Expert Reveals Exact Date Of McDonald’s £5 Meal Deal & How To Increase Savings

• Tom Church, Co-Founder of LatestDeals.co.uk, shares insights into McDonald's latest offer
• £5 meal deal saves £2.46 compared to buying items individually, but be wary of extra costs
• Tips on how to find extra savings and healthier alternatives with apps like Too Good To Go
• Aldi McDonald’s dupes that give 3x extra for just 32p more

McDonald's has just launched a new £5 meal deal that allows fast food fans to save up to £2.46. But while the savings seem tempting, Tom Church, Co-Founder of LatestDeals.co.uk, shares tips on how to make the most of this offer and where to find even better value, healthier alternatives.

He said, “From tomorrow, McDonald’s fans can get a Cheeseburger or a Mayo Chicken, plus medium fries, a medium drink, and a side of four chicken nuggets for £5. The offer is available from 11am everyday in McDonald’s restaurants. It sounds like a good deal, but is it worth it?”

1) Be Aware of Hidden Upgrade Costs

"McDonald’s £5 meal deal may seem like a good deal on paper, saving around £2.46 compared to individual prices, but customers should be aware of hidden costs. Upgrading your drink will cost extra, and while four chicken nuggets are part of the deal, McDonald’s doesn’t offer this portion separately. It’s saying that they’d probably cost £2.76 based on a box of six that it does sell.”

2) Inflation Makes Deals Less Valuable

"McDonald’s used to offer meal deals for less. Prices have increased across the board due to inflation. So what feels like a bargain now would have cost less a few years ago. So, while this is marketed as a £5 deal, keep in mind that we’re dealing with higher base prices. Earlier this year McDonald’s had a 3 for £3 Saver’s menu where you got three items for £3. Now you’re getting four items for £5. Per item it’s gone up, but still cheaper than if bought separately.”

3) Supermarket Dupes

“If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, supermarkets like Aldi offer fantastic dupes. You have the added effort of making it at home, but it’s better value and you don’t have to go and sit in the McDonald’s restaurant. You can get a 12 box of their Oakhurst Chicken Nuggets with Dips for just £1.99, their Snacksters Big Stack for £1.49, a 1kg bag of French Fries for £1.35, and a 2L bottle of Vive Diet Cola for 49p. All that comes to £5.32, just 32p more than McDonald’s deal, and you get 3 x the number of nuggets, a 1kg bag of fries and a big bottle of drink.

4) Alternatives on a Budget

“While McDonald’s is known for being affordable, there are alternatives available at a similar price point. Apps like Too Good To Go help consumers pick up discounted, surplus food from supermarkets, cafes, and restaurants. You can grab a ‘magic bag’ for as low as £3, from participating partners including Marks & Spencer, Aldi, Greggs, Costa, Pret, Gail’s and loads more. According to Too Good To Go, food included in your ‘magic bag’ should be half price or less, so if you pay £3, the items you get will be worth at least £6 - and every time I’ve got one it’s actually been a lot more than that!

5) Make the Most of Loyalty Schemes

"To save even more make sure you get the McDonald’s loyalty app. It offers customers rewards like free items after making several purchases. You get 1 point for every penny you spend, and the more points you earn the more freebies you’ll unlock. For example, once you’ve spent £15 you’ll get your choice of a free small fries, medium salad, regular McCafé, mini McFlurry, hash brown or a regular drink. If you are a regular customer, make sure to take full advantage of this feature to save more in the long run.”

Tom finished by adding, “Other retailers such as Burger King also offer ways to save. Each month Burger King releases new coupons on its app. If it’s really chicken nuggets you’re after, KFC has big meal deals on it’s pop-corn chicken. And make sure you take advantage of new customer offers for delivery companies like Deliveroo.”