Starbucks fans earn three ‘stars’ for every £1 they spend – but after January 28, you’ll get ten ‘stars’ for every £1 spent, and new lower reward tiers will be introduced
Starbucks is shaking up its loyalty scheme next week and is introducing more rewards – but it will be harder to achieve Gold status.
At the moment, coffee lovers earn three “stars” for every £1 they spend at Starbucks – but after January 28, you’ll get ten “stars” for every £1 spent, and new lower reward tiers will be introduced. Previously, customers had to reach 150 “stars” – equivalent to spending £50 – to begin redeeming rewards.
But under the new reward scheme, you’ll be able to redeem a hot brewed coffee, tea or americanos by swapping 130 “stars” – equivalent to spending £13. Once you reach 300 “stars”, you can claim from a list of bakery items, including pastries, cookies, muffins or loaf cakes. Meanwhile, 500 “stars” will get you any size handcrafted beverage, the same equivalent spend of £50 as under the previous loyalty scheme.
The top level reward tier will allow you to redeem 1,000 “stars” for Starbucks merchandise, such as a reusable cup. However, customers will have to spend more to achieve Gold status, which gives you a free drink on your birthday and free customisations.
You currently have to accrue 450 “stars” to get Gold status – the same as spending £150 – but this is rising to 2,500 “stars” – equivalent to spending £250. Starbucks members will see their existing “stars” balance multiplied by x3.33 when the new scheme launches. So if you have 150 “stars” then this will be boosted to 500 “stars” and you would still have enough to claim your free drink from Starbucks.
Starbucks said: “The new scheme introduces more rewards, redeemable sooner. Featuring brand-new tiers, New Starbucks Rewards offers members a wider variety of food, beverages, and merchandise options which start at a lower spend threshold. Previously customers were required to accumulate 150 stars (equivalent to £50 spend) to begin redeeming rewards.
“They can now begin redeeming hot brewed coffee, tea and americanos from 130 Stars (£13) and redeem free bakery items for 300 Stars (£30). Now, for the first time, Stars can now be redeemed for more than just handcrafted drinks, including select bakery items and Starbucks merchandise for the first time ever.”
It comes after rival Costa Coffee added a new “swaps” feature on its loyalty scheme that allows you to exchange two “beans” for syrups, cream or an extra shot of coffee. Costa Club members get one “bean” for every drink they purchase, or two “beans” if you bring a reusable cup.
The coffee chain announced the news in an email to customers in August last year, which reads: “Introducing, an extra benefit for Costa Clubbers. As well as earning 10 beans towards your usual free drink, with Swaps you can now treat yourself to a little reward, more often.”
