Loyalty Program
What Is Starbucks Rewards?
Updated August 2026 · Independent guide
Definition
Starbucks Rewards is a free loyalty program operated by Starbucks Corporation that allows customers to earn Stars on qualifying purchases. Members register a Starbucks Card or use the Starbucks mobile app to accumulate Stars, which are redeemed for discounts or eligible drinks, food items, and merchandise. Since March 10, 2026, the program has three levels: Green, Gold and Reserve. U.S. earn rates are 1, 1.2 and 1.7 Stars per eligible dollar respectively. Green Stars normally expire six months after the calendar month earned; Gold and Reserve Stars do not expire while that status is maintained. Licensed Starbucks locations may have limited Rewards functionality.
Key Takeaways
- It is free to join — sign up in the app or online, with no fee and no minimum spend.
- Earn rates follow membership level — Green 1 Star/$1, Gold 1.2 and Reserve 1.7 on eligible U.S. purchases.
- Redemption starts at 25 Stars and now includes a 60-Star $2-off tier before the 100, 200, 300 and 400 Star product tiers.
- Green Stars normally expire after six months; qualifying activity in the month before expiration can extend them one month.
- Gold begins at 500 level Stars and Reserve at 2,500 within a 12-month period.
How Stars Work
Identify your account, earn at your membership-level rate, then redeem at a published tier. Scan the app before paying or order while signed in. Banking Stars toward a higher tier can make sense, but compare the actual item price with the maximum value attached to that tier.
| Stars Needed | What You Get |
|---|---|
| 25 Stars | Up to $1 off an eligible beverage modifier |
| 60 Stars | $2 off a qualifying item |
| 100 Stars | Selected brewed drink, bakery item or snack, up to $6 |
| 200 Stars | Standard-size handcrafted drink or hot breakfast, up to $10 |
| 300 Stars | Selected lunch item, protein box or packaged coffee, up to $16 |
| 400 Stars | Select merchandise or packaged Reserve coffee, up to $20 |
How to Join and Earn Starbucks Rewards
Joining takes a few minutes and you start earning on your first qualifying purchase. The key is associating the purchase with your account at a participating store.
- Download the app and sign up — create a free account in the Starbucks app or online; there is no membership fee.
- Add a Starbucks Card only if useful — it can simplify mobile payment and qualifying digital reload bonuses, but the normal earn rate follows membership level.
- Scan or order signed in — Green earns 1 Star/$1, Gold 1.2 and Reserve 1.7 on eligible U.S. purchases.
- Redeem Stars for Rewards — select a tier from 25 to 400 Stars and check the item and value limits before checkout.
Green, Gold and Reserve
The levels earn at different rates and unlock different expiration and birthday-window benefits. Green is the entry level. Gold requires 500 level Stars in 12 months; Reserve requires 2,500. Gold earns 1.2 Stars per eligible dollar and Reserve 1.7, versus Green's 1. Status lasts 12 months and must be maintained by earning the required level Stars again.
U.S. vs Canada
The U.S. and Canada publish separate program terms and use different currencies. Both use Green, Gold and Reserve in 2026, but country-specific participating-store and redemption details should be checked in the official terms tied to the member's account.
| Feature | United States | Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Level earn rates | Green 1 / Gold 1.2 / Reserve 1.7 per $1 USD | Green 1 / Gold 1.5 / Reserve 1.7 per $1 CAD |
| Currency | USD | CAD |
| Terms | U.S. Rewards Terms | Canada Rewards Terms |
| Gold threshold | 500 level Stars in 12 months | 500 level Stars in 12 months |
| Reserve threshold | 2,500 level Stars in 12 months | 2,500 level Stars in 12 months |
| Star expiry | Green: 6 months with extension rules; Gold/Reserve: no expiry while maintained | Green: 6 months with extension rules; Gold/Reserve: no expiry while maintained |
Star Expiration & Common Pitfalls
Green Stars normally expire six months after the calendar month earned. A qualifying purchase, Reward redemption or qualifying $30+ digital reload in the month before expiration extends the affected Stars by one month. Gold and Reserve Stars do not expire while status is maintained.
- Forgetting to scan first — scan your app or card before or at payment; Stars generally cannot be added after you leave.
- Assuming licensed stores always count — some Target, airport, and campus locations do not post Stars or accept redemptions.
- Using an extension action in the wrong month — Green activity must happen in the calendar month immediately before the listed expiration date.
- Ignoring status renewal — Gold and Reserve no-expiration benefits depend on maintaining that level.
At Target, the transaction channel matters as much as the cafe: participating in-store purchases can earn Stars, while Target says Drive Up with Starbucks orders currently do not. Check Target Starbucks Stars: in-store versus Drive Up before choosing how to order.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Starbucks Rewards?
Starbucks Rewards is a free loyalty program with three membership levels: Green, Gold and Reserve. Members earn Stars on eligible purchases at participating stores and redeem them for discounts or selected drinks, food and merchandise.
How many Stars do you get per dollar at Starbucks?
In the current U.S. program, Green members earn 1 Star per eligible dollar, Gold members 1.2 Stars and Reserve members 1.7 Stars. Scan or order while signed in so the purchase is associated with your account.
How do you redeem Starbucks Stars?
Current U.S. tiers are 25 Stars for up to $1 off a modifier, 60 Stars for $2 off, 100 Stars for selected brewed drinks or bakery items up to $6, 200 Stars for a handcrafted drink or hot breakfast up to $10, 300 Stars for selected lunch or packaged coffee up to $16, and 400 Stars for selected merchandise up to $20.
Do Starbucks Stars expire?
Green-level Stars normally expire six months after the calendar month earned. A qualifying purchase, Reward redemption or qualifying digital reload in the month before expiration extends the affected Stars one month. Gold and Reserve Stars do not expire while the member maintains that level.
Is Starbucks Rewards different in Canada?
The U.S. and Canadian terms are published separately and participating-store details can differ. Both programs use the Green, Gold and Reserve structure in 2026, but members should check the terms for the country tied to their account before relying on earn or redemption details.
Is Starbucks Rewards free to join?
Yes. Starbucks Rewards is free to join. Sign up in the app or online, then scan or order through the account on an eligible purchase at a participating store.
What is the difference between Green, Gold and Reserve?
Green is the entry level and earns 1 Star per dollar. Gold begins at 500 level Stars in a 12-month period and earns 1.2 Stars per dollar. Reserve begins at 2,500 level Stars and earns 1.7. Gold and Reserve also keep Stars from expiring while status is maintained and receive longer birthday Reward windows.
Do you earn Stars when paying with cash or a credit card?
Yes, at participating U.S. stores when you scan the member barcode or order through the signed-in account. The standard earn rate follows your membership level rather than a separate 1x-versus-2x payment-method table.
Can you earn Stars at a licensed Starbucks inside Target or an airport?
Sometimes. Many licensed locations inside Target and some airport Starbucks accept a Starbucks Card and let you earn Stars, but it varies by operator and some cannot process Stars at all. Mobile Order and certain promotions usually do not work at licensed stores. See our guide on what a licensed Starbucks is for details.
Sources & Methodology
This guide summarizes the publicly documented structure of the Starbucks Rewards program — the 25/60/100/200/300/400 Star redemption tiers, the Green/Gold/Reserve earn rates and the level-specific expiration rules effective March 10, 2026. Program terms are set by Starbucks U.S. and Starbucks Canada and can change; exact redemption items and bonus-Star promotions vary by market and over time. We are an independent directory and are not affiliated with Starbucks Corporation. Always confirm current terms in the official Starbucks app. See our full methodology for how we research and update guides.
Related guides:
Last updated: August 2026 · Independent guide, not affiliated with Starbucks