26 of 172 cards in Charges & Financial Obligations
Charges & Financial Obligations · User right or choice
If an item is out of stock you can request a substitute or Instacart may check a second store
If an item is unavailable, you can request a specific substitute or let your shopper suggest one, and you are charged based on the substitute item's price. Instacart may also check a second store and send another shopper if the items are found, which creates a second order that you may cancel at no cost before delivery. Alcohol is the stated exception: special requests or substitutions for alcohol are not permitted.
Supporting quotations
If an item in your order is unavailable, we have two ways to help:
You can request a specific substitute or let your shopper suggest one.
You’ll be charged based on the substitute item’s price.
Instacart may also check a second store and send another shopper with the item(s) if found.
you may cancel at no cost prior to delivery
Special requests or substitutions for alcohol are not permitted.
Qualifications & exceptions
The no-cost cancellation applies to the second order created by the second store check and must be made before delivery.
Section 2.1 bars substitutions for alcohol.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Company practice
Retailers set prices, which can differ from in-store and other platforms, and fees can change
Your order total includes the cost of goods plus any applicable fees, taxes and tips. Retailers, not Instacart, set the prices, and prices and fees may change. Retailer prices on the Services may differ from in-store prices, vary across storefronts or differ from other platforms, and displayed prices may not be the lowest available. Retailers may operate multiple storefronts with different pricing, selection and fulfillment. For the In-Store Features, a separate rule says the in-store price prevails if it differs from the app price.
Supporting quotations
Your order total includes the cost of goods, along with any applicable fees, taxes, and tips.
Retailers—not Instacart—set the prices of goods, and both prices and fees may change.
Some Retailers may set prices on the Services that differ from in-store prices, vary across storefronts, or differ from prices offered on other platforms or services.
The prices displayed on the Services may not be the lowest available prices for the same items.
If there is a discrepancy, you must alert a Retailer employee, and the in-store price prevails, as determined by the Retailer.
Qualifications & exceptions
The in-store price rule applies to In-Store Features (Section 1.9).
The specific fees are listed in the next subsection.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Company practice
Instacart may charge many kinds of fees that can change and vary
Instacart may charge different fees, which may change over time. The listed fees include delivery, priority, service fees (including additional service fees and surcharges to offset costs), direct-to-consumer shipping, long-distance, regulatory-related, bag and special handling fees. Fees may also vary based on demand, order attributes or other factors. The list is introduced with "may include", so it is not stated to be complete; the Instacart+ section says such charges still apply to members.
Supporting quotations
We may charge different fees for the Services, which may change from time to time.
These may include delivery fees, priority fees, service fees (including additional service fees and/or surcharges to offset costs), direct-to-consumer shipping fees, long-distance fees, regulatory-related fees, bag fees, and special handling fees.
Fees may also vary based on demand, order attributes, or other factors.
Other charges still apply (including service fees, surcharges (e.g., fuel surcharges), priority fees
Qualifications & exceptions
The fee list is non-exhaustive ("may include").
Instacart+ members still pay the other charges listed in the membership section.
Not stated here
The Terms do not give fee amounts or formulas.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Permission or license
Placing an order authorizes payment holds, including temporary holds above the checkout total
By placing an order you authorize Instacart or the applicable Retailer to obtain an authorization hold on your payment method to cover the cost of goods, Instacart fees and any optional tips. Your payment method is charged once the order is finalized. Instacart may temporarily authorize more than the checkout total, which it says it discloses at checkout, to cover changes such as special requests, added items, replacements, weight adjustments or tips added after delivery. If the order changes, additional temporary holds may be placed. These are holds, not charges, released according to your financial institution's policies, and you are only charged once for the final order total.
Supporting quotations
Payment Authorizations.
you authorize Instacart or the applicable Retailer to obtain an authorization hold on your payment method (credit card, debit card, or other method on file) to cover the cost of goods, Instacart fees, and any optional tips.
Your payment method will be charged for the goods, fees, taxes, and tips once the order is finalized.
We may temporarily authorize your payment method for an amount higher than the checkout total. We disclose this during checkout.
we may place additional temporary authorization holds on your payment method for the same order
They will be released according to your financial institution's policies. You will only be charged once for the final order total.
Qualifications & exceptions
Release timing of holds depends on your financial institution, not Instacart.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Context
Prices are in the currency of the delivery jurisdiction unless stated otherwise
Unless otherwise indicated, all prices and other amounts are in the currency of the jurisdiction where delivery takes place.
Supporting quotations
Unless otherwise indicated, all prices and other amounts are in the currency of the jurisdiction where delivery takes place.
Qualifications & exceptions
"Unless otherwise indicated" allows exceptions on a given listing.
Charges & Financial Obligations · User right or choice
You can usually cancel or reschedule before shopping starts; afterwards fees may apply and items may not be refundable
You can usually cancel or reschedule an order before a shopper starts shopping. After that, or once delivery has started, you may not be able to cancel or reschedule, cancellations and refunds may be limited, a fee may apply, and items already purchased on your behalf may not be refundable. Instacart may cancel or refuse orders at any time. Cancellation fee details are in the Help Center, which is linked but not part of the text analyzed here.
Supporting quotations
You can usually cancel or reschedule an order before a shopper starts shopping.
After that, cancellations and refunds may be limited, fees may apply, and items already purchased may not be refundable.
Instacart may cancel or refuse orders at any time.
Once a shopper has started shopping your order or delivery has started, you may not be able to cancel or reschedule.
you may be charged a fee, and items already purchased on your behalf may not be refundable
Qualifications & exceptions
"Usually" and "may" mean the right is not absolute.
Instacart's right to cancel or refuse orders is stated without conditions.
Not stated here
Cancellation fee amounts are only in the linked Help Center, which is not supplied.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Company practice
Refunds depend on item and Retailer policy; Instacart may choose a refund, replacement or credit
Refund eligibility and timing vary by item and by Retailer policy. Service fees are generally not refundable for returned items. If an order is refunded, Instacart may issue a refund, replacement or credit at its discretion. Order issues such as missing, damaged or incorrect items are reported as set out in the Help Center, which is not part of the text analyzed here.
Supporting quotations
Refund eligibility and timing vary by item and by Retailer policy.
Service fees are generally not refundable for returned items.
we may issue a refund, replacement, or credit at our discretion
Report issues with your order (e.g., missing, damaged, or incorrect items)
Qualifications & exceptions
"Generally" leaves room for exceptions on service fees.
Not stated here
The procedure and deadlines for reporting order issues are only in the linked Help Center.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Coupons are discretionary and come with limits
Instacart may provide promotion codes, discounts, coupon codes or offers, which are discretionary and may have restrictions or be subject to additional manufacturer, Retailer or other offeror terms. General rules say Coupons may change, expire or be canceled at any time; apply only to qualifying items showing the offer and must be used by completing the purchase before expiry; generally may not be combined with other offers, rebates or promotions; may not be sold, copied, modified or transferred; and have no cash value.
Supporting quotations
Coupons are discretionary and may have restrictions or be subject to additional manufacturer, Retailer, or other offeror terms.
General Rules. Coupons:
May change, expire, or be canceled at any time.
Apply only to qualifying items displaying the offer, and you must complete the purchase before the Coupon expires.
Generally may not be combined with other offers, rebates, or promotions.
May not be sold, copied, modified, or transferred.
Have no cash value.
Qualifications & exceptions
"Generally" in the combination rule means exceptions are possible.
Remaining coupon rules (one per user, void where restricted) are in the same list.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Coupons have no cash value, may be one per user, and may be void or limited by supply
Continuing the list of general Coupon rules: Coupons have no cash value, may be limited to one per user unless otherwise stated, and are void where restricted or prohibited by law and valid only while supplies last. The Help Center, which is linked but not part of the text analyzed here, holds more information on Coupons and other separate promotions.
Supporting quotations
Have no cash value.
May be limited to one per user unless otherwise stated.
Are void where restricted or prohibited by law and valid only while supplies last.
You can find more information about Coupons and other separate promotions
Qualifications & exceptions
The one-per-user limit applies "unless otherwise stated".
Not stated here
Further coupon terms in the Help Center are not supplied.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Company practice
You still owe taxes when using a Coupon, and a returned item's Coupon value is deducted from the refund
You are responsible for applicable taxes or levies on purchases even when you use a Coupon, and Instacart has no obligation to pay them. Sales tax may be calculated on the original, undiscounted price of items bought with a Coupon. If you return a product purchased with a Coupon, the Coupon's value is deducted from the refund or credit.
Supporting quotations
You are responsible for any applicable taxes or levies on purchases, even when using a Coupon
Sales tax may be calculated on the original, undiscounted price of items purchased with a Coupon.
If you return a product purchased with a Coupon, the Coupon’s value will be deducted from the refund or credit.
Qualifications & exceptions
Sales tax on the undiscounted price is something that "may" happen.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Credits have no cash value, follow separate Credit Terms, and expiry can change on 30 days' notice
Instacart may offer account Credits, which are subject to additional Instacart Credit Terms (linked but not supplied) and have no cash value. Unless otherwise stated, Instacart may change a Credit's expiration date with 30 days' email notice.
Supporting quotations
We may offer you account credits ("Credits").
Credits have no cash value.
Unless otherwise stated, Instacart may change the expiration date of Credits with 30 days' email notice.
Qualifications & exceptions
"Unless otherwise stated" allows other expiry terms in an offer.
Not stated here
The Instacart Credit Terms are linked but not supplied.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Credits can be capped and restricted for certain items, fees, Instacart+ fees and restaurant orders
Instacart may cap or adjust Credits so an account does not hold more than $1,500 total or more than $2,000 added in a single day. It may restrict Credits for certain items, such as alcohol or prescriptions, and may disallow Credits to cover fees, taxes or tips. Credits may not be used for Instacart+ membership fees or restaurant orders, and certain Credits may not be combined with Coupons or other credits in the same order.
Supporting quotations
Instacart may cap or adjust Credits so that your account does not hold more than $1,500 total or more than $2,000 added in a single day.
We may restrict the use of Credits for certain items (such as alcohol or prescriptions) and may disallow Credits to cover fees, taxes, or tips.
Credits may not be used to pay for Instacart+ membership fees or restaurant orders.
Certain Credits may not be combined with Coupons or other credits in the same order.
Qualifications & exceptions
The restrictions on items, fees, taxes and tips are things Instacart "may" do; the bar on Instacart+ fees and restaurant orders is stated flatly.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
In-store price prevails over the app price, and not all in-store offers are available on In-Store Features
Retailers set prices for In-Store Features and may update them in real time. Prices in the app may not match the in-store price; if they differ, you must alert a Retailer employee and the in-store price prevails, as determined by the Retailer. Not all in-store promotions, discounts or items may be available on In-Store Features.
Supporting quotations
Retailers set the prices for In-Store Features and may update them in real time.
Prices shown in the app may not always match the price in-store.
the in-store price prevails, as determined by the Retailer
Not all in-store promotions, discounts, or items may be available on In-Store Features.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Eligible U.S. customers can pay for SNAP-eligible food with an EBT card; a separate card covers everything else
Eligible U.S. customers can use a valid EBT card to pay for SNAP-eligible food items on Instacart, subject to Retailer and geographic availability and other rules and limits. SNAP EBT funds may only be used for eligible food items, with eligibility determined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. You must also link a credit or debit card to cover fees, taxes, delivery tips and any non-EBT-eligible items, and Instacart does not accept EBT cash.
Supporting quotations
Eligible U.S. customers can use a valid EBT card to pay for SNAP-eligible food items on Instacart.
Availability varies by Retailer and geography. Other rules and limits apply.
SNAP EBT funds may only be used for eligible food items. SNAP eligibility is determined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
You must also link a credit or debit card to cover fees, taxes, delivery tips, and any other non-EBT eligible items.
Instacart does not accept EBT cash.
Qualifications & exceptions
Available to eligible U.S. customers only; availability varies by Retailer and geography.
Not stated here
"Other rules and limits" are not described here; the Help Center article is linked but not supplied.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Gift Cards have separate terms, limited redemption sites, and cannot pay for Instacart+ or restaurant orders
Instacart offers currency-denominated digital and physical gift cards redeemable for eligible goods and services only on Instacart's website and apps and on certain Retailers' white-label sites powered by Instacart. When you buy or redeem a Gift Card you agree to both these Terms and the separate Instacart Gift Card Terms & Conditions, which are linked but not supplied. Gift Cards cannot pay for an Instacart+ membership fee unless you buy an Instacart+ Gift Card for that purpose, and cannot be used for restaurant orders.
Supporting quotations
Instacart offers currency-denominated digital and physical gift cards that can be redeemed for eligible goods and services only on Instacart’s website and apps
When you purchase or redeem a Gift Card, you agree to both these Terms and the
Gift Cards cannot be used to pay for an Instacart+ membership fee, unless you purchase an Instacart+ Gift Card for that purpose.
Gift Cards cannot be used for restaurant orders.
Not stated here
The separate Gift Card Terms & Conditions are not supplied, so expiry, fees and refund rules for Gift Cards are unknown.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Retailer memberships bought through the Services are with the Retailer, not Instacart
Some Retailers allow you to buy memberships through the Services. If you do, you are buying directly from the Retailer, you are charged separately by the Retailer, and Instacart is not a party to the membership agreement. The membership is subject to the Retailer's own terms, and questions go to the Retailer.
Supporting quotations
If you purchase a Retailer membership through the Services, you are buying it directly from the Retailer, not Instacart.
You will be charged separately by the Retailer, and Instacart is not a party to the membership agreement.
For questions about your membership or account management, contact the Retailer directly.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Company practice
Instacart+ is a paid membership that waives some delivery fees, may auto-renew, and is mostly non-refundable
Instacart+ is a paid membership program that waives certain delivery fees on qualifying orders. Memberships may renew automatically unless canceled, depending on membership type. Membership fees are fully earned upon payment and non-refundable except as expressly described in the section. With Instacart+, the delivery fee is waived on an eligible order from a Retailer, subject to the listed limitations, and the eligible order minimum shall not exceed $35. Additional benefit terms are in the Help Center, which is linked but not supplied.
Supporting quotations
Instacart+ (Membership)
Instacart+ is a paid membership program that waives certain delivery fees on qualifying orders.
Memberships may renew automatically unless canceled, depending on your membership type.
Membership fees are fully earned upon payment and non-refundable except as expressly described below.
the delivery fee is waived when you place an eligible order from a Retailer through the Services, subject to the limitations below
The eligible order minimum shall not exceed $35.
Qualifications & exceptions
The benefit is subject to the exclusions listed in the next paragraphs.
Refund exceptions are described in the cancellation and refund paragraphs.
Not stated here
The membership fee amount is not stated in the Terms.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Instacart+ benefits do not cover every service and do not guarantee faster delivery
Instacart+ benefits are not available on all Instacart Services, including Groceries Powered by Instacart (embedded partner experiences), select locations, prescription medication orders and pickup orders. Restaurant delivery fee waivers, where available, are discretionary and not a guaranteed benefit, and benefits may differ on Retailer-powered sites. Instacart+ does not guarantee faster delivery times or priority or guaranteed time slots.
Supporting quotations
What Instacart+ Doesn't Include.
Instacart+ benefits are not available on all Instacart Services, including Groceries Powered by Instacart (embedded partner experiences); select locations, prescription medication orders, and pickup orders;
Restaurant delivery fee waivers (where available) are discretionary and not a guaranteed benefit of the program;
Benefits may differ on Retailer-powered sites;
Instacart+ does not guarantee faster delivery times, priority or guaranteed time slots.
Not stated here
The "select locations" where benefits are unavailable are not identified.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Instacart+ does not guarantee speed, other charges still apply and offers may be restricted
Instacart+ does not guarantee faster delivery times or priority or guaranteed time slots. Other charges still apply to members, including service fees, surcharges such as fuel surcharges, priority fees, direct-to-consumer shipping, long-distance, regulatory, bag and special handling fees, taxes and tips. Restrictions may apply when the membership is combined with other offers.
Supporting quotations
Instacart+ does not guarantee faster delivery times, priority or guaranteed time slots.
Other charges still apply (including service fees, surcharges (e.g., fuel surcharges), priority fees, direct-to-consumer shipping, long-distance, regulatory, bag, special handling, taxes, tips);
Restrictions may apply when combined with other offers.
We may charge different fees for the Services, which may change from time to time.
Qualifications & exceptions
The waiver covers delivery fees only; the other listed charges remain payable.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Permission or license
Instacart+ renews automatically and you authorize charging any active payment method on file
Unless you cancel, your membership automatically renews for the monthly or annual term you selected, and the applicable fee is automatically charged to an active payment method on file at renewal, with prior notice to the extent required by applicable law. You authorize Instacart to charge any active payment method on file for each renewal term unless you cancel before the renewal date. Auto-renewal terms may vary by membership type.
Supporting quotations
UNLESS YOU CANCEL, YOUR INSTACART+ MEMBERSHIP WILL AUTOMATICALLY RENEW FOR THE MONTHLY OR ANNUAL TERM YOU SELECTED
(WITH PRIOR NOTICE TO THE EXTENT REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW)
YOU AUTHORIZE US TO CHARGE ANY ACTIVE PAYMENT METHOD ON FILE FOR EACH RENEWAL TERM UNLESS YOU CANCEL BEFORE THE RENEWAL DATE.
AUTO-RENEWAL TERMS MAY VARY DEPENDING ON YOUR MEMBERSHIP TYPE.
Qualifications & exceptions
You must cancel before the renewal date to avoid the charge.
Prior notice is promised only "to the extent required by applicable law".
Charges & Financial Obligations · Company practice
Billing dates depend on your plan and may shift; charges occur within 24 hours of the billing date
Your billing date depends on the subscription type you select and is shown on your "Your Instacart+ Membership" page. You will be charged within 24 hours of that billing date. Billing dates may shift in certain circumstances, for example because of holidays, technical issues or payment processing issues.
Supporting quotations
Your billing date depends on the subscription type you select
You will be charged within 24 hours of the billing date indicated on the “Your Instacart+ Membership” page.
Billing dates may shift in certain circumstances (for example, due to holidays, technical issues, or payment processing issues).
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
If a membership payment fails you still owe it, and Instacart may retry and suspend access to the Services
If a payment is declined or not successfully made, you remain responsible for all amounts due. Instacart may retry an authorized payment method and may suspend your access to the Services, including Instacart+, until a valid payment method is successfully charged.
Supporting quotations
If a payment is declined or not successfully made, you remain responsible for all amounts due.
We may retry an authorized payment method and may suspend your access to the Services, including Instacart+, until a valid payment method is successfully charged.
Qualifications & exceptions
Suspension is described as covering the Services generally, not only Instacart+.
Charges & Financial Obligations · User right or choice
You can cancel Instacart+ any time; refunds are limited to annual plans canceled within 5 days without use
You can cancel at any time through your "Your Instacart+ Membership" page, with management instructions in the Help Center (linked, not supplied). For annual memberships canceled within the first 5 calendar days of a paid term or renewal, you may receive a refund only if you have not used Instacart+ benefits in that period; later annual cancellations are non-refundable unless a refund is required by applicable law where you live. Monthly membership fees are not refundable, but after canceling you can use benefits until the end of the paid term and the membership will not auto-renew. Certain third-party purchases made while using the membership may not be refundable, and if refundable the third party, not Instacart, processes the refund.
Supporting quotations
You can cancel your membership at any time through your “Your Instacart+ Membership” page
If canceled within the first 5 calendar days of a paid term or renewal, you may receive a refund of the membership fee—but only if you have not used Instacart+ benefits during that period.
Annual memberships canceled after the 5-day window are non-refundable, unless a refund is required by applicable law in the jurisdiction where you reside.
Monthly membership fees are not refundable.
you can continue to use benefits until the end of the paid term, and your membership will not auto-renew
Certain purchases or subscriptions made through third-party partners while using your Instacart+ membership may not be eligible for refund.
the third party (not Instacart) is responsible for processing the refund
Qualifications & exceptions
The 5-day refund is "may receive" and requires no use of Instacart+ benefits.
Mandatory refunds under applicable law are preserved for annual memberships.
Not stated here
What counts as "used" Instacart+ benefits is not defined.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Trial and promotional memberships may be limited, convert to a paid term automatically, and are one per household
Trial or promotional memberships may be offered to select users, may not offer the same benefits to all subscribers and may be subject to additional terms in the offer or in the Instacart+ Promotional Terms and Conditions (linked, not supplied). There is only one trial or promotion per household and it cannot be combined with other offers. At the end of a trial or promotion Instacart automatically charges your payment method unless you cancel first; if you cancel before it expires, Instacart will not charge you for the next membership term unless you restart your membership.
Supporting quotations
Trial or promotional memberships may be offered to select users.
Only one trial/promo per household; not combinable with other offers.
At the end of a trial/promo, we automatically charge your payment method unless you cancel first.
If you cancel your Instacart+ membership before the free trial or promotional membership period has expired, Instacart will not charge you for the subsequent Instacart+ membership term unless you restart your membership.
Not stated here
The Instacart+ Promotional Terms and Conditions are linked but not supplied.
Charges & Financial Obligations · User right or choice
Instacart can change membership fees, but increases apply at renewal after notice
Instacart may change the monthly or annual membership fee at any time, but a change does not apply to current members until their current membership expires and renews for another term. Where the fee has increased, Instacart will notify you before renewal. If you do not want the new fee you may cancel before the new rate takes effect.
Supporting quotations
Instacart may change the monthly or annual fee charged for membership at any time, but any such fee change will not apply to current Instacart+ members until such time as their current memberships expire and their memberships are renewed for another term.
Where the fee has increased, Instacart will notify you prior to the renewal of your membership of the relevant fee increase.
If you do not wish to accept the new fee, you may cancel before the new rate takes effect.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
AAA Rules govern arbitration fees, and a party can be ordered to pay fees if its claim or defense was frivolous
The AAA Rules govern payment of filing, administrative and arbitrator fees. Either party may request an award of reasonable attorneys' fees and costs, including arbitration fees. If the arbitrator finds the other party's claim, cross-claim or defense was groundless, brought in bad faith or for harassment, or otherwise frivolous under the standard of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11 or a state or local equivalent, the arbitrator shall award appropriate attorneys' fees and costs.
Supporting quotations
The AAA Rules govern payment of filing, administrative, and arbitrator fees (“Arbitration Fees”).
Either party may request an award of reasonable attorneys' fees and costs (including Arbitration Fees)
if the arbitrator finds that the other party's claim, cross-claim, or defense was groundless, brought in bad faith or for harassment, or otherwise frivolous under the standard of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11 or a state or local equivalent, the arbitrator shall award appropriate attorneys’ fees and costs
Qualifications & exceptions
Fee-shifting is mandatory only on a finding that a claim, cross-claim or defense was groundless, in bad faith, harassing or otherwise frivolous.
Not stated here
The Terms do not state the amount of fees or how much a consumer pays; that depends on the AAA Rules, which are not supplied.