McDonald’s: can you still use free coffee stamps in UK, what is the new rewards system, when do changes start?

The old loyalty scheme will be replaced with a new points-based system
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McDonald’s has unveiled a new stamp-based rewards scheme, as it plans to ditch the digital stamp collecting service to make way for a new wider points system.

This means the fast food giant will axe its popular coffee stamp scheme which may leave some customers disappointed.

What is the current scheme? 

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Currently, customers can get a digital stamp when buying a hot drink under the McCafe Loyalty scheme.

When you get six stamps via the My McDonald’s app, you earn a free drink. But the new plans mean the stamps system will roll into a wider points-based offering called MyMcDonald’s Rewards Scheme.

McDonald's has confirmed its restaurants will be shut until 5pm on Monday, the day of the Queen's funeralMcDonald's has confirmed its restaurants will be shut until 5pm on Monday, the day of the Queen's funeral
McDonald's has confirmed its restaurants will be shut until 5pm on Monday, the day of the Queen's funeral

The changes come after McDonald’s announced over the summer that old stickers on hot drinks were becoming digital stamps. Now the system is having a complete overhaul and any patrons with existing McCafe stamps will need to sign up for the new MyMcDonald’s Rewards scheme before 31 October.

Each existing stamp will convert to 300 points over on the app, which is free to download. Any free drinks yet to be redeemed will show on the offers and rewards section of the app.

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For anyone used to the sticker system looking to venture into the new digital version, you need to show or scan your reward QR in the app to collect and redeem your points. Your points will last for an entire year on the app.

What does the new scheme look like?

From 31 October, customers will have to earn 1,500 points to get a free, regular-sized drink - but there will be an introductory double-points offer on hot drinks until 31 December. Each £1 spent will earn 100 points - buying a large cappuccino for £2.09 will lead to 209 points.

So instead of the £10.45 spent before a free drink in the current scheme, customers will now have to spend £16.72 on eight drinks - equating to 1,500 points - to qualify for the free reward. McDonald’s explained the new system allows customers to accumulate points for all of their purchases in the new loyalty scheme.

Customers can also earn points as normal when ordering food and drink via the app, but you can’t earn points from third-party delivery companies like Uber Eats and Deliveroo.

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