How to Get Free Food at McDonald’s

Posted On 4 November 2022

Last updated on April 6th, 2024

I like McDonald’s food! If I can get a deal on the food, even better. Free food? Oh, yeah, keep reading this post and you can get the same notification I got!

While the prices of food have been increasing, I do what I can to pay as little as possible. The deals used to be available only with printed coupons, now it’s more commonly done with the app.

Ordering Food Yourself

McDonald’s has had their app out for quite a while now. Don’t worry, though, if you weren’t aware of what could be done with the app.

They launched their app back in July 2015. It wasn’t until March 2017 that we could make mobile orders with the app. Then, the loyalty program launched nation-wide in the July 2021.

I enjoy ordering with both app and the kiosk in the restaurant. We can even customize our order. Feel free to add something to your sandwich or take an item off your sandwich. You can even select the amount of ice you want in your drink.

With customers able to order on the app or at kiosks in the restaurants, I have noticed that there are less employees working at the front counter. These workers seem to be moved into the kitchen and assembling orders. If there is an issue with mobile ordering, the staff is able to assist, so you are not out of luck.

Gettin’ the App

The US app is geo-locked to the United States. I think this is done to prevent confusion in other countries. If you are traveling to the US and want to use the app, you can! I wrote a post on how to install apps in a foreign country. If you do this, you will have 2 McDonald’s apps on your phone – so pay attention!

To get the app simply go to your app store, or the McDonald’s website. Once you have the app downloaded, you need to set up an account. This is an online account, so if when you get a new phone, just sign into your account. You’ll still have all your points.

Deals

In the app you will see the deals listed. Tap on “View All” to see all the deals available. The deals available are based on where you are ordering. To use a deal, tap on it. You can scan the QR Code at the kiosk and you will get the deal and the points.

Before you try to get too excited, you can only use one deal per order. Once a deal has been used, all the other deals are not available for 1 hour. Some of the deals are available once per day, so look to see if it is a one time use, or if you can use it again the next day. I’m ok with their limits on deals. We will eat again!

There is an odd thing I discovered if using a “Buy One, Get One Free” deal and not getting the same item. Order the more expensive item first (not the Big Mac!), then you can pick the Big Mac.

Pro Tip: If your spouse has the app, you can each order a deal on the same visit!

Earning Points

Earning points is as easy as eating McDonald’s food! Either order through the app, or you can use the 4-digit code or QR code in the restaurant. Once you complete your order, you magically have the points.

Points are earned at a rate of 100 points per US$1. This excludes taxes and fees, such as for delivery.

The purpose of the points is to reward customers with free food. Don’t try to save up too many points because you can only have 9,999 points. With that in mind, earn and spend as you can.

Bonus Points

You get bonus points for various things. There is a points bonus when you sign up (probably earned on first order). I got a points bonus for ordering the McRib.

First, you activate the offer. Then, these bonus points are awarded automatically when you complete the required transaction for the bonus. These are a great way to earn extra points at McDonald’s.

Redeeming Points

Ah, this is the fun part! The free food. In case you need another reason to use your points, I’ll give you two more.

1. Your points automatically expire six months after they are earned unless they are redeemed.

2. There is a limit of 9,999 points you can have. Try to go over that, and you simply don’t get any more points. To test this out I got my balance up to 10,493 points, so I don’t know what the limit is now. Still, use your points!

While you can’t share the points with someone else, you can redeem the points and share the food.

Birthday Offer

McDonald’s has a birthday offer. In the app it doesn’t say what the deal is. Through some research, I found that free sandwiches were offered. The offer could be different for you – my birthday offer was a free baked item.

The birthday offer is only available for 30 days.

Travelers

Each country has its own McDonald’s app. The rewards program operates about the same in Canada. Yes, the deals are different. The points are locked to the app in that particular country.

Pro Tip: If you are not going to be back in the country for more than 6 months, make sure you use as many of your points as you can before you leave. I’ve had points expire while I was out of the country. Oh, well. I still got the deals!

Wrap Up

The McDonald’s app provides a convenient way to get and use deals. I prefer ordering with the app or the kiosk an opposed to ordering at the front counter. Saving money and earning free food is what we at Canoosa Finance love to do.