Five Easy Ways to Get Starbucks Coffee for Free

3 out of 4 Americans aged 20 and above drink coffee. It is a staple for the majority of the population. However, coffee is not exactly cheap, especially at Starbucks. One cup costs $2 to $6, which is 38% higher than in other coffee shops.

Good thing there are a few hacks on how to get one — for free. Continue reading to find out.

Free Starbucks Coffee: Five Easy Ways

People drink over 4 million cups of coffee at Starbucks every day, but not everyone claims one as a freebie. Here are five easy methods you can do if you don’t want to spend a single penny on a cup.

1. Earn Stars

Starbucks Rewards Program is a loyalty scheme where customers receive stars convertible to food, drinks, and merchandise.

Joining the rewards program is easy. All you have to do is follow these steps:

Download the Starbucks app in AppStore or Google Play.
You can also visit their website.
Sign up using your email address.

Once done, you can start collecting stars.

The number of stars you get depends on the amount and payment method. You get 1 star for every $1 spent using cash or a credit card or 2 stars per dollar when using a Starbucks card. The more you buy, the more stars you earn.

You can claim your free coffee once you collect 150 stars. Here are the reward tiers:

25 stars – extra expresso shots, syrups, or dairy replacements.
50 stars – free hot coffee, tea, or bakery item
150 stars – free handcrafted drink, breakfast item, or parfait
200 stars – free protein boxes, salads, or sandwiches
400 stars – Starbucks merchandise or whole-bean coffee bag

Being a Starbucks Rewards member has many perks like exclusive discounts, birthday treats, and free add-ons.

Note: Stars can expire if unused after six months, so redeem them as soon as possible.

2. Get Free Starbucks Gift Cards from Reward Apps

Gift cards are common holiday gifts from loved ones. These are typically bought from a website or at the store.

You can always get a hot or ice-brewed coffee through a free Starbucks gift card — via reward apps. These incentive programs give money or gift cards by completing a mission like answering surveys or buying items from a store.

Fetch Rewards give points for uploading receipts from grocery stores and partner retailers. Once you gather over 5,000 points, you can redeem a Starbucks gift card.

4. Grab Your Starbucks Birthday Coffee

The famous coffee shop also has a tradition of giving free Starbucks on birthdays. To get yours, you need to:

be a Starbucks Rewards member at least seven days before your birthday
have a Starbucks account with more than one star

You can also claim free food or refills. Just present your Starbucks app or card to the barista to get your birthday treat.

Tip: If you missed going to Starbucks on your birthday, try reaching out to their customer service and ask if they offer an extension.

4. Watch Out for Any Promos or Coupons

Discounts are everywhere, so keep an eye out. While it may not guarantee a free coffee, a promo still helps in saving money.

You can start by watching out for the Starbucks Happy Hour deals. These offers pop up from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM on random Thursdays.

Happy hour promos change from time to time. There were Frappucino Happy Hour, Half-Price Espresso, and Buy One Get One. The last happy hour promo was in 2020, but it might return soon.

Watch out for Double Star Days, too. During these days, you can earn double the usual number of stars. More stars mean more coffee to claim.

Consider signing up for the newsletter and mailing list to be updated on upcoming promos and receive Starbucks coupons. They also send digital coupons in their emails, so check your Inbox.

5. Claim Your Free Refills.

One perk of being a reward member is getting free refills. All you have to do is present your Starbucks app or card to get in-store refills on hot or ice-brewed coffee or tea.

Tip: You can also be environment-friendly and save more money by bringing a reusable container. You can get $0.10 off for any drink in a reusable cup.

Bottom Line

Everyone needs a coffee fix here and there. However, you must avoid falling for the latte factor. A simple purchase like coffee can still be a luxury that might dent your finances.

Make sure to stay within the budget and look for cheaper ways to get the caffeine you need for the day.