After spending more than 10 years collecting McDonald’s McCafe Rewards Cards, a Victoria barber is out of luck with just days left to redeem hundreds of free coffees.
Vic City Barbers owner Aspasia Papalouka has been an avid collector of different things her entire life, ranging from lighters, matchboxes, coins, and watches.
“I find it soothing,” said Aspasia.
But her passion project for more than 10 years has been collecting McCafe Rewards Card from McDonald’s, with a goal of reaching 1,000 completed cards. However, she’s only managed to peak at 500 completed cards.
“In the last year and a bit, McDonald’s decided that they weren’t doing it anymore,” said the owner.
End of an era
Last year, the company announced that it was discontinuing its coffee rewards program. Through the program, customers were able to collect stamps from each cup of coffee purchased at McDonald’s. When seven were collected, customers could redeem one free coffee.
Papalouka says she’s bought more than 3,000 cups of coffee to get to where she is, but with the program ending, she’s giving many cards away to employees and customers. Currently, she has about 300 left.
“I think it’s wild that it’s ending. I feel they could’ve at least kept it or put it on the app,” said son Broden Papalouka.
Aspasia did reach out to McDonald’s to see if they could honour her years of collecting by transferring over her collected cards to the McDonald’s app, but she was told the company wouldn’t.
“The terms and conditions say that there’s no cash value,” said Aspasia.
McDonald’s didn’t respond to CHEK News’ request for comment. The owner says she has no resentment towards the company for their decision and is deciding to pay it forward.
“I’m going to give them away for free. If you want to come in for a haircut and I’ll give you a free coffee card,” said Aspasia.
All McCafe Rewards Cards can be redeemed at restaurants through Dec. 31, 2023.
Oli Herrera
