The rewards you earn at the drive-thru for your next late-night hunger craving won't get you a lie-flat seat to Australia. However, if you are making fast-food purchases regularly, the right loyalty program could turn those orders into a tasty reward of fries, burgers or tacos on the house.
McDonald's, Burger King, Chick-fil-A and Taco Bell all offer app-based rewards programs that cost nothing to join, but each one uses a different earning and redemption structure.
Just like we did for coffee loyalty programs, food delivery apps and restaurant reservation platforms, we've priced out the rewards available with four of the most popular fast-food programs to determine whether they're worth your time.
Here's how they compare and how to earn even more by paying with the right credit card.
McDonald's, Burger King, Chick-fil-A and Taco Bell comparedMyMcDonald's RewardsRoyal Perks (Burger King)Chick-fil-A OneTaco Bell Rewards<strong>Status levels</strong>NoneNoneMember (entry level), Silver (1,000 points in a calendar year), Red (4,000 points in a calendar year) and Signature (10,000 points in a calendar year)Hot (entry level) and Fire (2,000 points in a calendar year)<strong>Earning rate</strong>100 points per dollar spent10 Crowns per dollar spent10 points per dollar spent (Member), 11 points per dollar spent (Silver), 12 points per dollar spent (Red) or 13 points per dollar spent (Signature)10 points per dollar spent (Hot) or 11 points per dollar spent (Fire)<strong>Cheapest redemption</strong>1,500 points200 Crowns200 points250 points (every reward costs the same)<strong>Spending needed for each chain's signature item</strong>$70 for a Big Mac$70 for a Whopper$80 for a chicken sandwich (about $62 for Signature members)$25 for a crunchy taco (about $23 for Fire members)<strong>Expiration</strong>Points expire on the first day of the month after the sixth month from the day they were earned.Crowns expire on the first day of the month after the sixth month from the day they were earned.Points do not expire; rewards you select expire on the date shown in the app.Points expire six months after the calendar month they are earned; rewards you select expire after 31 days.<strong>TPG valuation*</strong>0.09 cents per point0.85 cents per Crown0.61 cents per point0.85 cents per point*TPG's fast-food rewards valuations, typical menu costs and redemption rates, as of October 2026, use current pickup prices from Drive Thru Index, which records prices from chains' own ordering apps and defines a "typical" restaurant as the median location based on a standard basket. Actual prices and redemption values vary by restaurant.
MyMcDonald's RewardsMyMcDonald's Rewards is probably the simplest of these four programs to get your head around, mostly because there are no status tiers to reach. You'll earn 100 points per dollar spent on eligible U.S. purchases, whether you order ahead in the McDonald's app or scan its QR code at the counter, kiosk or drive-thru. McDelivery orders placed through the app also earn points.
While earning 100 points per dollar spent sounds really rewarding, each point is worth only a fraction of a cent, and the program got noticeably less rewarding when McDonald's raised the price of most rewards by 500 points in May 2026. A McChicken sandwich, a cheeseburger and a sausage biscuit now cost 2,000 points each instead of 1,500 points, while the Big Mac jumped from 6,000 to 7,000 points. A hash brown and a vanilla cone were some of the only rewards that didn't increase in price.
MCDONALD'SHere's what you can redeem your MyMcDonald's Rewards points for:
ItemPoints costTypical costRedemption rateA hash brown, an apple pie, a vanilla cone or a small premium roast coffee1,500Up to $1.99Up to 0.13 cents per pointA McChicken sandwich, cheeseburger or sausage biscuit2,000Up to $2.69Up to 0.13 cents per pointA medium order of french fries, a six-piece order of Chicken McNuggets, a sausage burrito, a large iced coffee or sausage McGriddles3,500Up to $3.59Up to 0.10 cents per pointUp to $3 off an order of $3 or more4,000$3Up to 0.08 cents per pointA large order of french fries, a large frappe, an egg and sausage McMuffin, a Filet-O-Fish or an order of hotcakes5,000Up to $4.99Up to 0.10 cents per pointA Big Mac; a Quarter Pounder with cheese; a Happy Meal; a bacon, egg and cheese biscuit; a McFlurry; a 10-piece order of Chicken McNuggets; or sausage, egg and cheese McGriddles7,000Up to $5.99Up to 0.09 cents per pointHow do you get the most value? Small rewards give you the most bang for your buck, with a 1,500-point apple pie reward giving you more than twice as much per point as a 7,000-point Big Mac reward. The $3-off option is one of the worst deals on the menu, offering just 0.08 cents per point, below TPG's October 2026 valuation of MyMcDonald's Rewards points at 0.09 cents each. This valuation works out to about a 9% return on your spending.
There's another good reason why you shouldn't save your points for a Big Mac: Points expire six months after you earn them (on the first day of the following month), so if you're not a regular customer, you could find your points disappearing before you can redeem them for a tasty main menu item.
Only one reward can be redeemed per order, and you usually can't combine a reward with an app deal. You cannot earn or redeem MyMcDonald's Rewards points on orders placed through third-party delivery apps, though eligible McDelivery orders placed through the McDonald's app do earn points and can include rewards.
You will still earn points on eligible paid items in any order that uses a reward or deal.
Related: 'I'm lovin' it': MyMcDonald's Rewards is an easy way to save on a fast-food favorite
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUYBurger King Royal PerksBurger King's Royal Perks program pays out in Crowns rather than points. Members earn 10 Crowns per dollar spent on qualifying purchases at participating U.S. restaurants, including delivery orders placed through the Burger King app or website.
Royal Perks has become more generous recently, though the program is also less flexible. In November 2025, Burger King cut its reward chart from six levels to four and lowered the cheapest reward from 250 to 200 Crowns, so you can now cash in after spending $20 rather than $25.
The following reward options are currently available:
ItemCrowns costTypical costRedemption rateA hamburger, a cheeseburger, a small order of french fries, a small soft drink, a four-piece order of chicken nuggets, a small order of hash browns, a small order of onion rings, a small coffee, a Burrito Jr. or two chocolate chip cookies200Up to $2.69Up to 1.35 cents per CrownA Whopper Jr., 10-piece order of chicken nuggets, large order of french fries, large soft drink, large order of onion rings, Hershey's Sundae Pie, Croissan'wich or large vanilla iced coffee400Up to $3.99Up to 1 cent per CrownA Whopper, a chicken sandwich, a Big Fish Sandwich, an eight-piece order of Chicken Fries, Mozzarella Fries, an Egg-Normous Burrito or a medium shake700Up to $6.29Up to 0.90 cents per CrownAn Impossible Whopper; a double sausage, egg and cheese Croissan'wich; a small chicken sandwich meal; or a double cheeseburger meal1,000Up to $8.99Up to 0.90 cents per CrownAs with McDonald's loyalty program, the lowest-cost rewards tend to offer the highest value.
You can redeem just 200 Crowns for a cheeseburger and get about 1.35 cents per Crown, a 13.5% return on the $20 you spent to earn them. TPG values Royal Perks Crowns at 0.85 cents each as of October 2026, for a return of around 8.5%. Like MyMcDonald's Rewards' Big Mac redemption, Royal Perks' Whopper reward takes $70 of spending to earn.
BURGER KINGKeep in mind that you can only use one reward per transaction, and you'll have to wait 60 minutes before redeeming another. Crowns expire on the first day of the month six months after you earn them, so any Crowns you collect in, say, January will disappear Aug. 1. The app's "Offers" tab also includes digital coupons, but they are limited to one per transaction and subject to the same 60-minute wait period.
It's worth treating yourself like royalty on your birthday if you can. That's because members earn double Crowns on eligible purchases for the whole of their birthday month, plus a complimentary Whopper Jr., chicken sandwich, cheeseburger, eight-piece order of Chicken Fries or soft serve (or seasonal item) on the day itself. To qualify, you must register your birthday at least seven days beforehand and complete at least one eligible transaction in the preceding 12 months.
Related: Why your Amex Platinum's Walmart+ credit is worth using for perks like a free Burger King Whopper with any purchase every 3 months
JOE RAEDLE/GETTY IMAGESChick-fil-A OneChick-fil-A One has the most extensive status options of the four programs, with four membership tiers.
All members start out earning 10 points per dollar spent on qualifying orders placed in the Chick-fil-A app or on its website. If you order at the counter without the app, you can scan your receipt afterward to claim your points.
Note that delivery orders earn points or allow reward redemptions only when you make them in the Chick-fil-A app; orders placed through DoorDash or other third-party apps are not eligible unless initiated through the Chick-fil-A app.
Spend more at Chick-fil-A over a calendar year, and you'll climb through three elite status tiers that boost your earning rate:
TierPoints needed in a calendar yearEarning rateAdded benefitsMemberNone10 points per dollarEarn and redeem points, enjoy a birthday reward and receive rewards from your local restaurant.Silver1,00011 points per dollarGift rewards to family and friends.Red4,00012 points per dollarEnjoy a complimentary Chick-fil-A Backstage Tour at the company's corporate headquarters in Atlanta for the member and up to five guests.Signature10,00013 points per dollarReceive rewards exclusive to Signature members.Once earned, Chick-fil-A One status is valid for the rest of the calendar year in which you qualify and the entire following calendar year. For example, if you earn Red status in March 2027, it will remain valid through Dec. 31, 2028.
Points toward status reset to zero each Jan. 1 and do not roll over. To retain your tier beyond the following calendar year, you must requalify by Dec. 31.
CHICK-FIL-ARedemptions for free items start at 200 points and go up as follows:
ItemPoints costTypical costRedemption rateAn Icedream Cone200$1.890.95 cents per pointA small order of waffle potato fries, side of hash browns, chocolate chunk cookie or chocolate fudge brownie300Up to $2.29Up to 0.76 cents per pointA medium order of waffle potato fries, Kale Crunch side, bag of waffle potato chips, coffee, large soft drink or large iced tea400Up to $4.25Up to 1.06 cents per pointA large order of waffle potato fries500$3.090.62 cents per pointA five-count order of nuggets, a two-count order of Chick-n-Strips, an iced coffee, a lemonade or a Sunjoy (Chick-fil-A's version of an Arnold Palmer)600Up to $4.09Up to 0.68 cents per pointA four-count order of Chick-n-Minis, chicken breakfast sandwich, or sausage or bacon breakfast sandwich700Up to $5.05Up to 0.72 cents per pointA chicken sandwich, spicy chicken sandwich, milkshake, frosted coffee or float, berry parfait, side salad, cup of soup, five-count order of grilled nuggets, medium fruit cup, cream cold brew or medium macaroni and cheese800Up to $5.65Up to 0.71 cents per pointAn eight-count order of nuggets, three-count order of Chick-n-Strips, an Egg White Grill, a hash brown scramble bowl or a hash brown scramble burrito900Up to $5.59Up to 0.62 cents per pointA deluxe sandwich, a spicy deluxe sandwich or an eight-count order of grilled nuggets1,000Up to $6.45Up to 0.65 cents per pointA 12-count order of nuggets, four-count order of Chick-n-Strips, grilled chicken sandwich or bowl of soup1,200Up to $7.29Up to 0.61 cents per pointA grilled chicken club sandwich, 12-count order of grilled nuggets or Cool Wrap1,500Up to $8.69Up to 0.58 cents per pointA market Salad2,000$9.990.50 cents per pointA meal of your choice2,500Up to $18.19Up to 0.73 cents per pointAdditional rewards available to Red and Signature members include:
- Red: An 8-ounce bottle of sauce for 600 points, a kids meal for 1,200 points, a six-count order of chocolate chip cookies for 1,500 points, a gallon of iced tea for 1,500 points and a 10-count order of Chick-n-Minis for 1,700 points
- Signature: All of the Red-exclusive rewards, plus a 30-count order of nuggets for 2,500 points, a gallon of lemonade for 3,000 points and a gallon of Sunjoy for 3,000 points
If you're judging value by return on spending, Chick-fil-A One is the least rewarding of the four fast-food loyalty programs in this guide. That's because TPG values Chick-fil-A One points at 0.61 cents each as of October 2026, which gives base-level members a return of about 6.1% and top-tier Signature members about 7.9% (that latter of which still isn't amazing).
To get the best value from your points, aim to order the Kale Crunch side or Icedream cone. Try to skip the market salad, as it's among the lowest-value reward options. If you want a full meal, plan on making separate redemptions for an entree and fries instead of saving up for a meal reward; you'll get greater value from your points this way.
While Chick-fil-A's return on spending is low, the points are at least fairly flexible, as they don't expire. However, each reward has its own unique expiration date shown in the app once you select it, usually around 30 days, so hold off on redeeming your points until you're ready to cash in your reward.
THE WASHINGTON POST/GETTY IMAGESTaco Bell RewardsTaco Bell Rewards doesn't have complex reward charts to navigate. Instead, every reward costs 250 points.
New members all join as Hot tier members, earning 10 points per dollar spent, while accruing 2,000 points in a calendar year (about $200 in spending) will qualify you for the elite Fire tier and earning an elevated 11 points per dollar spent.
TierPoints needed in a calendar yearEarning rateAdded benefitsHotNone10 points per dollarEarn and redeem points for 11 rewards, and receive a welcome reward that is valid for 14 days and can be redeemed once in the app from a predetermined menu.Fire2,00011 points per dollarEarn and redeem points for nine additional rewards.Once earned, Fire status lasts for the rest of that calendar year and the entire following calendar year.
Given that each reward costs the same flat 250 points, you'll get the most value from your Taco Bell Rewards points by redeeming them for the most expensive menu items. For Fire members, look for the Cheesy Gordita Crunch and the seasoned beef Chalupa Supreme, and for Hot members, try ordering Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes, chips and nacho cheese sauce, or a medium fountain drink.
TACO BELLUsing Drive Thru Index's national median prices for October 2026, where available, and Taco Bell's current online menu prices for the remaining rewards, Hot rewards are worth about $2.12 (an 8.5% return) and Fire rewards about $3.70 (a 16.3% return). That means Fire status members get the best return of any program in this guide.
Taco Bell Rewards points expire six months after you earn them, and once you redeem points for a reward, you'll have 31 days to use it.
Points can be earned and redeemed in the app, at a kiosk or in the drive-thru, while some exclusive rewards can only be redeemed in the app. You can only use one reward per order; however, there's no stopping hungry diners from placing a second order.
Related: Gen Z is right. Taco Bell Rewards is pretty fantastic — here's why
SMITH COLLECTION/GADO/GETTY IMAGESHow to stack credit card rewards with fast-food rewardsCertain fast-food purchases can earn credit card rewards in addition to the rewards from these fast-food programs. Combining these apps with a card that earns bonus points at restaurants can be an easy way to double-dip and earn more rewards. Some of the best options currently available include:
- American Express® Gold Card: Earn 4 American Express Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on eligible restaurant purchases worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar).
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees): Earn 3 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on dining. Eligible cardholders can also receive up to $300 in annual statement credits ($150 from January through June and another $150 from July through December) for qualifying dining purchases at Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables restaurants, plus a complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership when they activate by Dec. 31, 2029. DashPass generally increases eligible DoorDash Reservations credits from $10 to $12. Enrollment and offer terms apply.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees): Earn 3 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on dining, plus a complimentary DashPass membership for at least 12 months when you activate by Dec. 31, 2029. The membership may be renewed at the then-current rate after the complimentary period, unless canceled.
- Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (see rates and fees): Earn 6 Citi ThankYou Rewards points per dollar spent on eligible restaurant purchases through Citi Nights℠ when transactions are authorized from 6 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday and 6 p.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Sunday, Eastern time (but 3 points per dollar spent on restaurant purchases at other times).
If you have an American Express or Chase card, it's also worth checking Amex Offers and Chase Offers since fast-food chains occasionally appear there. Enrollment is required, and not every cardmember is targeted for the same offers.
Related: Your complete guide to Chase and DoorDash
Which fast-food loyalty program is best?If you can earn Fire status, Taco Bell Rewards will likely be the most rewarding program for you, as it earns a return of around 16.3%. While $200 of spending to earn Fire status is a lot of tacos, remember that you have a calendar year to earn the status. It works out to less than $4 per week for regular diners.
Taking second place on the fast-food rewards podium is MyMcDonald's Rewards, which offers about 9% back on your spending.
Burger King's Royal Perks program and Taco Bell's Hot tier are close behind at about 8.5%. McDonald's and Burger King generally offer the best value on lower-tier rewards, and both currencies expire after about six months, so it's best to earn and redeem those rewards relatively quickly.
In last place is Chick-fil-A One, with returns of only 6.1% for base-level members and 7.9% for top-tier elite members. At least the program's points don't expire and its status comes with some fun perks.
D3SIGN/GETTY IMAGESBottom lineYou probably already have a favorite fast-food restaurant based on your palate, location and dining habits.
Taco Bell Rewards is the most valuable program if you can qualify for Fire status (which doesn't require that much spending over a year), while MyMcDonald's R