Sometimes, you have to get creative if you’re on a tight budget but still like to go out to eat.
There are ways to keep more money in your wallet — or even get food for free — if you know the right tricks at your favorite restaurants.
So, before you head out for a bite to eat at a favorite restaurant, check out some of these options to help you save.
If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive discounts and financial resources
Over 50? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member you could be missing out on huge perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on things like travel, meal deliveries, eyeglasses, prescriptions that aren’t covered by insurance and more.
How to become a member today:
- Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
- Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
- Start enjoying your discounts and perks!
Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (Do not skip this step!) Doing so will allow you to take up 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $12 per year with auto-renewal.
Sign up for restaurant loyalty programs
Restaurant loyalty programs are a great option if you frequent a particular restaurant on a regular basis and you're looking to keep more money in your bank account.
Depending on the program, you can earn points for the number of orders you make or the amount of money you spend. Earn enough points, and you might get a free reward.
If your reward is from a chain restaurant, remember to check out other restaurants that are owned by the same parent company, as you may be able to earn rewards or cash them in at those restaurants as well.
Participate in surveys
Check your receipt the next time you go out to eat and make sure you read all of it.
Some restaurants include a survey at the bottom of the receipt that can earn you free food on your next visit if you complete it.
Surveys don’t take much time and can be worth it if you earn free food by giving a restaurant feedback about your experience.
Attend grand openings or events
Grand openings are not only a great time to celebrate a new restaurant, but they can also be a successful way to earn free food.
For example, Chick-fil-A gives out coupons to the first 100 customers who show up to an opening of their newest restaurants. The coupons allow users to get a free Chick-fil-A sandwich each week for a year.
Some Wendy’s locations also have explored the “free food on opening day” concept.
Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt
Credit card debt is suffocating. It constantly weighs on your mind and controls every choice you make. You can end up emotionally and even physically drained from it. And even though you make regular payments, it feels like you can never make any progress because of the interest.
National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.1
How to get National Debt Relief to help you resolve your debt: Sign up for a free debt assessment here. (Do not skip this step!) By signing up for a free assessment, National Debt Relief can assist you in settling your debt, but only if you schedule the assessment.
Use coupons or discounts
Coupons and discounts are an easy way to trim the cost of your final bill. You might even be able to find some freebies in there as well. Look online before you go out to eat to see which discounts and freebies are available.
And remember to check your email if you signed up for a restaurant’s newsletter or promotional emails. There may be some extra deals in there for you to use.
Download the app
Plenty of restaurants have apps now that track your spending and reward your loyalty.
But did you know that just signing up for an app can get you some free food? A variety of restaurants reward customers with free food when they become an app user.
For example, McDonald’s will give you free large fries for downloading the app and spending $1 at its restaurants.
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Celebrate your birthday
Your favorite restaurant may ask for your birthday when you sign up for a loyalty program or app. They do this so they can offer extra perks on or around your birthday.
For example, Starbucks Rewards customers celebrating a birthday can get a free drink, food item, or bottled drink from the coffee shop. You can also enjoy free desserts like a scoop of ice cream from Baskin-Robbins or a free dessert from Chili’s.
Remember to check your rewards privileges, as many birthday rewards require you to be a part of the restaurant’s loyalty program or to use the app.
Take advantage of senior discounts
Some restaurants give out freebies to seniors, which can help if you are living on a fixed income.
Check with your local favorite restaurants to see if they have freebies for seniors, as the options may vary from store to store.
Some restaurants may give seniors free drinks or free refills on drinks, and you can also ask about senior discounts to save extra cash.
Get free upsizes
It’s not just about getting free items but also getting free upsizes. These give you more bang for your buck when you spend money at certain restaurants.
For example, Burger King will give you free upsizes on fries and drinks if you download and use the restaurant’s app.
Pro tip: Being persistent with your favorite restaurant can eliminate some money stress if you frequent the restaurant consistently.
Become a mystery shopper
Restaurants may use mystery shoppers to get a reading on how the establishment performs for guests. If you are a mystery shopper, you can get free food.
Check out different mystery shopper programs to find one that can fit you the best. And remember that while your food may be paid for, you will have to observe specific details and answer questions as part of your job as a mystery shopper.
Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account
Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!2
With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!
This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.
Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.
Bottom line
There are plenty of options to keep more money in your bank account when eating at or ordering from restaurants.
A great place to start is downloading the app for your favorite restaurants to see what kind of discounts or free food you can get. But don’t overlook the other tips on this list that can help you earn free food today.
Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Current Offer
$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Benefits
- Low spend threshold for its welcome offer — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
- Cell phone protection benefit (subject to a $25 deductible)
- Can redeem rewards at an ATM for literal cash
Drawbacks
- Foreign transaction fee of 3%
- No bonus categories
- Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
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