If insanely high prices have you searching for Starbucks hacks to save money, you’re not alone. The price of a standard cup of coffee has increased by 23% in the past six years. And don’t get us started on the price of specialty drinks. But instead of cutting our caffeine habit entirely, we’ve gotten more strategic with what and how we order.
The Starbucks spring menu arrives March 3, 2026, and because Starbucks deals and offers rarely happen these days, these $6 drinks are too expensive to order on the regular. (Unless we're smart about it.)
So here are our fave ways to cut down on regular Starbucks prices for the new spring menu. From app hacks for cheaper drinks to personal cup discounts to the best things to order with your Starbucks Rewards points, use these tricks on the new spring menu to get the new Toasted Coconut and Ube drinks for less.
How to Save Money at Starbucks
First, download the free Starbucks app or visit Starbucks.com/rewards to sign up for Starbucks Rewards. Once you have an account, scan your unique bar code every visit to earn Stars and take advantage of other money-saving perks.
1. Use 100 Stars for a free drink (and customize all you want).
Earn 100 Starbucks stars for a free hot or iced coffee or tea. And then you can go wild with your drink when you redeem those Stars to get the most back.
In fact, with 100 Stars, you could get a Trenta iced coffee with vanilla syrup, a shot of espresso, and salted caramel cold foam (regularly $7.65) for free.
2. Use 400 Starbucks Stars to get free Starbucks cups.
You can use 400 Starbucks Stars to redeem on Starbucks merch. They're valid on any cups or tumblers up to $20. If the cup you want is over $20, you’ll just pay the difference.
It’s not worth your Stars to use them on a $12.95 cup; always use them on the $19.99 cups for the best value.
3. Stay in the cafe to get free drip coffee and tea refills.
All customers who enjoy a beverage inside the cafe get a free refill at Starbucks. Just order any drink to enjoy, and as long as it’s the same day and in the same cafe, you get a free refill of iced or hot coffee or tea.
You can also get free refills at Target Starbucks locations. Grab a drink, do your shopping, and get your free refill on your way out.
4. Get a free Starbucks drink on your birthday.
You’ll get a free Starbucks birthday drink every year on your birthday as long as you're a Rewards member and made a purchase within the last year.
As of March 10, 2026, Starbucks Rewards members with Gold Tier status have seven days to redeem their birthday drink and Reserve Tier members have 30 days.
5. Get more caffeine (for free) with shaken espresso drinks.
The Shaken Espresso might be our favorite Starbucks menu hack. The traditional recipe costs $4.45 for a grande, while an iced Toasted Coconut Latte costs $6.05 for a grande. If you order the Shaken Espresso and substitute Toasted Coconut Syrup Classic (free), you’ve created the same drink with an extra shot of espresso for $1.60 less.
6. Split a venti Frappuccino to save 44%.
A Starbucks venti size Lavender Creme Frappuccino is 24 ounces and a tall size is 12 ounces. Rather than paying $5.75 for a 12-ounce Frappuccino, order a venti to split in half for $3.23 each. And if you’re worried about sharing the whipped cream, ask for extra. It’s a free modifier.
7. Bring your own cup to earn double Stars.
Starbucks allows customers to get any drink on the Starbucks menu in any personal cup from home, and they'll score double Stars on the order.
KCL TIP: You earn double based on your Rewards tier earnings. So while a Green Tier member still only gets 2 Stars per dollar, a Gold Tier member would get 2.4 Stars with a personal cup.
8. Opt for whipped cream instead of cold foam.
If you’re a cold foam fan, consider getting your drink with whipped cream instead. Cold foam will cost you an additional $1.45 on any drink, while Starbucks whipped cream is free. You’ll still get a creamy, sweet topper for your drink at no extra cost to you — even if you order your drink with extra whip.
9. Skip the $3.25 cake pop for your kid and get a free Pup Cup.
In a viral Instagram post, mom Lauryn Clare shared one of the best Starbucks hacks we've seen in a long time. At the Starbucks drive-thru, Clare asked for a free Pup Cup, also known as a "Puppuccino." The barista handed her a 3-ounce cup filled with whipped cream 100% free.
10. Ask for the second tea bag to-go — it’s free.
Grande and venti-sized teas at Starbucks come with two tea bags. Ask your barista if you can have the second tea bag to-go (in its packaging) and use it to enjoy a second tea later.
11. Sip your drip coffee in a larger cup.
Order a tall coffee with room for cream, and you’re likely walking out with 10 ounces instead of 12. But if you order a tall coffee in a grande cup, you’ll get all 12 ounces of coffee with plenty of room for milk.
12. Consider two Starbucks Rewards accounts.
Okay, hear us out. We’ve done a few surveys with the Starbucks app users at The Krazy Coupon Lady, and Starbucks offers vary by account and seem to be based on your order frequency and how much you spend. But those who order less often get better offers.
Use your work email address or create one specifically for this. Order on your regular account as usual, to rack up Starbucks Stars, but then check your second account for better deals.
Bonus Hacks: Customize your drink with free modifiers.
Enjoy any milk option for free.
Milk substitutes used to cost an additional $0.70 per drink, which means the policy change saves lactose-avoiding customers up to 14% on their regular drinks.
Substitute syrup flavors for free.
A grande drink at Starbucks comes with four pumps of flavored syrup. You can substitute the flavor at no cost, or even do half and half, perfect for a vanilla hazelnut latte.
Ask for cinnamon powder for free.
Cinnamon powder can be added to any drink for free. Have the barista sprinkle it on top or even mix it into the drink for added flavor at no additional cost.
Sweeten with sweetener packets for free.
The following sweetener packets are completely free to add to your drinks:
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Sugar
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Sugar In The Raw
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Stevia In The Raw
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Honey
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Splenda
Blend whipped cream in for free.
If you’re ordering a Frappuccino, ask your barista to blend a little whipped cream in for extra creaminess at no extra cost. Adding extra whipped cream to any drink that already has it is also free.
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