The Starbucks Rewards program has gone from a modest paper punch card to a complex and convenient app. As a former Starbucks barista, I’ve seen the evolution of this loyalty program and have used it almost since its inception in 2008 (though at that time, I was still a Partner and got free Starbucks drinks every shift).
From the quickest ways to earn extra Stars to maximizing your free drinks, here’s everything I’ve learned about the Starbucks Rewards program (and why I think you’re missing out if you don’t join). And since Starbucks offers are few and far between anymore, this little loyalty program (and its remaining perks) is one of the only ways to save money at Starbucks.
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Starbucks Rewards Changes in 2025
There've been some changes to the Starbucks Rewards program in 2025. And not all of them are positive.
In September 2024, Brian Nichols took over as Starbucks CEO and made some pretty big adjustments. His goal? To bring back a "third-place" atmosphere to Starbucks coffee shops. Is it working? I'm not quite sure. Prices are high, discounts are rare, and baristas are angry.
Here's all the changes I've seen so far this year.
Personal-cup rewards are worse.
On June 24, 2025, Starbucks will change the bring-your-own-cup policy. Instead of a $0.10 drink discount and 25 Bonus Stars added to your reward balance, customers with a personal cup will get double Bonus Stars on their order. This is the worst change so far this year, in my opinion. It'll require spending double the amount on your drink to earn the same amount of Starbucks Stars.
Free refills are for everyone, not just rewards members.
The Starbucks refill policy changed on Jan. 27, 2025. Now anyone can get free refills at Starbucks — not just Starbucks Rewards members.
As of this policy change, there are two ways to get free Starbucks refills:
Bring your own cup.
Order your drink in a Starbucks for-here cup.
Once you've finished your original drink, you can ask the register for your free refill of hot or iced coffee or tea.
In-app offers are rare.
In-app offers are a thing of the past. No more BOGO drinks, Triple Star Days, or $3 drink coupons in the app. I haven't seen one of these offers since 2024. But I have seen a couple of rare discounts like free brewed coffee on Feb. 10 after the Super Bowl and free cold foam on drinks May 7 - 11, 2025.
How to Sign Up for Starbucks Rewards
It’s pretty dang simple to join. Download the free Starbucks app — available for iOS or Android — or visit starbucks.com/rewards to sign up for Starbucks Rewards.
The app is a better experience all around. It’s easy to use and convenient, especially since you’ll likely order your Starbucks on the go.
Here’s what they’ll ask for:
First and last name
Email address (which becomes your login)
Password
(Optional) Your birthday
You should definitely enter your birth date. You’ll earn a free Starbucks birthday drink each year, so it’s worth that extra step.
How to Earn Starbucks Rewards (Or Stars)
Starbucks makes it pretty easy to earn rewards — aka Stars. Once you have a Starbucks Rewards account, you scan your unique bar code on every visit to earn Stars.
Earning Stars: The Basics
There are two easy-to-earn Starbucks Stars:
Cash or Credit/Debit Card: 1 Star for every $1 spent when you choose “Scan only” in the app.
Starbucks Gift Card: 2 Stars for every $1 spent when you add a Starbucks gift card to your Rewards account and use the “Scan & pay” option in the app.
If you’re a Starbucks regular, there's no reason not to reload a Starbucks gift card and earn two Stars per dollar. You put your credit card information into the app and reload the gift card with a pre-selected amount automatically.
Think about it this way. A free drink at Starbucks is 200 Stars. If you earn one Star per dollar, you have to spend $200 to earn a free drink. Instead, you could use a Starbucks card and spend just $100 to earn a free drink.
You’ll get other perks with the Starbucks Rewards program too. More on that coming up later.
Redeeming Stars
Here’s what you can get with your Starbucks Stars:
Stars | Reward |
|---|---|
25 Stars | Customize your drink with syrup or an extra espresso shot |
100 Stars | A free iced/hot coffee or tea, bakery item, or packaged snack |
200 Stars | A free handcrafted drink or a hot breakfast item |
300 Stars | Free sandwich, protein box, or at-home coffee |
400 Stars | Free Starbucks merchandise up to $20 (or $20 off your Starbucks merch purchase) |
The key here is to maximize your value when you redeem your Stars. Since you can customize drinks (and get bigger sizes), you’ll want to aim for at least 5% cash back on your initial spend.
Here’s an example of maximizing your Starbucks freebie.
Earn 100 Stars when you spend $50 using a pre-loaded Starbucks card in your Starbucks app. Since 100 Stars gets you a free iced coffee of any size, opt for a Trenta (regularly $4.95) and add a few modifications to make it into a specialty drink.
Trenta Iced Coffee: $4.95
Add an espresso shot: $1.25
Add cold foam: $1.45
Add caramel sauce: $0.80
Add caramel crunch topping: $0.50
Add cream: Free
Drink Total: $8.95
Total Back on $50 Spend: 18%
Starbucks Rewards Perks (Including a Free Birthday Drink, Free Refills, and More)
Alright, we’ve covered Starbucks Stars, but that’s not all you get with Starbucks Rewards. Here are more reasons for you to sign up for this free rewards program.
Mobile ordering and pickup in store or the drive-thru.
Personalized in-app offers (like Bonus Stars, free brewed coffee coupons, and more).
25 Bonus Stars and a $0.10 discount when you bring your own cup. (This perk ends on June 24, 2025, and Rewards members with a personal cup will receive double Starbucks Stars instead of Bonus Stars.)
A free birthday drink.
Free refills of hot or iced brewed coffee or tea when you pay with your registered Starbucks card or with the app during the same in-cafe visit.
Access to members-only games throughout the year.
Balance protection for your Starbucks card if it's lost or stolen.
Earn Delta SkyMiles on Starbucks Card reloads of $25 or more, plus Double Stars on travel days.
Starbucks Bonus Star Offers
Throughout the year, Starbucks Rewards members get access to Starbucks Bonus Star offers where you can earn extra Stars on your purchases. You need to activate these offers in your app before placing your order, but you’ll rack up Stars a tiny bit faster.
These offers typically vary by account and your personal Starbucks habits. For example, I currently have an offer for 25 Bonus Stars if I visit three days in a row or 75 Bonus Stars for five days in a row.
Starbucks Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy Collaboration
As of June 18, 2024, eligible members signed up for both Starbucks Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy can enjoy two earning perks.
Double Star Days: Starbucks Rewards members who are also enrolled in Bonvoy will get Double Stars on qualifying Starbucks purchases throughout their stay at participating Bonvoy hotels.
Marriott Bonvoy Weeks: Starbucks Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy members earn 100 Marriott Bonvoy points with qualifying transactions at participating Starbucks locations during designated Marriott Bonvoy Weeks throughout the year.
Also, watch for exclusive sweepstakes available to Starbucks Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy members with linked accounts.
Bank of America x Starbucks Partnership
Bank of America cardholders can also score some extra Stars by simply adding their Bank of America credit card as their payment source in the Starbucks Rewards app.
Cardholders should link their Bank of America eligible card with their Starbucks Rewards account to earn 2% cash back and 1 Star for every $2 spent on qualifying Starbucks in-app purchases.
The 1 Star for $2 spent may not seem as lucrative as the 2 Stars per $1 you get with a Starbucks card, but the cash back is where you’ll see the most value from this partnership. The 2% cash back is on top of the 1.5% back you earn on everyday purchases. So your trip through the Starbucks drive-thru earns you 3.5% cash back on your purchase. And that has a better value than a handful of Star rewards.
Seriously, Join Starbucks Rewards — It’s Free
If you visit Starbucks at least once per year, you’re missing out if you don’t join this free loyalty program. It costs nothing to join, but you earn Starbucks deals and Stars and get access to exclusive offers.
Rack up 100 Stars for a free drink and customize it to your heart’s content, take advantage of the Starbucks refill policy, or hoard your Stars and get $20 off a new Starbucks x Stanley Tumbler. How you use this rewards program is up to you, but you’re missing out on saving money at Starbucks if you don’t take advantage of it.
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