Subway footlong pass ineligibility
The Footlong Pass is a subscription service for the Subway app initially released in August 2022.[1] The subscription allows subscribers to theoretically get 50% off one footlong sandwich everyday at a majority of Subway stores in the span of a month.[1]
Background
Due to how Subway stores operate, any store can refuse coupons or discounts due to franchise licensing agreements that involve stores to pay out of pocket for remodels[2] and the potential negative impact coupons make on individual store profits.[3]
In 2023, the subscription was brought back again for $15 and only 250,000 were made available between March 21 and March 25.[1]
In 2025, the promotion returned for the third time to be purchased between May 20 and May 25, with the pass being usable in the month of June.[4] The pass price would be increased to $18.25.[5]
[Incident]
In 2023, it was reported by a user the "place order" button in the Subway app would not function with the footlong pass active.[6] Other users during this time however have reported the pass worked correctly for them.
In 2025, many more users have complained their local Subway stores were not accepting the coupon through the app.[7] A workaround some users mentioned was to scan your profile QR code to activate the pass in-person.[8]
[Company]'s response
In December 2023, the corporate office sent an email to franchise's stating "Effective Dec. 28, 2023, all restaurants will be required to honor all digital programs and promotions, including loyalty rewards and digital discounts, [...] In addition, loyalty incentive programs designed to attract new loyalty members are mandatory and will not be reimbursed by Subway."[9] However as previously mentioned, franchisee's were rejecting the footlong pass promotion in 2025.
Consumer response
Customers on sites such as Reddit believe the footlong pass was a scam, as a majority of stores were not accepting a coupon that costed a one-time charge of $15. Many have demanded refunds from the company, with one user initially being charged twice for one pass.[10]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Sold Out No More: Subway Brings Back Fan-Favorite Footlong Pass". Subway Newsroom. 2023-03-17. Archived from the original on 2024-06-28. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
- ↑ Shustack, Chase (2022-10-18). "Here's Why Some Subway Locations Won't Accept Coupons". Mashed. Archived from the original on 2025-03-27. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
- ↑ Bieri, Kate (2023-10-05). "Why don't all Subway stores accept coupons?". Fox 13 Memphis. Archived from the original on 2025-06-10. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
- ↑ "Post Ended - The Subway Footlong Pass". Subway. Archived from the original on 2025-06-10. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
- ↑ "TERMS AND CONDITIONS - en-terms.pdf" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2025-06-10. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
- ↑ u/ArgonianSwagLord (2023-04-01). "FOOTLONG PASS IS A SCAM!!!!!!!!!!". Reddit. Archived from the original on 2025-06-10. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
- ↑ u/PancitCanton243 (2025-06-07). "Footlong Pass is Officially a Scam". Reddit. Archived from the original on 2025-06-10. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ↑ u/PlumpAF (2025-06-05). "Footlong Pass is actually a scam". Reddit. Archived from the original on 2025-06-10. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
- ↑ Palm, Iman (2023-12-03). "Subway franchises won't be able to reject the company's digital coupons or promotions: report". KTLA5. Archived from the original on 2025-02-22. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
- ↑ u/Comfortable-Claim861 (2025-05-20). "Footlong pass". Reddit. Archived from the original on 2025-06-10. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)