A few weeks ago, I received in the mail a coupon for a free holiday bakery treat. Gingerbread loaf might be my pick. 😉 I think that is my favorite of the current line up of holiday bakery items. It looks like the coupon is also good for a free Cranberry Bliss bar or a free Mint Brownie, assuming you are no fan of the Gingerbread Loaf. The Cranberry Bliss bar has been offered by Starbucks (with some recipe variations) since about 1998 and Seattle urban legend is that the recipe was originally thought up by a former SSC partner (in the legal department) in the mid to late 1990s. I can neither dispel nor confirm this rumor.
This is one more in a string of coupons that are mailed to selected Gold level participants of My Starbucks Rewards. Unfortunately, I’ve since lost this little card. I really don’t know where I put it! You can see it got rained on when I took it to be photographed by Molly of Seattle Custom Framing.
If you are reading this and wondering how you too can be a part of My Starbucks Rewards, then here is what you need to do:
- Go get a Starbucks Gift Card
- Load money on to it. If you are in a store, you can load as little as $5 on to the card.
- Register the card. You’ll find some numbers on the back of the card used to register the card at the Starbucks Card site.
- Use your card to pay for your purchases. If you find you like a different card, you can load many more than just one card to your account at the Starbucks Card site.
- You earn “stars” every time your card is used to pay (swiped) at the register.
- After earning 30 stars, you get to “gold” level which then may earn you these coupons if your activity is high enough.
- You also earn free drink coupons at the “gold” level.
There are a variety of card benefits which you get for having a registered Starbucks card that you use to pay for your purchases. I am not going to detail of all the benefits here, but some of the perks include free birthday drink, free basic syrups like classic, vanilla, or hazelnut, and any free tall beverage when you are purchasing one pound of beans.
Which treat are you going to indulge in? Did you get this coupon too? Your thoughts are welcome, as always…
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@Jason – I think partners can get this coupons too.
Jason and Tom,
The free drink coupons and the birthday beverage coupon are supposed to be automatic to your address on file.
The winter 15% off shopping coupon, the free pint of ice cream coupon for the grocery stores (summer 2010), there was another free summer drink coupon too but I’m blanking out on it, and the free holiday pastry treat coupon are ONLY sent to customers who clicked the “promo” box on their profile. Many people who WANT coupons aren’t getting them because their profile is set up wrong.
What I am trying to say Tom, is that if I can help a few people get coupons, for one reason or another, I want to do that. If it is as simple as clicking a box, as in Eric R‘s case above, then we’ve spread good info here!
Sign in at Starbucks.com
Go to your card account
Manage Profile
“Yes, please send me Starbucks news and offers through the mail” – That is under the tab “Contact info”
Though I think the Gold Card system shouldn’t have random rewards within it. There should be some pattern based on activity – And there must be. I literally get sent every reward!
@CABarista – Thanks, and I do realize that the barista is under incredible stress and pressure to upsell. I also assume that the upsell question was practically impulsive/spontaneous and that it was not directed intentionally at a child, but just came out of the barista’s mouth out of habit.
It would be nice if I were able to have coupons or ‘bonuses’ applied to my account. Has that been tried?
@Coolwatyr – Would that be great! Then I wouldn’t have the situation as here where I lose things! Hahaha. But I guess if they start electronically applying these special coupons, then, oh no, I won’t be able to have a blog post about them! That would be disasterous!
On a serious note, I’ve heard that Starbucks is working towards the registers being able to manage electronic coupons but we are not there. And seriously, it DID just occur to me that I will run out of blog topics if coupons are electronic. 😉
I (nor my Wife and Son) did not receive any of the seasonal coupons, however my Daughter received the discount and cranberry bliss coupons.
I am the most frequent Starbucks user. Personally I think I am not in the demographic that Starbucks is trying to reach. They probably think that us “seasoned citizens ;)” are too set in our ways to try new things or buy products (wrong on both counts). My Daughter is in that 20-something female demographic that Starbucks is trying to capture, so I figure that is why she gets all the extra coupons.
As I believe I have mentioned in other of your blog posts, I felt quite honored for a couple of weeks when Starbucks rewarded me with one of the first complimentary Black Cards. Felt a little less special when they opened the program up to anyone with $25. Personally I preferred the straight 10% discount and free add-ons (plus the 20% discount for Christmas 2009).
I think part of the reason for the recent upgrade to the POS system at Starbucks (that’s Point of Sale, not piece of…) was to capture more customer data, provide selected on-the-spot coupons (like you get at Target, etc.), and electronic reward redemptions. Time will tell.
Melody, thank you for a professional blog that is a shining light and great example of what a blog should be (Starbucks needs to list you as an asset on their balance sheet). Hope you continue to enjoy your labor of love during the upcoming New Year (and many more).
I got the coupon and got gingerbread loaf
@DadCooks: Oh no! I hadn’t even thought of the AGE factor! I’m about to be 58…so what??? All that means to me is I have definitely been a Sbux customer for way longer than lots of people, and that maybe I will be even MORE of a regular customer because I have more time now, etc.
wow. that would be a bummer, if that were actually true, and definitely NOT right.
@C.D.: re; the price of the peppermint brownies? I think I thought they were (are) so good, I didn’t care. I think they were $2.35 or 45 here? considering I found them EXCELLENT, then I guess I didn’t really pay much attention. As far as that ‘upsell’ to the peppermint hot choc. for your son? I’ve never seen that happen, altho obviously it does. I think SUGGESTING something BEFORE one orders, is ok. But NOT ok after you have ordered, or your son or any child. that’s not ok, to me.
@DadCooks – Please humor me, indulge me, and just check to make sure that your card settings are set to receive the offers. (Yes, please send me news and offers through the mail). I have a post above about this.
I cannot imagine that this is an age thing. Steve seems to get every coupon and he has stated a number of times that he is retired.
I assume that there has to be some sorting of people by activity level, (otherwise they would not send me EVERY coupon) and there must be some random element too. ??I don’t know!
@Melody, yes my card settings are set to receive offers.
When I read your post regarding settings I checked my account, and the rest of my families’ accounts. Since we all have the same communication preferences checked it would seem that we should all get the same emails and promotions–we don’t. That is part of what prompted me to post today.
IMHO, whatever company Starbucks is overpaying to distribute promotions is using an illogical algorithm on the demographic information it has collected. There are basically two business reasons for a company to run a rewards program (1) to “reward” the customer with progrssively better rewards as purchase amount increases and (2) to “reward” the customer in such a way to prompt them broaden their purchase selections.
As another point of information, my MSI registration is not connected to a Starbucks Card Account. I have occasionally received some small tokens of appreciation and notes from Cecile thanking me for my partcipation on MSI — even though I am sometimes surly/grumpy 😉 .
Coffee note: my favorite Starbucks started brewing Casi Celio today — it was as good, if not better, as I remember it. I think they can start selling it tomorrow (Tuesday 12/28).
Melody – just to clairify – e-coupons would be great as an OPTION.
:•)
I can’t imagine you running out of things to talk about. Especially where Starbucks is concerned!
@DadCooks – I should have known you would have it right. 🙂
I doubt Starbucks has some outside company figuring out how to distribute this coupons, but they are missing the point of really rewarding people. How people who go a few times a month can get it but DeniseR doesn’t get it? Makes no sense. Though as to your family getting all the same promotions? If one person has an account but going infrequently to Starbucks, then it makes sense he or she won’t get the promo treat coupon.
On a happier note, yeah for the return of Casi Cielo!!
@Coolwatyr – Yes you are right – Electronic coupons as an OPTION only. I need my blog material. 😉
This discussion gets more interesting as more comments come in. I find the age issue an interesting one. My daughter is in her twenties and she does not get many coupons. I have also received coupons (not many) from Cecile for being on MSI, but very few of the gold card coupons. I would find it offensive if they are deciding on coupons based on age. Just does not sit well with me. Age should not matter. And I also consider myself a very frequent customer of SB so that in mind I should get more free coupons.
Purple1 and DadCooks and Denise – I apologize for being a little argumentative here, but I just can’t imagine that age factors into any of these coupons. When you set up a Starbucks.com profile I think it only asks for the month and day of birthday and not year. I am not even sure that Starbucks is collecting age demographics to filter by.
Well, what does everyone get every day?
i never order treats (well rarely, only when melody posts a delicious looking one)
i always get the same soy chai latte
and i get most of the coupons
i have been a registered card holder since 199x
i have never entered a birth year
instead of visit frequency could it have something to do with age of account itself? @DadCooks did you all register at the same time?
What about WHAT you purchase – frapps, versus coffee, versus latte?
The Micros register system organizes beverages into groups so perhaps people who purchase a majority in a group (hot coffee, iced, frap) get targeted for specific things?
I do hope that sometiem soon they get rewards integrated into Micros Simphony – the vendor is holding off the next version of the system (delayed) until starbucks is happy, i want my register upgrade darn it!
@AmazonV – Absolutely great questions.
But I would be surprised if age of the account had anything to do with it. I remember clearly when I FIRST registered a Starbucks card. At the March 2008 Shareholder Meeting, Howard announced the registered card perks (which fundamentally haven’t really changed). I thought, ‘Oh, I guess I should register a card.’ And I began using a registered Starbucks card in probably March 2008. That is late in the game! So I was stunned that in September 2008 I got one of the first black version gold cards that came free to a few thousand registered card holders.
What do I buy? I buy a lot. I’m in a sea of Starbucks in downtown Seattle. I can walk to a million Starbucks from both work and the condo. Typical drinks are: bold pick coffee, chai with vanilla syrup added, venti black tea, venti passion tea, (cold drinks), and peppermint hot chocolate. I buy Via, whole bean, and sometimes a pastry or a pannini now and then.
Interesting idea… WHAT you buy may be the key. I’ve seen Melody’s tweets -her purchases seem to be a little of everything over the course of a week.
I’ve promised myself to mix it up a little this year when I visit SB. Inspired by Melody.
So…what does everyone get?
What do I buy? Always iced green tea. Love it and at the local SB I frequent the most I walk in and always every time I don’t even have to tell them what I want. My husband gets his coffee and sometimes a speciality drink. I used to get their small peanut butter cookies here and there, but have not seen them that often of late. Rare but sometimes I used to get the black bean breakfast wrap (now being discontinued?-Shame). And my husband likes their mutli grain bagel. Overall, we just get drinks. I still think they need to provide more choices for vegetarians.
Normally I get lattes or mochas and once and a while a tumbler or mug…I love the tumblers and mugs 🙂 I actually got a coupon for a discount on starbucks product but wasnt able to use it before expiration. Im looking forward to taking advantage of discount coupons in the future though! love love lovin the Starbucks!
I am at a stanstill when it comes to the rewards program. So far all i have received from the program is 3 free drink coupons ( every 15 stars) and a LATE birthday coupon. The only other i received was a coupon for a free holiday baked good. I usually by a regular coffee at least 4 times a week at my local strore. I do not know what they consider coupons tailored for you means. Like i said all i got so far is theone for the baked good. All the others I earned by point purchases and my bday.
I usually buy all different things so when they data mine my stuff they can see that I buy many things and hopefully get more coupons
Melody — I unintentionally added to the zest of the discussion by mentioning age, just that age is a data point that marketing types try to gather.
Melody and AmazonV — Yes, my birth year is in the profile for my Starbucks.com account (and each family member has their birth yaer in their account). We have all had our accounts since Starbucks first started registering cards (1995?). I make it a point NOT to enter my birth year, when requested, if the registration form will allow it. Since it is in my profile it was required at the time. Starbucks may have changed their requirements, I do not know.
🙁 Casi Cielio not on sale until next week. At least I can enjoy it as the Morning Pick.
AmazonV — I am a Monday thru Friday morning regular enjoying a Morning Pick or Bold Press, bagel or breakfast sandwich once or twice a week, while I read my WSJ and do a little surfing. I am somewhat of a fixture in the morning and “hold court” with the job-ball-and-chain regulars that can’t stay long.
I like to drink my coffee while I work, so that is why I prefer bold brew in my stainless steel thermal mug. To me, espresso drinks lose their character quickly as most have a low shot to liquid ratio–that is why when I use my “Sweet 15” coupons it is usually a quad tall breve.
Sorry if I missed any questions directed at me. I need to go back and re-read this growing thread.
In the morning it is always a soy chai latte, no water.
in the afternoon i think that i get whatever i want, sesaonal drink, frapp in the summer, hot tea, iced tea – and i get all the coupons so perhaps it’s variety.
i did get my birthday coupon in the mail but what did i do with it, drat.
re: age. I am with you Melody, as I remember when I registered MY card the yr was either optional or non-existent. However, I just registered a gift card for my niece and the year was asked.
Also, an age ‘group’ is aksed on those ‘receipt’ visit drink rewards.
But, I don’t think the rewards are likely based on age…..that was an interesting tought tho….
@DadCooks I would slip you a half pound for being such a great customer
@Bostonstarbucksrebel- which store do you work at?
@Boston Starbucks Rebel — thank you very much for the thought. 😎 😀
All of the Partners/Baristas at my favorite store take very good care of me and the other regulars as well as the not-so-regular customers 😉 . There are a few partners/baristas (lack of capitalization intentional) who look on Starbucks as just a j-o-b. Too bad because they make the job hard on themselves, the customers, and the good Ps/Bs.
Here’s my request for the New Year — all you Starbucks Customers out there, take a moment to thank your Baristas for a wonderful year and best wishes for the new year (and a bit extra in the tip jar during this week and next will help out with the slowdown that occurs this time of year).
Food Service/Retail is hard work (I’ve been there, done that) and as a Professional Seasoned Citizen I appreciate good attitude and good service.
Oops, I am starting to ramble. I now return you to this thread 😉 .
Cynical me thinks that the reason they haven’t moved to electronic coupons is that they are counting on a significant number of coupons to be lost or otherwise not used, giving them the benefit of advertising the coupons without the cost of redemption.
I think you are exactally right Judy. If some coupons for free drinks are either lost in the mail or not used by the expiration date Starbucks saves the cost of giving that drink for free but if the drink coupons are electronically credited to the persons registered card they have to honor every coupon.