Shopping Excellence: Celebrating Quality with New Rewards, Perks, and Resources for Shoppers

Updating the Cart Star shopper rewards program with new perks like priority batch access and a free Instacart+ membership, plus simplified qualification and more recognition for shopping excellence

Announcing the all-new Instacart Shopper Rewards Card powered by Branch, including a Mastercard debit card and business bank account featuring fee-free automatic payouts after every batch, cashback on gas and EV charging, and no-fee ATM withdrawals

At Instacart, we’ve always been committed to celebrating and supporting the shoppers who provide exceptional service to customers across North America. We call this shopping excellence — and we focus on empowering shoppers to do their best work and recognizing those who consistently deliver outstanding service.

Every time a shopper carefully examines a package of berries to make sure they’re fresh, checks another aisle for a requested item they can’t find on the shelf, or verifies an order at delivery to make sure no items are left behind, they’re demonstrating shopping excellence. These thoughtful touches exemplify the care and attention that make a real difference for customers.

We provide resources and rewards that help shoppers consistently deliver this level of excellence. Over the next several months, we’ll be rolling out a series of new updates that do just that: offer meaningful rewards for shoppers who embody shopping excellence, and provide more resources to empower them to achieve it.

Today, we’re excited to announce the first two updates as part of this initiative: a refresh of our Cart Star program and the introduction of the Instacart Shopper Rewards Card powered by Branch¹, both designed to offer impactful rewards that empower shoppers and help them reach their personal goals.

Updating Cart Star 

Since we launched the Cart Star program in 2022, it has served as a way to reward shoppers for their care, commitment, and effort. Now, we’re evolving the program to further ensure that shoppers providing exceptional service are recognized in more meaningful ways.

Starting July 1, 2025, we’re updating how shoppers earn and access Cart Star tiers. Shoppers’ shopping quality score will now play a key role in qualifying for tiers, alongside existing criteria of completed orders and customer rating. Additionally, we’ve simplified the way tiers are achieved — shoppers will progress based on completed orders rather than earning points, making it easier to track and unlock new benefits.

Higher tiers of Cart Star will also open the door to even greater rewards. Now, all shoppers in Cart Star will receive priority access to batches, based on their tier — starting with Diamond Cart, then Platinum Cart, then Gold Cart. Diamond Cart shoppers will continue to have early access to batches before stores open. Reliable access to batches is one of shoppers’ top requests on our platform, and we’re excited to expand this benefit to additional Cart Star tiers in response to shopper feedback.

As a new benefit, Diamond Cart shoppers will enjoy a complimentary Instacart+ membership, which offers $0 delivery fees on groceries and eligible restaurant orders that shoppers can share with their families (service fees and terms apply). This new membership joins existing perks like cashback on gas and oil change discounts for all Cart Star shoppers, plus backup childcare for Diamond and Platinum Cart shoppers. New rewards will begin rolling out on October 1, 2025.

Coming Soon: the Instacart Shopper Rewards Card

Alongside the Cart Star refresh, we’re introducing the all-new Instacart Shopper Rewards Card powered by Branch, which will include a Mastercard debit card and business bank account¹ created specifically to support shoppers on the platform.² The Shopper Rewards Card makes accessing and managing earnings simpler, faster, and more rewarding.

Shoppers can choose to have their earnings automatically deposited to their Shopper Rewards Account after every batch fee-free, meaning no more waiting for weekly direct deposits or paying Instant Cashout fees³. Shoppers can also count on meaningful cashback benefits for both gas and EV charging, with higher Cart Star tiers unlocking even greater rewards.⁴ They can also access over 55,000 ATMs nationwide with no withdrawal fees for up to eight transactions per month⁵, making it easier than ever to get their earnings. 

The Shopper Rewards Card will begin rolling out to shoppers in the U.S. this October, in tandem with the new Cart Star rewards, helping shoppers save on their daily expenses while keeping their earnings within reach.

Empowering Shopping Excellence

“We’re doubling down on our dedication to shopping excellence by empowering and rewarding shoppers who consistently deliver exceptional service to customers,” said Daniel Danker, Chief Product Officer at Instacart. “Instacart shoppers are shopping experts, and they balance efficiency, empathy, and skill to serve their communities every day. Through the Cart Star refresh and the new Shopper Rewards Card, we’re recognizing and supporting their incredible work, while providing valuable resources to help shoppers thrive both on and off the platform.”

This dedication to shopping excellence reflects our promise to deliver quality at every step of the customer and shopper experience. By focusing on quality-driven recognition and providing new ways for shoppers to save and succeed, we’re reinforcing our investment in the Instacart community. Whether it’s enhanced financial offerings, better rewards, or expanded opportunities to earn, our goal is the same: empowering shoppers to deliver their best and benefit more from their hard work.

As we roll out these new changes and look ahead to additional updates over the next few months, we’re excited to continue elevating the experience for customers and empowering shoppers to deliver with excellence.

1. Branch is not a bank. Banking services are provided by Lead Bank, Member FDIC. FDIC insurance only applies for eligible accounts should the bank holding your funds fail. The Instacart Shopper Rewards Card, powered by Branch, will be a Mastercard business debit card issued by Lead Bank, pursuant to a license from Mastercard and may be used everywhere Mastercard debit cards are accepted.  ↩︎
2. Instacart will not be responsible for the products and/or services offered by third parties, or for the terms and conditions (including financial terms) under which those products and/or services are offered. ↩︎
3. Most cashouts take a few minutes, but some may be subject to delays. Instacart may elect to charge a fee for Shopper Rewards Card payouts at any time, subject to notice. ↩︎
4. Cash back on eligible gas purchases at the pump using the Shopper Rewards Card as payment method. Must select Credit or Bypass PIN to receive cash back for qualifying purchases. Selecting Debit or entering your PIN number will disqualify your purchase from earning cash back. Must pay at pump; in-store transactions may not be eligible. Base Cash back benefit is 3% for gas purchases and EV charging for Diamond Cart shoppers, and 1% for all other shoppers. Total cash back limited to $100 per month. Card benefits are subject to meeting eligibility criteria, which may include your Cart Star status, Instacart shopper account standing, and maintaining a Shopper Rewards Card account. Card benefits may be subject to change. Instacart or Branch may terminate, suspend or modify the rewards program, in whole or in part, at any time upon notice to you, subject to applicable law. ↩︎
5. Your first 8 ATM transactions per month at ATMs in the Allpoint Network are free. After that, a $3.50 fee will apply to Allpoint ATM transactions until the next month. All withdrawals from ATMs outside the Allpoint Network will be subject to fees established by the ATM owner. ↩︎