Starbucks will change the number of Star Rewards required for free drinks in February

The number of “stars” Starbucks customers in the US and Canada will have to earn certain foods and drinks free through the company’s rewards program is scheduled to go up in February.

When members of Starbucks Rewards Program spend money with the coffee chain, they can earn stars, including two for every $1 with a Starbucks card and one for every $1 with a credit or debit card. They can point those stars toward redeeming rewards like free drinks and merchandise, depending on how many they have.

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The update to the Starbucks Rewards program, details on the company’s website, includes increasing the number of “stars” needed to buy things for three levels. Starbucks is also changing the levels at which certain foods, beverages and other products can be redeemed.

the changes reported for the first time Tuesday from Insider, effective February 13. American and Canadian rewards members have been notified of the impending changes, according to Starbucks.

Under the February changes, customers will need to have earned 100 stars to receive:

• Hot brewed coffee
• Hot steeped tea
• Iced coffee
• Brewed iced tea
• A bakery item
• Packed breakfast
• One 24oz Cold Siren logo plastic cup
• One 16oz Siren logo plastic hot mug

For hot brewed coffee, hot steeped tea, and a bakery item, this will mark a 50 star increase from the 50 currently required to redeem them. Meanwhile, the number of stars to get a free iced coffee, iced tea and snack is reduced by 50 stars.

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Walking cups are also new to the level.

Starbucks has more than 15,000 locations in 50 countries. (iStock/iStock)

The following items will be redeemable for 200 stars:

• Handcrafted drink
• Hot breakfast

Customers can currently receive a handcrafted drink like a latte or a hot breakfast like oatmeal for 150 stars.

Here’s what customers can get for 300 stars in February:

• Packed salad or sandwich for lunch
• Packaged Protein Box
• Packaged coffee

Packaged foods that will become 300 stars can currently be redeemed for 200 stars. Packaged coffee, however, has dropped down from 400 stars.

The lowest and highest reward tiers will see no change in their point requirements, remaining at 25 and 400 stars respectively.

The number of stars Starbucks customers in the US and Canada will need to get certain food and drinks for free through the company’s rewards program is expected to increase in February. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File/AP Newsroom)

Through the 25-star level, customers can redeem a drink modifier, such as an extra shot of espresso or syrup. They will also be able to get a “pick Starbucks merchandise item worth up to $20″ by redeeming 400 stars in February.

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Other aspects of the Starbucks Rewards program – like it free birthday reward and its reusable cup benefit — and how members can earn Star Points also remain the same, according to Starbucks.

In early November Starbucks reported that its total active Starbucks Rewards members in the US for the fourth quarter were 28.7 million, marking a 16% increase over the same period last year.

At the time, it also said it generated $8.414 billion in fourth-quarter revenue, up from $8.147 billion in last year’s fourth quarter. Quarterly net earnings shrank from $1.764 billion to $878.3 million.