We’re evolving to respond to member feedback and to offer more flexibility — including more benefits for our most loyal members while giving all customers more ways to earn and enjoy rewards. All Rewards members will get to enjoy Free Mod Mondays, Bonus Stars on Starbucks Card reloads and more ways to keep Stars from expiring. Gold and Reserve members get even more, including more time to redeem Birthday Rewards, higher earn rates and other exclusive benefits.

We’ll reach out and let you know your status in the app and via email on March 10. Status will be based on your 2025 membership, and we’ll offer you clear ways to take action to get to the next level.

All Stars earned during a 12-month period, including Bonus Stars, will contribute to your status. This will begin on March 10, 2026 for everyone, and will reset when you earn the Stars to re-qualify or jump to a higher status, or when the year comes to an end, whichever comes first.

Members can achieve Gold status by earning 500 Stars, or Reserve status by earning 2,500 Stars once at Gold status.

When you move up to a higher status, you’ll have a full 12 months to maintain or reach the next level.  From there, the qualification period will reset again. So, you’ll always have a full year to enjoy your status and earn Stars toward the next year’s status.

No — your status progress tracks the total number of Stars earned within your 12-month qualification period. Please enjoy redeeming your Stars while we keep track of the total for you and keep you updated on your progress. 

You’ll keep all of your current Stars and you’ll still be able to redeem them for free drinks and food. Stars earned starting on March 10 will count toward achieving or maintaining your status. 

Starting March 10, your status level will determine your earn rate, not your method of payment. All members will be able to earn Bonus Stars every time they load their Starbucks Cards digitally (via app or web) with a reload of $30 or more, which will earn 10 Bonus Stars and reloads of $50 or more will earn 25 Bonus Stars. And yes, this will work with auto-reload, too.

Green members will still have six full months to use Stars, and Stars can now be extended by taking action a month before Stars are set to expire. Green members can extend Stars in three ways: 1) making a Star-earning purchase, 2) redeeming a Reward, or 3) earning Stars through a digital reload of $30 or more. All expiring Stars are then extended by one month. For example, Stars expiring on April 1 can be extended to May 1 with a purchase, redemption or qualifying reload in March. You can extend Stars indefinitely in this manner, which should help give you more flexibility on how to earn and redeem Rewards. 

Stars never expire for Gold and Reserve members as long as status is maintained.

This new redemption tier is super flexible — it allows you to redeem 60 Stars for $2 off any item in an order (excluding gift cards).

Our dollar limits are designed to provide you with choices on Reward options while also addressing some operational issues caused by excessive modifications. There are now limits of $6 on the 100 Star tier (brewed coffee or bakery), $10 at the 200 Star tier (handcrafted drinks and hot breakfast), and $16 on the 300 Star tier (sandwiches, protein boxes and whole bean coffee). There were already limits of $1 on the 25 Star tier and $20 on the 400 Star tier. You’re welcome to pay the difference if your order exceeds the limit and you’d still like to redeem your Stars up the value allowed.

All members will enjoy one customization, once a month, on us! We’ll announce this ahead of time; keep an eye on your app and email. To participate, you can apply your offer at checkout in the app or ask your barista when you order. 

The offer will apply a maximum discount of $2.25 to the most expensive modifier in an order. All modifiers are included, including espresso shots, customized sauces/syrups, adding or changing cold foam flavors (including protein cold foam!), and Protein-boosted Milk. For modifiers priced over $2, $2.25 will be deducted from the cost. Many customizations or modifications continue to be free — for example, adjusting many existing drink ingredient amounts up or down is free (pumps of syrups and sauces, drizzles, lemonade). Non-dairy milk choices are always free.

From time to time, seasonal favorites and limited-time offerings may be made available exclusively in the app for purchase for Starbucks Rewards members. Check the app for details. 

No, Green status members will still see offers and Double Star Days. Gold status members will have four additional Double Star Days and Reserve status members will have six more.

We love our old Gold Cards, too! They’re a great part of our history, retired in 2019, and we’re proud that you’re still part of our membership. Gold status in the new program is achieved differently — in March, we’ll start some members at Gold level based on 2025 membership behavior, and everyone will have the chance to achieve Gold in 2026 by earning 500 Stars or more.

We’ll send Reserve members an email inviting them to order their exclusive, personalized card. Members must provide their mailing address for a one-time, free physical card. The Reserve Card will work like any other Starbucks Card — you’ll be able to load it with funds and use it in-store or in the app. 

Global Coffee Experiences are a new benefit for our Reserve members. Members will be invited to enter for a chance to win an exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime trip to experience Starbucks in another part of the world with a friend.