Save Money at Starbucks by Working Your Rewards Card

Although I'm on a budget as a full time nursing student, I can't give up my Starbucks habit. I am a Starbucks Rewards Gold Card holder, so I feel it is my duty to live up to my loyalty status. But I've learned how to maximize my savings by working my Starbucks Rewards Card to my advantage. Here are some of my tricks!

Earn the Free Drink

The My Starbucks Rewards Cardis a free program that rewards loyal customers for frequent Starbucks visits. Every 15 purchases earns you a free drink. Regardless how much money you spent in those 15 purchases, you still get the free drink. Even if you spent only $1.50 with each purchase. If you really want to be slick, make two separate purchases in one visit. But do this sparingly. You want to work the card, not take advantage of it.

Redeem the Free Drink

The free drink you earn from My Starbucks Rewards Card can be any drink at any size and any price. So when you redeem your free drink coupon, get the biggest and most expensive drink you want. What you don't finish, put in the refrigerator the next day.

Free Refills

The My Starbucks Rewards Card entitles you to free tea and brewed coffee refills. So here's what you do. Buy a grande or venti coffee or tea and share it with a friend. Then go back up to the counter and get your free refill. If you are alone, take the free refill and bring it home for later. Keep in mind you need to go back to the same Starbucks you originally bought the drink from and it should be done in the same visit. Don't bring a used cup back five days later.

Free Syrups

My Starbucks Rewards Card holders at the green and gold levels are entitled to a free syrup flavor shot in their drink. Now, have you noticed that many of Starbucks' drink concoctions are little more than coffee with syrup flavor and varying degrees of milk added? I say make your own drink at a cheaper price. For example, an tall iced cafe mocha can cost around $3.50, but a tall iced coffee with mocha syrup can cost about $2.20. Have fun creating your own drinks and saving money while doing it!

Sources:

My Starbucks Rewards Program Information

Jennifer Budd, Changes To The Starbucks My Rewards Program, Associated Content, November 9, 2009