As fast food prices continue to strain household budgets, customers are getting increasingly creative about finding ways to save money. One McDonald’s customer has gone viral after revealing a clever workaround that supposedly allows diners to save money by redeeming multiple discounts despite restrictions built into the company’s mobile app.
However, McDonald’s may already be closing the loophole, leaving some frustrated customers questioning whether the fast food giant is making it unnecessarily difficult to save a few dollars.
Customer Reveals Clever McDonald’s App Workaround
According to We Got This Covered, TikTok creator Josh Leesman, who posts under the username @esportsjatt, shared a video explaining how customers could potentially get around the company’s restrictions on promotional offers.
“Wanted to share a pro tip for all you penny pinchers out there at McDonald’s,” Leesman explained.
He claimed that customers who place orders through the McDonald’s app are ordinarily limited to redeeming one promotional deal at a time.
However, Leesman discovered what he believed was a simple solution.
“But if you order in the app and then log in at the kiosk, you can then use an additional deal and bypass the one deal per day limit,” he explained.
@esportsjatt McDonald’s trick #lcs #lolesports #worlds #loljattstats ♬ original sound – Josh Leesman
READ: AI Movie ‘Gods Don’t Give Gifts’ Heads to AFM Ahead of December Theatrical Release
The trick essentially involves placing an order through the mobile app before accessing the same rewards account through one of the restaurant’s self-service kiosks.
The video attracted hundreds of thousands of views as customers shared their thoughts about the potential savings.
Unfortunately, the workaround may no longer function at every location.
McDonald’s Appears to Be Closing the Loophole
According to QSR Web, as discussed by We Got This Covered, some McDonald’s locations have begun enforcing promotional waiting periods at their self-service kiosks.
Previously, customers reported being able to complete separate transactions at kiosks without encountering the same restrictions found in the mobile app.
However, one frustrated Reddit user reported encountering a 15-minute waiting period when attempting to redeem another discount.
A McDonald’s restaurant in Hiawassee, Georgia. Credit: Harrison Keely / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)
READ: Disney Cruise Line Prices Now Show Per Person Instead of Cabin Totals
The customer explained that the ability to combine savings through separate transactions had been one of the primary reasons for continuing to visit McDonald’s.
Other customers expressed similar frustrations.
McDonald’s official website states that customers may redeem only one deal per person, per visit. Its current help page also specifies that activating a deal makes other offers unavailable for 60 minutes, although customers have reported different waiting periods at individual kiosks.
The company has not confirmed whether the reported kiosk restrictions have been implemented nationwide.
Customers Question Why Saving Money Has Become So Complicated
The controversy highlights growing frustration with fast food pricing and promotional programs that require customers to navigate mobile applications, rewards accounts, and redemption restrictions.
One commenter responding to Leesman’s video observed, “This is the sign for our economy. We have to find little tricks around systems to save money.”
Another described McDonald’s promotional program as the “Worst reward system.”
McDonalds Kpop Demon Hunters Meals – McDonalds
For customers already struggling with higher restaurant bills, the idea that saving a few additional dollars requires discovering technical loopholes is unlikely to inspire much goodwill.
McDonald’s continues to promote its McValue offerings and app-exclusive discounts as ways for customers to save money.
Nevertheless, the situation raises a straightforward question: If a company wants customers to believe it offers genuine value, why make accessing multiple discounts such a complicated process?
For now, customers hoping to try Leesman’s workaround should be aware that it may no longer work at their local McDonald’s.
Have you tried to save money at McDonald’s? Sound off and let us know!
