Fast food meets frequent flyer miles in an unprecedented collaboration that’s already making waves across Canada. **Expedia Group**, one of the world’s largest travel platforms, has announced a new partnership with **McDonald’s Canada** to reward customers in an unexpected and exciting way — with travel points. This union between a global travel company and the country’s most recognized fast-food brand allows Canadians to **earn travel rewards every time they buy a meal from McDonald’s**. Whether it’s your daily coffee or your go-to Big Mac combo, your purchases could now bring you closer to your next vacation.
For Canadians feeling the pressure of inflation and rising travel costs, this initiative brings a welcome opportunity to turn everyday spending into exciting getaways. The partnership capitalizes on the popularity of both brands and offers a seamless way to integrate reward-earning into daily life. As more consumers seek value in loyalty programs, the melding of food and travel perks appears timely — and potentially game-changing.
The promotion is executed through McDonald’s Canada’s mobile app and ties into Expedia’s travel rewards system, offering a fully digital experience. With the ease of accruing points and the flexibility of redeeming them on the Expedia platform, the campaign could redefine what Canadians expect from their rewards programs moving forward.
Key overview of the McDonald’s and Expedia partnership
| Program Name | McDonald’s x Expedia Travel Rewards |
| Launch Date | April 2024 |
| Eligibility | McDonald’s Canada app users |
| How to Earn | Scan McDonald’s app when ordering and opt into Expedia rewards |
| Redemption Method | Use Expedia account to book travel with earned points |
| Reward Type | Expedia OneKey™ points |
How travel rewards will work with your McDonald’s order
Starting in April 2024, customers using the **McDonald’s mobile app in Canada** can start earning travel rewards that convert into **OneKey™ points**, Expedia’s all-in-one loyalty currency. To start earning, users need to make sure they’re signed into both McDonald’s and Expedia via the app. Each qualifying purchase made at McDonald’s after scanning the app code adds more points to their Expedia account, which can then be used toward flights, hotels, and vacation packages on Expedia platforms.
Users can earn up to **4,000 OneKey™ points**, which Expedia values at about **$40 CAD in travel credits**. These points are stackable with Expedia’s regular rewards offerings, allowing users to accelerate their next vacation just by enjoying their favorite fast-food meals.
Who qualifies and why it matters
The promotion is open to **any McDonald’s Canada mobile app user with a valid Expedia account**. This broad eligibility makes it accessible to the vast majority of Canadians who already use McDelivery or regularly visit McDonald’s restaurants across the country. There’s no minimum order required to start collecting points, making it ideal for daily coffee drinkers, frequent snackers, or parents buying Happy Meals for the kids.
According to Expedia data, Canadian travelers are eager to book quick getaways and prioritize value-packed trips. This partnership addresses that need directly by aligning **routine spending with aspirational goals** like travel. It’s a win-win: McDonald’s boosts app engagement and customer retention, and Expedia gains access to a vast user base of mobile-savvy Canadians.
How to start collecting Expedia points at McDonald’s
The process to enroll in the McDonald’s-Expedia travel rewards program is straightforward:
- Download the McDonald’s Canada mobile app if you haven’t already.
- Open the app and log in or create an account.
- Navigate to the “Rewards & Offers” section within the app.
- Look for the Expedia promotion and opt-in with your Expedia or OneKey account.
- Make qualifying purchases at McDonald’s using the app or scanning your app code at checkout.
- Watch your OneKey™ points accrue and track them via your Expedia account.
It’s a low-barrier entry into a well-integrated rewards ecosystem — with tangible travel perks only a few meals away.
What kinds of travel rewards can you redeem?
The OneKey™ points from this collaboration can be used across **Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo**, covering nearly every aspect of next year’s vacation plans. Users can book:
- Flights to domestic or international destinations
- Hotel stays at boutique or branded chains
- Car rentals, vacation packages, and experiences
While 4,000 points might not foot the bill for a luxury suite, they can significantly knock down the cost of a trip or even cover a one-way domestic flight. Since these points stack with Expedia’s regular offers, savvy travelers can combine rewards for greater value.
Why McDonald’s and Expedia made this move
In the fiercely competitive space of customer loyalty, both brands recognized a key opportunity: merging **everyday purchases with exceptional experiences**. For McDonald’s, the move deepens app usage and provides more personalized marketing opportunities. For Expedia, it introduces their loyalty program to a new, broader audience that may not have previously engaged with the platform regularly.
“Our goal is to make travel more attainable, and this partnership gives Canadians an exciting new way to get rewarded for things they’re already doing every day.”
— Placeholder, Expedia Executive
Consumers today want their money to stretch further. By linking food and travel, brands can tap into a more emotional response from their audience — inviting them to dream while they dine.
Who benefits the most — and who might not
| Winners | Losers |
|---|---|
| Frequent McDonald’s customers who travel often | Customers not using the McDonald’s app |
| Loyalty program enthusiasts | Users without Expedia accounts |
| Budget-conscious travelers | People uninterested in travel rewards |
How this changes the Canadian loyalty landscape
The collaboration signals a **shift in loyalty program strategy** where cross-sector partnerships are becoming essential. Instead of siloed programs tied to one brand or category, forward-thinking companies are creating synergies that offer diversified rewards. This incentivizes consistent consumer engagement across unrelated verticals — like food and travel.
Other brands may follow suit. Consumers could soon find themselves earning movie tickets from filling up their gas tank or getting swipe-right matches for grocery points. By turning habitual behaviors into cumulative benefits, this partnership sets the template for the next frontier of customer engagement.
“Customers are no longer loyal to just one brand — they’re loyal to the value they get. Programs like this ensure people feel like every dollar spent brings them closer to something bigger.”
— Placeholder, Loyalty Industry Expert
Will this become a long-term program?
Currently, the McDonald’s and Expedia partnership is being promoted as a limited-time campaign, but there’s industry speculation that it could lead to a recurring or even permanent offering. If the pilot is successful and shows strong engagement metrics, both brands might expand the scope or integrate additional reward options across other sectors.
Until then, consumers should take advantage of the promotion while it lasts — it’s one of the *few opportunities* available to turn fries into frequent flyer miles.
Short FAQs about McDonald’s and Expedia Canada travel rewards
Do I need to make a minimum purchase to earn points?
No, there’s no minimum purchase required. Any eligible purchase through the McDonald’s app can contribute to your OneKey™ points.
Can I stack these rewards with other Expedia promotions?
Yes, OneKey™ points earned from McDonald’s purchases can be combined with other Expedia deals and offers when booking travel.
Is this program available at all McDonald’s locations?
Yes, the promotion is active across all participating McDonald’s Canada locations when using the mobile app.
What if I don’t have an Expedia account?
You’ll need to create one to participate in this program and redeem points. It’s free and can be registered via the McDonald’s app or Expedia platform.
Can I transfer the OneKey™ points to someone else?
No, the points are non-transferable and must be used by the account holder who earned them.