It’s no surprise that the behemoth retailer Amazon, which sells just about everything a consumer might need, would want to claim a percentage of our grocery budgets, too. And with the latest news that Amazon is opening up their AmazonFresh grocery delivery and free pickup to everyone — not just Prime members — (and that same perk is coming to Whole Foods stores soon!) it’s a good time to review what Amazon Grocery Delivery is and how it works. That includes the costs, difference between the two Amazon grocery services, Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods, what extra perks Prime members get, and why you might want to use Amazon for your next grocery delivery order.
Read on for everything you need to know about Amazon grocery delivery. Note that Amazon’s grocery delivery service pricing and terms often change, so be sure to check its site directly to confirm costs and availability.
What Is Amazon Grocery Delivery?
Amazon Grocery Delivery is a supermarket that sells exactly what you’d expect. Think fresh fruits and vegetables, meats and seafood, packaged, shelf-stable foods and snacks, household essentials, dog and cat food, toiletries and more.
As long as you live within a covered area, you can order online and get groceries delivered from Whole Foods Market (which is owned by Amazon) and/or Amazon Fresh. If you prefer, you can also schedule a time to pick up your groceries. Though Amazon has opened up Amazon grocery to everyone, Prime members will still get additional savings by using their membership.
More About Amazon Fresh Grocery Delivery
Think of Amazon Fresh as your traditional type of supermarket, with thousands of products — from fresh foods like fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy, as well as non-perishable canned goods, packaged foods, cleaning supplies, pet supplies and more. If you’ve ever ordered your groceries for same-day delivery from a company like Instacart, you’re familiar with the convenience of getting all of your goods from one place, with a shopper going through the aisles for you and bagging up your groceries for delivery (or pickup), saving you a ton of time and simplifying your life. In fact, you may never want to go back to supermarket shopping in person again.
Do You Have to Have Amazon Prime to Get Amazon Grocery Delivery?
Amazon has updated access for Amazon Fresh. Now, grocery pickup at Amazon Fresh stores and Fresh pickup points is free for all customers, Prime members or not.
For deliveries, if you are not a Prime customer, Amazon Fresh will bill you between $7.95 to $13.95 (the cost depends on how much you spent and your chosen delivery window) to get a delivery from Amazon Fresh. Prime members who place an order for over $100 with Amazon Fresh pay no delivery fee. If you order between $50 and $100, you’ll pay a fee of $6.95. Spending under $50? Your delivery fee is $9.95. Amazon Prime is currently $139/year, so if you plan to use Amazon Fresh delivery once a month for an order over $100, that’s $120 savings.
More About Whole Foods Market Grocery Delivery
Whole Foods, which Amazon purchased in 2017 for $13 billion, is known for its organic offerings, their impressive array of fresh fruits and vegetables, and their prepared foods, bakery selection, meats, fish and cheeses. Though Whole Foods isn’t the cheapest place to get groceries, Prime members get an extra 10 percent off storewide sales (except alcohol) at Whole Foods as well as other Prime-only discounts and deals throughout the year.
Amazon has promised that “soon,” anyone can use the Whole Foods grocery delivery service and free pickup from Whole Foods, even if they’re not a Prime member. The retailer says that once this is up and going, customers in more than 3,500 cities and towns across the U.S. will have access to two-hour grocery delivery from Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods Market.
Find out if you can shop Whole Foods Market or Amazon Fresh in your ZIP code.
Is There a Fee for Amazon Grocery Delivery?
Prime members who place an order for over $100 with Amazon Fresh pay no delivery fee. However, if you’re a Prime member and place an order between $50 and $100, you’ll pay a fee of $6.95. Spending under $50? Your delivery fee is $9.95.
If you are not a Prime customer, Amazon Fresh will bill you between $7.95 and $13.95 (the cost depends on how much you spent and your chosen delivery window) to get a delivery from Amazon Fresh.
If you order grocery delivery from Whole Foods Market, Prime members pay a $9.95 service fee. Additional fees apply for non-members. Pickup at Whole Foods is free (or will be soon, depending on your area) to all customers, with or without a Prime membership.
Is Amazon Grocery Delivery Available Everywhere?
No. Though there are many areas where it is (and that number will continue to increase), you need to visit https://amazon.com/Fresh to see if you are in a covered area. In some areas, you might have the option to shop from Whole Foods but not Amazon Fresh or vice versa.
Do You Have to Be Home to Receive Your Delivery?
In select regions, you can arrange to have Fresh and/or Whole Foods groceries delivered inside your garage with Amazon Key In-Garage Delivery. Be advised that if your order contains any perishable items, they should not be left unrefrigerated/unfrozen. This is a perk only available to Prime members at this time.
What Can I Order for Amazon Grocery Delivery?
You name it, you can probably find it from Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods, from those everyday basics and mealtime staples to specialty foods, spices, and snacks. Depending on your state, you may even be able to get alcohol delivered, too.
Can You Get Same-Day Delivery of Your Groceries?
Yes, you can (often) arrange for your Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods Market order to be delivered to you on the same day. That’s probably not going to happen on, say, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, though, so don’t cut it close if you have any concerns.
How Does Tipping Work for Amazon Grocery Delivery?
When you are checking out online, you are given the opportunity to add an optional tip for your driver, and you can edit your tip amount up to 24 hours after delivery. Amazon says that “if you elect to leave a tip, the entire tip goes to your delivery driver.”
Are There Physical Amazon Grocery Stores, Too?
Yes, there are in-person Amazon Fresh stores (as well as other Amazon retail locations). Find one near you here. And there are over 500 Whole Foods retail locations in the U.S., UK, and Canada.
Can You Use SNAP EBT Card on Amazon Fresh?
Amazon says they accept SNAP EBT nationwide and whether or not you are a Prime member, you can use your SNAP EBT card to pay for SNAP EBT-eligible food items and arrange for a free delivery, without a Prime membership from Amazon Fresh, Amazon.com and Whole Foods.
Find out more at https://www.amazon.com/snap.
Can You Still Order Some Food Online Through Traditional Amazon Delivery?
Absolutely! Amazon still has plenty of non-perishable, shelf-stable food items as well as household staples available online, just like they always did. And if you haven’t already checked out Amazon Launchpad Grocery, do so! You can find all sorts of cool, newer brands. If you’re a Prime member, check out the company’s Stock Up and Save program. If you spend at least $50 on select household items and everyday essentials, you’ll get a 20 percent discount automatically applied at checkout.
Can You Use Amazon’s Buy Now, Pay Later Feature for Grocery Deliver?
Amazon has a buy now, pay later program that allows you to shop and receive your items and then pay over a longer time-period, such as four months or more. However, grocery orders through Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods are not eligible for this program.
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