
As soon as you order groceries from Safeway through Instacart, you’ll be able to track the progress of your order in real-time.
The app will keep sending you notifications to let you know what stage your order is in and when it’s about to be delivered.
So, if you didn’t already enable notifications for the Instacart app, we recommend you do that now. This way, you won’t miss any important updates about your order.
In addition to notifications from the app, you may also receive texts and phone calls from your delivery driver as they’re getting closer to your location.
So, it’s best to keep your phone close by and check it regularly. When the driver arrives at your location, they’ll give you a call to let you know they’re there.
They may also text you if you’re not able to answer their call. Once you’ve been notified that the driver has arrived, it’s time to go outside and meet them.
If you’re not going to be home when the driver arrives, it’s important to leave clear instructions for them. For example, if you want them to leave your groceries at the front door, make sure they know that.
It’s important to note that not all Safeway locations may offer same-day delivery through Instacart.
To find out if your local Safeway offers this service, simply enter your zip code on the Instacart website or app.
Safeway Instacart Delivery Hours
Usually, Instacart delivers between 5 AM and 11 PM Monday to Sunday. However, the actual timings may vary from one Safeway store to other.
So, basically, you can Instacart immediately whenever you want during the operational hours i.e 5 AM to 11 PM.
But, you will be asked to select a delivery window that will vary from location to location. For example, in San Mateo County, CA, the available delivery slots are between 7 AM and 11 PM.
However, you can select the priority delivery option if you want Safeway groceries delivered in just 60 minutes.
Safeway Instacart Delivery Charge
Safeway Instacart delivery costs start at $3.99 for orders of $35 or more. So, you will need to spend at least $35 to even qualify for Instacart delivery.
Additionally, you will have a choice of same-day delivery and next-day delivery options when ordering through Safeway’s Instacart portal.
So, you can schedule your grocery delivery for a day that’s convenient for you.
If you would like to use Instacart Plus, there is an annual fee of $99 or $9.99 per month.
However, this premium subscription will get you unlimited free deliveries on orders over $35 and also give you a lower service fee when shopping at Safeway.
In case you select a priority delivery window for 1-hour delivery, you will be charged an extra $2 to $4 depending on the time selected and location.
Delivery Cost: Instacart vs Safeway
Safeway’s delivery fee generally ranges between $6.95 and $12.95 whereas Instacart usually charges just $3.99 per order.
So, clearly, Instacart is not so expensive compared to what Safeway charges for home delivery.
However, Instacart delivery fees can go as high as $7 when you select fast delivery options such as priority delivery.
Minimum Order Requirement
Instacart requires you to add at least $10 worth of items from Safeway to make your order eligible for same-day delivery.
On the other hand, Safeway’s minimum order amount requirement used to be $49 previously but, as of now, customers can order delivery even if their cart’s value is below $30.
As of 2022, Safeway asks first-time customers to add $30 worth of items to their cart to be eligible for a one-time free delivery.
Instacart Vs Safeway Delivery: Who Is The Winner Here? Clearly, It’s Instacart!
Free Delivery Coupon Code
Safeway is currently offering free delivery and a flat $20 off to all its new customers who are ordering online for the first time.
To get free delivery from Safeway, use this promo code – SAVE20 – on the checkout page on safeway.com or its delivery app.
While this code cannot be applied to Instacart orders, you can still get free delivery from Instacart if you are a new member.
If it’s your first order, Instacart applies a free delivery coupon code to your cart automatically and it will be valid for a few hours.
Can You Tip Instacart Drivers?
Yes, as of 2022, you can tip Instacart drivers who deliver your groceries. This is a new policy that the company has put in place to show appreciation for their drivers.
If you would like to tip your driver, you can do so either while placing your order or after delivery. Instacart recommends you tip at least $2 per individual store delivery.
However, it’s your wish how much you would like to tip. As a default, Instacart sets the tip to 5% of your total order cost or the percentage you chose for your most recent order, whichever is higher.
You should be able to modify the tip while placing an order or after delivery. If you need to reduce the tip after your order has been placed, you can do so up to 2 hours after delivery.
If in case you want to increase your tip, you can do so up to 14 days after delivery.
Currently, Instacart gives 100% of your tip to the driver. So if you have a good experience with your driver, be sure to give them a nice tip to show your appreciation.
Safeway Instacart Mark Up Price
Instacart charges a markup of around 15% on all items you order from Safeway. So, you’ll be paying more on Instacart than what you’ll pay in-store at Safeway.
For example, Wild Alaskan Pink Waterfront Bistro Salmon Fillets are priced at $8.69 per 16 Oz whereas the same costs you just $7.49 on safeway.com.
And, the actual price can be even lower when you shop in-store at a Safeway near you!
Basically, this additional Instacart markup cost will be applied to all products Safeway sells including recipes, produce, dairy & eggs, meat & seafood, snacks & candy, frozen food items, bakery, deli, prepared foods, alcohol, dry goods & pasta, condiments & sauces, canned goods & soups, breakfast, baking essentials, household goods, oils, vinegars, health care, spices, kitchen supplies, floral, personal care, party & gift supplies, baby products, pet products, 0 Organics, Open Nature, and all exclusive items available at Safeway.
This is why it is more expensive to order online through Instacart than to order from safeway.com or shop in-store at your nearest Safeway location.
Using Safeway Rewards On Instacart
Yes, Instacart allows you to earn and redeem your Safeway For U rewards when you shop for groceries online or through the Instacart app.
In order to earn rewards, you’ll need to link your Safeway For U Rewards Card or account information when shopping on Instacart.
Simply use your phone number that is linked to your Safeway For U Rewards card or account information when checking out on Instacart.
Once you’ve done that, the points will be added to your Safeway For U rewards account and can be redeemed at a future date.
In addition, any coupons or discounts associated with your Safeway For U account will be applied to your order at checkout.
So, if you have been wondering, “Can I use my Safeway grocery points on Instacart?” the answer is yes!
Using Safeway Gift Cards On Instacart
Unfortunately, as of 2022, you cannot redeem your Safeway gift cards on Instacart. This is not an acceptable payment method currently.
In fact, Safeway gift cards are not allowed to use for ordering online on safeway.com as well. You will also not be able to exchange them for cash, reload, or return them.
Safeway Delivery Vs Instacart Delivery: Which Is Better?
Both have their own pros and cons but if you are looking for a fast delivery option, Instacart is your best available online option. It costs you a bit more due to the mark-up price but you will be getting your groceries delivered within 60 minutes which is not actually possible with Safeway delivery. If you would like to save money on delivery, order from Safeway directly or go shopping in-store where you can avail all other services offered by Safeway like money orders, key duplication, gasoline, cashing checks, pharmacy, and a lot more!