Instacart+ membership fees ($9.99/month or $99/year) auto-renew until canceled; no general refund policy stated for subscription charges in official Instacart Help Center pages. U.S. consumers charged for Instacart+ should contact Instacart support directly to request a refund, providing account details and charge proof. Order item refunds do not apply to membership fees, and the 2025 FTC settlement for $60 million in consumer refunds addresses separate deceptive tactics claims--check FTC.gov for redress details.
Instacart+ Membership Fee Policy
Instacart+ subscriptions auto-renew monthly at $9.99 or annually at $99 to the payment method on file unless canceled before the renewal date. Promotional offers may adjust initial pricing, such as $49 for the first year before renewing at $99 annually. These terms appear consistently across Instacart Help Center pages for promotions like Fresh Funds, Mastercard, and PayPal.
Official sources do not state a standard refund process or eligibility for membership fees post-charge. Charges process through the platform's billing system, separate from individual order refunds. The FTC's 2025 stipulated order requires Instacart to pay $60 million in refunds for alleged deceptive practices, but this forms a redress fund rather than an individual subscription refund mechanism.
| Aspect | Instacart+ Policy Detail |
|---|---|
| Standard Fees | $9.99/month or $99/year, auto-renews |
| Promo Variations | e.g., $49 first year (PayPal promo), then $99/year |
| Charging Method | Active payment on file post-trial |
| Official Refund Statement | None stated for membership fees |
What Does Not Control Instacart+ Refunds
Order and item refunds, such as same-day processing within 24 hours or 5-10 business days to the card, apply only to purchases--not subscription membership fees. Instacart Help Center pages on refunds and returns specify these timelines for orders.
FTC negative option rules on auto-renewals or U.S. state subscription laws set general standards but do not override Instacart's platform-specific terms here. Credit card chargebacks represent a separate payment rail from platform policy requests.
Next Steps to Request a Refund
Cancel the Instacart+ subscription through app or account settings to prevent future charges; benefits continue through the current paid period per platform terms. Access Instacart support via the Help Center chat or email, including your account email, charge date, billing statement, and screenshots of the charge or renewal notice.
Gather this evidence before contacting support:
- Billing statement showing the charge
- Account screenshots of subscription status
- Renewal or trial end confirmation
- Support chat transcripts if prior contact made
If unresolved after support contact, file a complaint with your state attorney general or the FTC as a general U.S. consumer escalation, though no subscription-specific path appears in official sources. Monitor FTC.gov for 2025 settlement updates.
FAQ
Does canceling Instacart+ trigger a prorated membership refund?
No policy confirms prorated refunds; official terms require contacting support for any request.
What if charged after cancellation?
Contact Instacart support with proof like cancellation confirmation and billing statement; no automatic reversal stated.
How does the FTC settlement affect my Instacart+ refund?
It provides a $60 million redress pool for deceptive tactics claims--visit FTC.gov for eligibility, separate from routine subscription requests.
Are promotional trial charges refundable?
Post-trial auto-charges follow stated terms; request via support, as no general policy appears.