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Got Starbucks reward 'stars'? Use them before 3 September to get the most 'bean' for your buck

A white and green cup with the Starbucks logo sitting on a table in a coffee shop
Abby Wilson
Abby Wilson
News & Investigations Reporter
6 August 2026

You'll need 20 more loyalty points ('stars') to claim the cheapest coffee and tea 'freebies' from Starbucks' loyalty scheme from Thursday 3 September. For higher value freebies, you'll need 150 more points. The changes mean you'll need to spend more to earn the same rewards in future. If you have a stash of 'stars', consider redeeming them soon to maximise what you get.

As outlined in the table below, from 3 September you'll need:

Starbucks rewards changes

What you can claim

'Stars' needed until 3 September

'Stars' needed from 3 September

Filter coffee, americano or hot tea

130
£13 spend to achieve

150
£15 spend to achieve – a £2 increase

Selected bakery items (including croissants, cookies, muffins and more)

300
£30 spend to achieve

350
£35 spend to achieve – a £5 increase

'Handcrafted' beverage (including lattes, mochas, matcha, Frappuccinos)

500
£50 spend to achieve

600
£60 spend to achieve – a £10 increase

Selected merchandise (including mugs and cups)

1,000
£100 spend to achieve

1,150
£115 spend to achieve – a £15 increase

The coffee chain says it's making the changes because members have been "earning stars more quickly as the value of purchases has increased", adding that it wants to ensure it can "deliver great value over the long term".

How to redeem your Starbucks rewards points

You can check how many points you have in the Starbucks app. To redeem them:

  • At a kiosk, drive-thru or counter: Simply present your personalised QR code every time you pay. Once you've reached a reward threshold, let the cashier know you'd like to redeem the reward and they'll apply the discount.

  • Order ahead for collection through the Starbucks app: You can redeem your stars at the checkout or by selecting 'Spend your Stars' from the home screen.

    Note that you CAN'T redeem rewards via third-party delivery apps such as Deliveroo, JustEat or Uber Eats.

How the Starbucks loyalty scheme works

Starbucks Rewards lets you earn 10 points for every one pound spent at participating locations (and this isn't changing on 3 September).

Once you have enough points, you can redeem them for certain 'free' items. Plus, collecting 2,500 'stars' – amounting to a £250 spend – will get you to 'Gold Level', meaning you'll unlock access to more 'freebies', plus a free birthday drink.


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Got Starbucks reward 'stars'? Use them before 3 September to get the most 'bean' for your buck

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