As a Seattlite and coffee lover I admittedly go to Starbucks way too much.  I personally like their coffee, but feel it is not necessarily worth the price I pay. My husband and I make the majority of our coffee at home, but convenience and deliciousness lure us in occasionally. Even with occasional purchases we are able to earn free coffee by doing a few simple things.

1. Use the mobile app. By using the Starbucks app you can view the menu including current promotions, new or seasonal drinks and fun contests. You can (and should) load money to the app and link you gift cards, and if you’re inclined you can even order from the app and pick up in store (a real time saver!). To get the app simply search for “Starbucks” in the App Store. Then create an account and begin accruing stars which accrue to get you free items. Every time you earn 125 stars you will receive 1 free food or beverage item. Earn points faster by joining into star dashes.
2. Enter all your Starbucks gift cards to the app. There are a few reasons to do this. First of all, you only earn stars if the card is registered and thus linked to your star rewards account. Second, if you lose the card it will still be on your account (unless someone finds it and uses it). Third, with the app you can transfer all your gift cards to a single card or your choice, which makes it easy to keep track of multiple cards. My husband and I share an account and both enter our cards to the same account. This allows us both to use the cards and to accrue points.
3. Purchase Starbucks coffee at home and get rewarded with star points on each package of Starbucks brand coffee. Look for the little white sticker on each bag for a points code. (These points must be entered through your account online rather than through the app).
4. Use your points wisely. Once you earn 125 stars you earn a free item. Save this redemption for when you are getting a higher priced item such as a salad or Venti coffee. My husband and I usually drink a grande at most each so often we use our free item to purchase a Venti when we’re together and share. We save a cup and with kids in tow it’s great to only have one drink to carry.
5. For the ultimate Starbucks fanatic apply for the Starbucks credit card. Upon approval you can use your Starbucks credit card for gas, groceries and other everyday purchases. For each purchase you’ll earn stars, which can be redeemed for Starbucks food and drinks. Currently new card members get 2,500 bonus stars, which translates to 20 free items. For full details check out the card information here.

Hopefully these tricks help you support your Starbucks cravings like they help us! We’d love to hear your Starbucks tricks, tips or just coffee chit chat in the comments.