Senior Coffee

The other day I was at McDonald’s for breakfast. I ordered a breakfast sandwich and a small coffee. The small coffee currently sells for $1.09 plus tax. I prefer it to most expensive coffees sold elsewhere. As I waited for my order, I observed a man step up to the next cashier and order a “senior” coffee. He was charged 53 cents, which I assumed meant the “senior” coffee was 50 cents plus tax. Since he didn’t look that “senior” to me, when there was a break in the action, I asked the counterperson who served him how old you had to be to qualify for a “senior” coffee. She replied, “Fifty.”

I was stunned and muttered, “You mean I’ve been overpaying for years?”

Later in the day, I sent an e-mail to corporate asking this question: “What is the minimum age to be eligible for a senior coffee?”

Several days later I got a reply from McDonald’s. It read in part:

“Because we value senior citizens' patronage…we spoke with many of our senior customers to learn what they'd like from a discount program. They told us they wanted a uniform policy that promises them a good value and doesn't require a purchase. As a result, we encourage all restaurants to offer a discounted senior program. However, because 85 percent of our restaurants are independently owned and operated, participation, age requirements, and pricing may vary.”

So it seems there is no set policy or age – each store makes it’s own.

Later in the week I was again at a McDonald’s during breakfast hours. This time I ordered a sandwich and a “senior” coffee. When I looked at the receipt, I saw I was charged only 35 cents for the “senior” coffee. So the price does vary from store to store.

It seems McDonald’s cash registers have a button for “senior” coffee. The cashier doesn’t ask for proof of age, but simply presses the button when you request a senior coffee. The "senior" coffee is exactly the same as a small coffee.

So, the bottom line seems to be if you are of a certain age, even if you don’t look or feel old, simply ask for the senior beverage.

As the old adage goes: There’s no harm in asking.