Does McDonald’s Have Senior Discounts?

Many restaurants and cafes provide senior citizens with special discounts. What about McDonald’s, though? Does McDonald’s have senior discounts?

McDonald’s does not have a company-wide policy for senior discounts. The company leaves the decision to offer discounts to individual franchise owners, who are free to implement their own promotions and discounts at their discretion. However, it is rare for a McDonald’s franchise to offer senior discounts and the availability of such discounts may vary by location.

What is the McDonald’s Senior Discount?

The McDonald’s senior discount is an inconsistent, location-specific discountthat provides minor savings on select beverages for customers ages 55 and up. Unlike many restaurants, McDonald’s does not have an official company-wide senior discount. However, some local franchises offer senior citizens ages 55+ small discounts of around 20-30 cents off coffee and fountain drinks. 

This means that a senior may be able to get a small hot coffee for around $1.50 instead of $1.79 or a small soft drink for $0.99 instead of $1.29. However, not every McDonald’s location participates, and the discounts can vary. It’s best to call ahead to your local McDonald’s to ask if they offer senior drink discounts rather than assuming it’s available.

Who is Eligible for the McDonald’s Senior Discount?

The McDonald’s senior discount has specific eligibility requirements:

• You must be 55 years or older to qualify as a senior citizen. McDonald’s employees may ask to see a valid photo ID like a driver’s license or passport to verify age.
• The discount only applies to hot coffee and fountain beverages in small sizes. Other food and drink items are regular price.
• Availability can vary by location. Some McDonald’s offer it, some do not. There is no uniform policy.
• You must request the senior discount at the time of ordering. It will not be automatically applied.

How Much Can You Save with the McDonald’s Senior Discount?

Since the McDonald’s senior discount only applies to certain small beverages which already cost under $2, the savings are quite minimal. For hot coffee, you may save around 20 to 30 cents off the regular price of under $2. For fountain drinks, you may save 20 to 30 cents off the regular price of around $1.50.

The discount percentages range from around 10-20%:

Menu Item	Regular Price	With Senior Discount	Savings Percentage
Small hot coffee	$1.79	$1.50	16%
Small soda	$1.29	$0.99	23%

While every penny counts, the McDonald’s senior discount pales in comparison to the savings some other restaurants offer seniors on entire meals and entrees. Still, discounted coffee and soft drinks can add up over multiple visits.

How Can You Get the McDonald’s Senior Discount?

Taking advantage of the McDonald’s senior discount requires being proactive and asking about it:

• Verify eligibility by having a valid photo ID that shows your age as 55+ ready.
• Ask staff at the McDonald’s location if they offer a senior discount on coffee and drinks.
• Place your order for a small coffee or fountain beverage and request the senior discount.
• Be prepared to show your photo ID when asked to confirm you meet the minimum age.
• Repeat this process during each visit – the discount will not be automatically applied.
• Be polite if one location says they do not participate in the senior discount program.

What are the Terms and Conditions of the McDonald’s Senior Discount?

Since McDonald’s does not have an official nationwide senior discount policy, the terms can vary by location. However, these key conditions typically apply:

• The senior customer must be 55 years or older and provide proof of age if requested. 
• The discount only applies to hot coffee or fountain drink menu items in a small size. 
• Discount amounts vary but are usually between 20 to 30 cents off the regular price.
• Limits may apply to the number of discounted drinks per senior per visit.
• Participation is at individual franchise discretion, not all locations offer it.
• Prices and discounts are subject to change at any time without notice.

Are There Other Discounts Offered by McDonald’s?

In addition to the inconsistent senior discount, McDonald’s does provide other ways to save for all customers:

• Mobile App Deals – The McDonald’s app offers rotating daily coupons for free or discounted menu items.
• Student Discounts – Some locations provide discounts to students with a valid student ID.
• Military Discounts – Discounts like free meals or specials for military members are available at participating locations. 
• Local Promotions – Individual McDonald’s often run local deals like specials on certain menu items, BOGO deals, or discounts for loyalty program members.

These discounts vary and have their own eligibility requirements, but are more widely available and can offer more significant savings than the senior discount. Check the McDonald’s app or ask in-store about other ways to save money.

How Can You Contact McDonald’s Customer Service?

If you need help understanding if a location near you offers a senior discount or have any other questions, contact McDonald’s customer service:

• By Phone: 1-800-244-6227
• Online Form: Visit www.mcdonalds.com and click “Contact Us” at the bottom to fill out a customer support form.
• Twitter: Tweet @McDonalds with your question and they may respond.
• Mail: Send any written correspondence to McDonald’s Corporation, Attn: Customer Service, 2111 McDonald’s Dr., Oak Brook, IL 60523

Be sure to call ahead to your local restaurant first, since individual locations have control over senior discounts. But you can use these customer service channels for additional questions. Being proactive is the key to accessing McDonald’s inconsistent senior discount program and maximizing your dining savings.

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