Podcast Episode 85 - Introducing MyMcDonald's Rewards - the restaurant's new points based loyalty program

 

In this episode we discuss the new MyMcDonald's Rewards program that launches on November 16, 2021! We look at how the program changes from the old McDonald's Rewards from earn rates to redemption rates and the value in the new program.

November 15 Update: McDonald's will keep the on-cup sticker program, RBC extends the 35,000 points offers on the Avion cards & top 6 tips for maximizing miles & points earning on your holiday shopping

Here's your Rewards Canada Daily update! Your daily dose (or near daily dose) of loyalty program, credit card and travel news, bonuses, deals and more. This update is brought to you by the HSBC World Elite Mastercard which is currently offering a welcome bonus of up to 100,000 bonus points worth $500, has no foreign transaction fees and no annual fee in the first year! 

 
Our post on the new MyMcDonald's Rewards has proven very popular with our readers and a lot of the comments and responses we have received are those unhappy with the coffee side of things. That is, in the old program you could buy 7 coffees (typically at $1 each) and then get one free. In the new program via the app that will now take 20 coffees at $1 a piece. That's a big devaluation but there is a way around this! We have confirmation from McDonald's (and via their T&Cs as well) the on-cup sticker program will remain in place for the foreseeable future except in Manitoba and Northwest Ontario. That means you'll still be able to earn a free hot drink after only buying seven. And I would be led to believe you'll still earn your 100 points per $1 spent via MyMcDonald's Rewards as I don't see them giving one type of cup for orders via the app and another with a sticker for non Rewards orders. I'm thinking McDonald's is keeping this in place because of Tim Hortons, whose program still offers a free drink after seven purchases. However, if you can technically double dip with MyMcDonald's Rewards it actually works out better than Tims! Read more about the MyMcDonald's Rewards program here.

Introducing MyMcDonald's Rewards - the restaurant's new points based loyalty program

 
Today's a big day for McDonald's Canada as they officially announced their new rewards program MyMcDonald's Rewards. This program replaces the current McDonald's Rewards and marks the restaurant chain's move into a points world. The new digital rewards program is a points based system where members will be able to earn points on almost all purchases at McDonald's and then redeem them for most menu items. If you live in Manitoba or parts of Northwestern Ontario well this may not be news to you as many of you got to pilot program there for a few months!

For the rest of you let's take a look at this new program!