This research examined whether increasing social distance – shifting from decisions for oneself to those for a close other – affects preferences in time–money trade-offs. Across two experiments, participants evaluated service options differing in duration and cost. We hypothesized that decisions made on behalf of others would reflect a stronger preference for time-saving over cost-saving options. In Study 1 (N = 133), a binary choice task showed that decisions for others more often favoured time-saving but costlier options, and required longer deliberation. In Study 2 (N = 131), a matching procedure asked participants to state the monetary value of faster options; here, the social distance effect disappeared, suggesting that the more analytical task format attenuated group differences. The findings indicate that the impact of social distance on consumer decisions depends on task structure, with practical implications for how offer formats can influence whether customers prioritize time or money.