30 McDonald’s Menu Hacks to Save You Money
Eat for less with these McDonald’s hacks! 🍔🍟🤑
Did you know there are still plenty of clever ways to save money at McDonald’s – even though it seems like prices are constantly on the rise?
If you love a Big Mac or a McFlurry, these McDonald’s hacks can help you stretch your budget without sacrificing your favorites. Some tricks work more consistently than others (and some are heavily dependent on your location), but knowing what to order – and how – is the key to saving money at McDonald’s!
Important disclaimer: After learning how different things can be from one McDonald’s to the next, we wondered if it would even be helpful to share this list. Prices and deals can vary a lot by location, and many offers are now app-only.
Ultimately, we decided to share these tips. Even though they won’t all work for every reader, we’re happy to share these tips if even a few of them can help you save a little money!
30 of the best McDonald’s menu hacks:
1. Always use the McDonald’s app.
If you do only one thing to save money at McDonald’s, be sure to download the app! It’s full of exclusive deals you won’t find in-store, plus, you’ll get a free snack wrap just for downloading it!
Be sure to open the app before every order, because offers rotate frequently and vary by location. You can also use it to order, earn points, and redeem them for free food and other offers!
2. Join MyMcDonald’s Rewards.
You’ll need a MyMcDonald’s Rewards program to earn and redeem points in the app, but it’s totally worth the sign-up!
Rewards and point requirements may vary by account, but it’s still one of the easiest ways to score free food and other yummy offers.
3. Order from the McValue menu.
McDonald’s has a special McValue menu section with inexpensive sandwiches, sides, and treats. Prices start at just $2.49 at my location, so you can easily customize an inexpensive meal for yourself using this part of the menu!
The McValue menu also offers $5 Meal Deals and Buy-One-Add-One-for-$1 deals.
4. Sign up for email alerts.
Although most deals are found exclusively in the McDonald’s app, you can sign up for emails to make sure you don’t miss any offers, limited-time promotions, or product announcements.
If you don’t regularly check your app, getting these alerts can help you make sure you don’t miss anything!
5. Watch the app for a chance to get free fries.
McDonald’s used to give away free fries every Friday with a $1 purchase. While this offer may still be available in select locations, it appears to be phasing out.
You may still occasionally receive “Free Fries Friday” promos, but they’re no longer weekly, and you may have to make a $2 purchase to get your free fries.
Be sure to check your app regularly, especially on Fridays, for limited-time offers.
6. Build your own Big Mac.
It may be cheaper to buy a Double Cheeseburger customized with lettuce and Big Mac sauce than it is to buy a Big Mac off the menu, but it’s not as easy as it used to be!
The McDonald’s app no longer offers Big Mac sauce as a condiment that can be ordered separately, so you’ll have to request this customization at the counter or in the drive-thru.
Customizing a Double Cheeseburger cost me $2 less than buying a Big Mac, but many locations now charge for extra sauce, so your savings may vary. You’ll definitely want to compare the price of extras before trying this one!
7. Score fresh fries every single time.
Want fresh fries with every order? Wait until the restaurant isn’t busy and then ask for fries with “no salt.” McDonald’s will whip you up a fresh batch that’s piping hot, and then you can add your own salt if you want it.
A word from a former fast-food worker: Asking for “no salt” may require the employees to clean the fryer, which may delay your order (and everyone else’s too)! 😬
Fresh fries are constantly being made during peak times, so if you go when the restaurant is busy, the fries are probably as fresh as can be. If you want to save McDonald’s employees the hassle of cleaning the fry bin while still getting a fresh batch, another way to get fresh fries is to ask for them and wait!
8. Size your fries wisely.
It turns out that McDonald’s small and medium fries are basically the same size. We were shocked at the number of YouTube videos confirming this theory!
If you’re looking to save, go with the small size instead, and you won’t even notice the difference! 🍟
9. Make your favorite frozen drink for cheap.
Order McDonald’s soft-serve cone and mix it with a soda or coffee for a cheap DIY float or affogato-style dessert!
If you’re ordering at the counter or in the drive-thru, you can save even more money by ordering an espresso shot instead of a full coffee. This option isn’t available in the app, and the price may vary, but a shot of espresso costs about $1 at many locations.
10. Get a fresh egg for the same or similar price.
All the breakfast sandwiches at McDonald’s come with a folded egg that is premade, except for the McMuffin. If you want a freshly-cracked egg on any other sandwich, just ask for a “round egg” instead. 🥚
11. Don’t add an extra patty to your sausage biscuit.
You may have seen the social media “hack” to double your protein by adding an extra patty to your Sausage Biscuit, but this will not save you any money.
A Sausage McMuffin near me costs $1.50. Adding a second sausage patty to my sandwich would increase the price to $3.49, so I can actually save money by just purchasing another sandwich for $1.50!
12. Don’t order a side of sausage with your hotcakes, either.
If you know you want sausage, get it with your meal instead of as an extra side. The Hotcakes meal near me costs $4.49. The Hotcakes With Sausage meal is $4.99. That means I’m only paying 50¢ extra for that sausage patty. It costs $1.99 to order a side of sausage instead, which is four times the cost!
Be wary of McDonald’s sausage math, and make sure you’re not paying more for your morning protein than necessary! 🧐
13. Make your Big Mac bigger.
If you’re ordering in-store or at the drive-thru, consider upgrading your Big Mac with Quarter Pounder patties instead. Unfortunately, this option isn’t in the app, and you may get hit with an extra charge. But you’ll be adding about 24g of protein to your sandwich, and the upcharge should be a relatively small price to pay for a serious protein boost!
14. Complete the survey on your receipt for free food.
Make sure you always get your receipt, because many receipts still contain survey offers!
These surveys only take a few moments, and they’re such an easy way to score FREE food from McDonalds! Offers vary, but we often see BOGO deals like the one shown above.
15. Getting delivery? Check for deals.
If you prefer to get McDonald’s delivered, you might be able to score a discount. Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub sometimes offer discount codes, bundle deals, or freebies when you order through their services.
Menu prices are usually higher than ordering in-store, so be sure the delivery offer is worth it before ordering!
Check out McDonald’s delivery webpage for the latest delivery deals from these companies.
16. Customize your meal to get fresh food and some free toppings.
If you want to avoid getting an older, ready-made sandwich that’s been sitting under the heater, make some simple customizations to your order. You’ll not only receive a freshly made patty, but many of your extra toppings will come free of charge!
17. Want Chicken McNuggets? Order in bulk to get more for your money.
Before ordering your McNuggets, always do the math. Prices do vary by location, but typically, the 20-piece or 40-piece is the best deal per nugget. Just check out the prices near us:
- 4 Piece McNugget – $2.99 or 75¢ per nugget
- 6 Piece McNugget – $4.49 or 75¢ per nugget
- 10 Piece McNugget – $6.49 or 65¢ per nugget
- 20 Piece McNugget – $9.09 or 45¢ per nugget
- 40 Piece McNugget – $15.69 or 39¢ per nugget
If you can’t finish a larger size, you can always take them home, refrigerate them, and pop them in the air fryer when you’re ready to eat again.
18. Feed your family with a bundle or “shareable” meal.
If you’re feeding more than one person, look for bundle deals or “shareables.”
McDonald’s frequently tests family bundles or limited-time meal boxes that bring the per-item cost way down. These aren’t always listed clearly on menu boards, so it’s worth asking or checking the app for these offers!
19. Time your order strategically.
Timing matters more than people realize. Breakfast deals can be significantly cheaper than lunch/dinner options, and late-night promotions (depending on the location) sometimes include app-exclusive discounts to drive traffic during off-peak times.
Keep an eye on the app and watch for patterns in your area, so you can time your next McDonald’s run to take advantage of these trends!
20. Save on your specialty coffee by buying from the McCafé.
Don’t overlook the McCafé coffees! You can get your favorite specialty drinks like a Caramel Macchiato or Vanilla Latte for way cheaper than your local Starbucks or Dunkin’.
For example, a Medium Caramel Macchiato costs just $3.59 near me. The very same drink costs $5.45 at Starbucks and $4.79 at Dunkin. I can get my drink for up to 34% less by ordering from McDonald’s instead! 🎉
21. Craving a Mocha Frappé? Swap the chocolate drizzle for hot fudge at no cost.
If you’re ordering in-store or at the drive-through, try swapping the chocolate drizzle in your Mocha Frappé for McDonald’s hot fudge sundae syrup instead.
You’ll be upgrading your frozen treat with higher-quality ingredients at no additional cost (in most locations)! Note that this option is not available in the app, so you must request this customization in person.
22. Ditch the ice in your beverage to get your money’s worth.
Ice takes up SO MUCH ROOM in your drink. If you want more bang for your buck, just ask for your beverage with light ice or no ice at all. Although some locations will respond to this request by leaving more space in your cup, you’ll often get more of the beverage you paid for by ordering with light or no ice!
23. Order a large drink and split it between two people.
If you’re dining with a friend, consider ordering one large beverage and sharing it. At my neighborhood McDonald’s, every fountain soda costs $1.49 (regardless of size), so it doesn’t make sense to buy two small (16 oz.) drinks for a total of $2.98 when you can get a large (30 – 32 oz.) drink for just $1.49!
Ask for an empty cup to make sharing easy, and you’ll cut your beverage cost in half!
Note that this tip works better in locations where drinks are poured behind the counter. McDonald’s locations that still have self-serve beverage stations may be reluctant to hand out empty cups.
Read more about McDonald’s plan to phase out self-serve fountain drink stations by 2032!
24. Scan your receipt with Fetch Rewards and other cash-back apps.
Our team LOVES Fetch Rewards! This handy app gives you cash back on your purchases, and it’s super easy to use! Just scan your receipts, and Fetch will give you a percentage back. It works with over 500 different brands, retailers, and restaurants.
You can also scan the same McDonald’s receipt with similar apps, too! Check out our complete list of cash back apps and give them a try!
25. Use discounted McDonald’s gift cards.
If you know where to look, it might pay to buy a discounted McDonald’s gift card. The savings are often 10% or less, but every little bit helps!
Discounted gift cards are often sold at retailers like Costco and Sam’s Club. You can also find them on sites like CardCash, CardBear, and Raise.com.
26. Grab a McDonald’s sheet cake for cheap.
Many people don’t know that McDonald’s sells sheet cakes for $10 – $20! Availability is limited, though, and generally restricted to locations with PlayPlaces or those that host parties. Your best bet is to call ahead or check the app to find a participating restaurant.
If you have a celebration coming up and need a quick and cheap dessert, consider skipping the expensive bakery and picking up a McDonald’s sheet cake instead! They come in chocolate and vanilla.
27. Scoop up the McDonald’s Halloween coupon booklet.
McDonald’s often issues Halloween Treat Packs. The price of these nifty little coupon books varies, but they’re usually $4 – $5, and they contain a dozen coupons for freebies like ice cream cones, hamburgers, and apple slices. If you see them in the fall, grab one for yourself and enjoy the free grub! 👻
28. Take advantage of your military, teacher, student, or senior discount.
McDonald’s does not have company-wide military, student, or teacher discounts. However, during certain times of the year, like Teacher Appreciation Week and Veterans’ Day, you may be able to score a discount. Just ask your cashier the next time you visit!
The company also does not have an official senior discount policy, but many locations will give one if you ask. It’s usually in the form of discounted coffee or other beverages. If your local McDonald’s doesn’t participate, try Wendy’s. Our local Wendy’s gives out FREE senior coffees!
29. McDonald’s sells bags of ice for cheap!
Need ice? McDonald’s sells 8-10 pound bags of ice at affordable prices – usually only about 24¢ per pound! Only select locations sell ice, though, so make sure to call ahead.
30. Become an employee to get a discount of up to 30%.
If you’re a die-hard fan of the golden arches, consider becoming an employee! McDonald’s workers get all sorts of perks like tuition assistance, flexible work, access to Employee Assistance Programs, time off, a 401(k) retirement account, and an employee discount. Word on the street is that the discount can be up to 30% off! 🤑
Read this before trying out one of these hacks!
Disclaimer: When researching these tips, we noticed that McDonald’s prices can vary significantly by location. A great hack in one city might not save you any money where you live. Before trying these McDonald’s hacks for yourself, be sure to check the app or visit the restaurant to verify pricing and availability near you!
I haven’t been to McDonald’s in a good minute..I ordered a large sweet tea the other day as I can sip on it for 2-3 days, it’s sweet and I cut it with water.
was really shocked to see it was not $1 anymore…I was like WTW
I wish McDonalds had vegetarian options. I would go there more often because the app is amazing! I get free McCafe drinks and fries constantly…. But never a meal without having “veggie” options.
That would be nice, Maria. 💕 Glad you’re loving the app. I like snagged the offers in there too!
THEIR FRIES ARE NOT VEGETARIAN OR GLUTEN FREE. They have natural beef flavor [wheat And Milk Derivatives] and fried on the same oil as the chicken nuggets. As a matter of fact not even their sliced apples can be considered vegan or vegetarian.
I like when McD’s has BOGO breakfast sandwiches as I can save one for another day. Also, their pancakes with sausage meal is huge. You get 2 pancakes, eggs, sausage, hashbrowns and a biscuit! Set aside the sausage, half of the eggs and the biscuit for another meal. I heat the biscuit in the microwave in a small covered bowl when ready to eat and it’s like it was just made.
YUMMY! Thanks for sharing how you’ve been able to stretch they breakfast meals! 🙌❤️
For the BOGO sandwich (for doing the survey on the receipt), my 2nd sandwich is always Chicken, plain (!) because I can put it in the fridge at home and heat it up later, or eat it cold, and it’s not too bad. Or I just eat the chicken without the bun. The burgers do not reheat well at all. Bleh. I order it plain, because the condiments and vegs are gross if you heat it up. I add my own mayo.
Thanks for sharing how you order that deal, Jodi P! Good to know what tastes best when reheated! 🙌😋
When my kids were smaller, we would sometimes order the big breakfast with hot cakes. They’re around $6.00 now but we would split it…..one would get the hot cakes, one would get the sausage and biscuit and one would get the eggs and hash brown. It’s a good bit cheaper than ordering the individual items. Not only is just a sausage patty expensive but just an egg is around $2.40 here. You can get an egg biscuit for just a few cents more.
Such a great idea to split up and share the big breakfast, Kay! 🙌❤️
Those Big Mac tips are really helpful, I’ve been trying to order smarter lately too.
Oh good! Happy those are helpful! 🙌❤️ Thanks for commenting!