Fast food meets fast getaways. McDonald’s UK has teamed up with travel giant Expedia to turn fries and milkshakes into flight funds—well, almost. The partnership marks the first-ever third-party integration within the MyMcDonald’s Rewards app in the UK, allowing customers to redeem loyalty points for hotel discounts on Expedia.co.uk. McDonald’s Expedia partnership

It’s a surprisingly clever crossover: turning everyday purchases into real travel savings. And it’s available until 20 January 2026, giving McDonald’s fans more than a year to stack up their points and book a well-earned break.

McDonald’s + Expedia: How It Works

The offer is refreshingly straightforward. Every time you spend at McDonald’s, you collect one reward point for every penny. Those points now have more potential than ever:

• 2,500 points (around £25 spent) = 5% off your next Expedia hotel booking
• 4,000 points (around £40 spent) = 9% off your next Expedia hotel booking

It’s a small but meaningful bridge between everyday spending and travel rewards. A typical family meal—burgers, fries, drinks, and maybe a McFlurry—could easily generate enough points for a 5% discount on a hotel stay.

In essence, you’re eating your way to your next holiday.

The Campaign’s Feel-Good Message

McDonald’s is framing the campaign as a celebration of “the joy of everyday experiences.” A company spokesperson said the partnership aims to deliver “those little lifts that make a big difference.”

It’s a continuation of McDonald’s long-term effort to position itself not just as a fast-food brand, but as part of daily rituals — morning coffee stops, family dinners, study breaks. Now, it’s also the place where your next city break could begin.

Clayton Nelson, Expedia Group’s VP of Strategic Partnerships, captured the idea neatly:

“Whether it’s a quick bite with friends or a family meal, customers can now turn their McDonald’s Rewards points into real travel savings on Expedia. It’s a simple, exciting way to make travel more accessible and rewarding.”

Why This Move Makes Perfect Sense

For McDonald’s, the integration taps into one of the most powerful consumer motivators: aspiration. Travel is one of the few rewards categories that cuts across demographics and lifestyles. Whether it’s a weekend away in Brighton or a big trip abroad, people love to save on travel — and this partnership makes that feel attainable through something as simple as grabbing lunch.

For Expedia, the value is equally clear. The online travel agency (OTA) gains exposure to millions of McDonald’s app users, potentially converting casual diners into travel planners. Expedia’s One Key loyalty programme already rewards members with instant savings and tier benefits across Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo — this partnership adds a new funnel of engaged users who already understand how points work.

In the bigger picture, it’s another example of cross-industry loyalty ecosystems — where brands blend everyday consumption with lifestyle rewards. Starbucks, for instance, has partnered with Delta Air Lines in the US to let customers earn SkyMiles with coffee purchases. Similarly, Nectar in the UK has been expanding its partnerships beyond retail into travel and entertainment.

The Bigger Trend: Everyday Spending, Extraordinary Rewards

Loyalty programs are no longer about free fries or the tenth coffee. They’re about experiences, personalization, and lifestyle value. A 2024 Deloitte report on consumer loyalty trends highlighted that “cross-sector partnerships are reshaping loyalty ecosystems, with consumers expecting transferable and experience-driven rewards.”

McDonald’s and Expedia have clearly taken note. This partnership doesn’t just incentivize repeat purchases — it gives people a story. You can say, “I booked this trip thanks to my McDonald’s points.” That’s the kind of emotional link most loyalty schemes can only dream of.

And let’s face it — after years of rising travel costs and cost-of-living concerns, the idea of turning your Big Mac habit into travel savings feels refreshingly positive.

What It Signals for the Market

This move also underlines how travel brands are broadening their loyalty reach. Expedia’s rival Booking.com has been experimenting with integrated perks through Genius tiers and credit card partnerships. Meanwhile, easyJet Holidays recently launched reward incentives linked to spending habits, and airlines like British Airways are integrating with lifestyle partners through Avios.

What makes the McDonald’s-Expedia collaboration stand out is its simplicity. There’s no complex conversion rate, no subscription tier, no fine print—just points for pennies.

For McDonald’s, this may be a test bed for future tie-ins. If successful, similar integrations could follow—think cinema tickets, music streaming, or even retail discounts. It’s a reminder that the line between food tech and travel tech is blurring fast.

Final Take: The Smartest Loyalty Move of the Year?

While the discounts themselves (5% and 9%) won’t change anyone’s life, the symbolism of this partnership is big. It’s about rethinking what loyalty looks like in a world where consumers crave experiences more than coupons.

McDonald’s brings the scale — millions of daily app users. Expedia brings the aspiration — affordable travel dreams. Together, they create a feedback loop of engagement that other brands will likely watch closely.

In a loyalty landscape dominated by cashback apps and complex reward systems, McDonald’s and Expedia are doing something refreshingly human: turning everyday moments into mini adventures.