Loyalty Program
What Is Starbucks Rewards?
Updated June 2026 · Independent guide
Definition
Starbucks Rewardsis a free loyalty program operated by Starbucks Corporation that allows customers to earn Stars on qualifying purchases. Members register a Starbucks Card or use the Starbucks mobile app to accumulate Stars, which are redeemed for free drinks, food items, and merchandise. The program has two membership tiers: Green (0–299 Stars) and Gold (300+ Stars per year). In the United States, members earn 1 Star per $1 spent with a registered Starbucks Card. Stars expire after 6 months of account inactivity. The U.S. and Canadian programs are separate — accounts, balances, and gift cards are not interchangeable between countries. Licensed Starbucks locations (inside Target, airports, and universities) may have limited Rewards functionality.
Key Takeaways
- It is free to join — sign up in the app or online, with no fee and no minimum spend.
- You earn 1 Star per $1 in the U.S. (2 Stars per $1 CAD in Canada) when you pay from a registered Starbucks Card or app balance; paying with cash or an outside card earns fewer Stars.
- Redemption starts at 25 Stars for a customization and goes up to 400 Stars for merchandise, with 100, 200, and 300 Star tiers in between.
- Stars expire after 6 months of inactivity — any qualifying purchase resets the clock.
- The U.S. and Canada programs are separate, and licensed stores (Target, airports) may not let you earn or redeem Stars.
How Stars Work
You earn Stars by paying with the Starbucks app or a registered Starbucks Card, then redeem them for free items. The flow is simple: load money onto your Starbucks Card or app balance, pay with it to collect Stars, and cash those Stars in at a redemption tier. Banking Stars toward a higher tier (say, 200 for a full drink) usually beats spending them at the lowest tier.
| Stars Needed | What You Get |
|---|---|
| 25 Stars | Espresso shot, syrup, or sauce customization |
| 100 Stars | Brewed hot or iced coffee or tea (any size) |
| 200 Stars | Handcrafted drink, hot breakfast, or parfait |
| 300 Stars | Lunch sandwich, protein box, or salad |
| 400 Stars | Select merchandise or at-home coffee bag |
How to Join and Earn Starbucks Rewards
Joining takes a few minutes and you start earning on your first qualifying purchase. The key to earning the full rate is paying from a balance you have loaded onto your Starbucks Card or app.
- Download the app and sign up — create a free account in the Starbucks app or online; there is no membership fee.
- Add a Starbucks Card or load funds — paying from a registered card or app balance earns the full Star rate.
- Pay with the app to earn Stars — 1 Star per $1 in the U.S., 2 Stars per $1 CAD in Canada.
- Redeem Stars for rewards — pick a tier from 25 to 400 Stars in the app and apply it at checkout.
Green vs Gold Tier
Green and Gold earn and redeem Stars identically — Gold is mainly a recognition level. You reach Gold by earning 300 Stars within a 12-month period; Gold members get a personalized Gold card and occasional member-only offers, but the core 25–400 Star redemption tiers are the same for everyone.
U.S. vs Canada
The U.S. and Canadian programs are separate and run on different earn rates and currencies. A U.S. account and a Canadian account cannot be merged, and gift-card balances are region-locked.
| Feature | United States | Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Earn rate | 1 Star per $1 USD | 2 Stars per $1 CAD |
| Currency | USD | CAD |
| Gift card region | U.S. only | Canada only |
| Account transfer | Not available | Not available |
| Star expiry | 6 months inactivity | 6 months inactivity |
Star Expiration & Common Pitfalls
Stars expire 6 months after they are earned if you make no qualifying purchase in that window— and the clock resets with each new qualifying purchase. A handful of avoidable mistakes cost members Stars:
- Paying directly with cash or an outside card earns Stars at a lower rate than paying from a loaded Starbucks Card or app balance.
- Forgetting to scan first — scan your app or card before or at payment; Stars generally cannot be added after you leave.
- Assuming licensed stores always count — some Target, airport, and campus locations do not post Stars or accept redemptions.
- Letting an account go quiet — any qualifying purchase resets the 6-month expiry, so light users can keep Stars alive with the occasional buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Starbucks Rewards?
Starbucks Rewards is a free loyalty program that lets customers earn Stars on every purchase made through the Starbucks app or with a registered Starbucks Card. Stars can be redeemed for free drinks, food, and merchandise. The program has two tiers: Green (0–299 Stars) and Gold (300+ Stars).
How many Stars do you get per dollar at Starbucks?
In the U.S., members earn 1 Star per $1 spent using a registered Starbucks Card or the app. Paying with cash, credit card, or debit card directly earns Stars at a lower rate. Bonus Star promotions can increase the earn rate temporarily.
How do you redeem Starbucks Stars?
Stars can be redeemed in the Starbucks app. Redemption tiers start at 25 Stars for a customization, 100 Stars for a brewed coffee or tea, 200 Stars for a handcrafted drink or food item, 300 Stars for premium items, and 400 Stars for merchandise or at-home coffee.
Do Starbucks Stars expire?
Yes. In the U.S., Stars expire 6 months after they are earned if no qualifying purchase is made within that period. The clock resets with each qualifying purchase. Stars redeemed at licensed Starbucks locations (Target, airports) may not post to your account.
Is Starbucks Rewards different in Canada?
Yes. The U.S. and Canadian Starbucks Rewards programs are separate. Canadian members earn 2 Stars per $1 CAD spent. Points balances, redemption history, and accounts are not transferable between countries. Gift cards are region-locked (USD vs CAD).
Is Starbucks Rewards free to join?
Yes. Starbucks Rewards is free to join. There is no membership fee and no minimum spend. You sign up in the Starbucks mobile app or online, and you begin earning Stars on your first qualifying purchase paid with the app or a registered Starbucks Card.
What is the difference between Green and Gold tier?
Both tiers earn and redeem Stars the same way. Gold status is reached at 300 Stars earned within a 12-month period and is mainly a recognition level — Gold members receive a personalized Gold card and occasional member offers. Unlike older versions of the program, the core redemption tiers (25 to 400 Stars) are identical for Green and Gold members.
Do you earn Stars when paying with cash or a credit card?
Yes, but at a lower rate than paying with money preloaded onto a registered Starbucks Card or the app. The fastest way to earn is to load funds onto your Starbucks Card or app balance first, then pay with it — that earns the full 1 Star per $1 in the U.S. Paying directly with cash or an outside card earns fewer Stars.
Can you earn Stars at a licensed Starbucks inside Target or an airport?
Sometimes. Many licensed locations inside Target and some airport Starbucks accept a Starbucks Card and let you earn Stars, but it varies by operator and some cannot process Stars at all. Mobile Order and certain promotions usually do not work at licensed stores. See our guide on what a licensed Starbucks is for details.
Sources & Methodology
This guide summarizes the publicly documented structure of the Starbucks Rewards program — the 25/100/200/300/400 Star redemption tiers, the 1 Star per $1 (U.S.) and 2 Stars per $1 CAD (Canada) earn rates, the Green and Gold tiers, and the 6-month inactivity expiry. Program terms are set by Starbucks and can change; exact redemption items and bonus-Star promotions vary by market and over time. We are an independent directory and are not affiliated with Starbucks Corporation. Always confirm current terms in the official Starbucks app. See our full methodology for how we research and update guides.
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Last updated: June 2026 · Independent guide, not affiliated with Starbucks