It's about to get easier to earn a free drink at Starbucks
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.
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.
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.
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 2X miles | Earn 2X miles per $1 on every purchase, everywhere |
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Pros
- Simple earning structure
- Bonus categories
- Annual credits
- No foreign transaction fees
- Flexible redemption options, including transfer partners
Cons
- Has an annual fee
- Fewer bonus categories than some competitors
- Lacks premium perks
- Limited-time offer: Earn up to 150,000 bonus miles—75,000 miles once you spend $7,500 in the first 3 months, and an additional 75,000 miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won't expire for the life of the account
- Receive up to $220 in credits: Receive an annual $50 travel credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel, up to an annual $50 statement credit for purchases at qualifying advertising or software merchants, plus up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® every four years. Terms and conditions apply
- Unlimited 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel
- Transfer your miles to 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Redeem your miles instantly for any travel-related purchases, from flights and hotels to ride-sharing services
- $95 annual fee
- Free employee cards which also earn unlimited 2X miles from their purchases
- Top rated mobile app