MCDONALD’S customers are confused over “expired” Monopoly tickets which went out of date months ago – despite only launching yesterday.
The fast-food chain has launched its popular game that gives Maccies fans the chance to win huge prizes.
? Read our McDonald’s Monopoly live blog for the latest updates
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But fans thought they had been sent straight to jail, after spotting that their winning tickets were over three months out of date.
McDonald’s has already told customers, however, that tickets are still valid despite being out of date.
As tickets were printed before the competition was re-scheduled, prize-seekers should ignore the dates on this year’s game pieces as continue playing as normal.
Pieces which show a “play until” date of May 4, 2021 will actually be valid until October 5, 2021.
The following new expiry dates also apply:
- Collect to win non food prizes: old date June 4, 2021, new date November 11, 2021
- Collect to win food prizes: old date May 18, 2021, new date October 19, 2021
- Instant win non-food prize or discount: old date June 4, 2021, new date November 5, 2021
- Instant win food or Just Eat vouchers: old date May 18, 2021, new date October 19, 2021
- Instant win discount voucher (excluding Just Eat) old date, August 31, 2021 or earlier, new date January 31, 2022
- Online game: old date May, 5, 2021, new date October 15, 2021
Lucky punters can win up £100,000 in cash, an Ibiza holiday, a hot-tub or a £1k home entertainment voucher in the competition.
It launched in 2005 works in a similar way to the classic Monopoly board game.
Customers collect game pieces when they buy qualifying McDonald’s products, such as colour co-ordinated road names or train stations.
Each piece represents a tile on the Monopoly board which you can pick up for free in the restaurant or play along online.
When you collect a set, you get a prize, and there are also “instant wins” which allow you to claim your goodies right away.
But confused customers voiced their frustration online last night, after they peeled back sticker to find the codes expired in May.
James Bourne said: “So when putting the codes in McDonalds are we also meant to buy a time machine?”
Another said: “Bought a Maccies today but the VIP stickers expired months ago what’s that about.”
Hannah Law said: “Am I being dumb or has McDonald’s legit just played me… ordered breakfast this morning and the monopoly just started today. I’m thinking cool free stuff I look at the expiry date on the stickers 2 are already out of date and one goes out on Monday!”
A McDonald’s spokeswoman said: “Packaging and Game Pieces printed prior to rescheduling couldn’t be securely reprinted in time, so new dates apply – consumers must see mcdonalds.co.uk/monopoly/news or ask in restaurants to find details of all rescheduled enter-from/until dates and claim or redeem prizes-by dates.”
It comes days after McDonald’s ran out of milkshakes in all of its UK restaurants amid a nationwide shortage.
The shortages will last for a week while McDonald’s prioritises getting food and fizzy drinks to restaurants delivered.
The fast food giant has blamed a lack of lorry drivers for its supply issues – which is an issue affecting thousands of businesses.
Here’s everything you need to know about McDonald’s Monopoly as it starts today.
And check out what the prizes on offer are for the big event.
Six items have been scrapped from the McDonald’s menu this week – see which ones.
McDonald’s fan tells news report he’s ‘distraught’ over milkshake shortage
