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Sometimes, I just do not want to leave the house for an Americano.
I have definitely had nights where even making coffee at home felt like one task too many, so I opened Uber Eats or DoorDash and looked at Starbucks instead.
That was when I expected my Starbucks gift cards, which were basically sitting unused, to finally come in handy.
They do not work on either platform.
Key takeaways
Does UberEats accept Starbucks gift cards?
Even though you can buy Starbucks drinks through Uber Eats, you cannot use a Starbucks gift card to pay for the order.
Instead, you must pay with cash, a debit/credit card, or a Uber Eats gift card.
At first, that felt like it should work, but the checkout is handled separately, so the card does not carry over.
How to get Starbucks delivery through Uber Eats
If you still want Starbucks through Uber Eats, you can place the order without using your gift card.
The ordering flow is straightforward, and it feels similar to the other delivery orders I place in the app.
When I have looked through delivery menus, a few drinks or menu items have been missing compared with the regular Starbucks menu.
Some customizations may not show up either, but the order usually still gets close to what I wanted.
That has not changed my order much when I just want a familiar coffee.
You can also opt for a free Uber Eats Pickup instead of a driver delivering it to your doorstep.
If I want to use the Starbucks balance, the cleaner workaround is usually to order ahead and pick it up at a participating Starbucks store, where I can pay with my Starbucks Card in person.
Delivery is not eligible for Starbucks Rewards benefits, so don’t expect you will earn stars on your Starbucks rewards visa card.
Can I use my Starbucks gift card on DoorDash?
DoorDash is also affiliated with Starbucks and delivers coffee and other products but does not offer you the option to use your gift card.
DoorDash works in much the same way. The app handles its own checkout, so a Starbucks gift card is still outside the payment options.
What shows up in DoorDash depends a lot on location.
One part of town may have a different Starbucks listing, or a different delivery partner, than another.
That’s why I suggest always checking both apps, because you may find that one of your favorite restaurants is delivering food and coffee you couldn’t find in the other one.
In-store pickup is free, although both delivery services charge restaurants a fee for delivery orders.
Remember that the prices of the products will be higher when you order them, either for delivery or pickup, compared to prices when you walk to your closest Starbucks.
That fee sits on the delivery side, not on the Starbucks Card.
Reasons why you can’t use Starbucks gift cards on these apps
The reason Starbucks gift cards do not work on these apps is simple enough: Starbucks and the delivery platforms run separate payment systems.
As third-party services, Uber Eats and DoorDash have their own payment systems.
Once I actually looked at the checkout screens, it made sense. The Starbucks balance stays inside Starbucks, while the app wants its own payment method.
So the practical setup is to use a Starbucks Card in a Starbucks store and use the delivery company's own card or payment method in its app.
That keeps the two systems separate instead of trying to make one card work everywhere.
How do I use a Starbucks card?
If you just got a Starbucks Card, the basics are easy to remember.
I have always liked it as a simple way to keep coffee spending in one place, whether the card is physical or digital and tied to my account.
You can also choose a design through your Starbucks account, which makes more sense when the card is meant as a gift.
If the card is not already loaded, you will need to add money to it before using it.
You can do this in-store or on the Starbucks website and add any amount you want – a minimum of $5 and a maximum of $500. You can even add funds with Apple Pay at Starbucks.
Next time you’re at Starbucks and ready to purchase, simply hand your card to the barista or use it on the Starbucks app for Starbucks delivery.
Once it is loaded, you can use it for anything on the Starbucks menu, from a plain espresso to a seasonal drink or a sandwich.
There are no extra fees or expiry date, which is one reason people keep reusing the same card for a long time.
Setting up DoorDash and Uber Eats gift cards follows almost the same steps.
FAQs
Can I use a Starbucks gift card on Grubhub?
I have not found Starbucks gift cards to be a Grubhub payment option. Grubhub may accept restaurant gift cards in general, but it is not connected with Starbucks, so the card will not work there.
Where else can I use a Starbucks gift card?
You can use a Starbucks gift card in all stores across the U.S. or Canada. The gift card should be valid in most airport and grocery locations as well. Most stores across Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and Mexico will accept it.
Can I use Uber Eats gift cards to buy Starbucks beverages?
Yes, Uber Eats gift cards can be used to buy Starbucks beverages.
How can I load my Uber Eats or DoorDash gift card?
On Uber Eats, open Wallet to load the card. On DoorDash, go to Gift Card, enter the Gift Card Pin, then add the card code and funds.
How do I transfer a Starbucks gift card to another account?
To transfer a Starbucks gift card to another account, use a participating Starbucks retail location or sign in through the app or website. On the website, go to account and look for Manage under Card Management. In the iOS and Android apps, check the Starbucks Cards & payment option in the upper right corner.
Conclusion
So the split is pretty simple: Starbucks gift cards do not work on DoorDash or Uber Eats, but the gift cards for those delivery apps can be used for Starbucks orders.
That is the easiest way to think about it.
Honestly, it mostly just gives me an excuse to leave the house and drive over with coffee in hand.
