McDonald’s has become a staple for quick meals and coffee runs for millions. With the rise of mobile ordering, the McDonald’s app offers a convenient way to order ahead and earn rewards. If you’re a frequent McDonald’s customer, you might be wondering about payment options within the app, specifically, “can you use McDonald’s gift cards on the app?” Let’s dive into the payment methods accepted on the McDonald’s app and how you can best utilize your McDonald’s gift cards.
Understanding McDonald’s App Payment Options
The McDonald’s app is designed for ease of use, including a variety of payment methods to suit your preferences. When you’re ready to pay for your mobile order, the app typically accepts major credit cards, debit cards, and mobile payment services like Apple Pay and Google Pay. These options provide a seamless and quick transaction process directly within the app.
Can You Use McDonald’s Gift Cards Directly on the App?
While the McDonald’s app offers many digital conveniences, direct payment with McDonald’s gift cards (also known as Arch Cards) is not currently a feature within the app itself. You cannot directly enter the gift card number and PIN during the checkout process for mobile orders. This might be disappointing if you were hoping to use a gift card balance for your mobile orders.
However, this doesn’t mean your McDonald’s gift cards are useless when using the app. There are still smart ways to utilize them in conjunction with the app to maximize your savings and rewards.
Alternative Ways to Use Gift Cards with the App
Even though direct gift card payment isn’t available on the app, you can still effectively use your McDonald’s gift cards by combining them with the app’s benefits. Here are a couple of workarounds:
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In-Store and Drive-Thru Redemption: The most straightforward way to use your McDonald’s gift card is for purchases made in-store at the counter or at the drive-thru window. You can use your gift card to pay for your order at these locations. While you’re there, you can still earn points for your purchase! Just be sure to present the 4-digit code from your McDonald’s app before you pay with your gift card. This ensures you accumulate points for every dollar spent, even when paying with a gift card at the physical location.
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Reloadable Arch Cards and App Integration: Consider this strategy: use your gift card to purchase a reloadable McDonald’s Arch Card in-store. Then, register this reloadable Arch Card on the McDonald’s website or app (if this feature is available in your region – features can vary by location). While direct gift card payment in the app might not be possible, sometimes these reloadable cards, once registered, can be used or their balance checked within the digital McDonald’s ecosystem, although this primarily helps with balance management rather than direct payment within the mobile order flow. Always check the specific terms and conditions for Arch Cards in your region.
Maximizing Your McDonald’s Rewards Points
Regardless of how you pay, using the McDonald’s app is your gateway to earning valuable rewards points. Let’s explore how to make the most of the MyMcDonald’s Rewards program.
Earning Points is Simple
Earning rewards is incredibly easy. First, download the McDonald’s app and agree to join MyMcDonald’s Rewards. Then, there are two primary ways to ensure you get points for your purchases:
- In-Restaurant or Drive-Thru: When ordering at the counter or drive-thru, simply present the 4-digit code found in your app to the crew member before you place your order. They will scan it, and you’ll earn points for your purchase.
- Mobile Order in the App: If you order directly through the app for pickup or drive-thru, you automatically earn points as long as you are logged into your MyMcDonald’s Rewards account.
Point Value and Redemption
For every U.S. dollar you spend on eligible items, you’ll receive 100 points. The rewards program starts paying off quickly, as you can begin redeeming rewards once you accumulate 1500 points.
Redeeming your points for free McDonald’s favorites is straightforward:
- Mobile Order Redemption: Within the app, go to the “Rewards” section. Choose the reward you want to redeem and select “Add to Mobile Order”. The reward item will be added to your order, and the points will be deducted at checkout.
- In-Store or Drive-Thru Redemption: In the “Rewards” section of the app, select your desired reward and then choose “Use at Restaurant.” This will generate a 4-digit code. Provide this code to the crew member before ordering to redeem your chosen reward.
- Delivery Orders via the App: If you’re ordering McDelivery directly through the McDonald’s app, you can also redeem rewards. Simply select your reward item and add it to your McDelivery order before checkout. Important Note: Rewards cannot be redeemed for delivery orders placed through third-party delivery platforms like DoorDash or Uber Eats.
Points Expiration
Keep in mind that MyMcDonald’s Rewards points do expire. Points expire on the first day of the month, six months after the date they were earned. This gives you a generous window to accumulate and use your points for your favorite McDonald’s treats.
Redeem and Earn Simultaneously
Good news! You can both redeem a reward and earn points in the same transaction. You will earn points for any eligible purchases you make in addition to redeeming a reward. For every dollar you spend beyond the redeemed reward item, you will still earn 100 points.
Managing Your Rewards Account
The McDonald’s app provides tools to manage your rewards account effectively.
Forgot to Scan? Points Missing?
It happens – you might forget to provide your code. If you realize after your purchase that you didn’t get your points, you can request points to be added. Within the app:
- Go to “More” in the bottom navigation.
- Select “Add Missing Points from Receipt.”
- Choose “Enter Receipt Details.”
- Enter the required information from your receipt: restaurant number, date and time of visit, order number, and order total.
- Submit the details.
If your points don’t appear after a purchase, even if you used your code, wait 24 hours as it can sometimes take a little time for points to show up. If they are still missing after 24 hours, contact customer support through the app (“More” > “Careers, Contact & Legal” > “Contact Us”) providing your account email, order number, subtotal, and details about the issue.
One Code Does It All
You only need to provide one 4-digit code whether you are redeeming a reward, using a deal, or simply earning points. The reward code or deal code will automatically ensure you earn points for any eligible purchases within that transaction.
Purchases That Don’t Earn Points
While most purchases earn points, some exceptions exist:
- Taxes, bag fees, bottle fees, and other surcharges.
- Loading money onto a McDonald’s Arch Card.
- Delivery fees for app-based delivery orders.
- While redeeming a reward or using a mobile offer, you earn points only on the actual U.S. dollars spent in the transaction, not on the value of the redeemed reward or offer itself.
Using a McDonald’s Arch Card for a qualifying purchase will earn you points, as you are still spending money on eligible items, even if using a gift card for payment in-store.
Lost Phone, Points Safe
If you lose your phone, don’t worry about your points! Once you get a new phone and log back into the McDonald’s app with your account, your MyMcDonald’s Rewards should still be there waiting for you.
Terms and Conditions
For complete details, you can access the MyMcDonald’s Rewards Terms and Conditions here.
Conclusion
While you can’t directly pay with McDonald’s gift cards within the app, you can still maximize their value by using them for in-store or drive-thru purchases and always scanning your app code to earn points. The McDonald’s app remains a powerful tool for earning rewards, redeeming deals, and enjoying your McDonald’s favorites more conveniently. By understanding the payment options and rewards program, you can make the most of your McDonald’s experience, both in-app and in-restaurant.
