What better way to encourage customers to return to a store than a loyalty scheme? Well, Mcdonald’s has introduced their own programme, imaginatively called McDonald’s Rewards. But how does it work and is it worth joining?
I’m a big fan of loyalty schemes. From Tesco to Nectar to KFC, they can offer some great rewards, just from shopping as you normally would.
And the latest one to tempt me was McDonald’s. Not that I needed any more encouragement to add a load of fat and salt into my body. Although I do think I’m beyond saving anyhow.
What is McDonald’s Rewards?
This is a loyalty scheme that rewards you with points every time you spend at McDonald’s. These points can then be exchanged for items off of the menu. You’ll receive 1 point for every penny you spend. So, spend £10 and you’ll receive 1,000 points.
You can earn bonus points on some purchases. For example, you’ll often get double points on all McCafe hot drinks you can earn an extra 100 points on certain food items. In my experience, this tends to be food that I never buy.
How does it work?
You’ll first need to download the McDonald’s app to your smartphone and create an account. Once up and running, if you’re ordering through the app, your points will automatically be added to your account.
If you’re ordering via the Front-Counter or Drive-thru, you will need to generate a code from the app and present it before you order. If you’re ordering from a kiosk, you can either generate a code or scan the QR code you’ll find on the app
Just click on the code button at the bottom of the app to do this.
The points you earn are usually added instantly.
What can you redeem your points for?
There are four different levels you can reach to redeem your points.
1,500 points – small fries, medium salad, regular McCafe, mini McFlurry, hash brown
2,500 points – medium fries, Vegetable Deluxe, Bacon Mayo Chicken, Cheesy Bacon Flatbread, Double Cheeseburger
4,000 points – Big Mac, Double Sausage & Egg McMuffin, Large Crispy Chicken Salad, 6 Chicken McNuggets, McChicken Sandwich, McPlant
5,500 points – Mighty McMuffin, McCrispy, Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese, McSpicy
Alternatively, you can also donate your points to several different charities.
How do you redeem your points?
This depends on how you’re ordering. If you are making an order on the app, click on the Rewards & Offers button and choose the product you want to add. It will automatically be added to your basket.
If you’re at the kiosk, the Rewards & Offers button is on the left-hand side of the menu. You can add your freebie from there.
If you’re ordering at the Drive-thru or front counter, you’ll need to tell the staff member what you want to use your points for.
Is it good value?
To reach 4,000 points, you will need to spend £40. That will earn you, at best, a Big Mac, which is worth just under £5. So, it’s not something to get excited about.
But then, it seems a waste not to collect the points when they’re on offer. And you could always donate them to charity.
FAQs
Do the points expire?
Yes. Any points you earn will last for six months (this was previously one year). After that, they’re gone.
What happened to the McCafe Rewards?
Do you remember when you used to get a sticker with every coffee, which could be exchanged for a freebie? Well, that scheme is now gone and it’s all part of McDonald’s Rewards.
Does it work in every restaurant?
McDonald’s is a franchise, which means that some restaurants have different rules. On the McDonald’s website, it refers to ‘participating restaurants’. This suggests that not all McDonald’s are taking part in the scheme. I’ve yet to see one though.
What is the value of a McDonald’s point?
This varies depending on the item you’re redeeming the points against. However, each point is roughly worth just over one pence.