Why Seamless Charges You Fees, Even With Amazon Prime

Published: June 24, 2025

Wait, Isn't Seamless Delivery Supposed to Be Free with Amazon Prime?

If you're an Amazon Prime member using Seamless or Grubhub, you've likely seen the promise: *“Enjoy free delivery on eligible orders.”* But many users are discovering that “free” may not mean what it used to. Despite subscribing to Seamless+ through their Prime membership, customers still encounter extra fees at checkout.

Breaking Down the Real Costs

While the delivery line item may read “$0.00,” other charges, like service fees, small order fees, or vague “driver benefits” charges, often still apply. For example, a $14 order may carry an extra $2 - $4 in fees, depending on location and order size. Many users say they didn't expect these charges, assuming their Prime-linked membership covered everything.

What's Going On With Seamless and Prime?

Seamless' parent company, Grubhub, partnered with Amazon in 2022 to offer one-year free Grubhub+ memberships to Prime subscribers. While this perk waived delivery fees on eligible orders, it never eliminated other fees, and for some, that detail got lost in the marketing.

Why It Feels Misleading

For many Prime members, Seamless+ seemed like an extension of Amazon's famously no-hassle model. But unlike Prime's flat-fee simplicity, Seamless' checkout system tacks on charges in ways that can feel opaque. Consumers aren't just paying for food, they're paying for a maze of add-ons that vary based on how much they order, when, and where.

What You Can Do About It

Check your order history. Review what you were charged, and compare those charges to what you expected to pay. While these fees may technically be disclosed in the fine print, transparency is a growing concern for users who feel misled.

If you've been surprised by fees despite your Seamless+ membership, consider sharing your experience. Consumer watchdog groups are beginning to look into how food delivery platforms structure, and market, their pricing.