Still before the April 12 switchover, this new promotion for Starbucks Rewards members gets you 3 Bonus Rewards (in addition to the standard one star per purchase) on any hand-crafted espresso beverage you purchase between March 29 and April 4 in 2016. Per the terms, you can use this offer as many times as you like.

There is no coupon code to enter, it will happen automatically. Strategically, as we get closer to April 12, you may want to get to 12-stars before April 12, especially if you are planning to cut back on your Starbucks after the new program comes into play. While previously earned Stars will convert at a fair rate (11 new stars for every 1 one star), you have to spend more to complete a reward (125 stars = $62.50 total).

This promotion ended but Starbucks keep launching new rewards promotions. You may want to max out on these, because starting April 12 they are switching to the new Rewards program that favors big spenders. To get the same level of benefits with the new program, you have to spend an average of $5 per purchase!

TIP: the new Rewards program is great if you are the one doing office or family or friends coffee runs ~ assuming they all pay for it and you don’t have to hound them to the gates of hell to pay 🙂

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The new (horrible for many existing customers) Starbucks Rewards program now has an official start rate, it is going to be April 12 in 2016 according to an email sent to their members. If you have any existing actual Rewards, they will transfer over straight-up. If you have any pending stars, they will be multiplied by 11 and then transfer over to the new system that is favoring big spenders.

You can read more about it at my previous post (linked in the first paragraph) but to summarize, if you spend an average of $5+ per order, you will benefit more from the new reward program. If you average less than $5, then you will get fewer rewards.

Starbucks may be changing their Rewards structure in April 2016 to benefit “high rollers” but until then, this is a good opportunity for us small folk to load up on Bonus Stars. This is an easy offer to do, you get 1 Bonus Star (in addition to the regular star) for every mobile order you place between February 29 and March 6 in 2016. That’s a week’s worth! You can do this as many times as you like.

In addition to the bonus stars, this is also a good way to jump ahead of the line in the stores. Instead of standing in line, stand on the side, place the mobile order, and go directly to the order pickup area 🙂 Most items can be ordered this way, but some are either not available or don’t have the customizations you can get in-store.

TIP: if you use a reusable cup, just get in line, and press the order button of your app right as you get to the cashier. Then hand them off your cup, and they will stick the mobile-order sticker to your cup and put it in the pipeline 🙂 You will NOT get the 10c discount, but the bonus star is worth about $0.50 (assuming you redeem your Reward for a $6 item).

With Starbucks changing their rewards at some point in April 2016, there is a limited window to max out on bonus stars using the current rewards system which benefits people who average less than $5 per transaction.

Regardless, if you are part of their program, their latest email has an offer running February 23-29 in 2016, netting you 3 bonus stars (in addition to the regular star) when you buy any frappuccino blended beverage. You can use this offer as many times as you like. There’s no coupon code, the extra stars should appear in your account within 24 hours.

RECEIPT COUPONS: Meanwhile their cash register is spitting out receipt-coupons that let you get lunch items (eg bistro boxes) for $4 each when you buy them after 11am local time. The nice thing with these receipt-coupons is that they don’t expire the same day, but are good until March 6th in 2016. So don’t throw them away!

If you visit the Starbucks Rewards page, you will notice (among the many other things) on their website a thin banner informing you of changes coming to their Rewards program starting in April 2016 (they haven’t revealed the exact date yet). If you don’t want to read any further, here’s the summary: the changes favor people who spend a lot of money versus people who make multiple individual purchases.

With the new system, rewards are earned based on the purchase amount, not the number of transactions. So the more money you spend (regardless of how many transactions), the more rewards you earn. On the other hand, if you buy items one at a time, you will earn less in rewards. Significantly less if you buy a cup of coffee every time.

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This particular offer expired, but as you can see above, there’s more ways to get bonus stars or discounts if you are participating in the program (free to join)…

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This is perhaps the easiest way in the history of the Starbucks Rewards program to earn three bonus stars. All you have to do (if you are eligible for this promotion – check your email/inbox) is place one mobile order between February 3-9 in 2016 using the Starbucks app. That’s it. Almost everything they have in store can be ordered via the mobile app, with a few exceptions. Also some of the customizations (eg cream cheese on a bagel) are not yet available. But most orders should be fine. You can only use this offer once during the promotional period.

Unlike most offers, you can only pay with the Starbucks app because you prepay the mobile order when you place it. You can’t pay after you pick it up. This is partially so it can prevent the “1000 pizzas” telephone orders, but on a more practical level, you can be on your way faster when you prepay. You just pick up the items and go, no need to wait in line.

You don’t even have to be “far away” to place a mobile order. You can do it from the parking lot, or you can even do it while you are waiting in line. Mobile orders print almost immediately at the register, and get placed in the drink queue as they arrive. So that’s one sneaky but “legal” way to cut in line at Starbucks 🙂