Starbucks Is Changing Bonus Star Rules – And It Might Not Be a Win
It’s rewarding to be a Starbucks Rewards member!
On June 24th, Starbucks will be updating its Starbucks Rewards loyalty program Terms of Use – including a big change!
Starting June 24, Starbucks Rewards members (free to join) will earn Double Stars when using a personal cup—replacing the 25 Bonus Stars that have been offered since 2022.
To qualify, just bring a clean, reusable cup to a participating store and use it when ordering a beverage in-store, at the Drive Thru, or through the app. You can earn Double Stars this way up to three times per day.
While this sounds like an upgrade, it may not be as rewarding for smaller orders. Unless you’re spending enough to make the Double Stars add up to more than 25, you could actually earn fewer stars than before.
Starbucks has confirmed it will continue to offer the 10¢ discount for bringing a personal cup.
Note that this benefit is not available for beverages served in Starbucks-provided “for here” mugs and glassware. To qualify for this benefit, members must remain “active” by making at least one star-earning transaction within the prior two years.
Looking Starbucks’ summer collection? Head here…
Starbucks Rewards members get exclusive offers & discounts! 🤩
Whether you’re a regular customer or stop in occasionally, the Starbucks Rewards Program is a must! First of all, it’s completely free to join. You’ll earn points called “stars” with every purchase and get access to all kinds of exclusive offers, including special promotions to earn bonus stars.
Another good reason to join the Rewards program is that Starbucks occasionally has instant win games where you can score free stars, drinks, gift cards, and more. You need to be a member to reap these rewards, so be sure to sign up for your free accounts!
How do Starbucks Rewards work?
To get started, create a Rewards account. You can do this online or through the Starbucks app. Members earn stars on every order (outside of gift cards), and there are plenty of opportunities to earn bonus stars.
Members receive one star per $1 spent. Stars accumulate and can be redeemed for free food and drinks. Members also score a free birthday treat every year and free brewed coffee and tea refills while in-store!
What is the Starbucks App?
Starbucks Rewards and the Starbucks app go hand in hand, and using the app makes your Starbucks Rewards experience even more beneficial. When you preload money through the app, you’ll receive two stars per $1 spent instead of just one.
Using the app allows rewards members to customize drinks and place orders for Mobile Pickup in your local cafe. The app also makes it super easy to track how many stars you’ve earned, how many you’ve redeemed, and when they expire. To make your checkout experience a breeze, app users can link payment cards, consolidate Starbucks gift cards, and send Starbucks gift cards to friends, family, co-workers, or whomever!
Do Starbucks Rewards Expire?
Unfortunately, yes. Stars (the points you use to redeem rewards) expire six months after earning them. Luckily, when redeeming Stars for Rewards, the oldest Stars will be applied so that they are less likely to expire before you can use them. Be sure to sign up for emails from Starbucks to be notified when your Stars will soon expire.
Starbucks Star Rewards redemption options:
- 25 Stars: Swap in any milk substitutions, syrups, or an extra shot of espresso free of charge.
- 100 Stars: Enjoy a free coffee, iced coffee or tea, packaged snacks, bakery item (such as a cake pop or cookie), Siren Logo Plastic To-Go Cold Cup 24oz, or a Siren Logo Plastic Hot Cup 16oz
- 200 Stars: Grab a free handcrafted drink (including Cold Brew, Lattes, and more) or a hot breakfast item.
- 300 Stars: Indulge in a free protein box, salad, or sandwich, or take home a bag of coffee!
- 400 Stars: Signature mug, drink tumbler, or select coffee merch (you’ll pay the difference if the cost is over $20).
What is the Starbucks Birthday Reward?
If there’s one place that is just as excited about your special day as you are, it’s Starbucks! All Rewards members get a birthday freebie of a free drink or food item of their choice!
If you go to Starbucks and aren’t a rewards member yet, you’re seriously missing out!
This is definitely worse then their current 25 stars for bringing a cup with the 10 cents off.
I was thinking the same thing
As a barista, they didn’t really give us much information. Originally, when you pay with the app you are supposed to get 2 stars for every dollar, so does this mean that you earn 4 stars for every dollar when you bring a personal cup with the new policy?
Yes! It does seem that it will double the stars for the entire order! ❤️
I just order in the app, tell the drive thru screen and pull up to get my drink…I feel like I’d hold everyone up to hand off my cup and wait for the order to be ready but that’s just my personal take. I’d love to see some BOGO offers show up again for the new, summer drinks.
Thanks for sharing how you like to order, Brit! We’ll keep watch for any BOGO offers that might pop up! 💕
Yesterday Groupon sent me the $10 Starbucks Gift Card for $5 targeted offer.
SWEET! Thanks for letting us know you received that offer! ☕️🎉
Any word on the Starbucks Summer game? Last year at this time it had already started.
Good question, Ann! We haven’t spotted any details on a summer game release, but we’re definitely keeping an eye out for it. Fingers crossed there’s a fun game (and great prizes) released soon! 🤞☕️
Thank you!
You’re welcome! 🥰