How to Get Free Food From SkipTheDishes (Legally and Repeatably)
Why this works (mindset first)
“Free” on SkipTheDishes isn’t about one magic coupon—it’s about stacking. Most folks fire off a random code and hope for the best. Power users layer savings in a reliable order: store promo → one strong code or targeted offer → points/credits → pickup (when needed). The process below turns that idea into a routine you can run every time you’re hungry.
How Skip builds your total (know the enemy)
Your final bill usually comes from:
Menu prices (sometimes higher than in-store)
Store-level promos (BOGO, % off, bundles, “Spend $X, save $Y,” free item with minimum)
Delivery fee (varies by distance and demand)
Service/processing fees (percent-based or fixed; varies by merchant/category)
Taxes (province dependent)
Tip (please tip—credits can still cover it)
One offer/code (typically one per order)
Rewards/credits (Skip Rewards points, gift credits, referrals)
Your job: shrink the first three lines, then let points and credits erase the rest.
The “$0 Order” recipe (step-by-step)
Copy this sequence and stop when your total hits zero.
Step 1: Choose the restaurant for the offer, not the cuisine
Open Skip and scan for banners like:
BOGO mains or sides
% off a category or the whole cart
“Spend $X, save $Y” (e.g., “$10 off $25+”)
Free item with minimum spend
Time-boxed bundles (wings night, pizza combo, lunch specials)
Build your cart inside the eligible menu section. The merchant-funded discount is your biggest automatic cut.
Step 2: Apply one high-impact code/offer
Skip typically allows one code or targeted in-app offer per order. That’s fine—this single lever stacks nicely with store promos and with your points/credits.
Pick the code that wins after the store promo is applied. Flat-dollar codes usually beat percentages on smaller carts that just cross a threshold; percentages win on bigger carts.
Step 3: Pay with credits and points
Skip Rewards points can turn into direct bill credits at checkout once you hit a redemption tier.
Gift credits and promo credits behave like cash and can cover tax and tip.
Referral credits (when available to you) are gold. One successful referral can fund multiple orders.
Let these mop up the post-discount remainder.
Step 4: If fees won’t go quietly, switch to pickup
Pickup removes the delivery fee entirely and often keeps store promos and your one code intact. For lunch or small orders, pickup is frequently the shortest road to $0.00.
Step 5: Threshold optimization
If your cart is at $23 and the deal unlocks at $25, add a $2 side you’ll actually eat. Unlocking “$10 off $25+” turns that $2 into a net $8 win.
Deep dive: The four biggest levers
1) Store-level promos (merchant-funded)
Why they matter:
They’re the largest base cut before anything else
They stack with your single code and with credits
They’re targeted (e.g., lunch combos, weekday slow-period deals)
How to use them:
Pick your restaurant by offer banner first, food second
Double-check the eligible items and time window
Add items from the promo section to guarantee the discount triggers
2) One-code strategy (quality over quantity)
Flat $ off wins on tight carts just past the threshold
% off wins on big carts (family meals, group orders)
If you’re pennies under a minimum, add a low-cost item you want anyway to cross the line
3) Credits & Skip Rewards (the closer)
Keep a small credit balance in your wallet so taxes/fees never block you
Convert Skip Rewards points as soon as you hit a redemption tier if you plan to order that week
Use referral credits ethically—legit referrals only
4) Pickup positioning
Lunch runs and snack orders are perfect for pickup
Dense restaurant areas = short walks, zero delivery fee, same stackable offers
Pair with a strong store promo and your one code, then let credits clean up
Cart math you can copy (worked examples)
Scenario A: Solo lunch, pickup
Offer: “$8 off $20+”
Item 1: Bowl $13
Item 2: Side $5 → subtotal $18
Add a $2 drink to cross $20 → apply “$8 off” → $12 left
Redeem points/credits for $12 + tax + tip → $0 or close
Scenario B: Dinner for two, delivery
Offer: BOGO entrée (two mains for price of one)
Subtotal after BOGO: ~$18–$22
Apply a $6–$10 off $20+ code if eligible
Credits cover remainder + fees + tip → near zero; if fees still bite, switch to pickup
Scenario C: Group order at home
Offer: % off large categories (pizza, platters)
One code: % off stacks well on big carts
Redeem points for a larger chunk since the subtotal is high
Credits erase the last dollars and cover tip
Timing windows that quietly boost your odds
Weekday slow periods: merchants run stronger banners to drive volume
Lunch hour: pickup-friendly combos; fastest route to $0
Event nights (sports/festivals): aggressive promos appear, but delivery fees can surge—lean on credits or switch to pickup
End-of-month: if you stockpile points, redeem to sweep the remainder before you forget
Make it a habit to do a 30-second scan of the Offers carousel before every meal.
Canada-specific notes (useful context)
Fees and taxes vary by province, but credits and points can still cover them at checkout.
Selection and banners differ city-to-city; keep a shortlist of merchants in your area that frequently run great deals.
Grocery/convenience partners sometimes run category promos—great for small baskets that you can finish with credits.
Advanced tactics (for the optimizer)
Build an “offer-first” shortlist
Create a mental (or notes-app) list of 6–10 local restaurants that reliably post good deals. Check those first when you open the app.
Threshold Tetris (with purpose)
Cross minimums with useful items: a protein side for tomorrow’s lunch, a drink you’d buy later anyway, or a dessert for a roommate.
Group Orders = %-off playground
For big dinners, %-off codes and store-wide discounts magnify savings. Redeem a larger block of points here for outsized effect.
Points rhythm
If you earn points regularly, set a monthly reminder to redeem and plan a $0 run that uses them before they slip your mind.
Ethics and safety
Tip fairly—your savings come from stacking, not from stiffing workers.
Don’t abuse referrals, create fake accounts, or run “refund games.” Aside from being wrong, you risk losing access to the platform.
Troubleshooting (when something won’t stack)
“My code won’t apply.”
You might be below the minimum or choosing excluded items. Swap one item for a qualifying option or add a small side to cross the threshold.
“Fees are still too high.”
Switch to pickup or try a different merchant with a stronger store promo. Sometimes a nearby partner has lower fees or better stacking rules.
“My points/credits didn’t appear.”
Open your wallet in-app and confirm the balance. If you just earned points, they may need a moment to post or to reach a redemption tier.
“I applied the code and still owe a few bucks.”
You’re close to the sweet spot. Add a low-cost eligible item to unlock a bigger discount and let credits cover the new (lower) remainder.
Reusable checklist (bookmark this)
Open Skip → scan Offers first.
Pick the restaurant with the best banner (BOGO, % off, $ off $X+, free item).
Build your cart inside the promo-eligible section.
Apply one high-value code (flat $ for small carts, % for big carts).
Redeem Skip Rewards and apply credits.
Switch to pickup if delivery fees keep you above $0.
Add a tiny item to cross minimums and unlock larger discounts.
Confirm taxes/fees; ensure credits cover tip.
Place order → enjoy → repeat.
Frequently asked questions
Can I stack multiple codes on Skip?
Generally no—expect one offer/code per order. The power comes from pairing that one code with merchant promos and credits.
Do pickup orders still get the offer?
Usually yes, as long as the banner doesn’t say otherwise. Pickup is often the fastest path to $0 because delivery fees vanish.
Can points or credits pay for the tip?
Credits typically behave like cash at checkout, including tip.
Is there a membership I need to buy?
Skip focuses more on offers + points than a paid delivery membership. You’ll replicate the “membership effect” by leaning on pickup and strong banners, then closing with credits.
What if my city’s service fees are high?
Favor pickup and flat-dollar codes, and keep a small credit balance to obliterate the last dollars.
Case study: From “expensive” to “free”
You want burgers for two.
You spot a BOGO banner at a nearby spot.
Cart: two burgers at $26 list → BOGO drops it to about $13.
You have a $6 off $20+ code—your subtotal is below $20.
Add fries for $4 → subtotal crosses $20 → code fires → $6 off.
Redeem points and apply credits for the remainder and the tip.
Checkout shows $0.00 due. That’s stacking in action.
Engagement ideas (to keep readers scrolling on your site)
Deal Hunt Challenge: find a “$8 off $20+” lunch and screenshot a $0 pickup checkout.
BOGO Buddy Night: split a BOGO with a friend; credits cover the rest.
Threshold Tetris: start with $19, reach $20 with the highest-value $1–$2 add-on you’ll actually eat.
Habit that makes this automatic
Every time you open Skip:
Offers first → pick by banner, not cuisine
One smart code → flat $ for small carts, % for big
Points/credits → keep a small balance so fees never block you
Pickup when delivery fees won’t bend
Do this on autopilot and $0 orders become a regular thing—not a rare miracle.
TL;DR (finally)
Think stacking: store promo → one high-impact code → points/credits → pickup if needed.
Choose the restaurant for its offer, not the cuisine first.
Flat-dollar codes win on small carts; percent codes win on big carts.
Keep credits/points ready so taxes/fees and tip never stop you.
Pickup deletes delivery fees; use it for lunch and small orders.
Cross minimum thresholds with small, useful items to unlock bigger discounts.
Tip fairly, play fair, and repeat—the routine does the heavy lifting.
