Aldi first launched their curbside grocery pickup service in 2020, which made it easier than ever to order groceries (and even Aldi Finds) without setting foot in an Aldi store. As long as your order is at least $10, you can use Aldi Pickup. But that convenience does come at a cost, as we found that items cost about 11% more than in the store.
Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect when you use Aldi Pickup.
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Aldi Pickup is now available at 65% of Aldi stores, and more locations get added every year.
Not every Aldi location offers curbside pickup, but about 65% of Aldi stores do. To find out if it’s offered at your local store, select “Pickup” on their website and enter your ZIP code. You can also check through the Aldi mobile app.
According to the current list of all Aldi grocery pickup locations, the service is available at stores in the following states:
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Nebraska
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Vermont
Virginia
Washington, D.C.
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Your Aldi Pickup order is handled behind the scenes by Instacart.
To place an order for Aldi Pickup, you can do it through Aldi’s website or app, or through Instacart directly. Just add items to your virtual cart, then select a pickup time and location at checkout.
Unlike pick-up orders from other grocery stores, if you don’t pre-select a substitution in your order and your original item of choice isn’t available, you just won’t get anything. For Aldi Pickup orders, the shopper typically doesn’t communicate back and forth like they do for delivery orders.
Once your order is ready, you’ll receive a notification from Aldi (or a text from your Instacart shopper if you shopped that way). You’ll follow the signs for Aldi Pickup and pull into the designated area, follow the instructions on the sign, and the shopper will load the groceries into your car.
Keep in mind that your final order total may differ from what you were originally quoted. The final price may change depending on the exact weight of a product sold by weight, or if an item is out of stock and needs replacing. When you place an order, you’ll be given the anticipated total, but what you’re actually charged may be different. You’ll get charged (or credited) the difference.
TIP: Keep in mind that there’s a minimum of $10 per Aldi Pickup order. Since the process is handled by Instacart behind the scenes, you’ll get a discount on orders of $35 or more if you have the paid Instacart+ account.
Unless you have Instacart+, you’ll pay a pickup fee of $1.99 – $3.99 per order.
Other than a potential bag fee of $0.12 per bag, you’ll likely face a pickup fee at Aldi, too.
If your order total is below $35, they charge a $3.99 pickup fee. But spend over $35, and that fee goes down to $1.99. This covers the cost for Aldi’s team to gather, pack, and load up your goodies.
Want to dodge the pickup charge? Sign up for Instacart+. Not only do you get free delivery, but the pickup fee gets waived at all eligible local stores. You can go all in with a $99 annual membership or opt for the $9.99 monthly plan.
Related:Is Instacart Worth It?
And prices for Aldi Pickup are about 11% higher than in store.
In-store prices at Aldi are often going to be cheaper than the prices you see when ordering Aldi Pickup.
We researched prices for multiple items and found that the average markup was around 11%. For a cart with just the 10 items listed below, you’d pay an extra $3.24 if you ordered Aldi Pickup instead of shopping in-store. For larger orders, the 11% markup can really add up.
Related: Learn more ways to spend even less at Aldi.
Check out the price differences for these 10 Aldi items:
Keep in mind that prices may vary by store.
Save with the Fetch rebate app even when you shop with Aldi Pickup.
Aldi doesn’t accept manufacturer coupons because most of their items are an Aldi store brand (and because their pricing is already so low). However, you can use the Fetch rewards app to earn cash back when shopping at Aldi.
Just make sure the email you use for Instacart is linked to your Fetch account. That way, Fetch will give you credit for the items listed on your emailed Instacart receipt.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aldi Pickup
Does Aldi offer free curbside pickup?
Nope, Aldi charges $1.99 – $3.99 per order for curbside pickup, unless you have an Instacart+ membership and order through the Instacart app. With Instacart+, you’ll get free Aldi Pickup for orders over $35. Without the membership, you’ll pay $1.99 per order of $35+, or $3.99 per order under $35.
Are the prices different for Aldi Pickup compared to in-store?
According to Aldi’s website, their curbside prices “might be a tad higher to cover personal shopping costs.” But don’t sweat it too much; the difference is pretty small (around 11%).
Should I bring my own bags for the curbside pickup?
You can if you’d like to avoid the potential bag fees. Many shoppers like to use laundry baskets or storage cubes to keep groceries organized in the backseat.
Can I pay with my EBT card for Aldi’s curbside service?
Yup! Over 1,700 Aldi stores in 37 states let you use your SNAP EBT Card for curbside pickup.
Is tipping a thing for curbside pickup?
You’re not expected to tip, and the Instacart app doesn’t even have a tip option for pickup. But if you’re feeling generous, handing over a 10% – 15% cash tip would likely be welcomed by your personal shopper.
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