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Starbucks has become an international brand. They’re literally everywhere, and you can’t avoid their green mermaid logo. Every shopping mall, leisure space, and crowded street has multiple coffee branches enticing coffeeholics to get their cup of joe.
No matter what, you can’t deny that Starbucks is unbeatable, no matter how hard you try not to join the crowd.
Currently, Starbucks has over 38,000 stores worldwide and is expected to reach 55,000 branches globally by 2030.
As one could ask, who doesn’t go to Starbucks? I even spot teenagers and even 8-year-old kids loosely spending their allowance on a Venti Java Chip. So that says a lot. And maybe you’re right, some people don’t go to Starbucks, but I don’t think their population is greater than those who do.
I don’t know if it’s just me, but holding my Frappuccino from Starbucks gives me a boost of motivation and makes me feel organized. It’s a simple pleasure that lifts my mood.
However, I realized (so long ago!!) that Starbucks can be expensive, and the money spent here can really add up, especially if you’re a repeat customer.
Spending around $3 on a Grande Pike per day adds up to roughly $1,095 over a year.
To the Starbucks-obsessed fans out there, let me ask you this: who hasn’t felt a bit like Sherlock Holmes, searching for those free Starbucks deals or happy hour offers?
It sure feels Starbucks hug-in-a-cup, knowing you could get Starbucks discounts, gift cards, or freebies from your favorite coffee chain, right?
Well, I did the hunt to help my fellow Starbucks lovers like you get the caffeine they need without compromising their budget and, of course, their Starbucks addiction. *wink*
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1. Join the Starbucks Rewards Program
For many people, Starbucks not only awakens the brain but also entices all of our senses. One of the best things ever introduced by this coffee chain is its Starbucks Rewards program.
I can’t help but feel that any Starbucks lover who hasn’t signed up for their loyalty program is missing out on their life. Or should I say, are you really a Starbucks fan if you’re not part of the Starbucks Rewards community?
The Starbucks Rewards program is popular among customers for the benefits and opportunities it provides.
Know a friend who enjoyed a free Starbucks birthday drink on the house? Bet she’s part of the Starbucks Rewards crew!
By joining in, you’ll start racking up points for every cup you buy. Before you know it, you’ll be cashing them in for things like fresh coffee beans, quick bites, fancy tumblers, or even that drink you just can’t resist.
Wondering what else is up for grabs with those Starbucks Stars you collect?
- 25 Stars – free drink customization
- 100 Stars – baked goodies, brewed, hot tea, iced coffee, and packaged snack
- 200 Stars – handcrafted drink (cold brew, latte, and more), or hot breakfast
- 300 Stars – sandwich, at-home coffee, or protein box
- 400 Stars – Starbucks merchandise (worth up to $20)
The best way to earn Stars and redeem rewards is through the Starbucks mobile app. Creating an account doesn’t cost anything and is quick and easy—provide your name, birthday, email address, and password.
Pros: Starbucks rewards members with a free drink on their birthday. This is probably one of the reasons why customers wanted to be part of the Starbucks Rewards community. Starbucks will email you two days before your special day to remind you of your free drink. Who doesn’t want to be reminded and be given a present on their birthday?
Cons: You can get addicted to earning stars or trying to be a Gold member. Starbucks offers challenges in exchange for Stars, which require you to purchase any of their offerings. This encourages you to spend more money than you save.
2. Limited-Time Seasonal Promotions
Got summer blues? Or do you miss summer seasonal drinks like the Chocolate Java Mint Frappuccino?
Well, head on to the Starbucks store near you, as Buy One Get One (BOGO) deals, also known as ThursYays deals, are here for you. ThursYays are a time when customers can score complimentary handcrafted fall beverages if they buy one after 12 p.m.
Starbucks addicts, you know the drill: buy one handcrafted fall beverage and get one of equal or lesser value ($10 max value) for free!
This may not apply to your favorite summer drinks since BOGO deals mostly happen during fall, but you can enjoy their offerings such as Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato, Caramel Apple Spice, and so much more!
I even remember a time when I went to Starbucks to work on my blog and ordered a small pumpkin spice latte (just kidding, I ordered tall). The best part? They gave me another drink of the same size free of charge.
I didn’t realize then that it was Thursday, so I wish I had a friend with me. However, getting two drinks during my visit also means spending more time for myself at Starbucks and being productive.
Thursdays are indeed better than Fridays whenever Starbucks’ ThursYays are happening.
To score a freebie, get any of their seasonal drinks. You can also order through the Starbucks app or advise the barista to apply the promo upon checkout.
Pros: This Starbucks buy-one-get-one promo is perfect for sharing a drink with your loved ones to celebrate the season. Pay for one drink, and you’ll get another one for free without ripping your wallet.
Cons: The ThursYays deal is only available at participating Starbucks locations in the United States. The promo is likewise unavailable on food delivery apps like Starbucks, DoorDash, and Uber Eats.
3. Happy Hour Promotions
Did you know that coffee lovers all over the world have what they call the happiest hours of their lives? That’s what we call the Starbucks Happy Hour!
Forget about boring old regular hours; Starbucks Happy Hour is where the magic happens. During this time, you can have your favorite Frappucinos, lattes, and macchiatos with a side of savings!
I can’t count how many times I went to Starbucks. Sometimes it feels like I live there. But for me, Happy Hour is the best part of the day. They don’t happen too often anymore, but when they do, they usually run from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on random Thursdays. We won’t really know when they’ll take place.
When Happy Hour is on, every time you buy a handcrafted drink (that includes their delicious Frappuccinos!), you get another free drink! It’s perfect for “budgetarian” people who want to stop spending money but don’t want to completely sacrifice the small, beautiful things in life.
To join the Happy Hour, you won’t have to wonder how to get Starbucks coupons to avail of the promo. What I do is just walk into the shop and ask for my order. It won’t hurt to install Starbucks’ mobile app on your smartphone to make the process easier, though!
The app will notify you when there’s a Happy Hour, so you can stay in the loop and never miss out on these sweet savings.
Here are some Happy Hour offers you can enjoy at Starbucks:
- BOGO Free Frapuccino (Venti or Grande) on selected items
- BOGO-free Handcrafted Espresso (Venti or Grande) on selected items
- 50% Handcrafted Espresso drink (Venti or Grande) on selected items
- $3 Handcrafted Espresso drink (Venti or Grande) on selected items
- Discounted Iced Teas (Venti, Grande, Tall)
Pros: Starbucks happy hour deals can save you on drinks. It gives discounts and free items on qualifying drinks. The qualifying drinks are mostly the items customers opt for.
Cons: Happy Hours aren’t available every day or everywhere. If you want to kickstart the day with a morning coffee, unfortunately, this deal is unavailable around this time, and the Starbucks near you may not be one of the participating outlets. Check the store locator icon in the app to know if the store you’re visiting offers the deal.
4. Free Starbucks Gift Card Deals
Who does not love gift cards? The euphoria of earning a Starbucks gift card without spending a single penny is unmatched.
Earning gift cards is like being handed a guilt-free ticket to spend on something you would not dare purchase. It could be used to buy new shoes, clothes, books, etc.
But what if you can get free Starbucks gift cards without any hassles and money coming from you? Well, Starbucks fan or not, anything you can buy for free is fair game when it comes to the ever-glorious prepaid plastics.
Many websites offer free Starbucks gift cards, but not all are legit or worth your time.
However, if you join the right websites, you can get a handful of cards. The legit sites, though, are always free to join.
Some of the best sites for getting free Starbucks gift cards are Swagbucks, Branded Surveys, Survey Junkie, Rakuten, MyPoints, etc.
To become a member of these sites, you must create a profile, and do specific tasks in exchange for cash and points, which are redeemable for Starbucks gift cards.
Some tasks include answering surveys, watching videos, playing video games, shopping online for cashback, etc.
If you have extra money though, you don’t need to do these microtasks to earn free gift cards. You can buy them yourself at Starbucks or Raise for a discounted price. You can still save money this way.
Pros: Starbucks gift cards are the perfect gift for friends who frequently drink Starbucks. Not only are they affordable, but they also show you’re attentive to what they enjoy.
Cons: Getting gift cards from reliable sites takes time and effort. If you are not patient and hardworking enough, earning one will take even longer.
5. Use the Starbucks App
You’re running late. You need coffee in the morning. You walk into Starbucks and can’t wait to get a hand on your cup.
But then, you realize you left your wallet at home. Bummer. However, what if I told you that you could avoid all these problems? What if you could walk into Starbucks, order your favorite beverage, and pay for it through your phone?
That’s the perk of having a Starbucks app. You can place orders ahead of time, pay for your drink (yes, there’s no need to queue the line!), and earn rewards. The best part is that *drum rolls* you can use it at any Starbucks worldwide.
So, if you’re a regular Starbucks customer, you will make your life a lot easier by using the Starbucks app.
I love how user-friendly the app is. It is so easy to navigate that even Aunt Susan, who is 65 years old, can use it.
I am also not a fan of complex technology, so when I see that the app is easy to use, I trust it.
Pros: The Starbucks app is more than just a quick way to order your drink. Free drinks and other rewards are built in there. It’s the best way to earn promos, deals, stars, and track your Starbucks spending.
Cons: If the server suffers from a glitch, you’ll need to stand in line and order at the counter.
6. Take Advantage of Star Days
Starbucks is extra generous in giving Stars during Star Days. For non-Starbucks members, Star days are not far off when our teacher in grade school gives out stars for a job well done. These stars can earn free Starbucks food, drinks, and merchandise.
Star Days happens several times a year. Starbucks members are notified of the event through email and the app under its Offers or Home tab.
On every Star Day, Starbucks gives away a thousand Stars to qualifying members. If you want to collect more Stars to score a free signature mug or other Starbucks products, don’t miss out on participating in Star Days.
You can get 1 Stars for every $1 spent using cash or credit and 2 Stars for every $1 spent using a registered Starbucks card.
This double-Star promo is available for almost any item you can buy at Starbucks. Are you a Rewards member? You are guaranteed to receive a personalized double-Star each month. Check your email on your upcoming day.
Free drinks require 100 Stars. If your Stars are not enough, all is not lost! You can get extra syrup or espresso shots for only 25 Stars. That’s a significant savings already. If this does not make you starry-eyed, I don’t know what will!
The Star Days program is only available for Starbucks Rewards members. So, if you are not yet a member, this is another reason why you should become one today.
Again, all you need to do is sign up through the app, provide your name and email address, and create a password.
Pros: Star days allow you to earn more Star than you would typically receive on ordinary days. That big boost makes it easier for you to get rewards, i.e., free drinks and food sooner.
Cons: Non-Starbucks members are not eligible to join the promotion.
7. Bring Your Own Cup
After you drink your coffee, you just throw the cup away, right? Where else would they go, anyway? So, if you buy from Starbucks thrice a week, that’s already 12 cups thrown away in a month. But what’s the number for those who buy daily? How much is it if you think of everyone who buys Starbucks?
Well, according to Clean Water Action, Starbucks goes through 8,000 cups every minute. I know it’s a bit hard to get your head around that. That’s a whopping 4 billion every year! As much as we love Starbucks, they leave quite a carbon footprint.
But what if I told you that you could caffeinate responsibly? With Starbucks’ Bring Your Own Cup (BYOC) initiative, it’s possible.
Starbucks is now trying to make a difference. They’re encouraging customers to bring their own mugs to the shop to reduce all the waste. What happens is that you order your favorite drink and hand over your clean mug. The baristas will pour the created drink into your mug and add any toppings, like whipped cream or caramel syrup.
This initiative lets you help reduce waste by skipping disposable cups while rewarding you for your good deed. Starbucks wants to high-five your commitment to Mother Earth by offering you a discount when you bring your own cup.
Every time you use a reusable cup, you get $0.10 off your order. Plus, if you’re in the Starbucks club, you can get an extra 25 stars during their promos. It might not seem like much, but those savings can stack up quickly!
Pros: Reusing your cup is good for the environment and can save you a lot of money in the long run. When this money adds up, you can use it to buy another drink.
Cons: The reusable cup promo cannot simultaneously be used with other promos (i.e., Double Star Days).
8. Follow Starbucks on Social Media
Want in on some insider tea? (Or should I say coffee?) You can actually win free stuff online from Starbucks’ giveaways without even cracking open your wallet. Yup, it’s a thing!
The Starbucks regulars among us might be thinking, ‘Old news.’ But if this is news to you, well, welcome to the club!
Considering how everything’s costing an arm and a leg these days, we Starbucks enthusiasts have got to stay on top of those deals.
The hack? Tuning into Starbucks’ social media channels. There are many exclusive deals, coupon codes, free coffee moments, and Stars just waiting for you. Starbucks’ Instagram posts and stories have been my go-to for the latest offers and promotions when I miss their newsletters.
Since Starbucks is global, they’ve got dedicated social media accounts for each country and even local outlets. So, say you’re in Canada, just hit up Starbucks Canada on social, and you’re set with all the local deals. No need to go following every Starbucks account out there; the deals can change depending on where you are and the time of year!
Pros: Starbucks often runs contests and giveaways on their social media platforms where you can win gift cards, drinks, and merchandise. Following them will increase your chances of participating and winning.
Cons: Starbucks is a giant coffee chain, and they utilize social media to announce their latest deals. If you are the type who easily gets enticed by any Starbucks deals, this could be a disadvantage. Participating in any promotion, you see online, may wreak havoc on your budget.
FAQs
1. What Deals Does Starbucks Have?
Freebies are always pouring down at Starbucks. First off on the list, of course, is the BOGO promotions that happen every Thursday in select months. Buy one seasonal drink of your choice and get one of a lesser or equal size for free.
Plus, if you’re thinking of ways to keep your Starbucks expenses in check, I’ve got three words for you: Get. The. App. It’s your new BFF to go for sweet deals all year round, from Happy Hour, Starbucks Rewards, Gift Card Offers, Birthday Rewards, Mobile app Exclusive Offers, and much more!
2. What Day is BOGO at Starbucks?
It’s time to be more flexible with your schedule because Starbucks’ BOGO promotions can surprise you on any given day. They usually run from the afternoon to the early hours of the evening, so no morning caffeine for you, unfortunately.
Although there’s no set schedule or locations for the BOGO offers, you can stay on top of the latest Starbucks app deals by keeping your eyes peeled on the Starbucks official website or social media channels.
You need to be a Starbucks Rewards member to enjoy this promo. It’s also a one-deal-per-week thing, so make sure to plan your Starbucks cravings accordingly!
3. How Does the 50% off Starbucks Work?
Good news for those who seem to miss Starbucks’ 50% off deals: they’re very generous with these promotions. Starbucks occasionally offers the opportunity to get 50% off select menu items or drinks during a specified period, typically during their Happy Hour events.
In the past, Starbucks has had a 50% WinsDays promotion during the summer, and a BOGO deal during the fall.
Although some of these promotions aren’t directly giving you a 50% discount on a drink, they allow you to get two drinks for the price of one. It’s still half-off, if you think about it.
To take advantage of these kinds of discounts, you need to be a Starbucks Rewards program member so you can receive notifications about the latest Starbucks app offers.
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