Now that McDonald‘s has brought out new lower everyday pricing on their coffee, one of the best redemption options in the MyMcDonald’s Rewards program has lost its value (not that it’s a bad thing!). That item was an Extra Large Coffee, at $2.35 of pre-tax value for only 2,000 points, it made for an excellent redemption in the program but that’s no longer the case with a new lower price of $1.75.
So what are the best redemptions in the program? Let’s look at the 5 best options now found with MyMcDonald’s Rewards in Canada:
#1. Large Fries
You can redeem 4,000 points for any size of fries, so why not go for gold and get a large which runs $4.79 before taxes. That works out 0.1197 cents per point and since you earn 100 points per $1 spent your return on spending is 11.97% not including what you save on taxes.
#2. Hash Brown
During breakfast hours you can redeem 2,000 points for a hash brown. In our latest search one hash brown costs $2.39 not including taxes. That works out 0.1195 cents per point and since you earn 100 points per $1 spent your return on spending is 11.95% not including what you save on taxes.
#3. Extra Large Tea
You can redeem 2,000 points for any size of brewed tea, so go for an extra large which runs $2.35 before taxes. That works out 0.1175 cents per point and since you earn 100 points per $1 spent your return on spending is 11.75% not including what you save on taxes.
#4. Vanilla Cone
You can redeem 2,000 points for a vanilla cone which runs $1.99 before taxes. That works out 0.0995 cents per point and since you earn 100 points per $1 spent your return on spending is 9.95% not including what you save on taxes.
#5. Large French Vanilla or Caramel Latte
You can redeem 4,000 points for a large size vanilla or caramel latte which are $3.89 before taxes. That works out 0.09725 cents per point and since you earn 100 points per $1 spent your return on spending is 9.73% not including what you save on taxes.
Note on valuation:
The values listed above are based on pricing from Northwest Calgary in July 2024. Prices will vary based on your location and you also have to take into account that you are saving on paying the tax as well. Here in Calgary it’s 5% but it can be as high as 15% if you are out in the Maritimes.
Boost your return even more with a Points Earning Machine!
You can boost your return on spending at McDonald’s restaurants in Canada by paying for purchases with any points/miles/cash back rewards credit card but your best bet is one of the three points earning machines. All three of these of cards earn 5 points per dollar spent at McDonald’s and those 5 points are the equivalent of a 5% return (or more on the Cobalt and MBNA cards)
- American Express Cobalt Card
- MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard
- Scotiabank Gold American Express Card
Wrapping it up
With new pricing in place for coffee at McDonald’s, the Extra Large size is no longer one of the top five redemption options in the MyMcDonald’s program. Overall, it is still on the higher end with an 8.75% return which is excellent compared to other options which have lower returns that go down to around 5%.
No matter what though, as we always say, any redemption that you are happy with is a good redemption. So if you aren’t about maximizing value and simply want to get anything off the menu for free, redeem away for what you want! And, you do want to redeem when you can since it really isn’t a program for hoarding as these points have a short lifespan!
Don’t forget MyMcdonald’s Rewards points expire!
Just like other programs of this nature that have rewards with a value of under $50 there is a points expiry rule. MyMcDonald’s Rewards points will expire 6 months after being earned. Members will be reminded via the app that they have expiring points coming up.
Images via McDonald’s Canada