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The number of “stars” that Starbucks customers in the United States and Canada will need to get certain food and beverages for free through the company’s rewards program is expected to increase in February.
When members of the Starbucks Rewards program spend money with the coffeehouse chain, they can earn stars, including two for every dollar with a Starbucks Card and one for every dollar with a credit or debit card. They can use these stars to redeem rewards such as free drinks and goods, depending on how many they have.
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The update to the Starbucks Rewards program, detailed on the company’s website, is to increase the number of “stars” needed to redeem things for three tiers. Starbucks is also changing reimbursement levels for certain foods, beverages and other products.

The “Siren” logo hangs outside a Starbucks store in Boston on July 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa/AP Newsroom)
The changes, first reported by Insider on Tuesday, go into effect on February 13. U.S. and Canadian rewards members have been notified of the impending changes, according to Starbucks.
As part of the February changes, customers will need to have earned 100 stars to get:
- A hot brewed coffee
- Hot brewed tea
- An iced brewed coffee
- An infused iced tea
- A bakery item
- A packaged snack
- A 24 oz plastic Cold Siren logo to-go cup
- One 16 oz Plastic Mermaid Logo Heater Mug
For Hot Brewed Coffee, Hot Brewed Tea, and a Baked Good, this will mark a 50 star boost from the 50 currently required to redeem them. During this time, the number of stars to get free iced brewed coffee, iced brewed tea and snack drops by 50 stars.
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Take-out cups are also new to the level.

Starbucks has more than 15,000 locations in 50 countries. (iStock/iStock)
The following items will be exchangeable for 200 stars:
- A craft drink
- A hot breakfast
Customers can currently get a craft drink like a latte or a hot breakfast like oatmeal for 150 stars.
Here’s what customers can get for 300 stars in February:
- A packed salad or breakfast sandwich
- A conditioned protein box
- A packaged coffee item
Packaged foods that will become 300 stars are currently redeemable for 200 stars. The packaged coffee, however, has dropped from a 400 star level.
The lowest and highest reward tiers will not see their point requirements change, remaining at 25 and 400 stars respectively.

The number of “stars” that Starbucks customers in the United States and Canada will need to get certain food and beverages for free through the company’s rewards program is expected to increase in February. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File/AP Newsroom)
Through the 25-star level, customers can redeem a drink modifier, like an extra espresso or syrup. They will also still be able to get a “selected Starbucks merchandise item worth up to $20” by redeeming 400 stars in February.
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Other aspects of the Starbucks Reward program — like its free birthday reward and reusable cup benefit — and how members can earn star points also remain the same, according to Starbucks.
In early November, Starbucks announced that its total number of active Starbucks Rewards members in the United States for the fourth quarter was 28.7 million, representing a 16% increase over the same period last year.
Teleprinter | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
---|---|---|---|---|
SEX | STARBUCKS CORP. | 99.77 | +1.17 | +1.19% |
It also said at the time that it generated $8.414 billion in revenue in the fourth quarter, compared to $8.147 billion in the fourth quarter of last year. Quarterly net profit rose from $1.764 billion to $878.3 million.