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It's official: On March 10, 2026, Starbucks will launch a revamped loyalty program featuring new elite status tiers, benefits, and redemption opportunities. Although this isn't the travel hacking coverage you're used to seeing from us at AwardWallet, we're all about maximizing any and every loyalty program out there — including Starbucks Rewards.
Here's what you need to know about the new Starbucks loyalty program, including how to earn elite status and redeem your Stars.
Make sure to link your Starbucks Rewards account to your AwardWallet account to track your stars and expiration. Don't have an AwardWallet account yet? Sign up for free and track unlimited rewards programs and travel plans.
Introducing Starbucks Elite Status
Starting March 10, 2026, there will be three elite status levels with Starbucks Rewards: Green, Gold, and Reserve. The more you spend at Starbucks, the higher you'll climb in the ranks.
Starbucks Green member perks
You become a Green member by simply joining Starbucks Rewards. You'll enjoy the following benefits:
- Enjoy a Birthday Reward (free beverage or food).
- Receive personalized offers, opportunities to play games like Starbucks for Life, and early access to select beverages and food.
- Take advantage of Free Mod Mondays: receive a complimentary beverage modification on one select Monday per month.
- Stars are valid for six months, and you can extend the life of your Stars for a month by completing a monthly qualifying activity (redeeming a reward, making a purchase, or digitally reloading a Starbucks card).
- Earn 1 Star per $1 spent. You'll also earn 10 bonus Stars for a $30 digital reload of a Starbucks Card or 25 bonus stars for a digital reload of $50 or more.
Starbucks Gold status
You can reach Gold after earning 500 Stars in a 12-month period. In addition to Green tier benefits, you'll enjoy the following perks:
- Your Stars never expire.
- Receive a seven-day window to redeem your birthday treat.
- Enjoy at least four additional Double Star Days annually, where you can earn double the Stars for your entire purchase.
- Earn 1.2 Stars per $1 spent.
Starbucks Reserve status
You can become a Reserve member once you earn 2,500 Stars in a 12-month period, and enjoy the following benefits:
- Receive a 30-day window to redeem your birthday treat.
- Enjoy at least six additional Double Star Days annually.
- Gain access to exclusive merchandise and curated events, including all-expenses-paid trips around the world to explore and celebrate coffee culture.
- Earn 1.7 Stars per $1 spent.
Related: Use AwardWallet to Track Your Starbucks Stars Expiration
How To Redeem Starbucks Stars
Your redemption methods are largely staying the same. However, Starbucks is introducing a new redemption method, allowing members to take $2 off any item for 60 stars. Here are all your options:
- 25 Stars: A free drink customization (an extra shot of espresso, syrup, or added cold foam, up to $1 in value).
- 60 Stars: $2 off any purchase.
- 100 Stars: A hot or iced brewed coffee or tea, bakery item, or packaged snacks (up to $6 in value).
- 200 Stars: A handcrafted beverage like a latte or cold brew, or hot breakfast items like egg bites or a breakfast sandwich (up to $10 in value).
- 300 Stars: A free sandwich, protein box, or packaged coffee (up to $16 in value).
- 400 Stars: Select Starbucks merchandise (up to $20 in value).
In other words, if you are a Starbucks Reserve member, you'll earn enough Stars for a free sandwich up to $16 once you spend about $177 on Starbucks purchases. While it might not sound like the best return, you're likely already spending money at Starbucks anyway.
Plus, you can stack your rewards by using a credit card that offers bonus points on Starbucks purchases. Starbucks codes as dining, so paying for your purchase using your Citi Strata Elite℠ Card or American Express® Gold Card could help you double-dip on rewards.
- 12X – Earn 12 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on cititravel.com.
- 6X – Earn 6 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel booked on cititravel.com.
- 6X – Earn 6 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants including Restaurant Delivery Services on CitiNights℠ purchases, every Friday and Saturday from 6 PM to 6 AM ET. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent any other time.
- 1.5X – Earn 1.5 Points per $1 spent on All Other Purchases.
(Terms apply)
- 4X Membership Rewards® Points at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. (on up to $50,000 per year in purchases, then 1X)
- 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X)
- 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com
- 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels and other eligible travel booked on amextravel.com
- 1X on other eligible purchases
And if you want to earn even more rewards, you can link your Delta SkyMiles or Marriott Bonvoy accounts to earn reciprocal benefits.
Final Thoughts
If you regularly visit Starbucks, you won't have to start from scratch when the revamped loyalty program launches on March 10, 2026. Your status will be determined by the number of Stars you earned in 2025. So, if you were a heavy spender last year, you could find yourself a top-tier elite member on the day the program launches.
Overall, these are positive changes to the program. However, under the current program, you can earn 1 Star for every $1 spent and an additional Star for every $1 loaded onto a Starbucks card. That means you can net 2 Stars per $1.
Now, you can't come close to that, unless you are a Reserve member and you load money to your Starbucks Card in $50 increments. If you're focused on earning as many Stars as possible, the new program puts you at a disadvantage.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: American Express® Gold Card (Rates & Fees)
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