Did you know you can get Starbucks coffee for cheaper and even for free?
Sometimes you just want to treat yourself, and a Starbucks coffee sounds like a great idea, though it could very well be just any beverage from America’s biggest coffee shop chain! They have everything from coffee to refreshments, lemonades, and tea, and it goes all the way to some sweet options and even breakfast and lunch options if you are in a pinch for a meal as well.
There are many reasons why you would love to visit this chain, be it because you are a big fan of Starbucks coffee or because it is the most easily accessible place.
The chain is indeed one of the most popular in America. Despite this, when you end up visiting it a lot, you can feel like you are spending too much on something small. And while it may bring you joy, there are always ways in which you can end up spending less or even getting these beverages for free!
If you are a fan of Starbucks coffee and you want to know all the best ways in which you can get it for cheaper, sometimes even for free, make sure you keep on reading! This way, you can save more money and still enjoy your treat!
Have you ever used any of the tips on our list before? Let us know in the comments down below!
Sign up for their Rewards Program
The easiest way to get cheaper and even free Starbucks coffee is to sign up for their rewards program. We know that we live in a world where every website and company wants you to sign up for a subscription of some sort or a newsletter, but the Starbucks Rewards Program is actually one of the ones that you will never regret signing up for, especially if you are visiting their coffee shops frequently.
Joining the rewards program is easy, as all you need to do is sign up on their website with your email address, and then every time you go to the shops, you need to scan your account in order to get loyalty points, which are called stars.
Stars are what is going to make your Starbucks coffee almost free, depending on how many you have and how often you go to the store. With the rewards program, you earn stars for all your purchases but keep in mind that they will expire six months after the month in which you have earned them, so there is no need to hoard them all for bigger rewards.
Here’s what you can earn with this program:
- 25 star points will let you customize your drink however you want (including swapping the regular milk for a substitute, adding syrup to your drink or an extra espresso shot, etc.);
- 50 star points: you can get free brewed coffee, hot tea, or a bakery item;
- 150 star points: you can get a free handcrafted drink, a hot breakfast, or a parfait;
- 200 star points will get you a sandwich or protein box;
- 400 star points can get you certain merchandise items or Starbucks coffee for home.
Do not forget about the app
Since we have talked about the Starbucks rewards program, we cannot leave out the app. This is another way in which you can easily earn yourself cheaper Starbucks coffee or even free items from the coffee shop.
The mobile app will let you access your Rewards section and also keep you up to date with all the new promotions and specials that you would not have known about otherwise.
What’s more, you can keep up with your star points, as they will be easily found in the mobile app, and you will also be able to receive special promotions or bonuses because you are a Rewards member and you use the app.
You could also end up receiving extra discounts and getting early access to special menu items. The only crux of the problem is that you will have to always have the app on you to be able to use it, and some of these types of bonuses and promotions are only accessible with a Starbucks card.
The best thing about the app is that you can make your life easier with all the promotions and bonuses, as you can easily order your drinks ahead of time and even pay online. You will just have to go to the Starbucks of your choice to pick up your coffee!
Birthday perks!
Happy birthday, Starbucks coffee lover! You have all the reasons to celebrate when it is your birthday, so why not take advantage of the moment and also treat yourself to a free Starbucks item?
This is only available to Starbucks Reward Program members, so this is yet another great reason to sign up for it.
On your birthday, you can easily take advantage of this promotion, as you can get either any drink on the menu for free, a ready-to-drink beverage that is bottled, or a food item of your choice!
You have to make sure that you are signed up to the program at least 7 days in advance of your birthday, that you have put in your birthday, and that you have made a purchase that will grant you star points.
This is something you have to do every year in order to be able to get the free drink, but if you are already a Starbucks coffee enthusiast, it will definitely not be hard to achieve!
Do not forget about the free refills
Did you know you can get free refills at Starbucks?
Yet again, you need to be a member of their reward program to be able to use this perk, but as long as you have it and the app, you should be set to be able to get it with no problem.
The free refills are available only when you use them during the same store visit and only for iced or hot-brewed coffee or tea. If you leave the store where you made the purchase, then you will no longer be able to make use of this perk, and you will have to purchase yet another drink.
Otherwise, if you are going to do some work or camp in a Starbucks shop for a little while, make sure you scan your member barcode in the app before you purchase your drink and that you do so again when you request your refill.
That way, you will be able to get your refill for free and enjoy it at your leisure!
Never forget to bring your own reusable cup
This has been something that Starbucks has been advertising for ages, but not everyone is making use of it as often as they should.
Sure, in the grand scheme of things, you may not think that getting that $0.10 discount is worth it just to bring your own cup, but if you enjoy a Starbucks coffee several times over the year, that discount will rack up to a pretty penny.
The dimes will keep piling up every time you purchase a drink, and if you end up going ten times a month, that’s $1 off your expenses. Not to mention, you will also be more eco-friendly and not waste so much plastic or styrofoam with your drinks.
Not to mention, they also have a myriad of cups that you have most probably already gotten some of, so why not make use of them and get a discount on your coffee?
If you have not invested in Starbucks cups, know that you can bring any sort of reusable cup to the stores to get this discount. This one here is our favorite choice for a to-go mug that is perfect for cold beverages!
If you are wondering about other affordable things you can get in order to save money and be able to keep your grocery list as frugal as possible, make sure you read all about the best-canned foods to always have on hand. Not only will you be spending less on these, but you will be surprised to know just how many of them are out there! Click here to read the article!