Starbucks Rewards Hacks: Bargains for Free and Cheap Upgrades

If you’re a Starbucks devotee, you most likely are familiar with their Rewards program. But you might not realize that there’s a whole other level of perks up for grabs beyond the promise of free drinks. With a few savvy hacks, you can score premium extras for free or cheap, making those coffee runs even more rewarding. So if you want to take your drink up a notch or maximize that investment in more points, here are some of the best Starbucks Rewards hacks available.

Get Your Drink Crafted to Order for Free Upgrades

You’ll get more bang for your buck if you order the drink as a custom mix to score free upgrades. Here’s how you can do it:

Add Extra Shots of Espresso

If you love lattes or iced drinks, using an extra shot of espresso will pack your drink with more caffeine without adding the price. Also, most of Starbucks’ regular (especially warm) drinks come with a shot of espresso for free. For that extra jolt, you can request a shot in your regular coffee.

Upgrade to a Bigger Drink, for Free

If you have a lot of Starbucks points, or you’re simply feeling generous, chances are good that if you ask nicely enough you can get upgraded to the next size up for free. This is depending on the store, but it never hurts to ask. In a lot of places, baristas will upgrade your drink without making you pay the difference.

Free Milk Upgrades

If you’re looking to avoid regular cow’s milk, or just want a different taste, you can switch out for plant-based milk such as oat, almond or coconut at most chains (often no added charge). It’s the ideal way to make a drink that suits your dietary requirements without spending a fortune.

Use Your Birthday Reward Wisely

You get a free drink on your birthday with Starbucks Rewards, and that might be just the excuse you need for an inexpensive upgrade. After all, you’re already getting a free drink why not splurge a bit?

Try a Signature Drink

Cash in your birthday reward on one of the company’s pricier Signature Drinks, which tend to cost more than standard coffee or tea. You know, drinks such as the Nitro Cold Brew, Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino or Matcha Lemonade.

Add Toppings and Extra Shots

You can also take your birthday reward to the next level by ordering a more decadent version of your go-to drink. Or top it with whipped cream, caramel drizzle or an extra shot of espresso. You can get as wild and crazy as you want with it, and since the drink is free of charge anyway, why not?

Happy Hour Specials

It’s a great deal of course. Starbucks Rewards members can enjoy exclusive Happy Hour deals that include buy one, get one drinks or specific discounted products at participating stores around the country.

These occurrences typically take place a couple times monthly, but dates and times vary.

During Happy Hour, go into your app and you should have a Pop-Up about the B1G1 Free Coupon shown above.

Extra Tip: You can also join Happy Hour with Points, meaning if you would have a free drink paid for with your Rewards points, it would be possible to get two drinks for free during happy hour. Your wallet is the big winner there!

Leverage Your Stars for Thrifty Upgrades

You can also use Stars earned in the Starbucks Rewards program to level up your beverage. Here’s how to stretch those Stars into the maximum value:

• Upgrade to a Specialty Drink: If you tend to only get black coffee go for something with a little bit more flavor like a Caramel Macchiato or a Latte. You can redeem Stars to pay for your base drink as well as syrups, milk alternatives or toppings.
• Opt for Add-Ons: If you love customizing your drinks, consider using some or all of your Stars to cover the cost of certain add-ons (which typically come with an extra charge), such as flavor syrups, additional espresso and oat milk.
• Free Food Upgrades: Take advantage of your Stars for free food upgrades too. For example, if you normally purchase a simple snack you will be able to use your Stars for something heartier, such as Protein Box or even bring home a Sandwich.

Extra Tip: Drinking Funds Shop with Stars Redeem 50 Stars for $5 when you use the Starbucks App.

Enroll in the Starbucks Rewards Loyalty Program Sooner Than Later

If you are not a subscriber, sign up now. Starbucks Rewards doesn’t just get you free drinks after a few visits it also unlocks a universe of perks. In addition to receiving the free birthday drink and bonus rewards on special days, you may be invited to participate in exclusive promotions, limited-time offers, be among the first to enjoy new menu items, and more. You’re positioning yourself for more free or discounted stuff in the future by signing up early and reaping the benefits others won’t get.

Redeem Stars for Customizable Drinks

The greatest part about Starbucks Rewards is that you can use Stars for custom drinks, and not just the standard menu items. So whether you want something really special, or just stockpile those Stars for a drink with all your extras, here’s what you can add:

• Extra espresso shots
• Flavored syrups (such as caramel, vanilla or toffee nut)
• Whipped cream or flavor drizzles

It’s like having your own Barista! This means that you can have the beverage exactly as how you want it without being charged extra for extra customization.

Seasonal Promotions for Extra Value

Watch for seasonal sales during the year. Starbucks frequently rolls out short-term promotions in which you can earn extra Stars, receive discounts or access special menu items at a discount. For instance, during the winter holidays, Starbucks could offer extra Stars for buying a holiday coffee drink. Those promotions are excellent opportunities to earn some extra points for not a lot of money.

Conclusion

Use these Starbucks Rewards hacks to earn online and receive more for your visits without spending all that cash. From free upgrades to delicious other perks like birthday rewards and Happy Hour offers, there are many ways you can maximize your rewards and still experience some great premium Starbucks experiences at a discount. And if you’re trying to keep track of the nutritional information in all those custom drinks and food orders, be sure to visit our Starbucks Calorie Calculator.