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Starbucks has become nearly synonymous with coffee. The Seattle-based coffee giant has over 35,000 stores in 87 countries worldwide, so coffee fans can get their fix whether they are in NYC, downtown Seoul, Cairo, or nearly anywhere else.
Like many big retailers, Starbucks has a rewards program — which it calls Starbucks Rewards. Through the program, you collect and redeem Starbucks Rewards Stars. Here is all you need to know about whether Starbucks Stars expire.
Do Starbucks Stars Expire?
Your Starbucks Stars expire six months after the end of the month in which you earned them. According to the Starbucks Rewards terms and conditions:
“Unless otherwise noted, Stars are automatically added to your account within twenty-four (24) hours of your eligible purchase and expire six (6) months after the calendar month in which such Stars were earned. For example, if you earn Stars on December 15, 2020, they will expire on July 1, 2021.”
Once your Starbucks Stars expire, there is no way to reinstate them.
Track your points and miles expiration for 620+ loyalty programs and get email alerts before your miles expire by signing up for a free AwardWallet account.
Maximize Your Starbucks Purchases
With the Starbucks Visa Card is no longer available, you’ll want to choose your payment method carefully to get the most value from your coffee runs. According to AwardWallet's Merchant Category Lookup Tool, Starbucks transactions typically code as restaurant purchases, so consider using one of the best credit cards for dining to earn extra rewards.
Here's a trick to earn even more: Load your Starbucks Card with a rewards credit card, then use that card to pay. You’ll earn:
- Credit card rewards on the load
- 2 Stars per $1 spent using your Starbucks Card
That’s double the base rate of 1 Star per $1 when using a credit card directly.
Starbucks has also introduced partnerships with Delta, Marriott, and Bank of America, allowing members to double-dip on rewards. Once your accounts are linked, you can earn additional perks or miles with each Starbucks purchase.
Use AwardWallet to Track Your Starbucks Rewards Stars Expiration
Six months is a short window for rewards expiration. To avoid losing Stars, it pays to track your Starbucks balance.
The easiest way? Link your Starbucks account to AwardWallet. We’ll monitor your balance and send you alerts before your Stars expire — giving you time to redeem them.
To add your Starbucks account to your AwardWallet account, you just need to link the two accounts here. We will help keep tabs on your expiration date and alert you if you have Stars expiring soon.
Related: How to Track Your Rewards Using AwardWallet
Our Take
The Starbucks Rewards program has one of the least generous rewards expiration policies we have seen. Starbucks Stars expire after about six months, which is quite stingy.
However, having Starbucks code as a restaurant in terms of credit card bonus categories provides an excellent opportunity for earnings. There are many great options for leveraging your Starbucks purchases for more valuable credit card rewards points while still earning Starbucks Stars along the way.
