14 Ultimate Starbucks Saving Strategies + Free Coffee!
It's SOOOOO easy to overspend at Starbucks - probably because everything is so tempting and smells and looks so tasty. But no worries! We're here with fourteen savory insider tips from our local barista and savings specialists that are sure to save you BIG at your favorite coffee joint.
1. Order That Iced Tea “Old School” With No Water…or Ice
The iced tea at Starbucks is brewed double-strength to be watered down with the ice for the final product (as well as to save space on the counters and for the tea/lemonade drinks). Just ask for "no water/ice or light water" for a much stronger and more flavorful tea.
2. Order Ice on the Side or Light Ice
When ordering an iced drink ask for the ice on the side or light ice, you'll end up getting more beverage - plus! you can get away with ordering a smaller size.
3. My Starbucks Rewards + Starbucks app = Free Coffee and Perks
This is one of the best ways to save and earn perks at Starbucks. It’s pretty simple just sign up for their My Starbucks Rewards Program and download the Starbucks app.
After five purchases, you’ll earn a free beverage on your birthday, plus get free iced or drip coffee refills while you’re in the store AND you can pay ahead and pick up without waiting in line. If you make 30 purchases in a 12-month period, you’ll earn “Gold” status, which entitles you to a free drink after every 12 purchases.
HOT TIP: Complete surveys via email and you'll get bonus stars which speed up up your free beverage or food item reward…Yes, please!
4. Go Halfsies with a Friend and Only Pay…Well Half!
Ordering two Tall frappuccinos will set you back around $11 bucks, so order one venti and split it - you'll save $4 bucks.
5.Try to Visit The Same Starbucks Every Time
Get to know your baristas names and tip them! Eventually, they'll know you, and more importantly your drink, so if there's a line or a group of frappuccino drinking teenagers they will still have your drink ready by the time you hit the cash register. BTW… frappuccino’s take a long time to make.
6. Tall, Grande or Venti…??? Be Sure to Order the Right Size Cup
Tall = 1 shot of espresso
Grande = 2 shots of espresso
Venti = 2 shots of espresso (so buying a Venti you are just buying more milk)
Iced Venti = 3 shots of espresso
HOT TIP: Order your Tall drip coffee in a Grande cup size, you usually get a little more plus you can add your condiments without having to pour any coffee out.
7. Puppiccinos for the Pup…We mean YOU
Dogs get free whipped cream “Puppiccinos”. And if your dog doesn't deserve a treat, you can always treat yo' self instead with the extra whipped cream.
HOT TIP: Try not to give your pooch too many Puppiccinos, although yummy, they are high in fat and sugar and not good for Fido.
8. Are you a Caffeine Junkie?
If you made it this far into this post, we're guessing yes! you're seriously attached to your daily caffeine fix.
Get more caffeine for your dollar when you choose a blonde or medium roast. The darker the bean, the less caffeine!
9. BYOC (Bring Your Own Cup) for a $0.10 Discount
Be sure to bring in your Starbucks or other reusable cup for a $0.10 discount, it may not seem like much now but if you do it 30 times that’s 3 bucks, the equivalent of a free drip coffee.
10. Score Free or Cheap Refills
Rewards members get free refills and non-rewards memberes get $0.50 cent refills on drip coffee as long as you are still in the store!
11. DIY Iced Lattes
Make your own inexpensive latte by ordering a triple espresso over ice in a Venti cup and then add as much milk and sweetener as you like at the condiment bar.
12. Don’t Order That Bottled Water
Order a cup of their filtered water for no cost and save on the pricey Ethos bottled water. It's a smart alternative, plus you still can recycle the cup.
13. Iced Carmel Macchiato
Save about $0.60 and buy an Iced Vanilla latte with Carmel drizzle on top.
14. Order Plain Chai Tea and Make Your Own Latte
Order the bagged Chai tea with extra steamed milk or a “bagged tea latte.” Same price as the bag tea, but you get the steamed milk like the latte.
YOUR TURN: Share any insider tips we may have missed in the comments below!