BAGGING a Christmas delivery slot before they sell out can be a mission – but there are ways to get ahead of the game.
Shoppers are flocking to book their slots and get their festive food in earlier this year as households set themselves tighter budgets.
Supermarket delivery passes can give you early access to Christmas delivery slots
Rising food costs and soaring energy bills mean families are looking to spread the cost of Christmas to prevent being left out of pocket.
Ocado has already released its Christmas slots, and supermarket giant Sainsbury’s has also confirmed when it will be releasing its delivery slots to shoppers.
But with Tesco, Morrisons, Asda and Iceland all still yet to confirm their festive delivery slots, you may be wondering how you can get ahead of the pack.
You could be in with a better chance of securing a slot early if you pay for a delivery pass, as members are often given priority access.
Delivery passes allow you to pay a flat fee either monthly, yearly or six monthly, and then get your deliveries for free.
If you’re a regular online shopper, this could be a way of reducing costs.
But should only consider taking out a delivery pass if you order groceries online regularly, and if you think it will save you money in the long term.
Below, we outline which supermarkets offer early access, and what the dates for your diary are in terms of clinching a slot.
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s delivery pass holders can book their Christmas food order from October 17.
All other customers will be able to book their slots from October 24.
This gives delivery pass holders a whole week to secure their slot.
The supermarket giant is also offering delivery slots on Christmas Eve this year.
Slots will open for delivery pass customers on the following dates:
- October 17 – slots will open for delivery between December 18 and 21
- October 18 – slots will open for delivery on December 22
- October 19 – slots will open for delivery on December 23
- October 20 – slots will open for delivery on December 24
And Sainsbury’s said it isn’t too late to sign up for a pass and bag yourself an early slot.
After you’ve purchased a delivery pass, it takes 24 hours for it to be registered to your online Sainsbury’s grocery account.
So just make sure you sign up at least one day before the slot you are hoping to secure goes live.
Sainsbury’s offers three types of passes – a monthly, a six month and a 12-month pass.
An anytime delivery pass entitles you to free delivery on any day of the week when you spend £40 or more.
This pass costs £80 for 12 months, £40 for six months or £7.50 for a monthly pass.
A midweek delivery pass entitles you to free delivery on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays when you spend £40 or more.
Any deliveries outside of these times will be charged at the delivery rate as advertised on Sainsbury’s website.
This pass costs £40 for 12 months, or £4 for a monthly pass.
Existing Sainsbury’s customers can buy a delivery pass online on the supermarket’s website.
If you don’t already have an account, new customers will need to set one up online.
Tesco
Tesco is yet to confirm its when it’s Christmas delivery slots will be released, but it said there is still time to sign up and get priority access for Christmas.
Any anytime delivery plan costs £7.99 per month for 12 months and gives priority access to both click and collect slots and Christmas home delivery.
You can also pay an upfront fee of £47.94 if you don’t want to pay monthly.
The supermarket’s anytime click and collect plan, priced at £2.49 a month, gives priority access to click and collect Christmas slots.
But the supermarket’s off peak delivery plan doesn’t offer priority access to Christmas delivery slots.
Morrisons
Morrisons says you can save up to £167 a year with its delivery pass – plus, you can get early access to Christmas delivery slots.
The cheaper Tuesday to Thursday pass is £5 a month.
You’ll save more if you can pay for a longer pass up front: it’s £50 for six months or £40 for a year.
If you want the Monday to Sunday option, it’s £8 a month, £40 for six months or £65 a year.
Morrisons is yet to confirm when its Christmas delivery slots will go live to both delivery pass customers and regular shoppers.
Asda
Asda is opening its booking system to delivery pass customers on Tuesday (October 18).
Other shoppers will have to wait until Tuesday, October 25.
Asda also has different levels of pass – it’s £6.50 for a monthly anytime pass or £65 for the year.
You can pay for an annual Tuesday to Thursday membership for just £35.
Iceland
Iceland doesn’t do delivery passes, instead, it offers free next-day delivery on orders over £40.
HOAR has asked Iceland when its Christmas delivery slots will be going live, and we will update this story when we know more.
Ocado
Ocado gave Smart Pass members – who pay a monthly subscription fee – the chance to schedule their festive food shop from September 30.
But some furious shoppers were left frustrated after the popular Christmas slots were released without notice.
All Ocado customers can now access Christmas grocery delivery and collection slots.
They run from Tuesday, 20 to Saturday, December 24. All slots cost £3.
Meanwhile, online retailer Very has released its first Christmas ad of 2022 featuring an iconic Christmas song.
And Marks and Spencer has released a “magical” Christmas must have and shoppers can’t get enough.
