Starbucks Rewards Changes To Stars Coming April

Monday, February 22, 2016

Starbucks is making changes to their Starbucks Reward loyalty points system come April! Instead of getting stars for every visit you will now get stars based on the amount that you spend, for every $1 spent you will earn 2 stars. They say that this was the #1 request heard from their members and that the new program means that most members will earn rewards just as fast or faster, but for some, it might mean taking a little longer to get that free treat.

The perks like birthday drinks (although I think this expires the day after you birthday whereas before it expired for a month), free refills on brewed coffee/tea and access to order and pay ahead on your phone are staying the same.

Instead of getting stars for every visit you will now get stars based on the amount that you spend, for every $1 spent you will earn 2 stars. They say that this was the #1 request heard from their members. You’ll also have additional opportunities to earn more stars with special offers, as well as monthly Double-Star Days for Gold members (and personalized coupons are staying as well).

In summary before it took 12 stars to get a free reward (at Gold level) now it will take 125 stars (at Gold) in the new system. So it'll take you $62.50 spent to see a reward whereas before you could buy 1 item or 5 items in one transaction and get the same amount of stars.

I always did separate transactions to get the most out of this program, yes I was that annoying girl, I go to Starbucks a lot so I wanted to make it worth my whole when I did. For example, I could get 12 cake pops at approximately $3 a pop and get a free reward (approximately $36 for a free reward, with this new system you would see how we're spending a lot more now to get that "freebie").

What do you think of the new system? Please comment below! I think the stars to $1 idea is better than what they have in place now (if you order multiple items you are benefiting from this change) but the ratio 125 stars to reward is a bit high, although I am not surprised at all.

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