How to Get Cheap and Free Starbucks Coffee: A Step-by-Step Guide to Saving Money at Starbucks

Starbucks coffee is a popular treat, but those daily lattes and cold brews can add up quickly. The good news is, there are several secret strategies that can help you get Starbucks drinks at a lower cost—or even for free. Whether you’re a regular customer or just want to enjoy Starbucks occasionally without breaking the bank, this step-by-step guide will show you how to save money on your favorite Starbucks beverages.

Step 1: Join the Starbucks Rewards Program for Free Drinks and Discounts

One of the easiest ways to score free and discounted Starbucks coffee is by joining their Starbucks Rewards program. This loyalty program allows you to earn points (called Stars) on your purchases, which you can later redeem for free drinks and other perks.

1. Sign Up for Starbucks Rewards: The first step is to sign up for the Starbucks Rewards program. You can do this by downloading the Starbucks app or signing up on their website. Membership is free, and you’ll earn 1-2 Stars for every dollar spent depending on your payment method.
   • Earn 2 Stars per dollar if you load money into your Starbucks account via the app or website.
   • Earn 1 Star per dollar when you pay with cash, credit, or debit.
2. Use Your Stars to Get Free Drinks: After accumulating enough Stars, you can redeem them for free drinks or food items. Here’s the Starbucks Rewards redemption breakdown:
   • 25 Stars: Free customization (extra syrup, whipped cream, etc.).
   • 50 Stars: Free brewed coffee, bakery item, or hot tea.
   • 150 Stars: Free handcrafted drink (lattes, Frappuccinos, etc.) or hot breakfast.
   • 200 Stars: Free lunch item.
   • 400 Stars: Free select merchandise or at-home coffee (like a bag of beans).
3. Take Advantage of Birthday Rewards: As a Starbucks Rewards member, you’ll receive a free drink or food item on your birthday. Simply show up on your birthday with the app and enjoy your free treat.

Pro Tip: Try to pay using the app for double Stars. The more Stars you earn, the quicker you’ll be able to redeem them for free drinks.

Step 2: Use the Starbucks App for Special Offers and Discounts

The Starbucks app is not just for tracking your Stars—it’s also full of exclusive offers and discounts that can help you save money on your coffee purchases.

1. Check the Offers Tab Regularly: The Starbucks app has an “Offers” tab that regularly features deals like “double Star days,” discounts on specific drinks, or limited-time BOGO (buy one, get one free) promotions. Keep an eye on this tab to maximize savings.
2. Participate in Starbucks Challenges: Starbucks occasionally runs challenges that allow you to earn bonus Stars. These challenges might ask you to buy a certain number of drinks in a week or to order specific beverages. Completing these challenges can earn you enough bonus Stars to redeem for free items.
3. Enable Push Notifications: To ensure you don’t miss out on any promotions, enable push notifications in the app. Starbucks often sends out flash deals, like “Happy Hour” offers where you can get a free drink with a purchase or discounts on popular beverages.

Pro Tip: Be strategic about when you redeem your Stars. If you’re close to earning a free drink and Starbucks is running a double Star promotion, time your purchase during that promotion to get extra Stars and score a free drink even faster.

Step 3: Order a Smaller Drink with Extra Shots

Starbucks drinks can be customized in countless ways, which means there are plenty of ways to get more for your money. One popular hack for saving on espresso drinks is to order a smaller drink with extra shots of espresso.

1. Order a Short or Tall with Extra Shots: Instead of ordering a large (Grande or Venti) latte, order a Short (8 oz) or Tall (12 oz) drink and ask for extra shots of espresso. This allows you to get a stronger drink for a lower price.
2. Customize with Free Add-Ons: You can also add free customizations to your drink, such as extra syrup, whipped cream, or milk alternatives (if they’re part of your Starbucks Rewards). These add-ons enhance your drink without increasing the price significantly.

Pro Tip: If you prefer iced drinks, you can order a double shot of espresso over ice in a Grande cup and then add your own milk and sweetener at the condiment bar. This creates a DIY iced latte at a fraction of the price.

Step 4: Bring Your Own Cup for a Discount

One of the easiest ways to save a little on your Starbucks order is by bringing your own reusable cup. Starbucks encourages customers to reduce waste by offering a discount when you bring your own mug, tumbler, or travel cup.

1. Save $0.10 on Every Drink: When you bring your own reusable cup to Starbucks, you’ll receive a $0.10 discount on any beverage you order. While it may seem small, this discount adds up over time, especially if you’re a regular Starbucks customer.
2. Use Starbucks Reusable Cups: Starbucks also sells their own branded reusable cups, which are lightweight and easy to carry around. They occasionally offer promotions where you can get a free drink with the purchase of a reusable cup.

Pro Tip: In addition to saving money, bringing your own cup helps reduce waste and supports sustainability efforts.

Step 5: Take Advantage of Free Refills

Many Starbucks customers are unaware that the company offers free refills on certain drinks when you’re a Starbucks Rewards member. This is a great way to stretch the value of your order, especially if you plan on staying in the café for a while.

1. Qualifying Drinks for Free Refills: If you purchase a brewed coffee (hot or iced) or tea (hot or iced), you’re eligible for free refills while you’re in the store. Even if you start with a fancy drink like a latte or Frappuccino, you can get a free refill of brewed coffee or tea afterward.
2. Refill Requirements: To qualify for free refills, you need to pay using your Starbucks app and remain in the store. As long as you meet these requirements, you can get unlimited refills during your visit.
3. Get a Cheaper Initial Drink: If you’re primarily looking for a cheap caffeine fix, start with a regular brewed coffee or tea, which is less expensive than specialty drinks, and then take advantage of the free refill policy.

Pro Tip: If you work from a Starbucks location or spend extended periods of time there, this refill policy can help you stay caffeinated without constantly buying new drinks.

Step 6: Look for Starbucks Gift Card Deals and Promotions

Another way to save money at Starbucks is by purchasing discounted gift cards. Many websites and apps offer Starbucks gift cards at a lower price, allowing you to get more coffee for your money.

1. Use Discounted Gift Card Websites: Sites like Raise, CardCash, and Gift Card Granny allow users to buy Starbucks gift cards for less than their face value. For example, you might find a $25 Starbucks gift card for $20, effectively saving you 20% on every purchase.
2. Buy Gift Cards During Promotions: Starbucks occasionally runs promotions where you can earn bonus Stars or free drinks for purchasing gift cards. During the holiday season, Starbucks often offers deals like “Buy a $50 gift card, get a $10 bonus card.” Stock up on these during promotions to maximize savings.

Pro Tip: If you buy a Starbucks gift card with a cashback credit card or a rewards card, you can stack savings by earning cashback or points on top of the discount you’re already getting on the gift card.

Step 7: Order Custom Drinks to Save Money

Starbucks drink sizes and customizations provide plenty of opportunities to order less expensive versions of your favorite drinks without sacrificing flavor.

1. Order an Iced Americano Instead of an Iced Latte: If you love iced lattes but want to save money, order an iced Americano instead. An iced Americano is made with espresso and water, and you can add milk at the condiment bar for a similar taste at a lower cost.
2. Simplify Your Order: Instead of ordering a fancy Frappuccino or specialty drink, consider simplifying your order. A caramel iced coffee with milk, for example, can be a delicious alternative to a pricier caramel Frappuccino.
3. Size Hacks: For hot drinks, order a Tall in a Grande cup if you like to add milk or cream. This gives you more room to add extra milk or toppings without paying for the larger size.

Pro Tip: Look up copycat recipes for popular Starbucks drinks and find ways to order simplified versions for less. Many specialty drinks can be made by customizing simpler, cheaper drinks.

Conclusion: Start Saving Money on Starbucks Today

With these simple strategies, getting cheap or free Starbucks coffee is easier than you might think. From signing up for Starbucks Rewards and using app promotions to ordering smart and taking advantage of refill policies, there are numerous ways to cut costs while still enjoying your favorite drinks. Start using these tips today to get more value out of your Starbucks experience without overspending.