How To Get Free Starbucks Drinks in 2024
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Do you love Starbucks but hate the strain it puts on your finances? This article explores creative ways to get free Starbucks drinks.
The Starbucks frappuccino has been part of my routine for years now. At some point this year, I realized it was causing a dent in my pocket.
The daily $6.95 seemed like a small amount, but when you look at it closely, it amounts to over $2,500 annually.
I wanted to get my finances in check and increase my savings by cutting back on expenses, but at the same time, I couldn’t bring myself to let go of my morning coffee.
Luckily, I discovered several ways to enjoy my daily drink without paying a dime.
From Starbucks’s reward program, happy hour specials, and playing seasonal Starbucks games, there are many ways to get a Starbucks for free.
How To Get Free Starbucks Drinks
Getting a free drink from Starbucks may sound far-fetched, but it’s possible. You can get the drink on your birthday or during Starbucks’s special events.
Alternatively, you can complete online tasks on get-paid-to platforms like Branded Surveys to earn points, which you can redeem for a Starbucks gift card.
Let me explore these options below:
1. Join the Starbucks Rewards Program
The first way to enjoy a Starbucks on the regular for free is by joining their rewards program. Generally, as a member, you’ll earn Stars every time you purchase something from Starbucks.
One dollar is equivalent to one star. Once your stars add up to a significant amount, you can redeem them for free drinks.
For instance, 25 Stars gets you a custom drink with an extra espresso shot, while you can get a free brewed or iced coffee or tea for 100 Stars.
It gets better: if you have 400 stars, you can take home free coffee merch. Remember, having your own cup or tumbler can significantly make your drink cheaper, especially in the long run.
If you’re wondering how long it takes to accumulate Stars, a better option is the Starbucks Card.
This lets you accumulate Stars faster, so you’ll have two Stars per dollar instead of one, as explained above. All you need to do is add money to your card and use it to pay for your regular coffee.
So, how do you sign up for the Starbucks rewards program to accumulate Stars towards your free drink?
Simply download the app or visit the Starbucks website and create an account. From there, you can order online or buy your drinks at Starbucks or participating stores to earn rewards.
The withdrawal minimum is 25 Stars, so you’ll need $25 to get a free drink if you’re paying with cash or online, and about $13 if you’re using a Starbucks card.
2. Branded Surveys
Branded Surveys is one of the best survey sites worldwide. As the name suggests, the company pays you to complete online surveys in your free time.
Upon signing up, Branded Surveys asks you a few questions about your demographics, gender, household, and profession. They use this data to match you to surveys.
Surveys take 5-30 minutes, and you’ll earn points for each. Once you accumulate your rewards to about 500 points, you can redeem them for a Starbucks gift card. 500 points are equivalent to $5.
You can increase the number of surveys available by completing your profile. You must also answer questions truthfully to avoid disqualification.
According to their website, the average monthly income ranges from $5 to $100. However, you can make more by referring friends, answering polls, and joining the Branded Elite loyalty program.
3. Rakuten
Another way I get free Starbucks drinks is by using Rakuten. This platform offers you cashback when you shop at their partnering stores.
Whether you’re an avid online shopper or prefer in-store shopping, Rakuten is an excellent way to get paid for something you already do.
I like Rakuten because they partner with over 3,500 stores, making it possible to earn cashback from almost everywhere, whether shopping for groceries, household goods, or clothing.
Some of their partners include:
- Adidas
- Nike
- Walmart
- Macy’s
- Pet Smart
Rakuten offers up to 10% cash back on different items, and you’ll get an extra 10% the first seven days after signing up.
Cashback percentages may seem small, but you can accumulate significant rewards and occasionally grab a free Starbucks drink.
4. Drop App
Drop is also a GPT site that pays you to complete online tasks like shopping and answering surveys. You’ll earn points, which you can redeem for gift cards, including Starbucks gift cards.
One thing that makes Drop stand out from other rebate apps is it lets you link your cards to earn points automatically when you shop. This way, you don’t have to scan receipts or miss out when you forget to do so.
Drop also maximizes your income by completing shopping offers in certain stores. For example, they may ask you to spend at least $40 on a single purchase or shop on a particular website.
Earning points on this app is easy. Simply sign up on their website to get started.
5. Get Free Refills at Starbucks
Are you a Starbucks Rewards member? If you’re, you’ve probably heard about their refills.
You’re eligible for a refill when you purchase a drink at Starbucks. You only need to ask.
There’s a catch, though. It’s only possible to get a refill during the same store visit. I mean, you must purchase a drink and ask for a refill without leaving the store.
The moment you leave, you’re rendered ineligible for the reward. Therefore, you’d have to purchase another drink to qualify for a refill.
While you must purchase the first drink, this is still an excellent way to get a free Starbucks drink, especially if you’re staying longer in the store or you need to purchase drinks for two.
Also, note that this offer is available to Starbucks Rewards members. Therefore, you must enrol for that beforehand.
You’ll be eligible for a refill if you scan your member barcode in the app before purchasing your drink.
6. Fetch Rewards
Fetch is another rebate app that lets you earn cashback on your regular shopping trips. It partners with companies globally, including Starbucks, so you can earn points for grabbing a drink!
The only downside of Fetch Rewards is it requires you to snap your receipts instead of linking your card to earn cashback automatically.
I usually forget to snap my receipt, but I do so the moment I remember. If you have the same problem, leave a reminder somewhere before shopping.
Fetch Rewards partners with over 600 brands, making it possible to rack up points regardless of your location.
Besides shopping for cashback, you can make extra cash on Fetch Rewards by playing games. If you’re an avid gamer, this is your chance to explore new titles while earning money for your next Starbucks trip.
Apps like Fetch Rewards also tries to create new ways of making money by introducing daily offers. You can also maximize your income by inviting friends and competing on a monthly leaderboard.
7. 5 Surveys
5 Surveys is worth your time if you want a stress-free way to make money for a free Starbucks drink. Plus, they reward you $5 for 5 surveys, higher than most survey sites offer.
Simply sign up and complete your profile, and you’ll be good to go.
Another perk of this platform is that it has no minimum payout. Therefore, you can withdraw or redeem your earnings for a Starbucks gift card anytime.
Also, withdrawals on 5 Surveys are instant, unlike other apps, which can take up to 48 hours to receive your money.
8. Get a free Starbucks on Your Birthday
If you’re a member of the Starbucks Rewards program, the company automatically takes the load off you on your special day.
You can get a free Starbucks drink or a complementary food item on your birthday. You can choose any handcrafted drink of any size with two free customizations.
However, to be eligible for the birthday reward, you must sign up for the Starbucks Rewards program at least seven days before your birthday.
The company also requires you to make at least one Star-earning transaction before the day.
If you meet the requirements, a reward will be available on your account, and you can access it on their website or app.
After getting your offer, visit the nearest store and scan your membership barcode to redeem your reward. You can also pay with your Starbucks cards to get your birthday reward.
Another thing worth noting about this option is that the offer is valid from the first day of your birthday month and expires in 30 days.
9. Survey Junkie
I’m always fascinated by online surveys because they’re among the easiest ways to make money online. Imagine getting paid to answer a bunch of questions all day.
If you’re like me but have a shortage of apps to try, consider signing up for Survey Junkie. You can answer several surveys and build points for your free Starbucks drink.
Like with other survey sites, Survey Junkie asks you some questions about yourself to enable them to match you to relevant surveys. You can also join focus groups, which pay better than surveys.
Another way to make money on Survey Junkie is through their Surf to Earn program, which pays you to share your browsing data.
As a member of this elite group, you’ll also get access to exclusive surveys that pay better than regular ones.
Once you earn the withdrawal threshold, you can redeem your points for PayPal money or gift cards to companies like Starbucks.
10. Pogo
Pogo is an alternative rebate app where you can earn cashback when you shop at their partnering brands and stores.
All you need to do is sign up on their website and link your cards to Pogo. From there, you’ll earn points automatically when you shop, so you don’t have to upload receipts.
The app also compares different stores to help you find the best prices and save money. Whether shopping, paying a bill, or making a bank transfer, you can trust Pogo to find the most competitive rates.
Another way to make money on Pogo is to monetize your data and opinions. You’ll earn points, which you can accumulate and redeem for a free drink next time you shop at Starbucks.
11. Starbucks Happy Hour Specials
Still looking for ways to get a free Starbucks drink without spending a dime? You can take advantage of the company’s Happy Hour special offers, even if you’re not a Starbucks Rewards member.
Happy Hour runs from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. every Thursday. You’ll get a free drink when you buy a grande or larger handcrafted drink.
The free drink must be of equal or lesser value than the price you’re paying. It’s an excellent way to save on Starbucks, especially if you’re purchasing for someone or you usually buy two.
Simply log into the Starbucks app to get your Happy Hour offer. I always have push notifications on to avoid missing any alerts.
12. InboxDollars
InboxDollars is a get-paid-to site that lets you make money online by:
- Reading emails
- Answering surveys
- Playing games
- Shopping
The platform partners with brands to market their products, like games or collect data through surveys.
InboxDollars gives you a portion of the money they make as an incentive to keep you interested in the apps, products, and surveys.
I like InboxDollars because it pays in real cash rather than redeemable points. Therefore, you can complete the online tasks to earn money for a Starbucks drink. Plus, they offer a $5 welcome bonus, which is a good start.
You may not get a free drink entirely because you have to work for the money. But it’s worth a shot because these tasks won’t take more than ten minutes.
If you spend a lot of time on your phone, visit InboxDollars website, sign up, and start completing tasks to earn extra cash for a Starbucks.
13. Swagbucks
If you’re looking for a GPT site to spend extra time on, you might want to try Swagbucks. It stands out from the other paid sites because it offers diverse ways to make extra cash.
You can earn rewards on Swagbucks by completing the following tasks:
- Completing surveys
- Shopping for cashback
- Playing games
- Answering trivia
- Watching videos
- Testing products and services
If you constantly mindlessly scroll through social media throughout your day, signing up on Swagbucks for some extra dollars is worth a try.
Swagbucks rewards you with points as you complete the tasks. Once you reach the withdrawal threshold of $1, you can redeem your points for cash or gift cards, including one to Swagbucks.
I like that Swagbucks’s withdrawal minimum is lower than that of other GPT sites. $1 is equivalent to 100 points.
Their website estimates a daily income of $1-$5. However, you can earn more by completing tasks, referring friends, and participating in in-app events and offers.
14. Shopkick
Shopkick is the ideal way to make money effortlessly. All you need to do is walk into a store. Easy peasy!
So, the next time you’re bored and need to take a walk or run errands, you can use this app to earn rewards by walking into the nearest store with eligible offers.
Start by downloading the Shopkick app from Google Play and the App Store. Check your offers and launch the app before entering the store.
You’ll earn “kicks” for every offer, which you can accumulate and redeem for a Starbucks gift card.
Like other rebate apps, shopping online or in-store is the primary way to earn money on Shopkick. After shopping, simply upload your receipts to earn kicks.
They also let you make free money by watching videos and scanning barcodes of eligible items. You don’t have to buy the product. Scanning the barcode will suffice.
15. Play the Starbucks Seasonal Games
Starbucks usually runs seasonal games, such as Starbucks Summer Game and Starbucks for Life, in which players can earn prizes, including free drinks.
The Starbucks Summer Game can comprise puzzle games, challenging you with limited moves. If puzzle games are your forte, this game might be your chance to win a lifetime supply of Starbucks drinks.
On the other hand, the game in Starbucks for Life involves running to unlock holiday characters and hit milestones.
If you win the game, you’ll get daily credit for 30 years for one free Starbucks drink or food item at participating branches in the US.
While their seasonal nature might be a downside, the games are fun and offer a fantastic opportunity to earn free drinks. Imagine a lifetime of enjoying your daily treat without spending a dime!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Starbucks Still Offer a Free Birthday Drink?
Yes, you can grab a free drink of your choice at Starbucks on your birthday. However, you must be a member of the Starbucks Rewards program.
To be eligible for the free drink offer, you must also sign up seven days before your birthday and make at least one purchase that earns you Stars.
What’s Starbucks’ Birthday Drink Size?
You can choose a handcrafted drink of any size, limited to two free customizations.
Can You Use Starbucks Birthday Reward Day After Birthday?
Yes. Your Starbucks birthday reward is valid from the first day of your birthday month and expires thirty days later. Therefore, you can use your reward the day after your birthday.
Can I Ask for Free Water at Starbucks?
Yes, Starbucks offers free water to their customers. You only have to ask!
How Long Does It Take To Get a Free Drink From Starbucks?
How long it takes to get a free Starbucks drink depends on the avenue you follow. For instance, if you’re only banking on the birthday reward, you’ll have to wait a whole year for a free drink.
However, other avenues, such as survey apps, GPT sites, and cashback apps, let you earn free cash and gift cards for your free drink anytime.
You can stack different avenues to have your free drinks all year round.
Final Thoughts
Paying for a daily coffee was an expensive luxury until I discovered how to get free Starbucks drinks. If you’re feeling the strain in your pocket, the methods above are worth considering.
Whether you use GPT sites like Swagbucks or answer surveys on Branded Surveys, you can accumulate points towards a Starbucks gift card.
Playing the Starbucks games is an even better chance to have fun while hoping to earn a lifelong supply of free coffee.
If you’re big on loyalty cards at your favorite shopping stores, it’s also an excellent idea to sign up for the Starbucks Rewards program and rack up Stars toward your free drinks.
