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Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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'I'm lovin' it': MyMcDonald's Rewards is an easy way to save on a fast-food favorite
Clint Henderson is a managing editor at TPG who has worked in the journalism industry for more than 25 years. He is obsessed with travel and has used points and miles to explore the world.
August 12, 2026 • 8 min read
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Quick summary
MyMcDonald's Rewards is a fast-food loyalty program allowing members to earn points on purchases at U.S. locations, which can be redeemed for menu items.
Despite a recent devaluation, the program remains valuable for frequent McDonald's customers, especially for lower-cost items like ice cream cones and cheeseburgers.
Redemptions offer the most value with smaller items, and points can be used for a variety of food and drink options, though availability may vary by location and time of day.
The app also provides access to exclusive deals and promotions, enhancing potential savings for regular users.
What to consider
Points expire six months after being earned, so timely redemption is important.
You cannot stack deals and rewards in a single transaction, but you can earn points on eligible purchases while redeeming rewards.
Redemption rates are fixed in points but cash prices vary by location, affecting the value you receive per point.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of the most valuable redemptions and practical tips for maximizing your rewards in the program.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
I'm a wizened road warrior who flies more than 175,000 miles a year and spends about 200 nights a year at hotels. I also have elite status with four airlines and five hotel programs (including top-tier status with American Airlines AAdvantage and World of Hyatt).
But one of my favorite loyalty programs is one that doesn't touch travel at all: MyMcDonald's Rewards.
Despite a devaluation this year that made it a bit less rewarding — most items now require 500 more points — it's still a super valuable program that anyone who regularly gets McDonald's should join.
Will you be able to fly business class to Tokyo with your points? No, but you can save some of your hard-earned cash for those trips by using the MyMcDonald's Rewards program.
Here's everything to know about the fast-food program — and why it's one I turn to time and time again.
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
What is MyMcDonald's Rewards?
The MyMcDonald's Rewards program allows you to earn points on all your McDonald's purchases made within the U.S.
You can earn points by ordering in the mobile app ahead of time or by scanning a QR code at the drive-thru or at the register in stores. You can also earn points for McDelivery orders placed through the app.
As you accumulate a stash of points, you can redeem them for items like ice cream cones, breakfast biscuits, a medium order of french fries and even burgers.
MCDONALD'S
What you can redeem for is constantly changing (and some selections are also unavailable during certain times of the day). You'll need to check the app to see what's available for redemption at any given time.
The McDonald's app home screen showing rewards. MCDONALD'S
Membership also gives you access to the deals and promotions tab in the app, where savings can really stack up quickly. For example, while writing this story, I noticed a pretty nifty promo offering a free Big Mac just for signing up.
MCDONALD'S
Unlike travel rewards programs, MyMcDonald's Rewards doesn't have elite tiers. Instead, similar to other dining programs like Domino's Rewards, MyMcDonald's Rewards is best for quickly earning and redeeming points for items, making some of its most valuable redemptions its more affordable items.
I tend to use my points for cheeseburgers and ice cream cones, the latter of which is one of the more valuable ways to redeem your points — but I'll touch on that more below.
MyMcDonald's Rewards value breakdown: Here's why 'I'm lovin' it'
McDonald's menu in Japan. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
With MyMcDonald's Rewards, you earn 100 points for every dollar you spend at McDonald's. You can start redeeming points for items after accruing 1,500 points (or spending $15).
Similar to the Chipotle Rewards program, cash prices for items sold at McDonald's vary by location, but MyMcDonald's Rewards points redemptions are at fixed rates, meaning you'll need the same number of points for, say, a cheeseburger, no matter which U.S. location you're visiting.
The following shows which menu items you can cover with points, plus what they cost (in points and cash) at locations in New York City (where I live) and Bozeman, Montana (a city I visit often) and their redemption rates:
Item
Points cost
Typical cost
Redemption rate
A hash brown, apple pie, small premium roast coffee or vanilla cone
1,500
New York City: Up to $3.79
Bozeman: Up to $2.50
New York City: Up to 0.25 cents per point
Bozeman: Up to 0.17 cents per point
A McChicken sandwich, cheeseburger or sausage biscuit
2,000
New York City: Up to $3.49
Bozeman: Up to $2.85
New York City: Up to 0.17 cents per point
Bozeman: Up to 0.14 cents per point
A medium order of french fries, sausage burrito, six-piece order of Chicken McNuggets, large iced coffee or sausage McGriddles
3,500
New York City: Up to $5.59
Bozeman: Up to $5
New York City: Up to 0.16 cents per point
Bozeman: Up to 0.14 cents per point
Up to $3 off your order of $3 or more
4,000
New York City: Up to $3
Bozeman: Up to $3
New York City: Up to 0.08 cents per point
Bozeman: Up to 0.08 cents per point
A large order of french fries, egg and sausage McMuffin, Filet-O-Fish, large frappe or order of hotcakes
5,000
New York City: Up to $6.59
Bozeman: $6.75
New York City: Up to 0.13 cents per point
Bozeman: Up to 0.14 cents per point
A Big Mac; Quarter Pounder with cheese; Happy Meal; bacon, egg and cheese biscuit; McFlurry; 10-piece order of Chicken McNuggets; or sausage, egg and cheese McGriddles
7,000
New York City: Up to $7.59
Bozeman: Up to $8
New York City: Up to 0.11 cents per point
Bozeman: Up to 0.11 cents per point
As you can see, you'll squeeze more value per point with smaller purchases. The 2,000 points I would use for a vanilla cone priced at $3.79 in the Big Apple would get me the most value per point of any redemption option available. However, pricier redemptions like a Big Mac and a Happy Meal offer more value than the mid-tier $3 off option.
The underrated perks and pitfalls of MyMcDonald's Rewards
One of the best parts of MyMcDonald's Rewards (aside from getting free food, of course) is the access it gives you to special deals and discounts. I often see in-app offers that let you get two double cheeseburgers for $4, enjoy free fries with a purchase or add an item for $1 when you make a purchase.
1 of 4
McDonald's app exclusive deals. MCDONALD'S
2 of 4
McDonald's app exclusive deals. MCDONALD'S
3 of 4
McDonald's app exclusive deals. MCDONALD'S
4 of 4
McDonald's app exclusive deals. MCDONALD'S
Just remember that you generally can't stack deals. You can either use a deal or your points, but not both.
You will earn rewards points when using deals, though. Likewise, you can redeem a reward and continue earning points on the other eligible items you purchase.
Unfortunately, MyMcDonald's Rewards points do expire, so be sure to keep a close eye on your balance and try redeeming them as quickly as you can. You have six full months from the day you earned your points to use them; they'll expire on the first day of the month after the sixth month.
Who is MyMcDonald's Rewards best for?
McDonald's in Malaysia. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
The MyMcDonald's Rewards program is best for folks who tend to purchase multiple items per order and want to earn and redeem their points quickly. That's because you generally won't be rewarded for saving up your points for a bigger redemption — remember, too, that they expire six months after earning them — and can more easily take advantage of special deals when ordering more than one item at a time.
Bottom line
I fly more than 175,000 miles a year and belong to just about every frequent flyer and hotel loyalty program there is, but one nontravel program that I always recommend to friends and family is MyMcDonald's Rewards. The savings I get through the program add up quickly, and it's fun to get some of my favorite on-the-go entrees and treats for free.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
