Courtney Omell | Updated

Win FREE Starbucks for a Year (Without Purchasing Anything)

The Krazy Coupon Lady is an ad-supported service. Many offers on our site contain affiliate links, and we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase using them. Some posts are sponsored by the maker of the product, and we receive a fee for the post. See our full advertiser disclosure.

We're kicking off the holiday season not only with a new Starbucks holiday menu, but also with a chance to win free drinks, Bonus Stars, and free Starbucks for a year. The Starbucks Uncap, Scan & Win promotion started Nov. 3, 2025, and runs through Dec. 31, 2025.

To enter, all you need is a specially marked bottle of Starbucks Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino or Starbucks Iced Espresso Peppermint Mocha from your grocery store, or you can skip the purchase entirely and enter for free online .

Here’s everything you need to know about how to play, how to win, and the available prizes.

Download the FREE KCL App

What KCL Experts Say You Should Know

  • Enter once per day: Scan a QR code under specially marked bottle caps or use the free Alternate Method of Entry (AMOE) at uncapstars.starbucks.com.

  • No purchase is necessary: You don’t have to buy a bottle to play.

  • But if you do make a purchase, it has to be one of these: You'll need a specially marked bottle of Starbucks Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino or Starbucks Iced Espresso Peppermint Mocha.

  • Here are the promo dates: The promotion runs Nov. 3 – Dec. 31, 2025.

  • You can win prizes: They include Bonus Stars, free Starbucks for a year, and more.

  • You must be a member: You have to be a Starbucks Rewards member and at least 18 years old to enter.

  • The number of prizes per person are capped: Unlike the recent McDonald's Monopoly game (where people were racking up dozens of prizes), you can win just one of each type of prize (see the list below).

  • Enter once daily: Each player can enter once daily during the promotion. Either win an instant prize or earn a sweepstakes entry.

Get Starbucks Rewards

Scan the QR code from select Starbucks-at-home products, or enter for free online.

win-free-starbucks

There’s no advantage to purchasing the ready-to-drink Starbucks at the store or entering online; you can do what’s most convenient for you. However, you do need to be a Starbucks Rewards member, so be sure to sign up before you play. 

How to Play Starbucks Uncap, Scan & Win

Scan a Purchase:

  1. Buy a specially marked Starbucks Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino bottle or Iced Espresso Peppermint Mocha multiserve bottle.

  2. Uncap your bottle and scan the QR code under the lid using your smartphone.

  3. You’ll be directed to the promotion website where you can sign in to your Starbucks Rewards account.

  4. Play the Instant Win Game. You've got a chance at winning an instant prize or a sweepstakes entry for a chance at free Starbucks for a year.

Free Entry (No Purchase Necessary):

  1. Go to uncapstars.starbucks.com directly.

  2. Sign in to your Starbucks Rewards account and agree to the Official Rules.

  3. You’ll receive one Instant Win play per day totally free.

Each player can enter once daily during the promotion. You’ll either win an instant prize or earn a sweepstakes entry.

Prizes include FREE Starbucks for a year and Bonus Stars.

Each day, you'll earn a sweepstakes entry for the grand prize of Starbucks for a year, or you could earn Instant Win Bonus Stars which will be added to your Starbucks Rewards account. Bonus Stars can be redeemed for drinks, food, or snacks at participating Starbucks stores.

Here's what's up for grabs:

  • 4 Grand Prizes: Starbucks for a Year — daily credits for one free food or beverage (excluding alcohol) for 365 days (approx. value: $3,935 each)

  • 15,000 First Prizes: 200 Bonus Stars (≈ $10.78 value)

  • 45,000 Second Prizes: 100 Bonus Stars (≈ $5.39 value)

  • 80,500 Third Prizes: 25 Bonus Stars

Total Winners: 140,500

Prizes Worth : About $419,990 in rewards

There's a limit to how many times you can win.

win-free-starbucks-phone

You’ll instantly see if you’re a winner when you play. Instant Win prizes (Bonus Stars) are randomly awarded throughout the promotion, and sweepstakes winners will be selected around Jan. 5, 2026. There's a limit of one First Prize, one Second Prize, and one Third Prize per person.

If you’re chosen as a potential winner, Starbucks or its partner Merkle will email you with verification and prize claim steps — so keep an eye on your inbox.