Starbucks has offered “free” rewards to customers who sign up for a special program for more than a decade. In February, some rewards will become harder to get.
Even though the rewards are free, the program works by giving customers “stars” when they purchase items at Starbucks. For example, customers who pay with a Starbucks Card in the company’s mobile app earn two stars for every $1 spent. Those stars can be applied to future purchases.
According to a report in TODAY, Starbucks sent an email this week to its rewards patrons alerting them that, beginning Feb. 13, more stars will be required to get certain items.
Per Starbucks rewards program terms updated in April, beverage modifiers such as added espresso shot, added syrup or sauce (such as caramel syrup), or a dairy alternative option (such as soy milk, almond milk, or coconut milk), valued up to $1 are offered for 25 points. Hot brewed coffee, hot steeped tea and select bakery items are available for 50 stars.
TODAY said that once the changes kick in in February, customers will need 100 stars to get a free hot coffee, tea, or bakery item.
Handcrafted beverages such as Frappuccino or any hot breakfast or any packaged snack are currently offered for 150 stars, 200 stars may be redeemed for packaged salad, lunch sandwiches, or protein boxes and 400 stars may be redeemed for one packaged coffee item such as whole bean coffee or a select merchandise item with a value up to $20.
After February, free handcrafted beverages and hot breakfast items will be offered for 200 stars and 300 stars will need to be redeemed for packaged salads, packaged protein boxes and lunch sandwiches, said TODAY. Drink customizations will still be offered for 25 stars.
“One positive change is that customers will no longer need 150 stars to get a free iced coffee or iced tea,” said the outlet. “Beginning in February, those two items can be redeemed for 100 stars.”
According to Starbucks 2022 financial results announced last month, active Starbucks Rewards Membership was up 16% in the U.S. during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year with 28.7 million members.
“In September, the company unveiled Starbucks Odyssey, a new experience powered by Web3 technology that will offer Starbucks Rewards members, including Starbucks partners (employees) in the U.S., the opportunity to earn and purchase digital collectible assets that will unlock access to new benefits and immersive coffee experiences,” said the company.
Not all Starbucks locations honor stars redemption and different payment methods may impact stars earned per purchase.
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