Starbucks Announces Major Overhaul to Its Rewards Program

Listen up, Starbucks lovers: The company is about to shake up its reward program in a way that it promises will create “meaningful value” for its 35.5 million users.

Previously, members of the rewards program earned stars based on payment type alone. But the new program, which launches March 10, has three tiers—Green, Gold and Reserve—each has exclusive benefits. The more active you are, the faster you earn stars, “ensuring that increased engagement is met with increased value,” according to a press release. 

“We’re redefining the industry with customer-focused benefits that set a new standard and ignite fandom,” Starbucks global chief brand officer Tressie Lieberman said in a statement. “Starbucks Rewards has always been about creating connection, and we’re evolving the program based on what our members told us matters most, offering faster, more meaningful benefits that make them feel appreciated. This evolution is a key milestone in our Back to Starbucks strategy and will reinvigorate what it means to be a Starbucks Rewards member.” 

Breaking Down the New Membership Levels

Whether users are Green, Gold, or Reserve, they’ll enjoy:

• Free Mod Mondays: This new benefit allows users to modify a beverage for free on one selected Monday per month
• Early access to certain beverages and foods
• Bonus stars when spending $30 or more to reload their Starbucks cards
• Double stars when the bring their own cup

From there, each level gets its own exclusive benefits.

Green Members

Green members will get a free treat on their birthday and earn a star for every dollar spent. Their stars are valid for six months, but they can extend them in monthly increments “by completing a monthly qualifying activity, such as redeeming a reward, making a purchase or digitally reloading a Starbucks Card,” according to the press release. When digitally reloading their Starbucks cards, Green members will get 10 Stars for reloading for $30 or more or 25 Stars for a reload of $50 or more. 

Gold Members

Earning 500 stars in 12 months will elevate users to the Gold member level. Their exclusive perks include seven days to redeem their birthday treat and stars that don’t expire. They also earn 1.2 stars for every dollar spent and will get four additional Double Star days each year, where they earn twice the amount of stars for their purchase.

Reserve Members

Getting 2,500 stars in 12 months levels users up to Reserve. These Starbucks super users will have 30 days to get their birthday treat, have six additional Double Star days every year, and earn 1.7 stars for each dollar spent. Most exciting, though, is that Reserve members “will also gain access to exclusive merchandise and curated events, including all-expenses paid trips to exciting destinations like Tokyo, Milan or Costa Rica to explore and celebrate coffee culture globally,” per the press release.    

How to Know Which Tier You Are

Members can graduate to a new tier at any time, and that tier will remain active for 12 months (though they’ll have to earn the minimum number of stars to retain that tier in the following 12 months). Which tier current members land in depends on the number of stars accumulated in 2025. Check your email or your Starbucks app on March 10 to see where you ended up.