Grabbing Coffee? Here are 8 Tips on How to Save Money at Starbucks!

How To Save Money at Starbucks – 8 EASY Tips!

I haven’t been a coffee drinker until recently (love my Nespresso or give me hot chocolate any day), but I know so many folks love Starbucks. So, I did a little digging around for tips on how to save money at Starbucks!   If you’re not going to make a copycat at home, you can still save by taking advantage of the Starbucks Rewards or bringing your own cup.

But if you REALLY want the insider tips to save, check out these ideas a couple of Starbucks mega-customers gave me(no kidding, they said they stop by in the morning AND again after work every. single. day.).  Here are some of their favorite ways that they like to save money at Starbucks.

Easy Ways to Save at Starbucks:

1. Get FREE Refills at Starbucks (and Free Refills at *MOST* Target Starbucks, too!)

This was the biggest surprise to me when I was asking questions at the store – I actually said, “Really!?!” when the barista told me this one!

ALL Starbucks Rewards members get free refills as long as they remain in-store on brewed items. That includes hot or iced brewed coffee or tea (excludes Iced Tea Lemonade and Teavana Shaken Iced Teas Infusions). Just remember that you’ll need to use 1) your registered Starbucks card or 2) your mobile app to pay.

So if you’re planning to be there for awhile working on your laptop – you can just about drink your weight in free coffee or tea!

2. Watch for Circle Offers at Target!

Speaking of Target, every few months, Target Circle releases a new offer to help you save on your favorite beverage at the Target Starbucks Cafe ~ usually it’s for 20% off.

Plus, occasionally there will be exclusive Target promotions like $5 off your $20 purchase of beverages (usually around the time the Starbucks holiday menu is released). What a fun way to save on yummy seasonal drinks!

*And be sure to take advantage of Tip #1 while you’re shopping at Target too!

3.  Earn Starbucks Stars! 

Every time you spend money at Starbucks as a member, you’ll earn Starbucks Stars. (You can even earn stars buying Starbucks coffee at the grocery store – just be sure to enter the Starbucks code found on the product!).

You get up to 1.7 Starbucks Stars per $1 spent – and that equals BIG Savings!

Rewards start at 25 stars for drink customizations (like an extra espresso shot, adding a drizzle, or extra flavoring) and go all the way up to redeeming free drinks and merchandise.

And this would even include something like a large Frappuccino with 8 extra shots! (I looked at the menu to check the math for that one – and let me tell you, so expensive!). You can also order sandwiches with your reward, so keep that in mind for an inexpensive lunch on the go. 

When do Starbucks Stars expire?

Just remember that Starbucks Stars do NOT last forever so you can’t bank them for a long period of time.  Make sure that you use them before they go bad.

Stars don’t expire for gold or reserve status members! 

4. Get a FREE Starbucks Drink on your Birthday!

Starbucks Rewards Members get a FREE Drink on their birthdays. This freebie will come to your phone if you have the app, or your email, and is good on your birthday ONLY. You’ll receive the freebie offer on your birthday and it expires at midnight on that same day for green status members while gold have 7 days and reserve status have 30 days to redeem.

5. Gold and Reserve Starbucks Rewards Members earn Stars FASTER!

Now that Starbucks has a tiered rewards system, you can earn stars faster at different levels: 

• Green Status: Earn 1 star per $1 spent
• Gold Status: Earn 1.2 stars per $1 spent
• Reserve Status: Earn 1.7 stars per $1 spent

Keep an eye out for double star days too!

6. Play Starbucks Games to earn Rewards!

Every few months or so – Starbucks comes out with Sweepstakes and Games where you can earn fun loot and even stars. The Starbucks Summer Game and Starbucks For Life Giveaways are a couple examples.

This past Summer, a PPP Reader even won a $100 Starbucks Gift Card ~ which is AWESOME!

7. Split a Drink in a Venti Cup and get TWO Talls!

This has got to be one of my favorite little Starbucks hack EVER – because it’s totally something I would do!

If you just want a *little* pick me up – split a Venti size with a friend and ask for two tall cups. A Venti will fill up two Tall cups for half the price. This of course will depend on ice levels and customizations – but worth looking into! 

OR just Order a Short!

Although you won’t see it on the menu – you can order the 8 oz  “short” coffee and it will have the same shot of espresso in it that a 12 oz “tall” does. If you’re wanting to add creamer, order a “Short” in a “Tall” cup so there’s room leftover.

You can also grab certain beverages in the TRENTA size – which is a 30 ounce! Perfect for splitting with a friend 🙂

8. Bring your Own Starbucks Reusable Cup to Save $0.10 per visit

That’s right! Whenever you bring your own clean, personal cup, you’ll receive a $0.10 discount on your beverage, and Starbucks Rewards members will receive double stars.

If you really want to pinch those pennies – here are a couple more ways to whittle down the cost of your coffee. (Though a Keurig Machine might be the way to go if you’re really trying to save on your daily cup of joe).

Bring Your Own Cup:  Save 10¢ on your drink when you bring your own cup.

A few more Starbucks tips ….

Get Free Water vs. $$ Bottled Water

This seems like a silly little tip because you don’t really need to spend money on water anyway… but if you’re in Starbucks for a lunch date and you’re wanting something nice cold to drink – this could save you a couple bucks. Plus, their water is TRIPLE FILTERED so it tastes great, too!

Don’t waste your money on a bottled water, because you can ask for a “water cup” totally free. 🙂

What is the cheapest drink at Starbucks?

If you’re just looking to get a drink the cheapest way possible, go for the short hot brewed coffee or Teavana tea.  Or you can grab a single shot of espresso for around the same price.

Do you know any other ways how to save money at Starbucks? I’d love to hear them! Leave a comment to share. 🙂