Free Starbucks Drink On Your Birthday

[Hoser]

Sign up for the rewards program.
https://www.starbucks.ca/rewards/

[CheriLyn]

A bit off topic, but does anyone know how redemption of stars in-store work?
Does it automatically redeem when you purchase something that qualifies (i.e. like Tim Horton's)?
Or do you have to let the cashier know you are redeeming?

I just bought a plain bagel and clicked redeem on my app when I was paying, but it still charged my card.
Maybe the bagel isn't categorized as a bakery item (50 stars redemption)?

[Ciel]

I don't use Starbucks cards often but when I did qualify for a birthday freebie, I usually told the barista it was my birthday before s/he swiped my registered card.
Think you might need to do the same unless baristas announce what your star total on your card is first?

[Ciel]

Sign up for the rewards program.
https://www.starbucks.ca/rewards/

Did the minimum requirement of 300 stars in the preceding year before one's birthday change? That was in effect in recent years for Green level (basic) members.

[Hoser]

Did the minimum requirement of 300 stars in the preceding year before one's birthday change? That was in effect in recent years for Green level (basic) members.

Not sure how the program works as I am not signed up for it because there is no Starbucks near me. If you or others don't get the free coffee or drink on your Birthday then I would email them as it is posted on another site and appears to be the case from their site that the free drink is still in effect. I have signed up for other Birthday freebies from other places in the past and never got them. The only one I seem to get every year is from Giant Tiger.

[Hoser]

OOPS! Just noticed a sticky for Birthday Freebies at the top of the forum page here. Sorry about that! If this is moved, I understand!

[N@t@]

A bit off topic, but does anyone know how redemption of stars in-store work?
Does it automatically redeem when you purchase something that qualifies (i.e. like Tim Horton's)?
Or do you have to let the cashier know you are redeeming?

I just bought a plain bagel and clicked redeem on my app when I was paying, but it still charged my card.
Maybe the bagel isn't categorized as a bakery item (50 stars redemption)?

@CheriLyn, a plain bagel is categorized as a bakery item (50 stars) and even if you will add extra cream cheese to your order (i believe it is extra .50c per each) it will still be covered by 50 stars though you have to tell your barista that you want to redeem your stars. If you are paying through the ap (mobile order) and have enough stars, you should be given an option to redeem your stars towards your order. I hope that helps .

As for the free birthday drink, in the past it used to be available for redemption 1 day before your day and would of been valid for 7 days (but you had to be active member for ~1 year (I think .. lol don't remember exact number of months) in order to get that); then they shortened it to 3 days and now it is only valid for 1 day on your birthday. I missed it this year as we were leaving that day and the only Starbucks near us was the one located at Safeway (you can't redeem stars at their location). Last year I missed it as I wasn't aware of the new change so, I contacted them and they "credited" it back to my card and gave me some extra days to use it.

[Hoser]

Thanks for explaining things!