Love stopping by Starbucks for your morning coffee but hate the toll it takes on your wallet? Listen up. Starbucks lovers took to the internet to share their best tips for saving money on your next order.
Note: Some quotes in this piece have been lightly edited for grammar.
1: Two For One
If you want more bang for your buck, a great Starbucks hack is to order a tall or grande drink with no ice. Then, order a second large cup of ice (free). “Pour the non-iced drink into the iced drink, which only fills it halfway. Then refill it again, and you get 2x drinks for the price of one.”
2: Reach for the Stars
Starbucks has a rewards system using “stars” that customers earn with every purchase. Stars are redeemable for free drinks, pastries, sandwiches, and even merchandise, so many customers love raking them in. To start earning, open a Starbucks account through their app.
3: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
If you bring your own personal cup to Starbucks, they’ll take $0.10 off your order and give you an extra 25 stars. Plus, it’s good for the environment to bring a reusable cup!
4: It Takes Two
One Starbucks lover says every time they visit, they place two separate orders to rack up the most stars possible. “I get 50 stars per order,” they said.
5: Real Savings
Ten cents may not sound like a lot, but it adds up quickly. “Everyone is missing the point,” they said. “If you drink simple tea or coffee, you get every fourth drink free. Taking my own cup probably saves me $20/mo.”
6: More for Me
Though one person says they haven’t used this trick in a while, buying Starbucks gift cards with credit card points could help you reap more rewards. “With some credit cards, you get more by buying gift cards than by redeeming points in other ways. If you’re a Starbucks regular, it’s a pretty reliable way to get more out of your points without putting in any effort.”
7: Double Trouble
One person has a double Starbucks hack to share. If you’re a rewards member, using a gift card on the app will earn you two stars for every dollar spent versus using cash or credit for one star. Load and reload the card on the app for double points.
8: Free Refills
If you’re drinking tea or coffee and not staying at Starbucks, you’re leaving money on the table, one person says. Starbucks does free refills for tea and coffee in-house.
9: Download the App
One person visited Starbucks every weekend with their partner as part of their routine, so they got used to some savvy savings hacks. Their top tips are to download the app and bring in reusable cups. “The savings from using the app = AWESOME, and I say this as someone who hates signing up for stuff even remotely like that.”
10: Stay Hydrated
It may sound obvious, but one person’s hack is to grab a crisp, refreshing water for free. “Most places will charge you for water. Some coffee shops don’t charge much except 75¢.” They recommend simply asking “for a regular cup with ice and water.”
11: Happy Accidents
Bringing your own cup could bring in more savings than 10 cents. “Sometimes they’ll ring you for a grande on a venti-sized personal cup. It doesn’t happen everywhere or every time, but that’s easily fifty cents every time it happens.”
12: Anything Helps
Another Starbucks regular vouches for the “free refill” hack. They said if you order any drink and finish it in-store, you get two coffee refills for free. The only catch is that you only get a regular coffee as a refill. Any special milk or flavor costs extra.
13: Gifting Yourself
One Starbucks customer says the real hack is only using gift cards and getting double the stars every time. The original poster agreed and said you can also load your account with money from your linked debit card and get double the stars in the same way.
14: Strange Things
A sarcastic commenter jokes that they like to come into Starbucks and “only ask for a free ‘pup cup’ of whipped cream and eat it in the store without breaking eye contact.” That’s one hack to make people a little weirded out.
15: Cup Qualifications
If you’re planning on hopping on the “personal cup” hack, you may be wondering what qualifies. “Personally, I like to ask for a Trenta pink drink with no ice, and I use my 32 Oz Yeti,” the original poster says. Another person says Walmart is the place for cheap knock-offs of popular insulated cups and mugs.
16: Thanks for the Tip
“Reduce, reuse, and recycle,” one environmentally friendly Starbucks fan said. “Good for you! I never thought they would pour into a cup that was not theirs! Thank you for sharing.”
17: Do It Yourself
Starbucks haters couldn’t help but fill the online thread with some negativity. For those who aren’t fans, one person suggested ordering an $18 coffee machine on sale at Target, an electric grinder, and splurging on high-quality beans. “Each cup is much cheaper but tastes much better. And [you] don’t have to leave home!”
Source: Reddit.
9 Insane Starbucks Locations Around the World
Calling all Starbucks fans! These are some of the most jaw-dropping Starbucks locations around the world that you’ll need to see to believe.
9 Jaw-Dropping Starbucks Locations Around the World
Americans Rally to Ditch the Tip Jar
Most American consumers know the feeling of having an iPad turned towards them at the end of a service transaction. But is it right? Frustrated customers debate when people should and shouldn’t tip.
Americans Rally to Ditch the Tip Jar. Situations When Tipping Is Utterly Unnecessary
From Sea to Shunned: The Most Hated Food by State
Anchovies, beets, oh my! The data is in: There are certain foods Americans love to hate. But it turns out certain states really hate food that others consider scrumptious.
From Sea to Shunned: The Most Hated Food by State Reveals America’s Most Detested Grub
15 Most Pizza-Loving States
Do you live in one of the states most passionate about pizza? Discover which ones they are, plus America’s favorite pizza topping.
15 Most Pizza-Loving States & Their Preferred Topping
10 Countries That Make Americans Look Thin
Can you name the heaviest countries in the world? Find out just how wrong you probably are.
