There’s a Reason My Orders Cost More... How Smart Shoppers Save on Delivery Fees

55% Are Multi-Homing... It's the Era of Combining Delivery App Discounts
Lower Your Actual Spending by Comparing Subscription Models, Public Apps, and Brand Apps

Editor's Note"The more you know, the more you see, and the more you save." We live in an era overflowing with information, yet there are still many things we miss out on. [The Essentials of Benefits] delivers useful news that can save you money in everyday life if you know it, but will cost you if you do not.

#Office worker Park (29) hesitates every time he opens a delivery app after work. Even if he wants to order just one serving, he has to add more menu items to meet the minimum order amount, and the delivery fee adds extra burden, making a single meal quite expensive. As a result, he often ends up closing the app after agonizing over whether to place an order.

A delivery app sticker is attached to a restaurant in Seoul. The Asia Business Daily DB

We are now in an era where each delivery order comes with a delivery fee of 3,000 to 4,000 won. Delivery app discounts are no longer about using a single benefit; it has become a matter of combining multiple offers. The actual price you pay for the same menu can vary depending on which app you use and how you place your order.

In fact, according to a survey by the Ministry of Science and ICT, 55% of food delivery platform users are "multi-homing" users who use two or more apps simultaneously. As much as 15% use all three major platforms: Baedal Minjok, Coupang Eats, and Yogiyo. This indicates that more people are searching for the most advantageous route for every order.

If you order frequently, pay attention to delivery apps' subscription models

Promotional images of Baemin Club by Baedal Minjok and Yogipass X by Yogiyo. Screenshots of each company's app.

The first thing to look at is the subscription model offered by delivery apps. Recently, delivery platforms have gone beyond simply reducing delivery fees, introducing subscription services that bundle free delivery, membership-only coupons, and partnership benefits to retain users. Representative examples include "Baemin Club" from Baedal Minjok, "Wow Membership" from Coupang Eats, and "Yogipass" from Yogiyo.

The key is that users pay a monthly subscription fee in exchange for repeatedly enjoying various benefits, which changes their consumption patterns. The more frequently you order, the more you feel the advantages of these subscription models. Recently, partnership benefits have also been added, such as a two-month free Baemin Club subscription for Melon pass holders and Yogipass perks linked for Naver Plus Membership subscribers.

According to the Ministry of Science and ICT, members of delivery service subscriptions place an average of 12.7 orders per month, which is nearly twice the 6.5 orders of non-subscribers. On the other hand, if you do not order often, the benefits may not justify the subscription fee, so it is important to consider both your order frequency and the range of benefits you can actually use before signing up.

Revitalize local businesses and get discounts... Making use of public delivery apps

The public delivery app "Ttaenggeoyo" offers discount benefits linked with local currency and Onnuri gift certificates. Ttaenggeoyo app

Public delivery apps have recently emerged among consumers as a noteworthy discount channel. "Seoul Delivery+ Ttaenggeoyo" by the Seoul Metropolitan Government is issuing delivery-exclusive gift certificates at a 15% discount during the first half of this year and is running a payback event that returns 5% of the payment amount as delivery-exclusive gift certificates. In addition, if you place an order of 25,000 won or more with delivery-exclusive gift certificates, you receive an extra 2,000 won coupon. Simply combining the 15% discounted gift certificate and 5% payback amounts to nearly 20% in savings. Outside Seoul, Ttaenggeoyo also offers various local government partnership benefits in different regions.

The public delivery app "Delivery Special" in Gyeonggi Province also offers a structure of overlapping discounts by combining local currency payments, additional discount coupons, and pick-up discounts, while "Meokkaebi" continues to offer regional discount coupon promotions. However, benefits for public delivery apps can vary depending on the issuance schedule, budget exhaustion, and event status in each region, so it is important to check before placing an order.

From takeout orders to official apps... Practical savings strategies

Takeout orders are the most direct way to cut down on delivery fees. Even if free delivery is not offered, switching to takeout removes the delivery fee altogether, and some apps and restaurants provide takeout-only discounts. In addition, if you participate in the Ministry of Environment's carbon-neutral points program for green living, you can receive extra benefits. If you choose a reusable container when ordering or use your own container to pick up food at the store, you can receive an incentive of 500 won per order. However, since this only applies in certain regions and participating locations, it is best to check availability in advance.

A delivery motorcycle running on a street in Seoul. Photo by The Asia Business Daily Database

If you are ordering from a franchise, it is worth looking outside the delivery app. Some brands offer more generous coupons and promotions through their official apps or websites than through delivery apps. For example, Yeopgi Tteokbokki offers a 3,000 won discount for delivery orders through its official app, a 3,000 won discount for takeout, and a 2,000 won discount for dining in. For menu categories with strong brand loyalty, such as chicken, pizza, or snacks, you may benefit more by checking the official app or website for special offers before simply paying the delivery app price.

Ultimately, there is no single method for saving money on delivery apps; the best approach depends on your ordering habits. Subscription memberships work best for frequent users, public delivery apps benefit those who use local currency, takeout discounts are ideal for nearby orders, and franchise menus may offer more benefits on official apps. The key is to carefully consider which discount method best matches your ordering habits and consumption patterns and choose accordingly.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.