Clint Henderson is a managing editor at TPG who has worked in the journalism industry for more than 25 years. He is obsessed with travel and has used points and miles to explore the world.
July 31, 2026 • 8 min read
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Quick summary
Starbucks Rewards has introduced a new elite tier called Reserve, offering higher earning rates and additional perks for frequent customers.
Members earn "Stars" for purchases, which can be redeemed for drinks, food or merchandise, with the best value typically found at the 100-Star redemption level.
Elite status tiers (Green, Gold, Reserve) now provide different earning rates, with Reserve members earning the most per dollar spent.
The program is most beneficial for regular Starbucks customers who make frequent or high-value purchases.
What to consider
Reserve status requires earning 2,500 Stars over 12 months, which is significantly higher than the Gold tier threshold.
Stars expire after six months of inactivity for entry-level members, but not for those with elite status.
Recent changes have reduced the earning rate for card reloads for Green and Gold members, while Reserve members benefit from higher rates.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of redemption values and strategies to maximize the value of your Stars across different reward options.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
I'll admit it. I'm a Starbucks fanatic ... but not just because I love the coffee. There's a Starbucks store a mere two-minute walk from my house, and I also know that no matter where I go in the world, I'm likely to find the taste of home at a local Starbucks.
So, it may not be surprising, then, to learn that I'm a fan of the coffee chain's Starbucks Rewards program. Despite a number of changes to the program over the years, I still find it rewarding to be a member and keep collecting Stars. In fact, I've spent so much of my hard-earned money at Starbucks over the years that I qualified for top-tier Reserve status when the program was overhauled earlier this year.
Here's why I'm a member and why you should be, too, if you're a coffee lover.
What does the new Starbucks Rewards program look like?
With the latest update to the Starbucks Rewards program came the return of elite tiers that offer various perks depending on your status. In addition to the previously available Green and Gold tiers, there's a new top-tier status called Reserve.
Similar to other points- and miles-based programs, with Starbucks Rewards, you'll earn "Stars" on every Starbucks purchase you make that can then be redeemed for everything from drink customizations to pastries to a beverage of your choice. As you qualify for a higher tier of status, you'll earn more Stars per dollar spent and enjoy tier-specific extras, such as more time to redeem the brand's famous "birthday treat" and access to more double-earning days (known as "Star Days").
Starbucks elite status tiers and perks. STARBUCKS
When the program went live in March, I qualified for top-tier Reserve status, which earns 0.7 Stars more per dollar spent than entry-level Green status (for a total of 1.7 Stars per dollar) and requires earning an eye-watering 2,500 Stars over a rolling 12-month period to reach. That's 2,000 more Stars than necessary for the next-lowest tier, Gold.
But while accruing 2,500 Stars within 12 months is a challenge, even for a coffee lover like me, the 70% higher earning rate is a noteworthy perk worth pursuing if you regularly drink caffeinated beverages, as it makes it easier to earn free items faster.
As shown above, you'll earn anywhere from 1 Star to 1.7 Stars per dollar spent at Starbucks, depending on which level of status you have in the program. Additionally, you can earn Stars by reloading your Starbucks card, bringing your own cup for your order and linking your Starbucks Rewards account to your Delta SkyMiles and Marriott Bonvoy accounts.
I'm personally fond of reloading my Starbucks card for more Stars, as I get 50 Stars when adding at least $100, 25 Stars when adding between $50 and $95 and 10 Stars when adding between $30 and $45. Because I have elite status in the program, I don't have to worry about my Stars expiring — they do expire after six months of no qualifying activity if you're an entry-level Green member, though — so there's no harm in reloading my Starbucks card, even if I don't have immediate plans to visit a store.
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
You can use your Stars to cover an item worth up to $20.
While exact redemption rates may vary slightly by store, each option is capped at a set value. Here's what you can expect:
Item
Stars cost
Typical cost
Redemption rate
$1 off a drink customization (an extra espresso shot, a flavored syrup, cold foam, etc.)
25
Up to $1
Up to 4 cents per Star
Up to $2 off an order
60
Up to $2
Up to 3 cents per Star
Brewed coffee or tea (hot or iced), a bakery item, a packaged snack or another select item valued at up to $6
100
Up to $6
Up to 6 cents per Star
A handcrafted drink (like a latte or cold brew) or hot breakfast item valued at up to $10
200
Up to $10
Up to 5 cents per Star
A sandwich, protein box or packaged coffee valued at up to $16
300
Up to $16
Up to 5 cents per Star
Select Starbucks merchandise valued at up to $20
400
Up to $20
Up to 5 cents per Star
Of the available options, the sweet spot is the 100-Star redemption for a no-frills coffee, tea or snack. However, the pricier (and often more popular) choices follow close behind, offering a value of up to 5 cents per Star redeemed.
I usually prefer to get a latte with my Stars, so with my current balance of 606 Stars, I could enjoy three lattes at 200 Stars each. I'm not quite at the 200-Star threshold yet for July spending — I've earned 185 Stars from in-store purchases so far — but thanks to a limited-time offer I'm currently enrolled in through the Starbucks app, I'm close to earning 100 bonus Stars before the end of the month by completing a shopping challenge.
Starbucks bonus challenge. STARBUCKS
It may mean I'm buying things I might not otherwise, but I can't resist a challenge.
What to keep in mind about the program's revised earning rates
Prior to the 2026 refresh of the Starbucks Rewards program, all members, regardless of status, earned 1 Star per dollar spent at Starbucks, meaning those with elite status now earn more Stars on the same purchases (1.2 Stars per dollar for Gold members and 1.7 Stars per dollar for Reserve members, respectively) while Green members continue to earn at the same 1 Star per dollar rate.
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
However, Green and Gold members now earn considerably less when reloading their Starbucks cards. Instead of getting 2 Stars per dollar spent on a Starbucks card reload, Green and Gold members will earn up to 1.5 Stars and up to 1.7 Stars per dollar spent on a Starbucks card reload, respectively, when factoring in the earning cap that now applies.
I come out ahead as a Reserve member, as I now get up to 2.2 Stars per dollar spent when reloading my Starbucks card, but it's an important change to be mindful of if you have a lower level of status.
Who should join Starbucks Rewards?
There isn't a downside to becoming a member of Starbucks Rewards, as you can join for free, but it's designed to reward the brand's most loyal customers. As a result, coffee lovers who regularly get their caffeine fix with the chain — particularly those who spend more each visit, whether on pricier beverages like customized lattes and Frappuccinos or by adding several items, like pastries, sandwiches and store merchandise, to their orders — stand to gain the most from the program.
It's been fun holding top-tier Starbucks Reserve status. I appreciate that I earn up to 70% more than I did before the program's 2026 changes, though I'd love to see more perks rolled out for top-tier members.
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
It may not be the most rewarding program in the world — especially if you have a lower tier of status — but as someone who consistently swings by a Starbucks for a latte (or two), the savings I get through the program add up and have me just as hooked on it as I am on my preferred airline and hotel programs.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
