Starbucks, like many retailers, offers a loyalty program where customers can earn free products, including a free drink on your birthday. It’s different than most programs, though, in terms of its complexity (it’s more complex) and in that you get better rewards the more you frequent Starbucks.
How to Join
First, you need to buy a Starbucks gift card in any amount, then register it on Starbucks website. The gift card now acts as your loyalty card. You reload it with more money over time and use it to make purchases whenever you shop at a Starbucks store.The more you frequent Starbucks, the more rewards you earn based on their three-level system. Each purchase, regardless of the purchase amount, earns you a “star.”
Three-Level Reward System
My Starbucks Rewards has the Welcome Level, the Green Level and the Gold Level. The Welcome Level is just registering your Starbucks gift card. Then, once you’ve made 5 purchases with your registered gift card, you move into the Green Level. Once you’ve made 30 purchases with your card, you move into the highest level – the Gold Level for a year. An additional 30 purchases keeps you in the Gold Level for 2 years and so on.
Here are the rewards and benefits according to level:
Welcome Level Benefits (Registered Card)
— Free drink on your birthday
Green Level Benefits (5 Purchases)
— Free flavor shot and milk options (like soy)
— Free refills on brewed coffee and tea
— Free beverage when you buy 1 pound of Starbucks whole beans
— Free trial offers
Gold Level Benefits (30 Purchases)
— Get a free beverage for every 15 stars (aka purchases) you earn/make
— Receive a special Starbucks gift card the recognizes you as a favorite customer
— Free personalized offers and coupons
Gift Card Balance
To reiterate, My Starbucks Rewards program requires you to buy and register a Starbucks gift card, then use that card for making purchases. However, you can keep a very small balance on your card, as rewards are not tied to the gift card’s balance. In fact, you could keep the gift card balance very low, like $0.25. Then, on the day you want to make a purchase, just add some additional money to the card and spend it right away on whatever you plan to buy.
I’ve been eyeing Starbucks gift cards as prizes on Swagbucks (1300 Swagbucks for a $10 gift card), if you don’t want to spend your own money on the initial card.
Your turn: What is your experience with this program?
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About Carrie Rocha
I’ve been a member for a long time now. It is completely worth it because I’m going to spend the money on “treat” at SB so why not run it through the card and get freebies?
Oh, I forgot to say it was the MANAGER at my local SB that told me I should do this. She’s awesome!
I have been using my Swagbucks to get the Starbucks giftcards for about 8 months. I get one per month, and allow myself to get whatever I want with it, but when I run out of money then I am done until the next one comes. It has become a good way for me to stay in my “treat” budget.
Also, I have only one card registered. As long as you are moving at least $5, you can use a Starbucks giftcard to reload a Starbucks giftcard. That way I don’t have to register a new card every month, I get all the credits I should for making a purchase and I get to keep my RedCard, which sometimes has additional benefits.
Sheepy – I love this idea and should do this myself! I’m too addicted to getting the Amazon gift cards through Swagbucks, though. I should definitely just bite the bullet and get a Starbucks gift card so I can participate in the rewards program.
I work for Starbucks, and would highly recommend this program to anyone that visits on a regular basis. Having the registered card and the savings at the middle level alone are worth it. The syrups are usually 40 cents extra and the milks (soy, breve) are 50 cents extra. If you get a vanilla soy latte, than you save 90 cents on that drink alone. Having the free coffee refills also saves you 50 cents (plus tax) per refill.
As stated, once reaching “gold” level you start to earn free drinks. It’s fun to open your mail and find a card for your free beverage. And it’s for ANYTHING! Any size, any combination. So if you normally drink plain coffee, you can use your free drink for that extra special treat of a Venti Carmel Frappucino. :)
As also stated you don’t have to maintain a balance on the card, just load it as you go. If your stopping anyway, you are already planning on spending the money. Put $5 on your card first and use the card to pay for your purchase.
Some of the other perks that I’ve seen/received (as I have a registered card too)-Free pastries, free oatmeal, discounts on merchandise/products, free promotional beverages. These all get sent in the form of a postcard, but there are also emails for upcoming events or promotions as well.
I was so pleased that my Starbucks birthday drink postcard was valid for a full two months. Most of the other birthday freebies that I received (via email) were only good for two weeks. Caribou’s birthday drink coupon was valid only on the actual date.
Alice, this year I was able to use my Caribou free drink email the day after my birthday because I’m just getting over strep and wasn’t able to go out on my birthday. I just asked and they had no problem with it (although they mentioned that they felt bad that I was only getting a tea with it and asked if I wasn’t sure I’d rather have a more expensive drink!)
I’ve been earning stars for a year now. Great program. If my girls and I are out and about they each have a card that I keep plugging and that makes for 4 stars on one trip. We save it for special girl days. Starbucks is my favorite!