We all love to eat out, but thanks to inflation, it’s getting more expensive to do so — even at fast-casual restaurants like Chipotle. The chain has raised prices multiple times since 2021, citing inflation and raising employee wages as justification for doing so.
But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do. There are plenty of ways to make sure you avoid wasting money, especially when you opt for a chain restaurant or fast food meal. Here are a few of our favorite hacks for stretching your dollars at Chipotle.
Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account
Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!1
With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!
This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.
Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.
Apply for a Discover Cashback Checking account today
Chipotle rewards
Sign up for Chipotle’s reward program and get points every time you order. You’ll receive 10 points for each dollar spent, which you can use toward free food. Join online or download the app.
Go on your birthday
Chipotle is a little cryptic about what they offer as a birthday freebie, promising only on their site that “We won’t forget you on your birthday.”
Other sources around the web note that the restaurant gives rewards members a free order of chips and guac when they spend $5 or more as a birthday gift.
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo
In the spirit of Cinco de Mayo celebrations, Chipotle offered free delivery with a promo code in 2023 and 2024. In 2021, Chipotle awarded buy-one-get-one-free coupons as prizes for a trivia game.
Get a protection plan on all your appliances
Did you know if your air conditioner stops working, your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover it? Same with plumbing, electrical issues, appliances, and more.
Whether or not you’re a new homeowner, a home warranty from Choice Home Warranty could pick up the slack where insurance falls short and protect you against surprise expenses. If a covered system in your home breaks, you can call their hotline 24/7 to get it repaired.
For a limited time, you can get your first month free with a Single Payment home warranty plan.
Ask for split meat
Requesting half steak and half chicken, for example, can net you more food than simply ordering one protein option.
The reason is that most staff members don’t meticulously measure a half-scoop of meat, so they’ll err on the side of giving you a generous half-helping of each type of meat, giving you more burrito for your buck.
Ask for extras
Plenty of toppings come at no extra charge at Chipotle, so you might as well maximize your freebies. Cheese, sour cream, fajita veggies, lettuce, and a wide selection of salsas are a few tasty options to bulk up your bowl or burrito.
Trending Stories
Ask for two types of rice or beans
If you’re looking to make your meal go even further, ask the server to go half-and-half on two types of rice or beans (or both). This is the same trick as going half-and-half on meat and can easily stretch one meal into two.
You can also opt for double the rice and/or beans, but you’ll likely get an upcharge.
Order a bowl and get a tortilla on the side
A Chipotle bowl is the guts of a burrito unbound by the limited space inside a tortilla. A fun way to maximize the volume of food is to order a bowl and just pay an extra $0.50 for a tortilla on the side, and build yourself a “free” burrito the following day!
Get discounted gift cards
Buy a Chipotle gift card at CardCash, SlickDeals, or a similar discounted gift card outlet can save you up to 10%. Keep your eyes open for Chipotle’s deals as they’ve been known to offer buy-one-get-one-free coupons with the purchase of gift cards.
Go meatless
Opt for a meatless burrito or bowl to save a few bucks. You can still load it up with all the same toppings. As a bonus for skipping the protein, Chipotle gives you a free guac with your meal!
Stop overpaying when you shop online
Shopping online has its perks. It's super convenient, but it can be time consuming to find the best deals. Instead of hunting for coupon codes (that don't always work!) and opening tons of browser tabs comparing prices, you can try Capital One Shopping.
Capital One Shopping makes saving money effortless. Just add the browser extension and when you check out, it'll scour the internet for coupon codes to help you save cash. And before you check out at 25+ major retailers, Capital One Shopping will notify you with a friendly pop-up if the item you're buying is available cheaper somewhere else.
Capital One Shopping is free to use and won't show you ads. Add it today and stop overpaying!2
Eat half your burrito
Chipotle burritos with all the toppings can be over 1000 calories—much more than most people need for a single meal. Split up your lunch so you can eat the rest for dinner later.
Order a kid’s meal
The kid’s meal isn’t much different from the tacos, but it’s cheaper and comes with chips or fruit and a drink. Whether you’re looking to keep the portion size down or save money, the kid’s meal is a good option.
Take the bowl home and eat over a salad
Another way to stretch one Chipotle meal into two? Instead of ordering a salad, order a bowl, divide it in two, and serve it over lettuce to create two full-sized salads.
Skip the drinks
Chipotle offers a variety of bottled and fountain drinks — most of which cost $2.85 or more. Lop a few dollars off the total for your order by getting a cup of tap water instead.
Bottom line
Eating at your favorite Tex-Mex restaurant can cost a pretty peso, but it doesn’t have to. By leveraging these smart shopping hacks, you're not just saving money on your meals — you're also combatting the effects of inflation on your budget.
Making strategic choices (like opting for meatless meals, maximizing free toppings, and purchasing discounted gift cards) allows you to stretch your dollars further in the face of rising prices.
So, while enjoying your favorite burrito or bowl, you're also proactively managing your money in a challenging economic environment.
Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Current Offer
$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Benefits
- Low spend threshold for its welcome offer — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
- Cell phone protection benefit (subject to a $25 deductible)
- Can redeem rewards at an ATM for literal cash
Drawbacks
- Foreign transaction fee of 3%
- No bonus categories
- Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Subscribe Today
Want extra-cash moves to come right to you?
Stop browsing endlessly. Get proven ways to earn pocket money, help cover rent, and crush your debt — sent to your inbox daily.
Author Details