Starbucks Changes Loyalty Program Monday — Redeem Stars Now Before Rewards Increase!

Starbucks is stirring the pot (again) for Starbucks Rewards members! Anytime a company announces changes to its loyalty or rewards program, it’s usually not good news for the consumer. And such is the case with the upcoming changes the ubiquitous coffee company is making to it hugely popular Starbucks Rewards. (Did you know the loyalty program has more than 16 million members?)

Photo: Starbucks

For members, the changes mean Stars won’t have as much value as they previously did. 

Most notably, there is 100% increase (100 stars from 50) in the required Stars for hot brewed coffee, tea or a bakery item and a 33% increase (200 stars from 150) for handcrafted beverages and hot breakfast items.

One positive change is the Stars required for packaged coffee (such as whole bean coffee) have dropped from 400 to 300 Stars. 

First, there are no changes to the 25 Stars or 400 Stars redemption level.

25 Stars may be redeemed for one of the following beverage modifiers:

An added espresso shot, added syrup or sauce (such as caramel syrup)

A dairy alternative option (such as soy milk, almondmilk or coconutmilk)

400 Stars may be redeemed for one of the following:

A select merchandise item with a value up to $20

Here are the important changes to the Starbucks Rewards program:

Beginning February 13, 2023, major changes will take effect on how members can redeem Stars. 

100 Stars may be redeemed for one of the following items:

Hot brewed coffee. hot steeped tea, iced brewed coffee or iced brewed tea

Bakery item (such as a cake pop or cookie)

Packaged snack (such as popcorn or potato chips)

One Cold Siren Logo Plastic To-Go Cup (24-oz.) or one Siren Logo Plastic Hot Cup (16-oz.)  

200 Stars may be redeemed for one of the following items:

Any handcrafted beverage (such as a latte or Frappuccino blended beverage)

Any hot breakfast item (such as a breakfast sandwich or oatmeal)

300 Stars may be redeemed for one of the following items:

Packaged salad or lunch sandwich

Packaged protein box

Packaged coffee item (such as whole bean coffee)

To review the updated Starbucks Rewards Term of Use, click here. 

Are there any changes in how members earn Stars?

No, the ways in which members earn Stars remain the same — two (2) Stars for every dollar purchased with a Starbucks Card or one (1) Star for every dollar purchased via a Linked Payment Method.

For maximum earning potential, always pay with a registered Starbucks gift card. You can also earn 25 Bonus Stars by bringing a reusable cup every time you visit Starbucks. 

MHOTC’s Take: Of course, we don’t like the changes because it means you will have to spend more money to earn a FREE bakery item or handcrafted beverage. For example, members will now have to spend an additional $25 to earn a blueberry scone or Frappuccino. (In total, members will have to spend $50 to earn a FREE bakery item or $100 to enjoy a FREE beverage.) 

Combine that with Starbucks continually raising its prices and it just doesn’t add up to good news for the consumer, especially for a company that loves to tout how much it cares about its customers (and employees.) For us, it means we won’t visit Starbucks as often — just as a treat every so often.

Before, we visited a few times a week. Now, it will be a few times a month, if even that. 

Are you looking for less expensive option to Starbucks? Find out how you can enjoy a cup of coffee for just 20¢ a day. 

How do you feel about the changes? Let us know by commenting below!