Big Changes are Coming to Starbucks' Rewards Program in April
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Update: The new program launches on Tuesday, April 12, 2016.
Devaluations seem to be the norm these days, with changes to programs ranging from small tweaks to more sizable adjustments. This latest one is a bit different, however — the Starbucks Rewards program. Until now, you'd earn one star per transaction, with a requirement of 12 to score a free drink and 30 to secure Gold level status. Like many other rewards programs, Starbucks will now be revenue-based.
You still have a little time before the changes take place in April, but the update means you'll probably be getting less value for your spending at Starbucks. Members will now earn 2 stars per dollar spent and free drinks will cost 125 stars, while you'll need 300 stars to earn Gold level status. Of course, if you're ordering more expensive items at Starbucks — as in anything over the $5.20 mark — this could actually be beneficial as you'll earn stars even faster.
Overall, these new changes aren't the worst thing for Starbucks customers — if you're ordering more expensive drinks or adding food to your order, you could actually end up getting more value out of this updated program.
In addition to earning stars for your Starbucks purchases, you can also double-dip with credit cards that offer a bonus on dining, such as Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and the Amex Premier Rewards Gold Card.
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