Out of birthday freebies, Starbucks offers one of the most crave-worthy. Thanks to the Starbucks Rewards program, you can score a gratis cup of joe on your special day. But how does it work and what can you get for free? The Starbucks birthday reward allows members to redeem a complimentary handcrafted drink, food item, or ready-to-drink beverage on their big day.
To take advantage of this sweet perk, you must have an active Starbucks Rewards membership with your birthday registered at least 7 days prior. When your birthday rolls around, you’ll receive a coupon loaded into your Starbucks app to claim your treat. Read on to learn all about redeeming this exclusive Starbucks birthday freebie to make your next birthday extra festive!
An Overview of the Starbucks Birthday Reward
The Starbucks Rewards program allows members to earn stars that can be redeemed for free drinks and food. As a loyalty bonus, Starbucks also gives registered members a special birthday gift loaded onto their accounts annually.
To qualify for the free Starbucks birthday reward, you must:
Have an active Starbucks Rewards membership account
Have your birthday correctly listed in your account info
Have made at least one Starbucks purchase with your registered card in the past year
Rewards members who meet these requirements will receive a coupon redeemable for one free menu item on their birthday. This special offer will be automatically loaded onto your account, typically around two weeks before your birthday.
The Best Freebie Options for Your Starbucks Birthday Reward
When your birthday rolls around, what can you get for free at Starbucks? Here are the different birthday reward options available:
Any handcrafted drink, including lattes, Frappuccinos, refreshers, brewed coffees, espresso drinks, teas, etc. The free drink can be hot, iced, or blended.
Ready-to-drink bottled beverages like Starbucks bottled Frappuccinos, Evolution Fresh juices, Ethos Waters, and Starbucks Doubleshot energy drinks.
Any food or bakery item off the regular Starbucks menu, such as oatmeal, sandwiches, protein boxes, pastries, cookies, and more.
Unfortunately, the birthday freebie can’t be used for multi-serve items, coffee beans, Starbucks merchandise, or alcoholic beverages. But with so many delicious drinks and foods to choose from, you still have loads of options to make your birthday extra special.
How to Redeem Your Free Starbucks Birthday Reward
When you receive your birthday reward loaded onto your Starbucks app, here is the process to redeem it:
Open your Starbucks app and locate the birthday reward under the “Offers” tab.
Select the free birthday item you want. This will generate a barcode.
Present the barcode to the barista when ordering your birthday freebie.
If enjoying your birthday freebie in-store, you can also present the email you received from Starbucks containing the reward offer. The barista will scan the barcode in the email.
Helpful Tips to Maximize Starbucks Rewards
Beyond the birthday freebie, here are useful tips to earn Starbucks Rewards stars and maximize other program benefits:
Pay with your registered Starbucks card in-store to earn 2 stars per $1 spent
Scan your app barcode before paying to earn 1 star per $1 spent
Link payment cards to your account to earn 1 star per $1 on mobile orders
Participate in partner programs like Uber Eats to earn bonus stars
Take advantage of 2x star promotions and other special offers
Bring a reusable cup to get 25 bonus stars
Redeem stars for free refills and other rewards year-round
With so many ways to rack up stars, you’ll always have enough for a birthday treat!
Making Your Starbucks Birthday Reward a Sweet Success
Thanks to the Starbucks Rewards program, you can really celebrate your big day in style. Scoring a free handcrafted Starbucks drink or tasty treat on your birthday is a fabulous perk of being a loyal Starbucks customer.
With so many customization options, you can craft your ideal birthday sip. Try that seasonal Frappuccino you’ve been craving or treat yourself to a premium Reserve coffee that you usually wouldn’t splurge on.
Beyond beverages, you could also opt for a hearty sandwich, wholesome protein box, or sinfully delicious slice of cake or pie to satisfy your birthday cravings.
Before you redeem your birthday freebie, here are some tips to make it extra special:
Order your favorite drink but size up to a larger size like a Venti or Trenta for the free upgrade.
Get extra pumps of flavored syrups, substitute premium milk, or add decadent toppings to customize your birthday beverage creation.
Pair your free drink with a pastry or sandwich you don’t normally indulge in as an extra birthday gift to yourself.
Bring a friend along and have them buy your birthday drink so you can use your reward on food or a packaged item instead.
Take advantage of Happy Hour discounts if your birthday falls during that time to score additional deals.
Request the barista write a birthday message on your cup or add a fun drawing. Photos for the ‘gram!
Buy a Starbucks gift card to treat yourself to even more birthday freebies when your special offer expires.
However you choose to redeem it, a complimentary Starbucks pick-me-up makes for an unbeatable birthday present. So be sure to sign up for Starbucks Rewards in time to qualify.
Then get ready to cash in on sweet birthday freebies for many years to come! Checking your Starbucks app to find your birthday reward loaded and ready to redeem will become a beloved annual tradition.
More About the Starbucks Rewards Program
Beyond the birthday freebie, the Starbucks Rewards program offers many perks to loyal customers. Let’s explore all the features that make it worthwhile to join:
How to Sign Up
Signing up for Starbucks Rewards is quick and easy. You can join online, on the Starbucks app, or in-store in just minutes. Simply provide your email, create a password, and add your birthday.
Members will receive a digital Starbucks card associated with their account to pay and earn Stars. You can also link payment cards or add money to your digital card to reload it.
Earning Stars
Stars are earned for purchases at participating Starbucks locations. You’ll score Stars when you scan your app barcode, pay with your linked Starbucks card, or load money. Here is the Star breakdown:
2 Stars per $1 spent when paying with your registered Starbucks card
1 Star per $1 spent when you scan your app before paying
1 Star per $1 spent when you order and pay via the Starbucks app
2x Stars for Starbucks employees
Stars can add up quickly if you frequent Starbucks. They don’t expire for 6 months so you have time to redeem them.
Redeeming Rewards
The more Stars you earn, the greater your Reward options:
25 Stars – Extra shot, dairy substitute, or syrup
50 Stars – Brewed hot coffee or tea, bakery item
150 Stars – Handcrafted drink, hot breakfast
200 Stars – Lunch sandwich, protein box, salad
400 Stars – Merchandise or at-home coffee
Of course, those with birthdays coming up can redeem their annual freebie!
Member Benefits
Along with birthday freebies and Star Rewards, perks include:
Free refills on brewed coffee and tea during the same in-store visit
Early access to promotions, discounts, and menu launches
Customized special offers based on your Starbucks orders and preferences
Bonus Stars through partner programs and promotions
A birthday treat every year!
With so many advantages, Starbucks Rewards is a smart program to join if you frequent Starbucks. Scoring free drinks and food is satisfying, and building up to bigger rewards gives you something to look forward to.
The program is free and easy to use for all members. But the additional perks offered to Starbucks employees make it even more rewarding. Partners get the most bang for their buck with 3x Stars earning!
Strategizing Your Starbucks Orders to Maximize Rewards
Savvy Starbucks fans can optimize their orders to rake in Rewards Stars efficiently. With strategic planning, you can earn Stars rapidly to redeem rewards sooner.
Here are clever tips to maximize your Star’s earnings with every visit:
Order extra shots or customizations that cost 50 stars or less to redeem each time. You can add these to your drinks for free!
Split your visit into multiple transactions to earn Stars on each one. Get food separately from your drink.
Purchase Starbucks gift cards to reload your account balance and score 2 stars per $1 spent.
Take advantage of Starbucks Double Star Days promotions or any other bonus Star offers.
Link your Spotify and Starbucks accounts to earn Stars while listening to music.
Refer friends to join Starbucks Rewards and get bonuses when they sign up.
Pay using your Starbucks card, then scan your app anyway to earn 2x the Stars on your transaction.
Carry a registered Starbucks card in your wallet as your default payment method to passively earn.
With strategic Star-earning, your birthday reward and other freebies will add up fast! Little tricks can make a big difference over time.
Rewarding Loyalty with Birthday Freebies
Getting a gift from Starbucks on your special day is a treat that engenders customer loyalty. The personalized birthday freebie shows that Starbucks truly appreciates your patronage and values you as an individual.
Birthday freebies are Starbucks’ way of thanking you for your continued business throughout the year. Rewarding loyal customers helps build brand affinity and keeps customers coming back. After enjoying years of birthday freebies, many find it impossible to imagine celebrating without their customary Starbucks treat!
Starbucks is savvy to provide registered members birthday freebies with no paid tier required. Offering free enrollment and a complimentary gift attracts new members to join the program. Once enrolled, customers will keep visiting Starbucks to earn Stars and redeem more Rewards.
The Starbucks Rewards program is designed to hook you with that initial taste of a birthday freebie, making you crave more perks. And it works! Members become loyal regulars eager to maximize Rewards. So take advantage of this stellar program to make every birthday memorable with free Starbucks treats.
Year-Round Starbucks Savings Beyond Your Birthday Freebie
Once your birthday Starbucks reward expires, there are still plenty of ways to keep saving at Starbucks throughout the year. Here are money-saving tips to maximize deals on future Starbucks runs:
Take advantage of weekly Happy Hour discounts for half-priced drinks
Sign up for email and texts to get exclusive coupon offers
Use Stars to redeem discounted or free menu items
Order the Starbucks drink of the day for special discounted pricing
Split or size down high-calorie Frappuccinos and Refreshers to save money
Bring your own tumbler for 10% off beverage refills
Get Starbucks gift cards at a discount on sites like Groupon or Raise
Join My Starbucks Rewards to earn freebies and birthday rewards
Use cashback apps like Rakuten when ordering ahead in the Starbucks app
Grab clearance merchandise and drinks nearing expiration marked down 50%
FAQs About the Starbucks Birthday Reward
What are the requirements to get a free Starbucks birthday drink?
You must have a registered Starbucks Rewards account with your birthday in your profile and have made at least one prior purchase with your linked Starbucks card in the past year.
When will I get my birthday reward?
You’ll receive it loaded onto your Starbucks app around two weeks before your birthday. Check the “Offers” section.
Can I get any drink or food items for free on my birthday?
There are some restrictions. You can’t redeem the birthday freebie for coffee beans, merchandise, alcohol, or multi-serve items.
What if I don’t use my birthday reward on my actual birthday?
Unfortunately, the reward expires at midnight on your birthday, so you must use it that day.
If I sign up for Starbucks Rewards right before my birthday will I still get the freebie?
You must sign up at least 7 days before your birthday to receive the birthday offer.
Can I use my birthday reward at grocery store Starbucks locations?
Yes, it can be redeemed at any participating Starbucks retail location, including grocery stores.
Do I have to be a paid Rewards member to get the birthday offer?
No, the free birthday reward comes with a free Starbucks Rewards membership.
Can I redeem my birthday reward through the Starbucks app?
No, it must be redeemed in-store by scanning the barcode at checkout. Mobile ordering won’t work.
Does Starbucks offer a birthday reward for kids under 13?
Children under 13 can’t sign up for Starbucks Rewards. But parents can get kids a birthday treat!
Savvy regulars know how to maximize savings at Starbucks every day. Along with your birthday freebie, these tips will help you get more bang for your buck all year long.
Getting the inside scoop on redeeming your special Starbucks birthday freebie means you can mark your calendar for the annual treat. Caffeinate your celebration and raise a complimentary cup to another year older and wiser!
