Cart Star Rewards
Get rewarded for delivering shopping excellence.
Get rewards and recognition for being the best of the bunch
Everyday savings to take you further
All tier levels get you cash back for gas and discounted oil changes so you can make the most out of shopping.
More opportunities and recognition
You'll get greater priority access to batches the higher the tier and customers can see your top-tier status.
Bigger rewards as you progress
Every tier has something extra. At the highest level, enjoy premium benefits like an Instacart+ membership and discounts with our partners.
Become a Cart Star
Shop and complete orders
Every customer order completed goes toward unlocking the next tier.
Diamond Cart (300 orders)
Platinum Cart (100 orders)
Gold Cart (20 orders)
Maintain a minimum score and rating
Meet and maintain the minimum shopping quality score and a 4.7 customer rating.
Diamond Cart (Good score)
Platinum Cart (Good score)
Gold Cart (Standard score)
Unlock new tiers and rewards
The higher the tier you achieve, the more rewards you'll have access to.
Check status in the app anytime
Track your progress, view your rewards, and learn how you can maximize them.
Shop like a star.
Get rewarded.
Tap rewards
for details
Gold
Cart
Platinum
Cart
Diamond
Cart
Cash back on gas
Get cash back per gallon through Upside.
Get cash back per gallon through Upside.
Oil change discounts
Get savings on oil changes through CarAdvise.
Get savings on oil changes through CarAdvise.
Priority access to batches
Get tier-based priority access when you’re closer to the store or farther away.
Get tier-based priority access when you’re closer to the store or farther away.
Recognition in customer app
Customers will see highlights of your experience when you shop their order.
Customers will see highlights of your experience when you shop their order.
Backup Care
Get discounted care for a child, pet, or senior through Care.com when the unexpected arises.
Get discounted care for a child, pet, or senior through Care.com when the unexpected arises.
Free Instacart+ membership
Unlock unlimited $0 delivery fees and more. Service fees apply to orders on Instacart.
Unlock unlimited $0 delivery fees and more. Service fees apply to orders on Instacart.
How each tier is rewarded
Enjoy increased access to batches based on your tier, plus other rewards.
Gold Cart rewards
Platinum Cart rewards
Diamond Cart rewards
Save like a star.
The Shopper Rewards Card powered by Branch is the debit card1 that helps you save even more to reach your goals.2 Get fast, free payouts after every batch, cash back on gas and EV charging3, and more. The higher your tier, the more you can save!
Platinum Protection
To recognize shoppers who have completed at least 4,000 orders, Platinum Protection ensures a shopper never drops below Platinum Cart status, maintaining access to Platinum Cart rewards for life*. We know that life can get busy with all you do, but now you don't have to worry about losing your Cart Star status and rewards.
*To qualify, a shopper must have completed 4,000 lifetime orders, have a shopping quality score of Good, and maintain a 4.7 rating.
Our partners and rewards
Care
Visit Care.com
Every 3 months receive discounted Backup Care for kids, seniors, or pets for when the unexpected arises.
Upside
Visit Upside.com
Get cash back per gallon so you can save more while you shop.
CarAdvise
Visit CarAdvise.com
Get oil change discounts from local mechanics with an easy online platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know what rewards tier I’m in?
You’ll see your reward tier status in your app under your shopper profile. You’ll be notified with your tier status and when your tier status changes .
How many completed orders do I get for completing a batch?
Every customer order you complete counts. For example, completing a batch with 2 orders counts as 2 completed orders.
What happens if my shopping quality score falls below the tier’s required minimum?
At the end of each 3-month period, you’ll need to meet all tier requirements, including the shopping quality score, to qualify for a Cart Star tier.
Example: If you completed 100 orders and have a 4.7+ customer rating at the end of the current 3-month period, but your shopping quality score is Standard, you would qualify for Gold Cart.
If your shopping quality score falls below the required minimum during the current 3-month period you’ll have access to the rewards earned from the previous 3-month period, except Cart Star priority access. Maintain the minimum shopping quality score and above a 4.7 rating to access Cart Star priority earned in the previous 3-month period.
You will need to improve your shopping quality score by the end of the current 3-month period to continue access to your Cart Star rewards for the following 3-month period.
What happens if my rating drops below a 4.7?
If your customer rating is below a 4.7 at the end of the current 3-month period you’ll not qualify for Cart Star.
If your rating drops below a 4.7 during the current 3-month period, you’ll have access to the rewards earned from the previous 3-month period, except Cart Star priority access. Maintain above a 4.7 rating and the minimum shopping quality score for your tier to access Cart Star priority earned in the previous period.
You will need to have at least a 4.7 customer rating by the end of the current 3-month period to receive access to Cart Star for the following 3-month period.
How will I be notified if my Cart Star rewards are changing?
You’ll see a message in the Cart Star rewards section of the “Your stats” page. You’ll also be notified via email.
How does qualifying for and accessing rewards work?
You can qualify for Gold, Platinum or Diamond Cart tier by completing the minimum number of orders, and maintaining the minimum shopping quality score and customer rating through the end of a 3-month period:
January 1-March 31
April 1-June 30
July 1-September 30
October 1-December 31
If you meet and maintain all tier requirements through the end of a period, you’ll unlock tier rewards for the following 3 months. Orders reset at the start of each period.
When will the Cart Star updates and Shopper Rewards Card be available to me?
We are rolling out the new Cart Star tier requirements and new rewards over a few months in 2 phases. The Shopper Rewards Card will be available in parallel with when the new Cart Star rewards are available to you.
If you are part of the first phase, the new tier requirements will be available starting July 1. The new rewards will be available starting October 1, if you qualify.
If you are part of the second phase, the new tier requirements will be available starting January 1, 2026. The new rewards will be available on April 1, 2026, if you qualify.
Starting July 1, you can see in-app which phase your area is in by going to Your stats > Your Cart Star rewards.
How do I access my rewards?
You can access rewards provided by our partners Upside, CarAdvise, and Care.com through the app. Go to “Your stats” > Your Cart Star rewards > tap on the reward under “Savings and more” > follow in-app instructions to redeem.
You can access your free Instacart+ membership as a Diamond Cart Shopper by tapping on the reward under “Savings and more” > follow in-app instructions to redeem.
For shopper profile recognition and Cart Star priority access to batches, the app will automatically provide these rewards once you reach the tier threshold.
How does Cart Star priority access to batches work?
Tier-based priority access unlocks greater access to batches the higher the tier level.
When you are inside a store’s highlighted area:
With Diamond Priority, you see batches before shoppers with a lower Cart Star status and those not in Cart Star.
With Platinum Priority, you see batches before Gold Cart and shoppers not in Cart Star.
With Gold Priority, you see batches before shoppers not in Cart Star.
When you are away from a store’s highlighted area:
With Diamond Priority, you’re most likely to see batches.
With Platinum Priority, you’re more likely to see batches before Gold Cart and shoppers not in Cart Star.
With Gold Priority, you’re more likely to see batches before shoppers not in Cart Star.
Before stores open:
With Diamond Priority, you see available batches before stores open.
Lower Cart Star status and not in Cart Star shoppers can only see available batches after stores open.
To access this reward, you will need to maintain the minimum shopping quality score and above a 4.7 customer rating for your Cart Star status. For example, if you achieved Platinum Cart, you must maintain a shopping quality score of Good and a 4.7+ customer rating to continue access to Platinum Priority during the current 3-month period.
How will I be recognized in the Instacart customer app?
Customers can see highlights of your experience as you are completing their order and before they leave a rating or adjust tips.
How do I redeem my CarAdvise rewards?
Once you redeem and are brought to the CarAdvise app, you can search and book services. When you add an oil change service to your cart, you will be able to view your Cart Star discount before booking your service appointment. CarAdvise rewards refresh quarterly and don’t roll over, so be sure to complete your oil change within the 3-month period you qualify for the reward.
What if I already use CarAdvise? What are the additional savings?
These offers can be paired with other discounts offered by CarAdvise.
To link your existing account with the Cart Star program, redeem the reward and log in to CarAdvise.
What is the Care.com discount?
If you’re a Diamond Cart or Platinum Cart shopper, pay only $1 per hour for in-home Backup Care, and $10 per day for in-center Backup Care. Offer covers 4 days of services for loved ones, including children, seniors*, and pets. Care.com rewards refresh quarterly and don’t rollover, so be sure to use your discounted care within the quarter you qualify if you would like to use this reward. You’ll only be able to schedule care within the quarter you qualify as a Diamond Cart or Platinum Cart shopper.
*Only in-network senior care is available.
How does the Instacart+ membership work for Diamond Cart shoppers?
You can redeem your Instacart+ membership in the Shopper app to get free delivery and other benefits. Go to “Your stats” > Your Cart Star rewards > tap on the reward under “Savings and more” > follow in-app instructions to redeem.
Once you redeem, a membership will activate through the end of the current 3-month period.
When you redeem, your free membership will auto-renew for the next 3-month period if you qualify for Diamond Cart.
How do I redeem my gas rewards through Upside?
Once you redeem and are brought to the Upside app, you can search for nearby gas stations and claim a cash back offer at a location near you. After your purchase, you can cash out your earnings directly into your bank account, PayPal, or a gift card.
If I meet all the tier requirements during the current 3-month period, when do I get access to my rewards?
Immediately! Your new tier will be reflected in your app if it’s higher than the tier status you achieved in the previous 3-month period and you’ll have access to the rewards in that tier.
To continue accessing rewards through the next 3-month period, you must continue to maintain all the tier requirements through the end of the current 3-month period.
I joined Instacart in the middle of the current 3-month period. How do I qualify?
You can still qualify even if you join in the middle of the current 3-month period. You just need to meet and maintain the tier requirements through the end of the current period. To unlock Gold Cart, meet and maintain the following:
20 completed orders
Standard shopping quality score
4.7+ customer rating
If you don’t meet and maintain the minimum Gold Cart tier requirements, you won’t unlock Gold Cart for the next 3-month period.
Learn more about the shopping quality score and customer rating on our Shopping with quality website.
What are the months for each 3-month period?
Each 3-month period matches calendar quarters of January-March, April-June, July-September, and October-December of each year.
Will I still have access to Instacart shopper perks if I don’t qualify for the Cart Star program?
Yes - all shoppers continue to have access to everyday shopper perks like Cuvrd and Merit America, which you can learn more about in your Shopper app by selecting “Your Stats” > Your Cart Star rewards page > “Perks for all shoppers” under Everyday perks.
Where can I learn more about Cart Star?
You can learn more about the Cart Star program by visiting the Cart Star lesson in your Shopper app. To access the lesson, tap on “Your stats”> “How to Improve” > “View all lessons.” A new tab will open up with all available lessons, and you can search for Cart Star.
Who do I contact about my tier status, eligibility, or other questions?
First check your Shopper app to see which tier you are included in and for more information. You can also review information in the Shopper Help Center. If you still have questions related to your status or eligibility with the Cart Star program, contact support in the Shopper app.
Who do I contact if I have specific questions about third-party rewards?
For Upside support, you can view helpful articles and contact information in the Upside app
For CarAdvise support, visit caradvise.com/contactus/
For Care.com support, call 866-814-1512
Am I responsible for the taxes on Cart Star rewards?
Shoppers are responsible for all federal, state, and local taxes that may be owed as a result of receiving rewards through Cart Star. Instacart may issue an IRS Form 1099 indicating the approximate retail value of certain Cart Star rewards to the IRS for tax reporting purposes. Instacart cannot provide tax advice. If you have questions, please consult your tax advisor.
*Instacart reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to change the benefits provided under the Cart Star program.
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 is not 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 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.