Martin Lewis's Money Saving Expert explains how to get discounts on takeaways

Money Saving Expert has rounded up some of the best ways to get discounts and deals on your favourite food deliveries so you "don't fork out more than you have to".

The tips are as follows:

1. Go direct

The team at Money Saving Expert said: going direct is cheapest. When ordering from the likes of Uber Eats and Just Eat you are often paying a premium, as well as for additional fees. Ordering straight from the outlet could save you a few pounds.

2. Always check for promo codes

Many companies will send discount codes to you by text or email.

The team said: “Most firms will send you codes to try and get your custom back if you’ve not ordered in a while.”

Uber Eats offers the most codes to existing customers. However, if you’re a regular customer you get far fewer '£10 off any order' codes and more '£10 off a specific restaurant' codes.

Current discount codes include: 20 per cent off Foodhub with code MSE20 valid until 11.59pm Sunday February 28.

3. Always compare prices

Underlying costs and delivery charges differ by company.

Money Saving Expert explains that “four out of five orders were cheapest via Just Eat compared with Deliveroo" in one case they saved £5 going to Just Eat rather than Deliveroo.

4. 50 per cent off pizza with Meerkat meals

Since the pandemic Meerkat Meals has introduced delivery deals from Pizza Hut when you spend £30 on pizzas, sides, drinks and desserts every day of the week.

The discount is only valid on pizzas, but sides drinks and desserts count towards the £30 threshold.

5. Save your treat day for a weekday

It might be tempting to order your takeaway at the weekend, but the best offers are mid-week

6. Check accounts for the best offers

If you are ordering from the same household make sure you check each person’s account beforehand.

Rotate accounts with those that you live with. Use one account for a while and not others and you should start to receive a "come back to us" email.

7. Order via cashback websites

Cashback websites are a way of getting money back and sometimes there are even promotional offers such as free takeaways. You can save up to £3 at Uber Eats via Topcashback and 25 per cent cashback with Just Eat.

However Money Saving Expert warns: “Things can go wrong with online cashback.”

"See it as a bonus, rather than a guarantee.”

8. Don’t buy drinks or desserts

Drinks and desserts are often cheaper from a shop than they are from a restaurant. Adding items such as ice cream to your order can bump up the cost of your order.

Money Saving Expert said: “It is considerably more expensive than if you were to buy the exact item from a store.”

9. Meet minimum order value to avoid a small order fee

Most places will offer you free delivery if you meet a minimum spend.

“If you are close to a minimum order value add small extras,” MSE suggests.

“It could work out less than the small order fee.”

10. Always flag issues with an order

Flag any genuine issue you have had with an order, from late deliveries, missing items or cold food.

Companies will want to rectify bad service.

Though they warn: “Don't take advantage of the company, especially at a time where many small businesses are struggling.”