If you’re looking to save some money on your daily coffee runs, you’ve come to the right place. Starbucks offers a convenient and fun service that gifts discounts and even the occasional free drink to loyal customers. This article will be your guide on how to properly navigate it.
Starbucks Rewards is the easiest and best way to guarantee yourself free/discounted drinks at Starbucks. As you spend money at Starbucks, Stars (which is a fun word for reward points) will be deposited into your account. These Stars can then later be used to save money on future purchases. To sign up, all you have to do is go to the Starbucks website, click on the “rewards” tab, then click “join now.” It’s that easy.
Now that the basic part is done, below you will learn the ins and outs of this program in order to get the most out of it that you possibly can.
Here Are the 6 most expensive Starbucks Beverages to Get the Biggest Bang For Your Buck
(Prices will vary based on location and size. These prices are for the largest size, venti.)
6. White Chocolate Mocha – $4.75
Chocolate lovers will be huge fans of the White Chocolate Mocha. This drink is a blend of white chocolate sauce and steamed milk, topped off with sweetened whipped cream. If you have a winter birthday, this drink will keep you warm and put a smile on your face. Who wouldn’t want that on their special day?
5. Caramel Flan Latte – $4.75
If you have a sweet tooth, you’ll love Starbucks’ Caramel Flan Latte. The beverage includes the store’s signature Espresso Roast, steamed milk and flan flavored syrup, topped with a caramel infused whipped cream and a drizzle of caramelized sugar. This hot drink is sure to impress you.
4. Caramel Frappuccino – $4.95
Also for lovers of caramel, the Caramel Frappuccino is a great option if you’re looking for something sweet and delicious but still classic. This drink consists of coffee blended with caramel syrup, milk and ice. It comes included with whipped cream and caramel sauce. Altogether it makes for an incredible treat!
3. Skinny Peppermint Mocha – $4.95
Even though it’s available year round, the Skinny Peppermint Mocha is a perfect birthday drink if you were born in the winter. The ingredients in this steamy delight are sugar-free peppermint syrup, nonfat milk, skinny mocha sauce, and chocolate curls. As suggested by the name, this beverage also includes less total calories than the average Starbucks drink.
2. Strawberries & Creme Frappuccino – $4.95
If you were born in the summer, the Strawberries & Creme Frappuccino is for you. This beverage is a delicious combination of ice, milk, strawberry puree, and vanilla whipped cream. This fruity, cold drink is refreshing and well worth your birthday reward.
1. Pumpkin Spice Latte (& other seasonal beverages) – $5.25
Limited-time, seasonal beverages tend to be considerably more expensive than your everyday Starbucks drink. If you’re looking to get the best value out of a free handmade beverage – this is your best bet. There is the famous Pumpkin Spice Latte, of course, along with other seasonal favorites such as the Toasted Graham Latte and the Salted Caramel Mocha. Each of these drinks also costs a whopping $5.25. Last year the Pumpkin Spice Latte became available in late April. So if you were born in the fall, you’re in luck!
Are Add-ons Included With a Free Starbucks Drink?
For the most part, yes. Beverage customizations come free with a Starbucks birthday drink or when redeeming 50 or more Stars. If you haven’t acquired that many Stars yet, 25 Stars is also redeemable for a beverage modifier itself, such as an added espresso shot, an added syrup or sauce, or a dairy alternative (all within your base beverage.) Even if you aren’t using Stars at all, there are customization options that come free of charge. Examples of this are a “splash of milk” or swapping one syrup for another.
Starbucks Birthday Reward Details
When signed up for the Starbucks Rewards program, you are guaranteed one complimentary item on your birthday. There are, however, limits to this reward. Your free item must fall into one of these three categories: a handcrafted beverage, a food item, or a ready-to-drink bottled beverage. This excludes: multi-serve food or beverage items, beverages that contain alcohol, merchandise, and packaged coffee. While that list of exceptions may seem daunting at first glance, you still have almost the entire menu to choose from – including the food! The world is your oyster.
You must sign up for Starbucks rewards at least one week before your birthday in order for this reward to be in effect. You also must make one Star-earning transaction each year, which will not be difficult because nearly every Starbucks purchase earns Stars.
How to Redeem Your Free Starbucks Birthday Drink
Two days before your birthday, the Starbucks app will send you a reminder to come in on your birthday and receive a free drink. The reward is only applicable on your actual birthday. Assuming you entered your date of birth when you signed up for the rewards program, the birthday reward will be automatically added to your account on your birthday. All you have to do is walk into your local Starbucks and show them your Starbucks app/card. They’ll handle the rest!
Are Any Beverages Excluded from the Starbucks Free Beverage Reward?
Yes, but not many. As mentioned before, alcoholic beverages or packaged coffee are excluded. In addition, items available at Starbucks Roastery and Princi locations are not applicable. If you bring your own reusable cup, you can’t get a drink that’s larger than the standard Starbucks sizes. Everything else is fair game.
How Will I Receive My Free Starbucks Birthday Reward?
Just show your Starbucks app or registered card to a Starbucks barista on the actual date of your birthday. They will be able to see that it’s your birthday through the rewards program. That’s it! Then browse the menu to your heart’s content until you find a drink worthy of your birthday reward.
How to Contact Starbucks Customer Service
There are a couple of ways to speak with Starbucks customer service. They have a phone number – 800-Starbuc (800-782-7282).
You can message a Starbucks customer service employee here – https://customerservice.starbucks.com/app/chat/chat_launch
Or email a specific department about whatever certain issue you’re having from the list within this link. Just click on the category that you are concerned with and a short list of ways to contact the corporate sales representatives will appear.
https://customerservice.starbucks.com/app/contact/ask/
Do Starbucks Stars Expire?
Yes. Your Starbucks Stars will expire after 6 months. Make them count while you’ve still got them!
Final thoughts
The Starbucks Stars rewards program was a wonderful idea by the company to reward their loyal customers and encourage others to be more involved in Starbucks’ deals and promotions. It is also super fun and convenient that it can all be done through an app on your phone! If you are even a little bit of a fan of Starbucks, signing up to this program is well worth your while.
