Starbucks is making a major change to its popular rewards program, and some loyal customers may not be pleased. Starting June 24, the coffee chain will adjust how it awards points—or “stars”—to customers who bring in reusable cups.
Under the current system, customers receive 25 bonus stars and a 10-cent discount when they use a reusable cup. However, after the new policy takes effect, the bonus will change to double stars on the entire purchase instead. The update was detailed in the company’s revised rewards terms and conditions, as reported by Allrecipes.
This change may significantly reduce the star-earning potential for customers who make smaller purchases. For example, under the new system, a $5 order paid with a preloaded Starbucks card would earn 10 stars (up from 5, due to the reusable cup). That falls short of the 25-star bonus currently offered.
To earn the same number of stars as before, customers would now need to spend at least $12.50 in a single transaction using a reusable cup and a preloaded card. While larger group orders or high-ticket purchases could still yield plenty of stars, the change may disappoint regulars who stop in for a basic coffee or small item.
Starbucks rewards members can still earn extra stars through other promotions, including bonus challenges and Double Star Days. Paying with a Starbucks gift card or app continues to offer two stars per dollar spent, compared to one star when using cash or standard credit/debit cards.
The update comes as Starbucks continues to encourage sustainability by promoting reusable cups. However, with the new rewards structure, some customers may feel they’re being rewarded less for making eco-friendly choices.
Related topics:
