With inflation at 7.7% in October and food prices increasing in grocery stores as and restaurants alike, the prospect of free food sounds more enticing every day. Especially when we’re talking about guaranteed free food “for life.” Even if we’re talking about McDonald’s. And that’s exactly what McDonald’s if offering to the holders of their elusive McGold card.
I’ll leave the discussions of whether it is advisable to eat McDonald’s on the regular to others who have more time and hate joy. (Certainly you can eat “unhealthy” foods and still be healthy.) I’m here to tell you how you can score this thing.
How do I get the McGold Card?
The McGold Card is not new. It has been around for years, but it has never been made available before now. The official program is called the McDonald’s For Life Appstake [sic], an contest running through the official McDonald’s from Dec. 5 – 25. To be eligible enter, you must first opt in to the MyMcDonald’s Rewards program with a valid email, which is free to do.
A purchase made through the app will grant you an entry into the (sigh) appstakes for the McGold card. To enter without a purchase (why do you want to win McDonald’s if you do not want to eat McDonald’s?), you can fill out a form. You are allowed to enter once every day throughout the promotion.
What does the McGold card get me?
According to the official rules, the McGold Card is good for two meals per week for 50 years. The fine print includes no restrictions on what exactly defines a “meal” but specifies that the total annual value of the card is $1,040 per year for 50 years. If you don’t plan on living that long, you can choose instead a one-year card worth $1,040 and a cash prize of $50,960. You will also receive the option to give equivalent McGold cards to three of your friends, so they can enjoy the rewards with you. A nice touch: The winner will also receive a check for $22,285 to “help offset taxes on the Prize.” Unfortunately for your lucky friends, they will receive no such tax assistance.
Odds of winning
One winner will be announced each week for the duration of the three-week sweepstakes. Your chances of winning depend on the number of people who enter during a given week, but it’s safe to assume they are low (remember that whole “billions and billions served” thing?). If you do win, you’ll be notified by email and through a push notification from the McDonald’s app. Good luck—worst case, you ate some McDonald’s and didn’t win. (Or filled out a no-purchase entry, you weirdo.)
