Starbucks Coffee

I have two questions on the new program. First, my welcome packet said that free tea refills are now included. This is a great and you should really promote this. Do these free refills include both brewed and iced tea?

Second, can I combine forms of payment and still earn stars? For example, can I pay $1 on My Starbucks Reward card and the balance on another credit card? One feature of the old gold program that I really appreciated was the ability to use any form of payment. I frequent Starbucks quite often while travelling on business and would like to be able to earn stars while paying with a company credit card.

Should I have already received my new gold card?  My black gold card expires Jan. 5th, but I haven't gotten a new one yet.  I hope it comes before then, so that I'm never without a card.

Also, when can I expect my birthday drink coupo?  Today is my birthday, but it's disappointing not to actually receive my free beverage on my special day...hopefully it'll arrive soon.   :(

I got my gold card at the end of this October so I'm kind of stuck in rewards program purgatory until November 2010 (I might just be the last original gold card member). Currently I carry both a gold card and a registered regular card so I can get the regular card discounts too (free refills, etc.). Will this still work come December 26th? Will my my 10% discount just get applied to all my registered starbucks cards (please this would greatly simplify things).

We were told earlier that purchases made at licensed stores would count towards earning points or stars, or whatever. Well, my local licensed store will not accept the new Gold Card. Again, I get a slap in the face from SBX. I live in Southern Illinois and my local licensed store is inside a Kroger grocery store. I have to drive 15 miles to get to this SBX.  I was really hoping that SBX had finally begun to correct the problem with licensed stores and your cards. I spend approx $100 per month at SBX. I am getting very discouraged!

Thanks for giving your loyal Gold Card customers the shaft (on Christmas, no less).  Now I have to pay 30 cents more per drink, give Starbucks periodic loans (i.e., reload my card) to actually accrue any benefit, and bring in a paper coupon for my 16th (not even 10th or 11th like every other coffee shop in the country!) free drink.  How is that an improvement?

Cecile- how great to know that those of us that drink iced tea or hot tea can get free refills! Am excited about that - finally. However, the manager in my SB was not sure that the register would note the free refill. I assume this reward begins on December 26? Also, if my gold card does not expire until Jan 5 should I wait until then to transfer the balance from the old gold card to the new gold card? Thanks for adding finally the free iced tea refills.

Hey what's going on?  I started a comment THREE  times and all three times I heard a click and my comment disappeared and  it said to sign in again.  Why can't you fix this?   I got my all gold new  gold card Christmas eve just in time for a shiny Christmas present but other than prestige I don't think it is any good.  The idea of a gold card I thought was to be a cut above registered card holders but once a registered card holder accumulates 30 stars to get to the gold level there is no difference between the two cards.  Also to collect stars I must load money on the gold card thereby giving Starbucks an interest free loan.  Granted 1 or 2 w0n't make a bit of difference but if, for example, Starbucks convinces just 100,000 people to load  $50. on their cards Starbucks instantally gets a $5,000,000. interest free loan and I can't pay by credit card which rewards me with mileage or cash back or gifts.  

Also I did not get a welgome packet.

Do you understand how frustrating it is for your loyal customers when you send us a Gold Card, free drink on your birthday coupons, other discount coupons none of which we can use because the only SBX we have access to are licensed stores that do not honor the cards/coupons. Now you send us a New Gold Card with the promise that our purchases at licensed stores will count towards rewards, then change it to, some licensed stores will honor it. None of the 4 licensed stores within 25 miles of my residence will honor the New Gold Card. I agree with Steve 2, it is pretty & shiney but I want to be able to use it!

I just noticed there are a bunch of numbers on the back of my new gold card.  Do I have to re-register it or am I already registered with my old card?  Also I did not get a welcome packet.  How come?   Please answer.   THANK YOU!

I know that this has been discussed a LOT since the announcement but since my previous Gold Card membership is up in a few days just want to let you know that this is HUGELY disappointing and makes my new locally owned coffee shop much more enticing and affordable.  They don't make me visit 15 times, wait for a reward in the mail or  make me manage my own rewards.  Wish you guys would return to your roots... this is just like the Pikes Place debacle (seriously, does anyone like that stuff?).  *sigh*  

to Steve2:  that paper card that had your new gold Gold card attached was (I believe) the 'welcome packet'.   At least that's what I got, nothing more.  It says on that paper card, in the last paragraph (which starts "Dear ......", )  that ..."yes, we've pre-registered your new Card to your account.  All set. "     so, you're registered, if you got what I did.  Also, when you peel off your new gold gold card, there is a coupon there, that you can 'punch out'...for a drink of your choice.  

My question is what SIZE is the free drink you get after 15 stars? Is it any size or a tall?.......................................................................@Steve2, you said you can't pay with your credit card and get you air miles, but if you load your Starbucks card WITH your credit card, you do get the benefit of both.  

I still haven't recieved my new gold card (although I am not sure I am even going to be using it as I am going to have to make a HUGE cut back on this habit due to the lack of discounts and increased prices).  And there should definitely be a better program in place that rewards each person with a free drink on their actual birthday rather than 2 weeks later.  I am so disapointed about this new program starting in Jan. 2010. I really truly wish you guys from starbucks would really reconsider this program as it does not offer benefits for the truly loyal customers however it does for those who aren't your loyal customers...that's real nice!

Thanks Christamcd for your idea, I never thought but it makes sence so when I go to load my card I will use my credit card so I can get my mileage and my stars.  And to answer your question I believe you can order the least expensive drink for your 15 drinks (or 15 cookies) then a venti for your 16th drink.  At least that's what I plan on doing.

I really do not like the idea of loading my gold card with money just so I can get the benefit of collecting stars because I am letting Starbucks use my money interets free. Like I said previously  1 or 2 w0n't make a bit of difference but if, for example, Starbucks convinces just 100,000 people to load  $50. on their cards Starbucks instantally gets a $5,000,000. interest free loan.

Another question - the new rewards went into effect on dec 26. Does that mean that the new reward of free tea refills goes into effect then? This morning I was charged for a refill and have taken the receipt so I can get an answer tomorrow. The folks at my local SB were totally clueless as to what is happening re the new rewards. They were terrific but could not give me an answer and the cash register still charged the 54 cents for the refill. Do I have to wait until after Jan 5 when I transfer my old gold card to my new gold card to get the free refill?

I am a Starbucks Duetto Card holder and I am completely miffed at the fact that my Duetto card does not earn me Stars, regardless of if it is considered a rewards program or not, I am still spending the same amount of money and I should still earn stars towards the Gold Level of Benefits. Am I going to have to transfer the money from my Duetto card to another Starbucks Card just so that I can participate in the new rewards program?

Considering the fact that I go to Starbucks nearly daily, I do not feel as though I am being rewarded adequately for my continued loyalty to Starbucks. Please make it so that your Duetto Card Members can receive the stars and that we get Gold Level Benefits.

I have a question as well... So my birthday is on Tuesday, and I have had my birthday info on my account for a long time. Still no drink coupon in the mail. It's not that I'm so worried about getting my free drink, but I don't appreciate being told that I'll get something and then I don't.

I hear ya pechipy...my birthday was x-mas eve and I still haven't gotten my birthday coupon OR my new gold card...it better be here before the 5th of January because I will NOT visit Starbucks if I don't have any type of card....it's bad enough that the 10 percent is cut, but I at least want my visit to earn a star.

Happy birthday Pechipy and Flukes and not to worry.  I got my birthday coupon but it was, as usual, late I believe. Since my birthday was almost two months ago I really don't remember but don't fret it'll come.  As for the gold card I got mine on Christmas eve just in time to put it under my Christmas tree.  Don't think it's much good though except it's pretty and shiny and if you load it with money, thereby giving Starbucks an interest free loan, it does allow you to collect stars just like a punch card that Starbucks said they'd never come up with (remember those discussions Pechipy?) except instead of punches it's stars and instead of 10 it's 15 and instead of getting your "free" drink on your 11th visit you have to wait for your postcard to arrive in the mail.

I honestly do not know why they insist on calling me "Anonymous" when it's me.  Also ever wonder why it's 15 instead of the usual 10 as with most other punch cards?  The extra 5 is to insure that your "free" drink is actually paid for.  And don't forget to get those 15 stars it's got to be 15 SEPARATE purchases.  If you buy a drink and a partery and don't have the barista ring them up separately you only get 1 star instead of 2.

I think that the new reward system is not going to benefit someone like myself and jprobably many others.  I go to Starbucks daily and on weekends my husband and daughter will also get a drink.  So now instead of getting 10% off my entire purchase I only get 1 star for 3 drinks, unless I do them separately...which I will do.  I think the 10% off is a much better offer and I would be willing to pay the $25.00 fee again. I think the system would be better if you got a star per item...drinks, pastries, and other goods.  I also agree...don't like the whole coupon idea.  I think it needs to be automatically loaded onto the card when i reach 15 stars.  Thanks

sbx_bean: about those "benefits": free coffee 0r tea refills (don't use), free syrups (don't use), free soy (don' t use), free tall bev with pound of coffee (don't use), free Wi-Fi (already had as AT&T customer), free birthday beverage (already had), and now no membership fee (gladly paid to have 10% discount on everything).

What sbx_bean isn't telling you is that most old Gold Card members are getting the shaft, and many old rewards card members are very excited.

Steve paints a much more accurate picture for the current Gold Card holders.  sbx_bean is drinking the Kool-Aid.

@FotoMoto - I don't think the corporation was under some obligation to keep the old version of the Gold Card going.  It would seem the unspoken issue is that it was costly to Starbucks.  

I would simply rather they thought of a program that rewards in a relationship to how much you spend rather than frequency. One problem with sites like MSI is that customers are often quite inarticulate about what they want, or speak in short hand. When people ask for a punch card, no one really meant that a punch was one purchase, regardless of size of purchase. The unspoken words from the customer are always, "Reward me in proportion to what I've earned" ... but people coming to this site simply don't write in that kind of language.

I fear the hazards of the new program are glares from baristas if you ask for a transaction to be split, longer lines due to splitting up transactions, and a strong dis-incentive to ever add a second item to your purchase.

I can remember years of no real rewards at Starbucks - and I was a customer then too. I almost would've prefered nothing over to a new program that has an inherent feeling of a lack of fair play and substantial equity to it.

I see what you mean about getting dropped.  It just happened to me as I was reading the comments and had to log in again.

I am still a bit comfused about the different cards.  I presently have 3 cards, an original gold card and 2 other standard cards. All are registered and I haven't received the new gold Gold card, yet.

Do I now use just a single new gold card and transfer the funds from my other standard card, or just reload the new gold card?

Do I use 2 cards like I presently do, Gold for discount and standard to pay for it? (until Jan 5th,2010)  After the new gold card arrives, do I load it and then use a single gold card for all stars, discounts and free refills?

I just got dumped, again and you wouldn't want to know the words I sain so I signed in and then had to sign in again which produced more words of endearment for Starbucks.  I do wish they would fix this but don't think they will.  Here is what I plan to do RGK.  I plan on loading my nwe shiny personalized gold card with just enough money to earn 15 stars then for my "free" drink get the most expensive drink Starbucks has to offer because that JCR fellow said "the postcard that you’ll receive is redeemable for a free beverage of any size".  Then I'll start all over with loading  just enough to for another 15 stars.   I don't want to give Starbucks too much of my money as an interest free loan.  And thanks FotoMoto for your kind compliment.

Pardon the misspellings and getting JCAR's name wrong but as you can imagine I am pretty mad at getting dumped and having to sign in TWICE which has happened to me many times before!

How long does it take for points to show on account? I used my card twice and it shows 0 on my rewards page.

Just one last question I'd like clarification on. I currently use two cards: a regular registered card and an old gold card that expires next October. Currently I'll use the gold card to get my 10% discount and pay and I'll use my normal registered card in order to get free refills. I understand that my gold card will continue to function this way until it expires.

My question is: Will my other registered regular card still be able to get me free refills until my gold membership expires in October 2010?

Dear Starbucks,

I wasn't sure the (black) gold card would be worth it, but since I order a venti ice Chai, everyday, I covered the $25.00 fee easily.  I love the Wi-Fi.  But the new program, while "free" is not going to work for me.  I do not drink the coffees, nor do my kids.  The big beni was the 10% discount.  I will not be ordering 6 times for 6 items separately.  15 visits is excessive, Alterra's and Caraboo are not this many nor do they make me jump through so many hoops.  I think Starbucks needs help with this...and I spend a ton at my local Starbucks.  Your old plan was much better for those of us with kids that ate and drank other items from the menu.  Unless my Chai on ice is one of the free refills, which I doubt....

I totally prefer the 10% discount. Starbucks really needs to reconsider this new rewards program. I feel like I'm being jipped. All of the starbucks ads say that they are listening so I hope they hear/read this one. I WANT MY 10% DISCOUNTS TO CONTINUE STARBUCKS!!! The new rewards site indicates that this new program is free so that more people can participate. Well then Starbucks just needs to have both programs. Free for those who wish to participate in the free program and the current paid membership to continue receiving the 10% discount for those of us who truly spend a lot at Starbucks and can greatly benefit from the discount. I have not met one person who agrees that the new program is better. I am a true Starbucks addict and I say BOOO to the new Starbucks rewards program. On another note, I notice that the Starbucks reps aren't replying to any of the complaints about this new rewards program. They are purposely skipping our comments and only talking about the so called benefits of the new program. I want my discount. I will pay the fee. How about responding to that?

vlvale3 from Bay Area, CA

Why could you not just leave it alone? I'm very disappointed in this direction for the gold card. Now it’s like a grocery rewards card. Who did you ask to decide this is what your loyal customers wanted? Because I get the news letter and you never mentioned until it was done.

sbx_jcar -- I understand that my gold will work until October. My question is how will my registered regular cards function until then?

When will this be available in Canada? Don't forget about your friends and loyal customers up North!

Seven days and counting. I will be boycotting Starbucks completely. I will not purchase their coffee in the grocery store, go to B&N Bucks and most importantly go to any of the Starbucks stores after 010510.

My biggest complaint has never been addressed. The complaint that Starbucks couldn't simply come out and explain that a 10% discount on all purchases hurt the bottom line of the company.

Instead they tried to sell us a line by saying they were listening to customers, and improving the gold card benefits by taking away the one single solitary reason we pre-paid for the privilege, the 10% discount on all purchases.

I hope others join me in a boycott of all things Starbucks if even for a short time to let Corporate know that we are not lambs. I for one refuse to drink the Kool-Aid, ESPECIALLY if it tastes like Pike Place Roast.

You have yet to apologize to us for taking away or even acknowledge our one single complaint which is the loss of the 10% discount on all purchases. If one person from corporate would step up and at least address this very specific issue. Not once did anyone from Starbucks directly address the 10% discount problem we are all dissatisfied with.

Every reply has been 'look at the new things you get' and not a simple apology for taking away what the most loyal of customers found to be the greatest single thing about being a gold card member.

I got my 'new' gold card in the mail the other day. I also got a couple cards over Christmas. On 010510, I will spend all my cards and money I have loaded on my gold card in one last big 10% discounted purchase and Starbucks loses my business after that.

Hey BudGreen I don't think you'll be alone in the exodus.  You'll have plenty of company.  Starbucks' compitition isn't stupid and they know exactly what Starbucks is trying to pull and they are just waiting with open arms to great you and all the plethora of others with better prices, better coffee, and an apprecation for customers, especially loyal customers.

This "new and improved" program is awful.  When Starbucks says that it is listening to customers...that's a flat out lie.  They bury the comments that are negative about the new stupid program.  The program is awful and is in no way beneficial to consumers.  What is Starbucks going to do when people start stealing the post cards out of the mail...Starbucks sucks.

Well Steve 2, I hope you will join me in my boycott. At least cutting back will send a message. If you only spend what you would have with the 10% discount and do it for a month, Starbucks may wake up a bit. ESPECIALLY if you tell the store manager you WOULD have spent more or visited more frequently if they had continued the gold card program 'as is'. At the store manager level, you start to see a feedback loop start. If managers have to explain to corporate that their expected profits were less this month because a vast majority of clients either stopped completely or cut way back, this information will make its way up the chain of command. Bottom line, it will take people being adamant about their displeasure and voting with their wallets to get corporate to rethink this most disastrous of 'rewards' plan.

I've told the managers of the three local shops I frequent several times daily that I will stop ALL purchases as of 010510. You better believe that got their attention. They, of course, explained that they couldn't change anything locally (Nor would I expect they can when even their air conditioning and heat is not controlled by the local stores) but they would bring it up as a point the next time they spoke to the DM.

Vote with your wallets people. The almighty dollar wields more power than this forum ever could.

Thanks for adding the free tea refills :)

@BudGreen - I'm not really sure I understand the whole "boycott" thing. I'll admit, I don't like the new program. I don't want a reward that is a beverage only reward, and I don't like the idea of a program that discourages me to grab a second item in one transaction.

Even so, Starbucks Coffee Company wasn't really under any obligation to keep the 10 percent going. I mean, I was a Starbucks customer long before I got any kinds of rewards at all.  Just because they stopped giving me 10% off - which was really a fluke year in my nearly 20 years of being a Starbucks customer - doesn't mean I'll suddenly go to a competitor.

I can understand that some will buy less. I might even buy less rather than have to deal with 'separate on demand' at the register. But an outright "boycott"??? It seems a little shallow to me to change your stripes because a program that last for one year finally came to an end.

Were you a customer before the 10% off? I was a customer for years and years when there were no rewards.

The only thing that tests my loyalty is "brew on demand", but that's a different story entirely...

@pechipy1 -- I love your last line, "I don't appreciate being told that I'll get something then I don't.  That is exactly how those of us who only have access to licensed stores feel when we are told that licensed stores will accept the Gold and registered cards.  I would like to know where these licensed stores are located. It reminds me of Judge Judy's saying "Don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining". Don't tell me that licensed stores will accept the Gold card and then when I present it they say they don't take it.

Yep, so my birthday is today and no card in the mail. Thanks Starbucks for the late gift.

Thanks for your explanation Cecile but I'm afraid it doesn't say much and I don't understand what you meant by "customers overwhelmingly preferred to have a program that didn’t have a membership fee".  Sure the $25. probably was a little steep for the casual buyer but after you spent you spent $250. at Starbucks your membership was essentually free.  And even you have got to admit that 10% off everything is a better reward than a  "free" drink after 15 purchases that must be rung up separately.

Oh happy birthday Pechipy.  Somewhere I read that the new gold card was now good in Canada and not to worry I believe your free birthdy drink coupon is on the way...I hope.

Sbx_bean wrote, "customers overwhelmingly preferred to have a program with no membership fee."

There WAS a program with no fee - registered card rewards. So what you essentially did was give the people who wanted no fee a better program for nothing, and those who were willing to pay (your loyal customers) now get a program that does not benefit them nearly as much. Thanks for favoring the occasional customer. That's honestly quite offensive.

And another thing is that I don't get how you figure that "the majority of customers preferred a no-fee program" when EVERY TIME a customer asked for a different program (without fee) it got DOWN VOTED!!!!! How does that tell you that the majority wanted that????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'd like someone to explain that to me.

Happy birthday pechipy....don't hold your breath on your free bday drink coupon...my birthday was Xmas Eve (last week!) and I still haven't gotten my birthday coupon OR my new gold card...I hope it arrives before Jan. 5th when my black card expires...wouldn't you think Starbucks would've sent my coupon/welcome packet ahead of time since they already know EXACTLY when my birthday is and when my black card expires?  I won't boycott completely, but I certainly will be cutting back even more and I will never buy more than 1 item in a transaction in order to maximize my stars.  

I wouldn't be complaining if this offer was available in Canada but its not.  :(  I did have a gold card during the pilot project and now I am stuck listening to everyones disappointment.  Ditch it there and bring it here, we will be grateful!

I go to Starbucks because I receive 10% off. I would rather pay $25 for a rewards card that pays itself off (in my case in less than a month) than receive coupons in the mail for drinks. @Melody, I was not a regular Starbucks customer before the gold card was introduced and only used my Duetto visa for the meager discount it provided.

With the current gold card I received the moral equivalent of a free drink every 3 days, with the new system I may be receiving only a free drink every two and a half weeks, while spending money on multiple drinks and food. I lose my 10% and the new 'benefits' do not work into the new program unless I ring every item up separately.

Starbucks can keep their FREE program, flavored syrup and coffee refills for people who cannot perform simple math; I want my 10% discount.

As of 2/6/2010 when my 10% discount expires I will be taking my business elsewhere.

I am also a Duetto card holder and it seems to me that Starbucks is hoping we cancel our Duetto cards, and that is what I'll likely do--makes no sense that my visits don't earn stars--I am better off reloading my regular starbucks card and using that.  I have other charge cards that give cash back.   I am VERY disappointed that Starbucks has not been more up-front about the program to its loyal Duetto customers.  A big part of Starbucks' attraction for me has been its exceptional customer service, and this program sucks.

I too will miss the 10% discount. I was a SB customer before these rewards, however, it is nice as others have said to have that 10%. Am not sure why on some level the 10% cannot be continued. As others have said, what SB is saying is sounds just like double talk. Although I am quite happy that those of us that drink tea will finally get free refills!!!

@Melody: I too was a SB customer way before the rewards program. I am most unhappy at the way that SB has handled this "transition." If they had just said, "Hey Gold Card members, sorry, but we are discontinuing the gold card membership. Why don't you try out our new improved rewards program" at least I would have understood. But instead, they (the corporate they) decided to tell me that "I" asked for a rewards program without a $25 fee, and that "I" am getting an improved rewards program.  Basically, SB has decided to handle me (a very long time, very frequent visitor) in an extremely unprofessional manner. Because of that, I've had it.  I have absolutely no desire to "give the new program a try"...SB has spoken, and so have I. As of 1/5/2010, I'm gone. It's been fun, and as I've mentioned before, so long, and thanks for all the fish.

I  agree with entropygrrrl.  For me, the 10% was a no-brainer.  I go to Starbucks nearly every work day for a venti bold.  Minus vacation and a few weeks, that's around 225 venti coffees per year.  In addition, I buy coffee by the pound as well as gifts, coffee / treats for friends, etc.....

Serious Starbucks customers will really LOSE OUT out with the new program.  My suggestion is that you do something extra to retain the loyalty of YOUR most loyal customers.  I think you should look at our spending activity during the 10% program, and reward those of us who reached a certain level by continuing the 10% IN ADDITION to the "star" program.  

The "star" program is a lure for new customers, but an insult to excellent customers.  

It would not take much for Starbucks to revise its new rewards program.  You have information on all of your Gold members.  It would be simple to just let us know that we are "extra special" and will retain our 10%  privileges as long as we spend at a certain level ...."   If Starbucks does not not do something like this, then it becomes clear that Starbucks has become too large of a corporation to care about its most important customers, those who helped make it what it is today.

I was a customer before the gold card and also a stockholder.  I don't believe Starbucks really understands how upset all of the "loyal" customers are about canceling  the discount.  The loyal customers who are upset about losing the 10% discount are soon to become the equivalent of the unappreciated "significant other".  Treating us fairly is.. to us is the most important thing and for us to correctly believe that from managements standpoint the same is true..However, it now appears that starbucks believes loyalty is one directional. That the direction should only be from us to them.  I will also be stopping at other places to get my twice a day fix.  this will be exclusive for the month  of January for sure.  Will I come back? Maybe occasionally. Definitly not like now, I go out of my way to get the 10% discount.  Which by the way, that net price after discount makes Starbuck more competitive with everyone else.  I can see where Starbucks may feel they are "giving away too much" with the discount.  But, there is nothing stopping them from allowing the discount on coffee products only.  It's ok, I'd pay full price for the Starbucks Bear.  Starbucks Remember -- drinking coffee is a habit.  Where we buy it is a habit.  If we start buying somewhere else, that becomes the new habit.

Well, explanations made about the Gold Card members loosing their 10% discount are, well, vague at best. Upon scrutiny, neither the logic nor math add up. This program is not an improvement: it is a loss. You can butter it up as much as your PR people tell you to, but the fact remains: 25 visits x 2 lattes = membership fee for me. I get 25 visits in a couple of months! Who needs to collect points, receipts, and come back for anything?!!!

Just another big company cutting costs, with sugar coating on top.

Hey Peets and other independents! Hang a sign in the window that says, "Bring your Starbucks Gold card here for your 10% discount." Then stand back. Loyalty doesn't seem important to Starbucks any more so why should it be important to me?

Who do I contact if I never received a coupon for my free birthday drink from December 3?  Thanks!

Can I chime in as a current Gold Card holder who is actually looking forward to the new system?

One of the biggest things that kept me from investing in a gold card was that it didn't carry all the benefits of the regular one (free refills, syrup, etc.). Certain drinks cost me less with the the regular card then with the gold (vanilla latte). This kept me from buying a gold card for a while. I did the math and realized that my regular coffee purchases would be enough to justify it so I bought it though fairly late in the game (I got it at the end of October) Currently I have to keep two cards in my wallet in order to maximize my discounts and this is a bit annoying (though not a deal breaker).

The vast majority of people of people come in and purchase one drink per visit. For these people the new system of one free drink every 15 is about a 6-7% discount (and that assuming you get the same drink for your freebie. I usually just get a drip coffee but for my freebies I'll live it up). Compare that to a 10% discount that costs you $25 a year and you're really not losing very much.

Did I start purchasing more things because of my gold card? Of course. Was I a regular starbucks goer before I had a gold card? yes. I think it's very disingenuous that some people are saying that they're going to leave now because a program that lasted all of one year got changed. Enjoy your Peet's. It'll just make it that much easier for me to get a comfy chair.

Hello danib62:  Maybe the vast majority of people get one drink. I've often said that the person who buys one tall soy vanilla latte, once or twice per week, is the winner in this new program

The problem is that sales do not reflect exact numbers of customers.  The 20 percent of customers who were super-regular, and for whom the old Gold Program was really geared to, account for more than 20% of sales.  

Your analysis above doesn't consider the people who really spent money on everything from Via to whole bean coffee, to new tumblers now and then, and grabbed Vanilla Milks, Ethos Water, and got a cupcake out of the pastry case.

I have no doubt that most baristas and corporate are going to say, "the new program is a hit! 80% percent of customers love it!"  But the 20% of customers who spend hundred each month at Starbucks, can do the math and know that they're losing.  This 20% of customer racks up way more than 20% of total sales.

I think in 5 days when 10% discount becomes history and loyal customers who don't want a "free drink" every 15 purchases that must be rung up separately start leaving Starbucks for their competition that knows fully well what Starbucks is pulling and will treat loyal customers with respect and the rest of the gullible people wake up and realizes that they being duped and are actually paying for their so called "free" drink and leave too Starbucks will find out that they made a humungous mistake.

Steve 2:  

Twitter a 1-week rebellion starting in 5 days.  I think we all can find coffee somewhere else for a while.  Let's see if the big kahuna cares.  If not, what is there to lose?  I'm in.

It might be easy for me to avoid Starbucks for a week....especially considering that I haven't even received my new gold card OR free birthday coupon yet (my bday was Dec. 24th) and the new program starts in 4 days...why wasn't my card sent earlier, since they KNEW when my birthday was and when the expiration date of my gold card was.  It's bad enough to lose the discount, but I certainly won't be visiting Starbucks without any type of card in hand.

Honestly I'm tired of the corporate "people dont want to pay" line I keep seeing everywhere, when it's obvious that people who have the old Gold Card WANT to pay and are WILLING to pay.

This new program is a joke and an insult to loyal Starbuck patrons who have the Gold Card. Admit you messed up, and read your own idea's board... 90% of the top ideas are people complaining about the new program... and 90% are going to be ignored.

With the price increase and the loss of my discount.. I'm going to be taking my money two doors down to McDonalds until my discount is returned. Rewards.. more like Theft.

I don't have to join your rebellion member 223 because I'm not really a Starbucks customer.  I only go for my free birthday drink and I am using up my gift cards.  There are plenty of other coffee places, Tully's for example in Seattle, that treat customers better, have better prices, and better coffee too.

And they don't treat their customers like gullible idiots making them collect 15 stars (reminds me of grade school where the teacher gave you gold stars for good grades, etc.) so they can get a "free" drink that they secretly pay for in the added markup.  

Okay Steve 2, I understand your sentiment, especially the part  about the teachers and the gold stars.  But, where I sit, I would prefer not to go somewhere else.  Instead, I would prefer to just get what is fair.  

I have a feeling that this idea came from those people who did not pay the annual fee, no one asked me what I wanted. I prefer to pay $25 annual fee and receive the 10% off on my coffee beans and drinks. At this rate I will buy the beans at full retail and be drinking far less of your coffee. The free birthday drink was already there, I don't need free syrup or free soymilk. Who needs free Wi-Fi when we all have it either on our cell phones or it is provided free by Google? Exactly when did a venti suddenly become small enough to fit into my 16 oz tumbler?  As a former "barista", I can make my own lattes. Why did you think this would make your customers who purchased the Gold card happier? I will use your new card when I go in now less than once a week, but you never bothered to think that Peets also sells French Roast and Iced Coffee. Your store is convenient to my location, but Peets here I come. You really blew it this time Starbucks, listen to what your customers want, bring back the old card. Like I said, I will pay you $25, I just want my 10% back.   So let's see if you really do listen up, your customers are not happy with this and you will end up losing more revenue.

@Melody Yes I was a SB customer before the discount card. I was such a loyal and regular customer that when the card was offered, I KNEW I would save with a 10% across the board discount. Even with a $25.00 free loan to SB for the privilege, I knew it.

I'm boycotting because corporate is treating their most loyal customers like children. A 'gold star' per transaction is insulting. Getting a card mailed to you is insulting. But the biggest insult is that SB would try and convince us that a 6.67% savings on Drink purchases only or a less than 6.67% on bean and food purchases is in any way better than a simple 10% discount. Telling us you are improving the program in the ad campaign should actually reflect some kind of actual improvement. If they wanted to drop the program, they should have come right out and said it.

It is the handling of the situation as much as the situation itself that has sealed my decision to boycott Starbucks completely in 3 days.

We were so loyal to the SB name that we gave them a free up front cash gift in hopes of getting a return in discounts. If only 100,000 gold cards were sold, SB got a FREE 2.5 million dollar up front interest free boost to their bottom line.

I'm sure they were able to invest that money into items that brought them a richer reward than a 10% discount hurt them. If it didn't then the bean counters at corporate would never have let it see the light of day.

Even now, Cecile keeps repeating the same lines that the ad people have told her to dish out. It is obvious the key advantage we were seeing as customers was the 10% discount. Any change in that is a disadvantage. If corporate would simply acknowledge that they are offering us less of a perquisite with the new program I would at least continue to be a patron but spend significantly less than I did with the 10% discount.

They need to stop pointing out that the vast MINORITY of gold card users are getting it better with free soy, free syrup, and free in-house refill on tea and brewed coffee.

I'm insulted by the lack of actual rapport on this problem from the mouths of corporate. Repeating the same tired line over and over again is not rapport.

I'm buying VIA and paying it forward on 0105 until all my cards are depleted and I've gotten my 10% discount on all of it. After that Starbucks corporation don't get one plug nickle from me unless they reinstate the exact same program as it stands now.

PEACE

It is New Years Day 2010 and I just opened my mail from Starbucks telling me I am automatically switched from my Black gold card program to the new Gold gold card program. I was happy to pay $25 originally to join. I knew it was a one-time fee to get the 10% discount on all my purchases and I knew I spend Over $1,000 a year at Starbucks. So for me it was a good deal. I can't find any reference to the 10% discount on this new thing sent me - just one free drink for every time I get 15 purchases - called 15 stars.

My average workday morning coffee & pastry purchase is $3.80. So it looks like every 15 days I will spend $57. and get a free $2.00 coffee instead of a $5.70 / 10% discount. I like the original deal better. It was good $25 investment for me.

That said, I am much more interested in participating in Frequency  Programs that support Fair Trade purchasing and donations to RED (The Global Fund for AIDS, TB & Malaria).

I would pay 10% more to buy Fair Trade Coffee by the Cup

everyday at my local Starbucks!

-Brian Webster

San Francisco

Queston: My wife and I go to our corner Starbucks 365 days/yr. We spend over 11 dollars on both of our drinks daily. Yes... every day - and have for years.  Why should a person who buys a single drink reap the same benefit of "1 free coffee per 15 visits..." while we spend twice as much for the same benefit? I suppose we will now have to make separate purchases.  A better program would take into account either dollars spent, or number of coffees bought to get a benefit.

I think that so many people are bringing up such good points about the weakness of this new rewards program that SB will have to change it. At least I hope so.

Don't hold your breath my MSI friend.    You know how many negative comments Pike's Puke got?  Almost 2 years later it's still here just like a bad penny and I seriously doubt if it'll go anywhere.  As for this new rewards program as long as there gullible and naive people out there, and there is a virtual plethora of them and they multiply like rabbits that really believe Starbucks really does give them a completelty free drink after 15 stars out of the goodness of their corporate hearts I don't think Starbucks will discontinue it and bring the 10% discount back but we can hope can't we?

I've been a customer for 11 years. I'm beyond disappointed, between the cessation of the 10% discount program, the blatant disregard for addressing customers' concerns on this board regarding the changes, and the recent increase in prices, especially during the current economic crisis.

I'm taking the money I saved on coffee this year with the soon-to-be defunct rewards program and buying myself a Keurig Coffee Maker tomorrow, which I can use from home. As much as I am a Starbucks addict, no more Starbucks, no more; this is not how you 'reward' customers who spend thousands in your store each year.

Somehow I don't think you are alone Tanya and I don't think Starbucks is listening to their customers.

It would be so nice if SB kept up on all these concerns from the loyal customers and MSI supporters. There still seems as you say Steve 2 to be no real response.

I already got my free birthday drink and have about seven bucks left on my last gift card and once I use that up it's good bye Starbucks.   Hey ever wonder why you must collect 15 stars instead of the unual 10 punches required on regular punch cards to get your so called "free" drink?  The extra 5 is to insure that your "free" drink is actually paid for.  Of course the 15 is once you get to the "gold" level. For all new registered customers they must accumulate 45 stars to get their "free" drink. How many times do you think they pay for their "free" drink in 45 stars?  

I'm disappointed that Starbucks has always known both my birthday and expiration date of my registered gold card, yet they didn't think to send my replacement card and free birthday drink soon enough to actually arrive before both of these dates. It's 2 weeks past my birthday and still no coupon for me to enjoy my birthday treat....AND my gold card membership expires tomorrow and there was nothing in the mail again today....why would they want to have a lapse in my cards...don't they realize I will not visit Starbucks without any kind of card? It's bad enough they took away the 10 percent discount, but now I don't even have a card to reap ANY type of rewards....so much for "making customers feel special", especially long-time high spending customers.

Steve how long have you been a Starbucks customer? They gave you a nice perk for one year of a discount, and now you're just switching teams? That's so fickle. I get that you don't like the new program - It has its problems.  But if there had never been any Gold Card at all, you probably wouldn't be complaining. And if you really just switch teams every time the wind blows a new direction, you're level of loyalty is so low. But given the things you tweet and write, I assume you go to a coffee house to buy a sweet liquid candy bar, not because you want to have a dark roast coffee.

Actually Melody I'm not switching teams  because I was never on a team to begin with.  I hardly used my gold card at all and think in the year that I had it I probably used it maybe a dozen times or less mainly for the treat receipt.  I guess I shouldn't have said that "good bye" a few comments ago and should have said something like I won't be in quite as often since there is really nothing for me to go in for; no instant reward in the form of the 10% discount just a "free" drink every 15 purchses IF I put money on my gold card.  But I definately am not jumping ship just that I won't be around as often.  And no I don't drink dark, or any other, roast coffee.  I would, however, like that dark chery thinkie if they had it.  

I would be surprised if this hasn't already been mentioned, but has Starbucks considered a Platinum or Diamond level for super regular customers?  Perhaps after 50 stars?  And once a customer reaches that level they receive the 10% discount?  Or 3 free drinks after 15, etc.?

I must have been living under a rock the last 2 months since this morning was the first time I realized the 10% discount was going away under the new program.  I'm not horribly upset about it, and I'm not going to stop going to Starbucks.  I was a customer before the Gold Card came out, and I'll continue to be a customer.

Here's what surprises me - Starbucks utilized a very "social web" approach when rolling out VIA.  Those of us selected to be "insiders" uploaded videos, tweeted about the cool stuff we were doing with the product, where we were drinking it, etc.  The marketing campaign was viral and pretty inventive.  In the case of the new rewards program, however, it was just communicated to the masses.  A large "tada!" to a group of underwhelmed regulars.  Perception and optics could have been managed much differently.

sbx_bean who cares that they listened about the color of the card the durability of the card! I want the 10% discount back on the card! why don't you listen to that? Boycott Starbucks!

This might be rather an odd place to post this - but I am trying to track down how I can speak with the employees that monitor and run the mystarbucksidea site and the blog.  I am interested in learning more about how the company used the site for turning ideas and customer feedback into a turnaround.  Can some one contact me directly?

@nrdnsid - I have a number of thoughts for you, but the short answer to your question would be to start out by sending an email to info@mystarbucksidea.com

Day one of the boycott. I dumped all the remaining balances on all my cards last night. It was hard to say goodbye to my SB crew, but I will be standing on principle. Starbucks, you will have my business back when you return my 10% discount on all items in the store.

@Melody. No matter how loyal you are to something, when it starts to hurt you, you should let it go. You are correct that if SB never offered a card, this wouldn't be an issue. But they DID start a gold card. That in combination with seeing the price of my daily coffee rise almost 20% in the past year has caused me to boycott.

I will not pay close to 30% more for the exact same product. And as long as you're tsalking loyalty, how about Loyalty from Starbucks to their most frequent and largest purchasing base. Don't talk to me about switching teams. It is Starbucks that forced this hand and not us as the loyal customers.

I'll continue to post on MSI, but Starbucks stopped getting my money last night.

PEACE

Well said BudGreen! I am on day one of the BOYCOTT!  I feel satisfied with my decision to not go into Starbucks.  By the end of the year I will be alot richer.  3.90 a day = $1423.50.  When you think of the price you are paying for a cup of coffee it is ridiculous to spend that daily.  Goodbye Starbucks!!!

@BudGreen - I have to assume that many people live in places where coffeehouses are cheap. You pay a little more at Starbucks because Starbucks offers great benefits to part-time employees, and pays farmers more than market rates, and works hard with non-profits like Conservation International to ensure that their coffee is responsibly sourced.

At least in Seattle, Starbucks is priced competitively.  I've never seen an indy house throw in free syrups, and extra shots are often 65 cents. Some places charge for whipcream!

I understand anger, and disappointment here. I feel that too. I just don't support going to the extreme of a complete boycott.

I hope you'll visit my website too on this. Just go to "Starbucks Melody" (If you google it, you'll find it easily).

(Sorry for typos. I'm in a hurry)

I didn't go to starbucks today the 1st in 3 years!

I just checked my account and should have a minimum of 11 stars and thats counting one a day which i go more than once a day. AND GUESS WHAT! I HAVE (0) ZERO STARS! what a bunch of CR**!

NO MORE STARBUCKS FOR ME!

No Starbucks for me today!

Please Bring back the old Card I do not want, nor like the new card. Its rewards are not as valued to me as the 10% off, and I would rather pay for that then get the other things free. you may want to check the main forum to see how many people are not please with this new system, all I know is I barely goto Starbucks anymore due to this, bad enough the prices had to go up 2 times in the year since I got the first card but now this...