It’s no secret that I love a good cup of coffee from Starbucks. After all, I do head there every Thursday with my computer to work on coupon matchups! (It makes the task a little more bearable for me 😉 )
While I buy most of my coffees with gift cards that I’ve earned through Swagbucks and I consider it a treat, I’ve still learned a few tricks to help my money go further. Want to know my secrets?
Here’s how to save money on Starbucks coffee:
Firstly, if you have a Starbucks card, you’ll want to register it right away. Head here to register. Once your card is registered, for each transaction you make you’ll start earning stars, which lead to free perks. Here’s how it works:
- Use your registered card once to receive a Free drink or food item of your choice, plus a coupon for 15% off a purchase at StarbucksStore.ca for your birthday.
- Use your card 5 times to get you to the Green level. In addition to your birthday drink or food reward you also earn Free brewed and iced coffee and tea refills in the Store.
- Collect 30 Stars within 12 months and you’re at the Gold level. With Gold level, you get the birthday and Green level rewards plus a Free drink or food reward every 12 Stars (12 transactions).
Read more details here about the reward program.
Secondly, after registering your card, you should opt in to get special offers and coupons via email or text message. Go to www.starbucks.ca/account to opt-in. I regularly receive emails offering me 50% off a sandwich or $1.00 off a drink and even offers for BOGO drinks!
Oh, one other thing about the rewards, when you have a free drink to redeem, make sure you get the biggest, fanciest drink possible. For example, a Venti Caramel Flan Latte. You’re saving yourself over $5 that way!
Finally, the last trick I’ve learned is for those of you who take your brewed coffee with cream, like me. If you normally order a Grande size, for example, next time you buy brewed coffee, order a Grande but in a Venti cup. This way, they’ll fill the Venti cup up to the imaginary Grande fill line and then you can proceed to fill your cup with cream…without having to pour any precious coffee in the garbage or having to ask for less coffee!
So, what do you think, will these tips help you save some money on your Starbucks coffee? How do you save on your coffee runs?
Another tip is to order a short coffee and then get a free refill with your registered card. Bring your own cup and you often get more coffee than a short PLUS you can have a refill if you want MORE coffee or get something else (tea).
Also, the reward STARS are given per transaction so if you order multiple items, then ask for SEPARATE transactions.
I love getting my emailed offers from Starbucks! What I’ve learned is that the emails are advertising a specific product, but that doesn’t mean you are limited to using the offer on that product. For example, my current email is advertising 50% off a new breakfast sandwich, but when I look at the details on my Starbucks app it says 50% off any food item 🙂 So I can save on anything I want!
Save more money 15 cents (I think) per cup when you bring your own mug. AND you help the environment!
Another tip for those that get to the Gold level… if you are staying inside to enjoy your beverage… no matter what your original drink order was, you are entitled to a free refill of any iced coffee (not espresso drinks), hot coffee, or tea (iced or hot) but not with lemonade (or specialty). FREE FREE FREE! Its in the terms but a lot of people think if they buy a Frappuccino they are not entitled to the ‘lesser free refill’ but you ARE!! So enjoy a little more Starbucks when you are Gold. 🙂