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It's about to get easier to earn a free drink at Starbucks

April 18, 2022
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3 min read
Boston Marriott Long Wharf
It's about to get easier to earn a free drink at Starbucks
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There’s a quicker path to a free drink for members of the Starbucks loyalty program. Starting later this month, the company is going to add a big bonus to its rewards for customers who bring in their own reusable cup. Under the new program, within just a couple of visits to your closest store, you could earn yourself a free cup of coffee.

Beginning Friday, April 22, Starbucks Rewards members who bring a reusable cup into the café will earn 25 Stars, a big boost toward a free beverage. Starbucks is billing this as an incentive for customers to help in the push for sustainability, in concert with Earth Day.

When you look at the Starbucks rewards chart, it’s a pretty strong incentive, too. Starbucks will give rewards members a free cup of coffee once they reach 50 Stars, the rewards program’s currency. It takes 150 Stars to get a handcrafted drink – think your more elaborate Starbucks beverages. Normally, Starbucks rewards customers who pre-load their payment into their digital Starbucks card and pay with the app earn two stars for every dollar spent.

Starbucks reward chart screenshot
(Screenshot courtesy of Starbucks)

With the new reward bonus, two trips to Starbucks with your reusable cup could get you a free cup of coffee on your second trip. A free handcrafted beverage would come after six trips.

Related: Best credit cards to use at Starbucks

This push by Starbucks is just the latest example of a major U.S. company trying to garner customer participation in the push for sustainability. We’ve certainly seen incentives in the travel industry – I can think of numerous hotel stays where I’ve been able to earn points by simply choosing to reuse my towels, for instance.

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Starbucks says the overarching goal is to reduce waste. In its announcement, the company reiterated its hopes to cut waste in half by 2030.

Related: Your stay at one of these incredible eco-friendly hotels

While customers are welcome to bring their own personal reusable cup (as long as it’s clean, Starbucks says) the company is also holding a 30%-off sale on drinkware.

As a point of logistics, in order to use your personal cup (and get the stars), you’ll have to actually go into the store. Starbucks says it’s “working on solutions” to bring this program to drive-thru and mobile ordering, but currently the program is only available to those who use their rewards account in-store.

Featured image by ELIZABETH HUND/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.