Easy Starbucks Gold Status With Just One Purchase Plus Free Stars for You

by Gary Leff

Starbucks has rolled out changes to its Starbucks Rewards program. Some reader reports are that Stars-earning isn’t showing up correctly on receipts (for instance just 2 stars on a $2.95 order rather than 2 stars per dollar). Starbucks said to expect things like this, don’t panic.

Here’s what changed:

  • The ‘Welcome’ level goes away. Everyone starts at Green, so no waiting for 5 stars before earning free in-store refills for coffee and tea.

  • There will be ‘double Star days’ for Gold members each month.

  • Existing star balances in your account will be multiplied so you don’t lose out with the new inflated currency.

Here’s the comparison of earning and redemption between the current and new systems:

Perhaps as a make-good, or to generate some positive buzz, Starbucks is handing out status left and right!

As first reported in this blog’s comments by MIleage Lurker, Starbucks will give you Gold status for making one purchase by May 2. Existing Golds get their status extended for a year.

Base members get a free drink or food item on their birthday and free same-day in-store refills on coffee and tea.

Gold members earn free food or drink for collecting 125 Stars, will have ‘monthly double star days’ and receive a personalized Gold card.

Not a member already? Join now and you’ll receive Gold status after your first purchase. Plus the person who referred you will get 60 referral Stars which is nearly half a free drink.

This is my referral link but note that you’re limited to referring 2 people per day and 8 per month. I think it would be great if you’d post yours in the comments for readers to use!

About Gary Leff

Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel - a topic he has covered since 2002. Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »

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Comments

  2. @martin It’s a points system, which is how Gary connects it I think. I drink S’bucks on the road all the time, so it’s cool with me.

  3. I have had gold status since 2008- I had 8 stars on my account when the rollover started on Monday. Yesterday I spent $3. This morning I had 36-stars on my app.

    I am told by a Manager friend that this rollout should have fewer glitches than the government health plan and that corporate has budgeted liberally for makegoods. In the meantime the slightest grumble gets you a $4, business recovery card. Of course that may vary depending on the store.

  7. Reports on the wire…

    Stock down 2.5%.
    Stock downgraded by major brokerage house.
    You have to spend over $60 to get a free drink.

  12. @Martin my blog, i’ve always written whatever interested me at the moment, that’s what this blog is. and starbucks rewards is a loyalty program.

  13. No way I am promoting SBUX after they hammered loyal coffee drinkers. If you had 11 stars pending you came out okay on the conversion, but I had only 3 = 33 stars so I won’t be seeing any free coffee for a long time. Visited Peets today, used my discounted GCs from Costco, and now enjoying my java. Hasta la vista, Starbucks!

  16. Starbucks and flying? Simple. It’s what gets me going when I have to catch a redeye.

    Seriously, When you consider the high number of Starbucks that are in airports and how they are used by the flying public their recent change does impact a lot of people the same way a hotel rewards program ultimately does. While not getting a freebie as often won’t change my coffee drinking habits, I will be interested in seeing how this switch impacts their revenue growth going forward.

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