Who doesn’t love a good McDonald’s meal? Adding menu items can be more expensive when ordering for a big group. People have been searching for ways to save money when ordering from McDonald’s menu. Today, I have got some tested McDonald’s hacks to save money.
One of the best hack to save money at McDonald’s are ordering from the dollar menu. You can get menu items such as hash browns, French fries, drinks, and coffee between $1, $2, and $3. There are more such hacks that I have covered in this article.
These hacks are easy to implement and can be used at any McDonald’s outlet. So, whether you’re a regular customer or just an occasional visitor, you can benefit from these money-saving hacks. People eat at McDonald’s every day, but only some know about the offers and promotions they provide.
But don’t worry. We’ve got you covered! We’ve compiled a list of hacks to save you some money. Ordering from dollar menus to taking advantage of combo deals, these tips will help you enjoy your favorite McDonald’s meals.
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34 Tested McDonald’s Hacks To Save Money
1. Download The McDonald’s App To Access Exclusive Freebies And Offers
McDonald’s app has some fantastic deals and offers to wait for you. Just download the app and get access to their daily and weekly offers. You can also place an order quickly on the app.
If you download the McDonald’s app for the first time, you get a free sandwich or French Fries. It’s an instant freebie!
Throughout the year, you’ll find special offers on McDonald’s app. To learn how to order online from McDonald’s, click here.
2. Spend $15 At McDonald’s And Earn Free Food
McDonald’s has four rewards on their app. At every unlocking, you get free food. Go to the reward tab in the app, select the freebies you want, and add it to your mobile order.
At $1500 points, you get $15. So, you can choose:
- Hash browns – $2.90
- Vanilla cone – $1.59
- McChicken – $2.29
- Cheeseburger – $1.89
At $3000 points, you get $30. So, you can choose:
- Medium fries – $3.39
- Sausage burrito – $1.99
- Six pc. McNugget – $2.50
- Sizeable iced coffee – $2.79
At $4500 points, you get $45 to spend. You get to choose:
- Large fries – $3.89
- Large frappe – $3.89
- Filet-O-fish – $4.39
- Sausage McMuffin with egg – $2.50
At 6000 points, you get $60 to spend. You get to choose:
- Bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit – $4.49
- Big Mac – $4.69
- Quarter pounder with cheese – $4.79
- Happy meal – $4.09
3. You Get McDonald’s Fries Every Friday On Their App
Good news! Friday is for French fries. Every Friday, you get a deal on the app. You get free medium fries when you spend $1, at least.
4. Finish The Survey To Get Free Food At McDonald’s
Want to get free food at McDonald’s? All you have to do is save your receipts! You heard me right! Visit the McDonald’s customer satisfaction survey website and fill out the survey. Use the 26-digit code on your receipt and redeem a coupon for a free menu item.
You can also get an offer like a buy 1 to get 1 free. So, don’t throw away your receipts and take advantage of this excellent opportunity to get free food at McDonald’s.
5. Get Poor Man’s Big Mac From McDonald’s Secret Menu Less Than Big Mac Cost
Save money and still enjoy the delicious taste of a Big Mac by ordering a poor man’s big mac. It doesn’t come with ketchup or mustard sauce, but big mac sauce does all the flavor job for you. You may miss the middle bun, but still, you will be able to savor the Big Mac flavor for around $2.69 instead of $4.69. This is an excellent option from McDonald’s secret menu.
6. Get An Affordable Sundae From McDonald’s Secret Menu Instead Of Mcflurry
If you love McFlurry, here is a tip for you on saving money. Order a sundae and ask for flurry toppings and save $0.66. You will get a small side cup of either Oreo or M&M toppings.
7. Don’t Order A Burger With A Patty And Get A Grilled Cheese Mac From Secret Menu
Order grilled cheese mac without a patty for the best experience at McDonald’s. It’s the best hack that you won’t regret. When you go there, ask for a burger without a patty, and you have a grilled cheese mac. The melted cheese and toasted bun make the perfect comfort food.
8. Order Coffee At McDonald’s Instead Of Starbucks and Save Up To 39%
Do you like your coffee on a budget? Then various options at McCafe will save you a lot. Compared to the Starbucks menu, McDonald’s coffee drinks menu has good coffee and tastes so good. Let’s look at some options on the menu of McCafe in comparison to Starbucks:
| Menu Items | McDonald’s | Starbucks |
|---|---|---|
| Hot coffee | $1.89 | $ 2.95 |
| Iced coffee | $2.29 | $3.75 |
| Macchiato | $3.29 | $5.25 |
| Mocha | $3.29 | $4.95 |
| Latte | $3.29 | $4.45 |
| Cappuccino | $2.29 | $4.45 |
9. Best Deal On Dollar Menu Is A $3 McNuggets Bundle
McDonald’s dollar menu offers you menu items between $1 to $3. You can find hash browns, any size of drink, or McChicken for $1. Some bunch of smoothies and coffee drinks for $2. But you can make actual savings from the $3 bundle. The 6-piece McNuggets and small fries bundle costs $4.79 if you buy them separately. But if you buy the bundle, you can save $1.79.
10. Upgrade Happy Meal For a 6-Piece Serving Of Chicken McNuggets
Upgrade your happy meal and make it the best by opting for a 6-piece McNuggets instead of the standard 4-piece. This small change will give you the crispy, juicy McNuggets you love without extra cost.
Not only will you get more McNuggets to enjoy, but you’ll also get more value for your money. With this upgrade, your Happy meal will be more satisfying and filling, making it the perfect meal for a quick lunch or dinner.
11. Take Advantage Of The Dual Menu Options At McDonald’s
It’s great news that if you reach McDonald’s at 10.00 am, you will enjoy the lunch and breakfast menu. It’s a magic window time, and you also get to eat and enjoy an Mc 10:35 burger. That’s from a secret menu.
Not only do you get varieties, but you can also save money. Let me share how? You can mix and match from the menu that is suitable for you. For example, you could create a smaller breakfast item and pair it with a side salad or McChicken.
12. Save 10% On Your Order At Participating McDonald’s Locations
If you’re over 50 years old, you may be eligible for a 10% discount at participating McDonald’s locations. To find out if your local McDonald’s is offering this deal, it’s recommended to call ahead and ask. Remember that this is a senior discount, so you must be 50 years or older to qualify.
13. Get Free Wi-Fi Available At McDonald’s
All our locations offer free wi-fi for our customers, so you can enjoy a delicious meal and stay connected simultaneously. So next time you’re craving McDonald’s, stop by and take advantage of our complimentary WiFi service.
14. Discounts Available For Teachers And Military Personnel At McDonald’s
To appreciate the efforts of teachers and military personnel, McDonald’s is providing discounts all year round. It’s their way of saying thank you for all that they do. So go and enjoy at McDonald’s to enjoy free meals.
15. Free Dessert As A Birthday Reward On McDonald’s App
McDonald’s celebrates your birthday with a special reward. You can redeem a free dessert through the McDonald’s app. Customers must download the app, create an account, and provide their birthdate to claim the reward. Once their birthday is verified, the premium will be added to their account and can be redeemed at any participating McDonald’s location.
The complimentary dessert options vary by location and may include a sundae, apple pie, or other treats. The reward can be redeemed within a specific time, such as the customer’s birthday month.
One of McDonald’s craziest facts here is you can get McDonald’s birthday cake by going to McDonald’s and asking them for one. Click here to learn more about this.
16. Buy Happy Meal Toys For Less Than $2
Are you looking for unique and budget-friendly presents this Christmas? Consider buying Happy Meal toys separately from the kid’s meals. According to cashiers at some McDonald’s locations, the toys can be purchased individually for $1.59 – $1.69 each, depending on the site.
However, if you’re looking for the best deal, they suggest buying the Happy Meal and adding any other toy for just $0.79. This is an excellent option for those who want to get a fun toy but don’t necessarily need to get a lot of food.
17. Purchase Ice Bags From McDonald’s Only At $0.99
Did you know that McDonald’s offers bags of ice for purchase at a great price of only $0.99? That’s right; you can now get on a bag of ice for an upcoming party or campaign trip. These bags are perfect for keeping your drinks cold.
18. Join the McDonald’s Team and get 30% Discounts On Food
As a McDonald’s team member, you’ll be able to save up to 30% on all food purchases. You can enjoy all your favorites at a fraction of the cost! Joining the McDonald’s team is an excellent opportunity for those passionate about food and customer service. If you want to know how old you must be to work at McDonald’s, click here.
Not only will you get to work with a fun and friendly team, but you’ll also gain discounts. You’ll be able to enjoy all your favorite McDonald’s at the lowest price.
Not only that, McDonald’s Team Members’ benefits package includes health insurance, dental coverage, 401k plan, tuition fees, family and parental leave, and discounts on food and merchandise.
19. Get McDonald’s Side Salad With An Artisan Grilled Chicken Instead Of A Premium Salad
You’ll save $1 for ordering artisan grilled chicken at McDonald’s. Not only will you pay less than you would for a regular salad, but you’ll also get a generous serving of protein.
The premium bacon ranch salad with grilled chicken offers at $5.29. While the McDonald’s side salad plus artisan grilled chicken breast cost $4.38. This is the most simple trick to save dollars.
20. Save 10% on McDonald’s Orders with Raise.com Gift Cards
Raise.com is an online platform where people can buy and sell gift cards at a discounted price. By snagging a discounted McDonald’s gift card on Raise.com, you’ll get an extra 10% off your order. Imagine all the leftover fries and burgers you will get! It’s easy peasy. Just hop on to Raise.com, search for McDonald’s gift cards, and find one at a discounted price.
Then, use that gift card to pay for your order at McDonald’s and save money. It’s like a golden arches treasure hunt, where the prize is a delicious meal and some extra cash in your pocket.
21. Never Miss A Deal Again: Sign Up For McDonald’s Email Alerts
Even if you are not the person who can keep up with discounted games, it’s an easy task for you all – sign up for email alerts with McDonald’s.
I usually get McDonald’s freebies and some tempting offers through the mail, and boom! I get my free fries the next day! It can happen to you too! So, join the email alert club, and savor your savings.
22. Become A McCafe Loyalty Member And Get A Free Coffee
Get ready to jump for joy because you can enjoy a FREE McCafe with every five you buy. To redeem your free coffee, go to the McDonald’s app. Order your coffee and scan the barcode through the app. You’ll receive a free cup of coffee. And it’s your sixth coffee that’s at McDonald’s.
23. Save on Big Mac – Order McDouble With Mac Sauce Now
By ditching the ketchup and mustard and adding in mac sauce and lettuce, you’ll be able to chow down on a McDouble burger that’s almost identical to a Big Mac, with less money. You can also add on some fries and drink and enjoy a full meal by saving money.
24. Get More Soda Quantity By Adding No Ice
Ordering soda at McDonald’s has some tricks. When you order soda at McDonald’s, you can tell them not to add ice. So, you will get twice the amount of soda.
Plus, it’s perfectly chilled without any melted ice watering it down. So, give this hack a try the next time you are at the drive-thru or filling your cup at McDonald’s.
25. Get Hot And Fresh French Fries
We all love our French fries, hot and fresh. But when we order our fries, they often become soggy and lukewarm. So, how can you avoid this? Well, here is a master tip for you to avoid soggy French fries. Order fries without salt.
Yes, that’s right! When you order fries without salt, you get them fresh as they fry up a new batch for you. You can add salt to your fries later on and enjoy them.
26. Go For Large French Fries, Instead Medium
So, McDonald’s medium fries are priced at $3.59, and large fries are priced at $4.49. When you look at the weight of these two, medium fries are 3 oz, and large fries are 6 oz. Just for $0.90 extra, you get double the size.
Not only that, if you go to McDonald’s app, check the deal section. You get large fries only for $1, and you don’t have to buy any extra menu items. How cool is that, right?
27. Ask Server For Discounted Chow
When you got to McDonald’s, ask if they had any burgers or fries that still needed to be sold. You know, those that were made but still need to be bought. They’re often custom-made or may have been sitting under the heat lamp for a long time. You can buy them at a low price. There’s nothing wrong with them. Sometimes you can get big macs for just $0.79, quarter pounders for $0.75, and French fries for just $0.50. Ain’t that the best deal!
28. Get A Discount On DIY Big Mac
It’s time to build your big mac but at half the price. When you buy a big mac at its original price, it’s available at $4.49. But if you want to get it at half the price, you can do a simple tweak here.
Order a double cheeseburger, and add items in big mac burgers such as onions, pickles, and shredded lettuce. Well, the server will only add a little mac sauce to it. But you can add mustard sauce and ketchup to the double cheeseburger. It will give a similar taste to big mac sauce. So, hurray! Your own DIY big mac burger only at $2.29.
29. Get Extra Toppings At No Cost
You can get extra toppings to add to your for free. So, here is how? Order a burger through the McDonald’s app, or order in-store. You can add extra toppings in the customization menu. Add extra pickles, extra lettuce, extra sauce, and onion – all for free.
30. Get Free Hot Chocolate
Another clever hack you can try is getting a free hot chocolate. Approach a cashier for a hot cup of water and provide you with a hot chocolate sachet. Then you mix the chocolate sauce in hot water. Keep stirring until you combine it well. Enjoy the complimentary hot chocolate.
31. Try A Chicken McGriddle Hack
Let’s clap for another hybrid breakfast hack. So, you buy a McGriddle and swap out the meat, bacon, or sausage with an MC chicken patty. This hack has the best taste of waffles and chicken, making it a tasty burger.
32. Make Your Float At McDonald’s
We have often heard McDonald’s ice cream machines are out of service. But why not treat yourself to a delicious float when they are up? Order a soda of your choice and an ice cream cone. Then add the ice cream to your soda, and voila! You’ve got a refreshing, homemade float that you can enjoy.
33. Make A DIY McCrepe
McDonald’s hotcakes have been a staple breakfast item for as long as we can remember. However, can they be upgraded too? So, here is a fun idea. Order a yogurt parfait and use it as a filling for your hotcakes to create a McCrepe. It’s a quick and inexpensive way to add a touch of sophistication to your McDonald’s breakfast. Give it a try, and let us know how much you liked the hack.
34. Know Your Buns And Order Smartly
Do you have picky eaters at home who don’t like the sesame buns on big macs, McChicken, and cheeseburgers? No worries. You can ask for the steamed buns that come with the Fish-O-Filet instead. This simple switch will make all the difference for a lighter and fluffier burger experience.
Conclusion
McDonald’s is a beloved fast food chain with a wide variety of menu options and deals. Customers can save money and enjoy their meals even more by utilizing the above-tested hacks – such as ordering from the dollar menu, taking advantage of free WiFi, and asking for extra dipping sauces.
These simple hacks can help you with your budget and allow you to enjoy your favorite McDonald’s meals frequently. We hope you found these tips helpful and encourage you to explore more ways to save money at your favorite food chains. Thank you for reading!
