Update 3/18/19: Starbucks has now formally confirmed these changes. The new changes will go live on April 16th.
Update 3/12/19: Some Starbucks are now advertising the new loyalty program even though it’s not live. Hat tip to @calwatch
Update 3/4/19: Some readers asked if the 50 stars will apply to cold coffee/tea as well, sadly it will only apply to hot coffee/tea.
Update 3/3/19: Multiple Starbucks employees have now confirmed these changes are coming as listed below. We don’t know when it will start, although the official Starbucks customer support help says sometime in spring.
There is a rumor that Starbucks plans to make changes to its loyalty program. Changes are being made to redeeming stars currently you can redeem 125 stars for a free item. Under the rumored changes it will be as follows (via Ventiicedwater):
- 25 stars – will get you modifications for your drinks like an extra shot, up to 1$
- 50 stars – will get you any size cup of coffee, tea or bakery item
- 150 stars – will get you any handcrafted beverage or breakfast sandwich (previously 125 stars)
- 200 stars – will get you lunch sandwiches, salads, or protein boxes
- 400 stars – will get you packaged coffee or merchandise for a single item up to $20
Apparently this was posted on the Starbucks quarterly updates, so if anybody else works at Starbucks and can confirm that would be great. Overall this seems to be a devaluation unfortunately, although some people will like the 50 star option. The fact they are making changes is actually confirmed (more information here), just the specifics of the changes aren’t confirmed.
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Does anyone know if we can pay the difference between the merchandise and $20 for the 400 point reward? If there is a cup that is $22, can we redeem 400 stars and pay $2 for the cup?
For those who used to “load up” specialty drinks to get maximum star value I placed a dummy order today (ie stopped before actually purchasing) a venti cappuccino with 20 extra shots. The app said the purchase would use 150 stars plus 25 stars. We will need to see when someone actually tries if the 25 star “surcharge” is per or for multiple add-ons.
It's 150 stars with unlimited add-ons. If you choose the 25 star, it just discounts the add-ons(up to $1) and not the drink.
Seems like you can now choose to use your old rewards as they were or use new points price.
I put salad to cart in app and it asks whether I want to use 125 points reward or use 200 points for it. The 125 points is on as default.
Curious how it will work once I have some new stars.
3 Predictions about Starbucks starting today 4/16:
1)Stores probably have overordered on food items which now cost more stars to redeem and won’t be sold as rewards (sandwiches and salads) and have underordered (they will run out of) the cheaper items like breakfast pastries.
2)Longer lines and wait times due to the 50 stars for a cup of coffee reward option.
3)Even less table space than before due to more WiFi customers “camping out” thanks to #2.
Ouch. Starbucks converted back my reward to points this morning. Thank goodness I only left one last night!
I saw in the "Inbox" part of my app today that if you are a prepaid (or assuming credit card) holder, stars will no longer expire! So that may be one objective good change that came from this.
It would be nice if they adjust current star award (125) to reflect the new award (150). Otherwise it feels like an award that was earned and could get a crafted drink is now no good.
Just went to a Starbucks to get the last of the 125 point $9.45 salads and it turned into a 15 minute mess of cash register errors, voids and calls to customer service. YMMV, just a warning. System is updating to the new reward structure and it’s whatever the opposite of fun is.
I went just about an hour ago and the barista said 1 out of 2 customers today were redeeming points. Picked up a couple protein boxes for lunch tomorrow without a hitch. It was a corporate store if that makes a difference.
Had my "last" free lunch today.
I’m an infrequent Starbucks visitor, once a week or so. And having read more about it I think this will be somewhat beneficial for me personally