A Star Dash is an invite from Starbucks to earn something extra from Starbucks based upon earning stars within a specified time period. All of the Starbucks Star Dashes represent one-to-one marketing, meaning that they are tailored to the person who receives them. How many stars you need to earn in the dash is based upon your past transaction history.
Now is the time to sign up for the first Star Dash of 2014. Many customers will have received a Star Dash invite – if you use the Android phone app, you won’t see it there. You’ll need to log in your profile at Starbucks.com. Log in to your account and check what you have waiting there! You don’t want to miss any of your rewards either – I have heard all kinds of stories of people simply not realizing they had digital rewards. You must affirmatively track your own rewards. No barista will ever say, “Surprise, you have a reward!”
Back on the topic of the Star Dash, here’s what the first Star Dash of 2014 looked like for me:
If I earn 40 stars by February 11th, I will get 20 bonus stars. Please do not be alarmed in reading this. YOUR Star Dash may not look like this at all! Some people will get emails that tell them that they’ll earn bonus stars if they earn as few as 8, or 12 stars before the 11th of February. Some of the emails may show the rewards as a $5.00 and $10.00 gift card, depending on what yours looks like! Do not assume that your Star Dash will look like mine. I have heard that there is a lot of variation to this first Star Dash – yours is tailored to you!
You log into your Starbucks.com profile, and click to “Join Now.” One very confusing thing is that the second page, confirming that you’re in states that the stars must be earned before February 9th. Here’s the second page:
That’s a little confusing – February 9th or February 11th? I will email an official Starbucks spokesperson and try to find out more information about which of the two dates is correct.
One reader of this blog received this Star Dash:
As you can see, some people are doing a leisurely Star Walk, and others are on a serious Star Run. 😉 Which Star Dash did you receive?
If you are not part of MyStarbucksRewards then what you need to do is this: go to Starbucks and grab a gift card. Put at least $5 on that card. Register it online at Starbucks.com. You will get a free drink reward if you register a Starbucks card (your first card; this is not for existing MyStarbucksRewards members) before the 7th of February. And again, your valuable rewards will just expire on you and go to waste unless you take the time to track them. For those of you who do have a Gold Card, keep in mind that you are not required to use it. Use any card registered to your profile. Join now, and get a free drink!
So did you get a Star Dash, and what was your challenge, tailored to you? (Here’s one reader who has to get 25 stars to get his Dash reward.)
If you like browsing different card styles, or more on this topic, please click through the past Starbucks Card articles.
EDIT – JANUARY 28, 2014:
I have heard from an official Starbucks spokesperson:
“We will extend the Star Dash through the 11th.”
Now you know the right end date.
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I joined the Dash. Mine said that 6 stars will get me 10 bonus and 10 stars will get me 20 bonus stars. I already have gold status but this will help me maintain it.
Mine was exactly the same as yours. Bad timing with the free coffee mug for January.
Melody,
Thanks a bunch for bringing this to my attention! I joined.
Mine says I get 10 bonus if I earn 12 stars by Feb 9. That is so worth drinking more coffee. 🙂
~Allie
@Afton That’s interesting – There were A LOT of variations on this current star dash. They must really know our buying habits. 🙂
@Scott B – I didn’t think about how the special mugs played into this. You can always buy a treat too. 😉
Wow…mine was earn 10 get 10 or earn 15 get 20. I don’t think I could do 40! I love these promos.
@Allie and @Sandra – Thanks for your comments. I think it’s amazing the variation on this first Star Dash! You guys are on a little Star Walk. Clearly, I’m doing a Star Marathon! 😉
I’m a M-F 5 one iced coffee drinker and I got the 25 star offer – which pretty much means I would need to double my spend to get the 10 stars. Not doing it
It’s probably because of all the Starbucks in your proximity, Melody. 🙂
@Sandra – It’s not just the Starbucks – I really love the food at the one Teavana Concept Store, and I love the food at Evolution Fresh – it IS good for you food!! If you look at how often I visit those places (and I AM earning stars there) plus Starbucks visits on the same day, it is a lot of stars.
@Colleen – that is a bummer that you got one that was so high for the amount that you go. 🙁
Mine said that 6 stars will get me 10 bonus stars. 10 stars will get me 20 bonus stars.
Wow, I thought I had a tough dash with 25 stars for the bonus 20 but 40?!?!. Yikes!
I got the earn 6, get 10; earn 10, get 20. I’m surprised that it was only 6 drinks to get 10 stars. Usually when I get them I have to earn much more than that. But this one I think I can do!
Can you use a starbucks card at teavana? I’m moving to Atlanta next month and I’m so excited for the teavana in the mall!
My email invite is earn 10, get 10; earn 15, get 20 but when I click and log into my account the offer isn’t there?
@J – Thank you for your comment – You win the award for the slowest paced Star Dash that I’ve heard of – Will you email me a copy of your image that you used to sign up? I would LOVE to use it on this blog, if that’s alright with you.
@Greg – I’ve heard of a lot of people who got the same one as me, but I don’t know of anyone over 40 stars to get a reward – that seems to be where it tops out. It’s too funny – it’s a Star Walk, or Star Dash, or a Star Run or a Star Marathon, depending on which email you got!
Mine is 12 for 10 bonus stars and 18 for 20 bonus stars by feb 9. I only have a few stars for January since I’ve been using my January coffee tumbler. It will be nice to try and earn some bonus stars!
I got the 20 one and that is not happening
Just want to pass along a tip that i shared on Facebook regarding “Star Dash” promotions. I buy Starbucks Whole Bean Coffee often (for both at home and the office) – i save the stars that are attached the bags to utilize for these promotions when i need a couple more to achieve the goal. This is a way you can truly utilize your stars to your advantage. I hope this helps someone else.
I, too, am a Star Marathoner. It helps I work there and often than not purchase an afternoon snack before I go home.
The thing I’m struggling with these days is at what point do I have to stop participating because it’s more important for me to get my weight/health under control and save money. I’m lucky that I do get free drinks while I’m there, but I’m one of the few (at least in my store) who doesn’t get drinks all the time. The empty calories aren’t helping me with my goals. It’s tempting to participate, but at what coat to my bottom line (and bottom!)
While typing this, a thought has occurred to me: with so many “new” products out there (LaBoulange, Evolution Fresh, new drinks, foods, etc) how about a future star dash be geared towards those of us who have no problem meeting the required # of stars, but always get the same thing? A scavenger hunt of sorts. I know this has happened in the past with CPG related star codes…but a new dash where you try new items AND get rewarded for trying…I might do it. I didn’t bring lunch one day and got the Turkey Havarti just to try it. And now I like it! It might open the door for those die-hard Starbucks fans out there to break free of “the usual” and try some of these new amazing things we offer! (And from the rumors we’ve heard in the conference call and elsewhere, there will certainly be new stuff to try and love!)
Thoughts?
The people who rarely if ever use their cards in my family got an offer for 4 stars for $5 and 7 stars for $10. (Canada)
I got the star dash and signed up and my deadline is feb. 9 and the ratio is 20 stars or 40 stars. Very interesting the difference from one reward member to the other.
After reading this post, there is absolutely no way I am participating in this discriminatory promo! Just because I’m a loyal customer who usually spends more at Starbucks doesn’t mean I have to spend more for the same promo with same reward as other customers. Definitely a skip big time!! Kinda upset about it actually lol.
@Soon – I can see why people would feel like that. Starbucks rewards their least loyal customers the most when it comes to MyStarbucksRewards (or so it seems by promos like this), and that feels oily when they work so hard to tell you that you’ll get a lot more at gold. On top of it all, if Starbucks doesn’t honor that date of the 11th – well that’s oily too. They can do whatever they like, it’s their business. But if you send an email to hundreds of thousands with a date of the 11th on it, you should stick by what you’ve put in black and white. And, if it’s the 9th, to get to 40 stars, I’ll need to earn about 3 stars a day. There are times I earn just one or two a day … Some days are high stars but not all!
I got the email with the 25 stars = 10 bonus…etc. But the date, as you said, in the email says by Feb 11th then when I signed up it said Feb 9th. It’d be nice to get that straightened out!
Everybody in my family (4) got star dash emails, which is unusual. All are earn 4 get 10 or earn 7 get 20.
However Starbucks servers are being slammed as I have not been able to log into my account via the Internet or the App for the last 2 hours. None of the family members have been able to sign up either.
@DeniseR – Probably millions of these emails went out. I feel like Starbucks should honor what they put in black and white. It’s kind of a big deal that they’re inconsistent with the end date. I’m still trying to get an official response. Maybe they’re swamped with inquiries right now?
@Melody- Again, you live in Seattle with plenty of everything Starbucks has to offer. There are no EF stores here in my area. 🙁
Mine looks like yours: Earn 25, get 10. Earn 40, get 20. I’m on it!
I have a topic for a future article. You can earn badges on your rewards account now. Most I have earned without knowing they could be earned, for example ‘Cup Half Full’ (being 6 starts from your next drink or food reward). Would be nice if all available ones would display. (Some are grayed out that I haven’t earned, yet I earn some without even knowing to try). Until then, what others have people earned? Below are the ones I have:
Welcome
joining My Starbucks Rewards!
Green
collecting 5 stars in My Starbucks Rewards!
Gold
collecting 30 stars in My Starbucks Rewards!
New Years 2014
visiting a Starbucks store on New Years Day 2014
Christmas 2013
visiting a Starbucks store on Christmas Day 2013
Thanksgiving 2013
visiting a Starbucks store on Thanksgiving Day 2013
Happy Halloween 2013
visiting a Starbucks store on Halloween 2013.
Auto-Reload
setting up auto-reload on your Starbucks Card.
Web Reload
reloading your Starbucks Card on Starbucks.com.
Coffee Bean Chaser
using the Store Locator.
Grande Poobah
having a well stocked Starbucks Card balance.
You earned the Grande Poobah Badge for your $100 Starbucks Card balance!
Cup Half Full
being 6 Stars from your next drink or food reward.
Gracious Giver
sending an eGift.
Happy to send you a screenprint of mine if you’d like.
Thanks for keeping up this fun blog!
I got 10 and 15 for this dash. Weirdly I never did receive an email from Starbucks about this and double checked my spam as well. I’ve noticed lately I’m not receiving the Starbucks promotions like I was.
Mine was the same as Afton and Scott B. Earn 6 stars, get 10 bonus stars. Earn 10 stars, get 20 bonus stars.
So wild to see how this varies based on the Starbucks user accounts. I would say it’s based on how long you’ve been a Starbucks card member, but I see that’s not consistent either.
I got a “Star Dash” – 8 stars for $5 and 12 stars for $10 e-gift cards, and have until February 9 to do so. This is in Canada.
Just a word of caution though based on my own recent experiences with Starbucks promotions. It was like pulling teeth to get bonus star promotions and I had to write and explain over and over again with my confirmed transactions to get the stars I was supposed to get in the first place. They make you feel like you’re trying to pull a fast one on them, even after I forwarded my email and registered card numbers for them to review the transactions. So, remember to check what they have applied (or not) to your account and make sure you get what you’re entitled to (based on their offers). Good luck, everyone!
Side Question: Does “any handcrafted espresso beverage” need to be hot? That’s what the baristas said about not being able to apply a coupon to my espresso frappuccino.
I participated in the last one with the $10 reward for 10 stars and I never received it. I’m not going out of my way to participate this time.
No email for me. Guess I’m not doing any dashes of any kind. Boo-hoo. And I’ve done them all in the past too!
I got 10/10 and 15/20!
I got the Star Marathon 25/10 and 40/20, there is no way I can get that many stars during the dash period, so I’m not even going to try for it.
Wow, mine looks like the slowest (not that I’m complaining!)
4 stars for 10 bonus stars
7 stars for 20 bonus stars
I’ve never had a successful dash before, so maybe this will encourage me! 😀
to add! I did not get the dash email but the invite was there when I logged in. HOWEVER, I went today and I went yesterday…and while it gave me credit for the 2 stars towards my dash, I did not get the credit of those 2 stars toward my luck dozen (does that make sense?) they show up on my calendar page but yet it still says I have 7 stars toward my next reward but really I should have 9 now. Is anyone else experiencing this? Is this a side effect of the dash, that they don’t go towards your lucky dozen?
I’m glad you brought this up Melody. I was going to email you personally and ask if you understood it. Quite honestly, I was very confused with everything they do as of late. I’m tired of calling Starbucks CS for information on these promotions and all the screw ups pertaining to disappearing codes or whatever it may be. 40 Stars by the 9th or the 11th is just crazy. They are just temping people to hold up lines and ring items up separately IMHO.
I’m going to get a bit OT, but I learned today that they will also no longer offer $1 off for doing a survey. I was told the survey’s will continue, but no code or discount will be given. I was told Starbucks believes it will not hinder anybody from taking a survey for free. I disagree. I think the vast majority would not waste their time unless they have a gripe! Has anybody else heard this?
@Hayley – The last time I called CS, they told me some of my stars may take 24 hrs. to show. I had a similar occurrence unrelated to this or any promotion. It has never happened before, but why now??? All I will say is that it is possible those stars may appear between now and tomorrow. I hope that helps….
Their cs must be getting slammed right now, I bet! I knew it took up to 24 hrs to show…but the one from yesterday has been over 24 hrs now. And yes, I usually don’t get mine for 4-12 hrs, But it’s just odd to me that it shows up ‘halfway’ like its on my calendar that I got one…but not in my cup or towards my lucky dozen.
BTW my dash screen on my acct now shows the 11th
Mine says 4 stars will get me 10 bonus stars and 7 stars will get me 20 bonus stars, but I’ve been buying A LOT of sbux lately so maybe that’s why 🙂
@Hayley – Almost every time I make a purchase, the star is immediately added to my account. Almost every time…… Sometimes within minutes. I hope they are getting slammed. They kind of deserve it.
Thanks for sharing this! I didn’t receive an email about it, but just logged into my account. My dash is earn 4,get 10 or earn 7, get 20! I’m so excited about that!
@Chgo. I kind of agree. If the answers they gave pertained to the questions too, I bet it would help. I emailed CS earlier to ask about the star from yesterday. The email I just got back said to delete and re-install the app. Ok, but hello…that won’t fix the fact that it’s happening om my computer account too! Which I stated in my email to them! *end rant*
@Hayley – I’m surprised they just didn’t tell you they will add a free reward to your card for the trouble. That is what they usually do for me, but who knows? I don’t think they know what they are doing anymore. I keep believing that since they rolled out La Boulange, crazy things started happening with everything. I see many Partners partaking in a mass exodus.
@Chgo. Haha! I must be on their ‘She calls a lot’ list or something! They haven’t offered me a free reward for the trouble in a long time! I really don’t even have much free time on my hands…but crazy things have been happening on my account for awhile. Including just a complete cease of emails for over a month now despite my pref being all checked…so I wasn’t that surprised to not see the Dash email in my inbox. I have called about that too…
No star dash for me 🙁 Hopefully the email is just late?!?!
DH got the 4 for 10 one.
Ugh, meant ot add that I did check my account, and it wasn’t in there.
And, later today I got this reply to my inquiry about receiving the email but not being able to join the dash. Try again tomorrow…meanwhile the Feb 11 deadline draws closer.
I am so sorry you are unable to see if you are opted in for the Star Dash. We have been experiencing some site problems so I would suggest trying again tomorrow. If you are still having problems please contact us again and we will be happy to further assist you. Thank you for your patience in this.
The Star Dash is not showing up in Firefox on Windows (does show up in Firefox on Apple Mavericks). It does show up in Internet Explorer on Windows.
It looks to me that Starbucks is making changes to the programs and putting out incomplete products. Not a smart thing to do in any case and even more so when starting a new promo.