Starbucks customers in Birmingham and across the UK will need to earn 20 additional loyalty stars to claim the cheapest coffee and tea rewards, as the coffee chain's revised loyalty programme takes effect from Thursday 3 September. The adjustment means members must spend more to obtain the same complimentary drinks as before.
What the changes mean for members
Under the updated terms, the threshold for the most affordable 'freebies' on the Starbucks Rewards menu has risen by 20 stars. MoneySavingExpert, the consumer group founded by Martin Lewis, has advised customers holding existing points to redeem them promptly to “maximise what you get” before the new requirements apply.
“You’ll need 20 more loyalty points (‘stars’) to claim the cheapest coffee and tea ‘freebies’ from Starbucks‘ loyalty scheme from Thursday 3 September. The changes mean you’ll need to spend more to earn the same rewards in future,” the group explained in its guidance.
Starbucks defends the update
A Starbucks spokesperson previously told Birmingham Live: “We always want to reward our loyal customers. Starbucks® Rewards offers members a range of benefits including Gold membership benefits, exclusive offers, member experiences and early access to selected launches.”
“We’re updating the number of Stars required to redeem certain Rewards from 3 September, to help ensure the programme continues to deliver value for members over the long term. There are no changes to how members earn Stars, existing Star balances or Gold Member qualification, and we’ll continue to invest in Rewards and bring members more benefits in the future.”
How to check your balance and redeem
Customers can check their current star balance through the Starbucks UK app, which also allows users to order ahead and collect drinks at selected stores. Scanning the app in-store when ordering with a barista ensures stars are collected and benefits are maximised. The chain advises: “Just download our app, then register or sign in with your existing account.”
Members who have accumulated stars should consider redeeming them before the new thresholds take effect to avoid losing purchasing power under the revised scheme.
