Is Room Service Dead? Replacements Could Be Better, Cheaper

Room service has long been synonymous with hotel luxury. The image of a crisp white tablecloth and breakfast in bed, perhaps accompanied by a side of $8 orange juice can be tentalizing. But that silver-domed service is increasingly becoming passé. The culprit? Not just the cost, but a wave of more affordable, flexible and tech-driven alternatives.

From smart vending machines to delivery app partnerships, travelers in 2025 now have a buffet of better options — sometimes literally.

Delivery apps have turned what used to be a travel hack into the norm. Instead of paying inflated room service prices for soggy club sandwiches, travelers can order exactly what they want — and in many cases, get it delivered straight to their hotel room door.

Uber just upgraded its hotel delivery experience through Uber Eats, giving guests more control than ever. You can now choose to:

• Meet your courier in the hotel lobby.

• Have your order left at the front desk.

• Request delivery directly to your room door.

It’s a meaningful shift for travelers who want both privacy and convenience. As Uber cheekily put it, “Pad Thai tastes better in bed.”

This kind of flexibility rivals — and in some cases surpasses — traditional room service. There’s no need to decipher limited menus or factor in hefty delivery charges and mandatory gratuities.

Room service alternatives aren’t limited to just third-party delivery services, and the mechanisms of food on demand are evolving. Look to the vending machine industry, which is now capable of serving hot, fresh meals rather than just prepackaged snacks.

Carlo's Bakery — the bakery featured on “Cake Boss” on TV channel TLC — has cake vending machines around North America, with numerous locations inside Las Vegas Strip hotels such as the Paris and Flamingo. That provides an opportunity to grab a midnight snack while most businesses are closed, or at the very least allows you to receive (and eat) your cake nearly instantly.

Similarly, some San Francisco Bay Area locations of Marriott’s Aloft Hotels host ramen vending machines from a company called Yo-Kai Express, which promises gourmet-quality soup in less than a minute.

In a time when hotel staffing remains stretched thin, and kitchens may close early or be unavailable entirely, these on-demand alternatives provide welcome convenience.

Many food delivery companies have partnered with credit card companies to net you additional discounts. Some offer bonus spending rewards, while others offer perks like free delivery.

Now through the end of March, certain Chase credit cards offer qualifying cardholders a complimentary DashPass subscription. The DoorDash membership program gets you benefits such as free deliveries on orders from eligible restaurants that meet a minimum subtotal.

Meanwhile, some American Express credit cards allow you to pay for Grubhub purchases with points. Terms apply.

Room service isn’t dead — but it’s evolving. In 2025, the better value often comes from Uber Eats or similar apps, especially when you factor in delivery flexibility, loyalty rewards, and credit card perks.

So the next time you're debating whether to splurge on a $28 burger from the hotel menu or use your Uber One discount for pad Thai delivered to your door, just remember: the modern version of “room service” might not come with a tray table and a white glove — but it’ll probably be cheaper, faster and just as satisfying.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024:

• Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

• No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card

• Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card 

• Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

• Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

• Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card