Starbucks Rewards FAQs
Rewards Programme
What is Starbucks Rewards?
Starbucks Rewards is our loyalty programme. Members earn Stars on eligible purchases, can redeem Stars for Rewards and may receive birthday benefits, personalised offers, Bonus Star opportunities and other member experiences. The current NZ programme design includes Green, Gold and Reserve levels.
Why is Starbucks Rewards changing?
We’re refreshing Starbucks Rewards to make it simpler, more flexible and more rewarding, with Stars earned from day one, the freedom to pay your way, more choice in how you use your Stars, and greater benefits as you move through the programme’s membership tiers.
What membership levels are there?
The current NZ programme has three levels: Green, Gold and Reserve. New members start at Green and can move up by earning the required number of Stars within the applicable qualification period.
Do new members start at Green?
Yes. New members are automatically enrolled at Green level when they open a Starbucks Rewards account.
How do I reach Gold?
Earn 500 Stars within your 12-month qualification period to reach Gold. Once you reach Gold, the enhanced Gold earn rate applies from the relevant next qualifying transaction under the programme rules.
How do I reach Reserve?
Earn 2500 Stars within your 12-month qualification period to reach Reserve. Once you reach Reserve, the enhanced Reserve earn rate applies from the relevant next qualifying transaction under the programme rules.
How long does my Gold or Reserve status last?
Once you qualify for Gold or Reserve, you receive that level’s benefits for 12 months. You need to earn the required number of Stars during the following 12-month period to maintain your level.
What happens if I do not requalify for Gold?
If you do not earn 500 new Stars during your 12-month Gold qualification period, you will return to Green. Your level-progress balance resets, but this does not automatically remove the separate Stars available for Reward redemption.
What happens if I do not requalify for Reserve?
If you do not meet the Reserve requalification threshold, you may move to Gold or Green depending on how many qualifying Stars you earned during the period.
Does redeeming Stars affect my membership level?
No. Redeeming a Reward reduces your available Reward Star balance, not the Stars used to track your progress toward or maintenance of a membership level.
What is the difference between my Tier Status Star Balance and Reward Star Balance?
Your Tier Status Star Balance tracks the Stars that count toward your membership level. Your Reward Star Balance is the separate balance of Stars available to redeem for Rewards. Using a Reward should not reduce your level progress
Earning Stars
How many Stars do I earn per $1 spent?
Green members earn 1 Star per $1 spent, Gold members earn 1.2 Stars per $1 spent, and Reserve members earn 1.7 Stars per $1 spent on eligible purchases.
How can I earn Stars?
You can earn Stars on eligible purchases at Starbucks New Zealand stores by using a registered Starbucks Card, paying with an eligible linked payment method through the app, or scanning your Starbucks Rewards account in-store and then paying with an eligible tender.
Do I earn Stars no matter how I pay?
Yes. You can earn Stars on eligible purchases whether you pay by credit card, debit card, cash, Starbucks Value Card, gift card, Apple Pay or Shop Pay. Your earn rate is based on your membership level, not how you choose to pay. Just make sure you scan your Starbucks Rewards account before paying in store so your Stars are added to your account.
Can I earn Stars if I check out as a guest?
No. Purchases made as a guest do not earn Stars. To earn Stars, you need to be signed in to or scan your registered Starbucks Rewards account.
Can I earn part of a Star?
Yes. Stars may be earned in fractional amounts depending on the eligible amount you spend and your membership level earn rate.
What purchases do not earn Stars?
You can earn Stars on most purchases at Starbucks New Zealand. Stars are not earned on Starbucks Card reloads or balance transfers, guest purchases, certain promotional offers, or fees and surcharges such as delivery or handling charges.
When will my Stars appear in my account?
Unless otherwise stated, Stars are generally added to your account within approximately 24 hours of an eligible purchase.
What happens to my Stars if I receive a refund or return an item?
Stars earned from a refunded, voided or returned purchase will be deducted from your account. This may result in a negative Star balance.
Do I earn extra Stars when I use a reusable personal cup?
Yes. Under the current loyalty programme T&C, members receive double Stars on eligible in-store handcrafted beverage purchases made using their personal reusable cup. This equates to 2 Stars per $1 for Green, 2.4 Stars per $1 for Gold and 3.4 Stars per $1 for Reserve.
Can I get the personal cup Double Stars benefit on a Mobile Order & Pay order?
Not currently. Double Stars for using a personal cup are available for in-store orders only. We’re working on bringing this benefit to Mobile Order & Pay in the future, so keep an eye on our Terms & Conditions for updates.
Offers
What are Bonus Star offers and Double Star Days?
From time to time, Starbucks New Zealand may offer Bonus Stars, Double Star Days or other Star multipliers on qualifying purchases. Eligibility, dates, stores, products and activation requirements will be explained in each offer.
Will Gold or Reserve members get more Double Star opportunities?
Gold and Reserve members may receive additional or higher-value Bonus Star and Double Star opportunities as part of their level benefits. The exact frequency will be communicated with each eligible offer.
Will I receive personalised offers?
From time to time, Starbucks New Zealand may provide personalised offers, discounts or Bonus Star opportunities based on factors such as purchase behaviour, preferences and Rewards activity, subject to privacy and consent requirements.
How will I hear about offers, Double Star Days and Reward reminders?
Depending on the offer and your communication preferences, Starbucks may contact you through the app, push notifications, email, or other available channels. Some offers may need to be activated before use.
Can I share or transfer a personalised offer?
No. Personalised offers are linked to the eligible member’s Starbucks Rewards account and cannot be shared, copied, transferred, exchanged for cash or credit, or converted into Stars.
Can I combine a personalised offer with another Reward, voucher or promotion?
Unless the specific offer says otherwise, personalised offers generally cannot be combined with another offer, voucher, discount, promotion or Reward.
Will Rewards members get early access to products or promotions?
Starbucks may offer Rewards members or app customers early or extended access to selected menu items, discounts, offers or promotions from time to time.
Redeeming Stars
How do I redeem my Stars?
You can redeem your available Stars for eligible Rewards at all Starbucks stores across New Zealand, either in-store or through Mobile Order & Pay in the Starbucks App.
What can I get for 25 Stars?
25 Stars can be redeemed for one complimentary standard beverage customisation, up to a maximum value of $2, when added to a qualifying handcrafted beverage. Eligible options may include an extra espresso shot, milk alternative, syrup, sauce, cold foam, whipped cream or another standard modifier, subject to availability.
What can I get for 60 Stars?
60 Stars can be redeemed for $2 off one qualifying item in your order, such as an eligible food, beverage, wholebean or merchandise item, subject to availability.
What can I get for 90 Stars?
90 Stars can be redeemed for one Tall handcrafted beverage, including up to two standard customisations, subject to availability. Additional customisations or premium add-ons are charged at the applicable price.
What can I get for 200 Stars?
200 Stars can be redeemed for one eligible food item when you purchase a qualifying handcrafted beverage in the same transaction, subject to availability.
What can I get for 300 Stars?
300 Stars can be redeemed for 20% off one selected merchandise item, subject to availability. Special editions, collaborations and other excluded merchandise may not be eligible.
Can I use more than one Reward in the same transaction?
Yes. You can use more than one Reward in the same transaction, as long as each Reward is applied to a different eligible item. Multiple Rewards cannot be combined or stacked on the same item.
Can I pay the difference if my item costs more than the Reward value?
Where a Reward has a stated dollar cap, you can pay any amount above that cap. Additional upgrades, add-ons or customisations not included in the Reward are charged at the applicable price.
Can I use my Starbucks Rewards account from another country in New Zealand?
No. Starbucks Rewards programmes are operated separately in each country and are not linked. Starbucks Rewards accounts, Stars, Rewards, membership tiers and benefits from another country cannot be used or transferred to Starbucks Rewards New Zealand. To earn Stars and access Rewards in New Zealand, you’ll need to join Starbucks Rewards New Zealand.
Star Expiry
When do my Reward Stars expire?
Reward Stars expire based on the membership level you held when they were earned: Green — 6 months; Gold — 12 months; Reserve — 12 months.
Which Stars are used first when I redeem a Reward?
Your oldest available Reward Stars are used first.
Can expired Stars be reinstated?
No. Once Reward Stars expire, they cannot be reinstated, transferred, exchanged for cash, or used towards a Reward or benefit.
Birthday
What birthday benefit do Green members receive?
Eligible Green members receive one complimentary standard beverage customisation on their birthday. To receive the Birthday Reward, you must have joined Starbucks Rewards at least 7 days before your birthday, added your date of birth to your account, and completed at least one eligible transaction of $10 or more before your birthday.
What birthday benefit do Gold members receive?
Eligible Gold members receive one complimentary handcrafted beverage of any size, including up to two standard customisations, with a 7-day redemption window starting on their birthday. To qualify, members must have reached Gold status before their birthday, have a valid Starbucks Rewards account, and have added their date of birth to their account, prior to their birthday.
What birthday benefit do Reserve members receive?
Eligible Reserve members receive one complimentary handcrafted beverage and one complimentary food item in a single transaction, up to a combined maximum value of $20. The current draft gives a 30-day redemption window from the member’s birthday. To qualify, members must have reached Reserve status before their birthday, have a valid Starbucks Rewards account, and have added their date of birth to their account, prior to their birthday.
What do I need to do to receive a birthday Reward?
Make sure your date of birth is saved in your Starbucks Rewards profile and that you meet the eligibility requirements for your membership level (including making a required purchase if you are Green) before your birthday. Your Birthday Reward will then be added to your account and can be redeemed in store or through Mobile Order & Pay in the Starbucks App.
Birthday
Do members get free alternative milk?
Only Reserve members receive complimentary alternative milk. Reserve members can enjoy one complimentary alternative-milk customisation each day, up to $2 in value, on eligible handcrafted beverages.
Migration
What happens to my existing Starbucks Rewards account when the new app launches?
Provided that your account is active, then your existing Starbucks Rewards profile, Star balance, membership level and Starbucks Card balance will be transferred to the new Starbucks Rewards, so you can continue using your account as usual. The transaction history may also be migrated after the initial launch as part of a later phase of the migration.
Will I keep my existing Star balance?
Your existing Star balance will be transferred to the new Starbucks Rewards programme, with the new programme rules applying from the launch date.
What happens to my existing vouchers?
Your existing vouchers will be converted into the equivalent number of Reward Stars and added to your Starbucks Rewards account. For example, a Free Customisation voucher will convert to 25 Reward Stars, and a Free Beverage voucher will convert to 90 Reward Stars, ready for you to redeem under the new programme.
Will my Starbucks Card balance transfer to the new app?
Your existing Starbucks Card or stored-value balance will be transferred to the new Starbucks Rewards experience, so you can continue using your available balance as usual after the transition.
App & Account
Can I use the app without joining Starbucks Rewards?
Guest checkout is available for customers who do not want to join Starbucks Rewards. Guest purchases do not earn Stars or receive member Rewards and benefits.
Can I earn and redeem Stars both in-store and in the app?
Yes. You can earn and redeem Stars both in-store and through Mobile Order & Pay in the Starbucks App. In-store, simply scan your registered Starbucks Rewards barcode before you pay.
Where can I see my level, Star balance and available Rewards?
You can view your membership level, progress towards your next level, Reward Star balance, available Rewards and relevant expiry dates in the Starbucks App and your Starbucks Rewards account.
Support
What should I do if my Stars are missing or my status looks wrong?
Contact Starbucks New Zealand Customer Service so the team can review your account, purchase and Rewards history and help resolve the issue.
Stores
Can I earn and redeem Rewards at every Starbucks store in New Zealand?
Yes. Stars and Rewards are available at all Starbucks stores across New Zealand, both in-store and through Mobile Order & Pay in the Starbucks App. Individual products and offers remain subject to availability.
Terms
Do Rewards or Stars have a cash value?
No. Rewards, personalised offers and Stars cannot be exchanged for cash or credit except where required by law.
Can Starbucks change the programme, benefits or Rewards?
Starbucks New Zealand may update programme levels, benefits, Reward thresholds, offers and other programme rules from time to time, subject to applicable laws and the published Terms & Conditions.
I entered the wrong birthday, how can I change it?
Contact Starbucks New Zealand Customer Service with proof of your correct date of birth, and our team can update it for you.
Can I use my Starbucks Rewards account from another country in New Zealand?
No. Starbucks Rewards programmes are operated separately in each country and are not linked. Starbucks Rewards accounts, Stars, Rewards, membership tiers and benefits from another country cannot be used or transferred to Starbucks Rewards New Zealand. To earn Stars and access Rewards in New Zealand, you’ll need to join Starbucks Rewards New Zealand.