Author Topic: Starbucks Rewards changes/devaluation  (Read 9061 times)

Offline voldemort

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 1080
  • Total likes: 32
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
Re: Starbucks Rewards changes/devaluation
« Reply #20 on: May 23, 2019, 11:29:34 AM »
I don't know if free refills work on award drinks. I have never tried.
Of course they do, the refill has nothing to do with your original drink. Starbucks sells refills for .54 cents, But it’s free for (gold?)Members as long as it’s rung up as a refill.

Now what you can do is get a brewed coffee with 50 stars,drink/spill it out and than get an iced coffee refill for free.
50 stars instead of 150

Offline Redbull3

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Dec 2011
  • Posts: 3492
  • Total likes: 417
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Programs: Blocked By @NeriaKraus
Re: Starbucks Rewards changes/devaluation
« Reply #21 on: May 23, 2019, 11:40:20 AM »
Anyone tried this yet?
Lol it's a little too nutty no. But my DW usual (about 2x a week) is a venti misto anyway with sf cinamon dolce syrup that usually runs $4.40ish so it's a great value for us to get that for 50 stars (vs using 125 stars on my $7.30ish drink pre-change). So we owe a debt of gratitude to @shaulyaakov

Offline Yonah

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2014
  • Posts: 608
  • Total likes: 386
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
Re: Starbucks Rewards changes/devaluation
« Reply #22 on: May 26, 2019, 06:29:45 PM »
Tried hacking this a little myself.
I got a brewed coffee
Almond milk
Cinnamon Dolce syrup,
Two shots of espresso
For 50 stars.

I ordered via the app, and then when I came in I asked for a cup of ice. Poured the coffee over the ice and Voila!


Offline unicorn_cactus

  • Dansdeals Silver Elite
  • **
  • Join Date: Jun 2018
  • Posts: 56
  • Total likes: 6
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Chicago
Re: Starbucks Rewards changes/devaluation
« Reply #23 on: June 06, 2019, 11:08:54 PM »
Of course they do, the refill has nothing to do with your original drink. Starbucks sells refills for .54 cents, But it’s free for (gold?)Members as long as it’s rung up as a refill.

Now what you can do is get a brewed coffee with 50 stars,drink/spill it out and than get an iced coffee refill for free.
50 stars instead of 150

I am ashamed to admit that I do this. I at least try to be discreet and pretend to drink a little hot coffee. I guess I am the epitome of frugality or simply being cheap.

Offline shaulyaakov

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2013
  • Posts: 2781
  • Total likes: 326
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
Re: Starbucks Rewards changes/devaluation
« Reply #24 on: June 07, 2019, 10:25:13 AM »
I am ashamed to admit that I do this. I at least try to be discreet and pretend to drink a little hot coffee. I guess I am the epitome of frugality or simply being cheap.
Is there an issur of Bal Tashchis here? Not sure it's worth violating the issur for the sake of $3-4.

Offline Yonah

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2014
  • Posts: 608
  • Total likes: 386
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
Re: Starbucks Rewards changes/devaluation
« Reply #25 on: June 07, 2019, 12:19:10 PM »
I am ashamed to admit that I do this. I at least try to be discreet and pretend to drink a little hot coffee. I guess I am the epitome of frugality or simply being cheap.

As I mentioned above, almost all starbucks will give you a cup of ice - just ask for a cup of Ice when you pick up your drink and pour it over.

Offline shaulyaakov

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2013
  • Posts: 2781
  • Total likes: 326
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
Re: Starbucks Rewards changes/devaluation
« Reply #26 on: June 11, 2019, 12:49:38 PM »
As I mentioned above, almost all starbucks will give you a cup of ice - just ask for a cup of Ice when you pick up your drink and pour it over.

That wouldn't solve the potential kasharus issue of hot coffee vs. getting a cold-brew.

Offline gozalim

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Oct 2008
  • Posts: 4255
  • Total likes: 812
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Starbucks Rewards changes/devaluation
« Reply #27 on: June 11, 2019, 01:18:50 PM »
Is there an issur of Bal Tashchis here? Not sure it's worth violating the issur for the sake of $3-4.
i'm pretty sure this wouldn't be bal tashchis, as the savings itself is a purpose.
Would not doing it be bal tashchis of $3?

Offline shaulyaakov

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2013
  • Posts: 2781
  • Total likes: 326
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
Re: Starbucks Rewards changes/devaluation
« Reply #28 on: June 11, 2019, 01:20:01 PM »
i'm pretty sure this wouldn't be bal tashchis
Why? You are getting coffee for the sole reason of throwing it out to get a new one. How is it not?

Offline Yonah

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2014
  • Posts: 608
  • Total likes: 386
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
Re: Starbucks Rewards changes/devaluation
« Reply #29 on: June 11, 2019, 02:46:21 PM »
That wouldn't solve the potential kasharus issue of hot coffee vs. getting a cold-brew.

I was assuming the person was "traveling" :)

Seriously - how is Cafe Misto not a kashrus issue, but Regular coffee is?

Offline shaulyaakov

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2013
  • Posts: 2781
  • Total likes: 326
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
Re: Starbucks Rewards changes/devaluation
« Reply #30 on: June 11, 2019, 02:50:48 PM »
I was assuming the person was "traveling" :)

Seriously - how is Cafe Misto not a kashrus issue, but Regular coffee is?
They both are the same. I personally drink both.

Offline Yonah

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2014
  • Posts: 608
  • Total likes: 386
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
Re: Starbucks Rewards changes/devaluation
« Reply #31 on: June 11, 2019, 02:56:37 PM »
As do I, and my hack was for those people who wanted to use 50 stars to get an ice coffee.

Or are you suggesting that the person who is spilling out the coffee doesn't want to drink a hot coffee b/c of Kashrus reasons?


Offline shaulyaakov

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2013
  • Posts: 2781
  • Total likes: 326
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
Re: Starbucks Rewards changes/devaluation
« Reply #32 on: June 11, 2019, 03:21:14 PM »
As do I, and my hack was for those people who wanted to use 50 stars to get an ice coffee.

Or are you suggesting that the person who is spilling out the coffee doesn't want to drink a hot coffee b/c of Kashrus reasons?

That was my guess.

Offline Redbull3

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Dec 2011
  • Posts: 3492
  • Total likes: 417
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Programs: Blocked By @NeriaKraus
Re: Starbucks Rewards changes/devaluation
« Reply #33 on: June 12, 2019, 12:08:57 PM »
Tried hacking this a little myself.
I got a brewed coffee
Almond milk
Cinnamon Dolce syrup,
Two shots of espresso
For 50 stars.

I ordered via the app, and then when I came in I asked for a cup of ice. Poured the coffee over the ice and Voila!
Random Q - is this drink parve?

Offline Yonah

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2014
  • Posts: 608
  • Total likes: 386
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
Re: Starbucks Rewards changes/devaluation
« Reply #34 on: June 12, 2019, 01:56:09 PM »
Random Q - is this drink parve?

I assume you are talking about this drink:
Tried hacking this a little myself.
I got a brewed coffee
Almond milk
Cinnamon Dolce syrup,
Two shots of espresso...

That's a good question, I would assume that the better question is, is that drink kosher? :)

I specifically added almond milk to the drink because normally it's supposed to be a 25 point extra that I was tacking on for free.

I can' give you a definitive answer, only my own personal one - I do occasionally have this drink when I am fleishig - but I check the Almond/Soy milk to verify that it has a hasgacha on it (milks are usually sourced locally for starbucks, and not all might be kosher). AFAIK, Cinnamon Dolce syrup is sourced nationally and has an OU

Offline Redbull3

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Dec 2011
  • Posts: 3492
  • Total likes: 417
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Programs: Blocked By @NeriaKraus
Re: Starbucks Rewards changes/devaluation
« Reply #35 on: June 12, 2019, 02:35:45 PM »
I assume you are talking about this drink:
That's a good question, I would assume that the better question is, is that drink kosher? :)

I specifically added almond milk to the drink because normally it's supposed to be a 25 point extra that I was tacking on for free.

I can' give you a definitive answer, only my own personal one - I do occasionally have this drink when I am fleishig - but I check the Almond/Soy milk to verify that it has a hasgacha on it (milks are usually sourced locally for starbucks, and not all might be kosher). AFAIK, Cinnamon Dolce syrup is sourced nationally and has an OU
Are you saying you earn stars on reward drinks? I don't think that's accurate.. or maybe I'm misunderstanding.
Yeah my understanding on parve was same thanks.

Offline Yonah

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2014
  • Posts: 608
  • Total likes: 386
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
Re: Starbucks Rewards changes/devaluation
« Reply #36 on: June 12, 2019, 04:35:25 PM »
Are you saying you earn stars on reward drinks? I don't think that's accurate.. or maybe I'm misunderstanding.
Yeah my understanding on parve was same thanks.

No, With the new system, they're supposed to charge you 25 stars for Almond Milk and/or Flavored Syrup. When I added both to my brewed coffee, it only charged me 50 for the coffee (instead of the 100 stars I was expecting).

I also try not to go to Starbucks when I am fleishig - lifnei iver lo teetayn milchigs :)

Offline shaulyaakov

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2013
  • Posts: 2781
  • Total likes: 326
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
Re: Starbucks Rewards changes/devaluation
« Reply #37 on: June 12, 2019, 06:29:30 PM »
No, With the new system, they're supposed to charge you 25 stars for Almond Milk and/or Flavored Syrup. When I added both to my brewed coffee, it only charged me 50 for the coffee (instead of the 100 stars I was expecting).

I also try not to go to Starbucks when I am fleishig - lifnei iver lo teetayn milchigs :)
Free drinks always come with whatever modifiers you want. Under the old 125 star system it was the same. The chiddush is that adding espresso to Brewed coffee doesn't bump it up. And that a misto counts as Brewed coffee for this purpose.

Offline Yonah

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2014
  • Posts: 608
  • Total likes: 386
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
Re: Starbucks Rewards changes/devaluation
« Reply #38 on: October 22, 2020, 12:57:05 PM »
Apparently, somone recently went viral on TikTok with a different sbux hack - https://www.intheknow.com/2020/10/06/starbucks-money-hack/

In theory, I could use my Cafe Misto Trick and get her drink (well, close enough) for 50 stars.