There’s nothing like getting some birthday treats at your favorite places! One of my favorite spots is Starbucks.
Which got me wondering, does Starbucks give you a free drink on your birthday? This is what we found…
Can You Get A Free Drink At Starbucks On Your Birthday?
When it’s your birthday, Starbucks will give you one complimentary hand crafted beverage, or one complimentary food item, or one complimentary ready to drink bottled beverage. Whatever you choose, it’s your “birthday reward”, and you’re entitled to one every year on your birthday.
This article takes a look at the Starbucks birthday rewards: what they are, how they work, and how to redeem the reward of your choice on your birthday.
What Is Starbucks Rewards?
In order to receive a birthday reward, you have to join the Starbucks Rewards Program. Starbucks off this program to “reward their loyal and consistent customers”. The program is free, easy to join, and easy to manage.
You can join on the app or via the Starbucks website rewards page. First of all, you’ll have to make an account. You’ll need to provide some personal information (such as your birth date), an email address, and you’ll need a password.
Starbucks will use your email to send announcements, promotions, initiatives, and product offers. However, you can opt of out these.
When you order and pay from the app, you’ll earn bonus stars. You get one or two stars per one dollar spent, depending on how you pay. As they accrue, you’ll be able to redeem them for rewards, such as free food, drinks, and more. You can start redeeming with as little as 25 Stars!
You can use your reward stars on Starbucks food and drink items, with some exclusions: multi-serve food or beverage items, for example, and beverages that contain alcohol, merchandise and packaged coffee, and items available at Starbucks Roastery and Princi locations.
You’ll also receive that freebie on your birthday and brewed hot coffee and tea refills while you’re instore.
Starbucks regularly offer bonus star challenges and double star days. You can use these offers to accrue your stars at twice the pace!
The app lets you customize your order sand track an estimated pickup time. You can save your favorites so they’re all ready for your next order.
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What Size Drink Do You Get At Starbucks On Your Birthday?
When you join the Starbucks rewards program, you’ll be asked to provide your date of birth. If you don’t provide this information, you won’t receive a birthday reward.
You can choose from the entire Starbucks range of artisan drinks in the standard size, or in other words, the grande (or medium) size cup. The only thing you can’t do is ask for a drink which contains alcohol.
If you’re choosing a bottled drink, store baristas will direct you to whatever choices you’re entitled to.
Starbucks advise that it’s always best to check with your local outlet to make sure that what you want is in stock. Remember too, that you cannot choose both food and drink items.
The Starbucks menu sizes are:
- Demi (3 oz. Used for espresso shots)
- Short (8 oz. Used for hot drinks)
- Tall (12 oz. Equivalent to two cups of a standard six-ounce coffee)
- Grande (16 oz. This is the medium or standard size cup)
- Venti (20 oz. for hot drinks, 24 oz. for cold drinks)
- Trenta (31 oz. For cold drinks. Can be the equivalent of three or four cups of coffee, depending on the amount of ice)
How Do You Claim Your Free Birthday Drink From Starbucks?
To claim your free birthday drink, you have to join the reward program at least 7 days before your birthday, and you must make at least one Star-earning transaction prior to your birthday each year.
You’ll receive an email a couple of days before your birthday reminding you to come in and enjoy a treat “on the house”. Remember you can only redeem your treat on your actual birthday.
Your birthday reward will be automatically added to your account on your birthday and is valid only on that date. You must scan the member barcode in the app or present your registered Starbucks card in order to redeem your birthday food or drink choice.
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Why Haven’t I Received A Birthday Email From Starbucks?
Missing out on your birthday offer email usually happens because you chose not to (or forgot to) add your birthday details when you signed up, or you opted to not receive Starbucks emails.
But it’s not a problem. Simply log into your account and add/change these details at any time. Just remember that you need to do this at least a week before your birthday, and you need to have made at least one “star earning” purchase before your birthday.
If you added your birthday details incorrectly, you can’t edit them form the app. You’ll need to contact Starbucks customer service directly. Starbucks state that they are happy to make a one time change for you. Once you’ve updated your details, your account should show them within 48 hours.
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Summary
Starbucks began their reward program in order to reward (and encourage) long term and frequent customers to keep on coming back.
The reward program includes a complimentary birthday treat (food or beverage item) on your birthday each year.
There are some restrictions on what you can ask for and it’s best to check that your favorite drink is on offer at the outlet you plan to visit. The rewards program is free to join and you can join up online via the app or the official Starbucks website.