Aussies are loving this $200 McDonald’s drive-thru hack to avoid ATM fees
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An Aussie woman has revealed a simple trick to get cash without ever leaving your car.
It’s something she’s been quietly doing for years.
And it’s all happening at one of the country’s most familiar drive-thrus.
The mum told 2Day FM’s Jimmy & Nath she used the method weekly.
‘If you need to get money, don’t go to an ATM, just go through Macca’s drive-thru. There’s no fees, you don’t need to get out of your pyjamas and you can get a snack if you like,’ she said.
McDonald’s Australia confirmed that customers could withdraw cash at all restaurants nationwide.
‘Macca’s does offer customers the convenience of limited cash withdrawals at our restaurants, available at front counter or Drive Thru,’ a spokesperson said.
The maximum withdrawal varied by location but was usually around $100 to $200.
Availability depended on how much physical cash the restaurant had at the time.
In the comments on social media, other Aussies shared their experiences.
‘This has definitely saved the tooth fairy a dozen times in our house getting coins cash out late at night,’ one wrote.
‘I’ve been doing this for years,’ another added.
Some readers noted that cash out wasn’t available at every Macca’s or that limits applied.
It’s not just McDonald’s that offers free cash withdrawals.
Supermarkets Coles and Woolworths allowed withdrawals between $20 to $200, while Aldi offered $10 to $300 when buying an item in-store.
Certain petrol stations also provided cash out, as did Australia Post’s Bank@Post scheme.
The Big Four banks—Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, NAB and ANZ—didn’t charge ATM fees, and customers could avoid fees by using their own bank’s ATMs.
However, ATMs were becoming less common across the country.
APRA data showed the number of ATMs dropped by 217 in the 2024 financial year and by 6,084 since the end of the 2019 financial year.
If you’re frustrated by ATM fees, you’re not alone—some banks have left customers fuming over unexpected charges.
This story shows another real-life example of how ordinary people are navigating high fees and finding ways to protect their cash.
It’s a helpful read if you want to understand more about the hidden costs of accessing money and how others have dealt with it.
Read more: ‘That’s criminal!’: Customers clamour about bank's outrageous fees
Losing access to a simple cash withdrawal method can be frustrating—have you ever tried this McDonald’s trick yourself?
It’s something she’s been quietly doing for years.
And it’s all happening at one of the country’s most familiar drive-thrus.
The mum told 2Day FM’s Jimmy & Nath she used the method weekly.
‘If you need to get money, don’t go to an ATM, just go through Macca’s drive-thru. There’s no fees, you don’t need to get out of your pyjamas and you can get a snack if you like,’ she said.
McDonald’s Australia confirmed that customers could withdraw cash at all restaurants nationwide.
Macca’s drive-thru offers fee-free cash withdrawals. Image source: McDonald’s
‘Macca’s does offer customers the convenience of limited cash withdrawals at our restaurants, available at front counter or Drive Thru,’ a spokesperson said.
The maximum withdrawal varied by location but was usually around $100 to $200.
Availability depended on how much physical cash the restaurant had at the time.
In the comments on social media, other Aussies shared their experiences.
‘This has definitely saved the tooth fairy a dozen times in our house getting coins cash out late at night,’ one wrote.
‘I’ve been doing this for years,’ another added.
Some readers noted that cash out wasn’t available at every Macca’s or that limits applied.
It’s not just McDonald’s that offers free cash withdrawals.
Supermarkets Coles and Woolworths allowed withdrawals between $20 to $200, while Aldi offered $10 to $300 when buying an item in-store.
Certain petrol stations also provided cash out, as did Australia Post’s Bank@Post scheme.
The Big Four banks—Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, NAB and ANZ—didn’t charge ATM fees, and customers could avoid fees by using their own bank’s ATMs.
However, ATMs were becoming less common across the country.
APRA data showed the number of ATMs dropped by 217 in the 2024 financial year and by 6,084 since the end of the 2019 financial year.
If you’re frustrated by ATM fees, you’re not alone—some banks have left customers fuming over unexpected charges.
This story shows another real-life example of how ordinary people are navigating high fees and finding ways to protect their cash.
It’s a helpful read if you want to understand more about the hidden costs of accessing money and how others have dealt with it.
Read more: ‘That’s criminal!’: Customers clamour about bank's outrageous fees
Losing access to a simple cash withdrawal method can be frustrating—have you ever tried this McDonald’s trick yourself?
