Oak Brook, Ill. – November 19, 2007 – McDonald’s Arch Card, the reloadable convenience card available in $5, $10, $25 and $50 denominations, is taking the stress out of holiday shopping this season. For busy professionals on the run, a favorite teacher or the boy next door, the Arch Card is the perfect gift for just about everyone on your shopping list. Featuring two new designs this holiday season, the Arch Card can be purchased and redeemed at participating McDonald’s nationwide, while supplies last. Holiday shopping can truly expand around the clock with many participating McDonald’s locations open 24 hours.

In addition to being a perfect holiday gift, McDonald’s Arch Card doubles as a personal convenience card. Reloadable in increments of $5, $10, $25 and $50 and featuring balances on the bottom of each receipt, the Arch Card offers a fast and convenient way to purchase your favorite McDonald’s meal. Busy holiday shoppers can purchase the Arch Card through the drive-thru, as well as inside McDonald’s restaurants using cash or one of many cashless payment options. The Arch Card does not expire and dormancy fees are never charged, making it a practical addition to holiday stockings.

“McDonald's Arch Card is a fun way for our guests to share their favorite meal with friends and family – by giving the gift of McDonald’s,” said Bill Lamar, chief marketing officer, McDonald’s USA. “The Arch Card also doubles as a reloadable spending card, providing customers with a cashless, convenient way to pay at McDonald’s.”

New this year, McDonald’s has expanded its commitment to Upromise, the country’s largest college savings rewards company, to include all Arch Card purchases and reloads. According to Upromise, American college students will pay an average of $22,218 this year for private college, or $5,836 for an in-state public university. Upromise members can receive one percent of the total amount purchased or reloaded on a McDonald’s Arch Card to help save for the rising cost of college tuition. Upromise members can register cards at www.Upromise.com for savings rewards.

About McDonald’s:
McDonald's USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. More than 80 percent of McDonald's 13,700 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local franchisees. For more information about McDonald's visit www.mcdonalds.com.

About Upromise
Launched in April 2001, today Upromise is the country’s largest private source of college aid. Membership is free and allows families to automatically save money for college while making everyday purchases of products and services at more than 23,000 grocery and drug stores, 14,000 gas stations, 8,000 restaurants, as well as thousands of retail stores, and more than 550 online shopping sites.  Upromise’s partners include Citi®, ExxonMobil Corporation, Bed Bath & Beyond, Johnson & Johnson-McNeil, McDonald’s®, JCPenney.com, LandsEnd.com, Sears.com, and hundreds of others.  Upromise also makes it easy for families to start their own college savings strategy through tax-advantaged 529 college savings plans, or by using Upromise contributions to help pay off student loans. These securities are offered through Upromise Investments, Inc. (member NASD/SIPC).   Upromise is a wholly owned subsidiary of SLM Corporation (NYSE: SLM), commonly known as Sallie Mae, the nation’s leading provider of saving-and-paying-for-college programs. Upromise was founded in 2000, is headquartered in Newton, Mass., and has more than 350 employees. For additional information about Upromise, visit www.Upromise.com.

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