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Everyone deserves to be spoiled on their birthday, right? It's a day when all bets are off, and getting something for free is on the mark.
So, why not start your day off with a free Starbucks birthday drink to fuel your 24 hours of fun?
Let’s talk about the details to get yours!
Key Takeaways
What Exactly Is The Starbucks Birthday Reward?
The Starbucks Birthday Reward is just one of the many benefits of joining the Starbucks Rewards Program.[1]
When you become a member, you’re eligible to receive 1 free item off the menu on your birthday.
You may be thinking, “but what if I don’t like coffee?”
No problem! You can get almost any beverage with your Starbucks rewards, whether it be one of the already-prepared Starbucks bottled Frappuccinos or even a food item.
Pretty much any food items are up for grabs, too. Just remember, you can only redeem it on your actual birth date!
The only other items that are strictly off-limits for birthday rewards are merch, as well as things like whole bean coffee or a packaged coffee item.
What Free Drinks Can You Get On Your Birthday?
You can order just about any drink or food item on the Starbucks menu for your birthday. This includes one complimentary handcrafted beverage or food item - free brewed coffee, iced coffee, hot coffee, hot breakfast item, protein box, breakfast sandwich - it doesn't matter.
Just keep in mind that if you order a handcrafted drink, it can only be in a standard Starbucks menu size.
If you're a mod king or queen, you are limited to up to 2 customizations (or limited to $20).
You can also redeem one of their ready-to-drink bottled beverages like the Evolution Fresh juices, bottled Mocha Frappuccinos, or any other bottled drink as your Starbucks birthday reward.
What Can't You Get With The Starbucks Birthday Reward
While there are plenty of items on the Starbucks menu you can enjoy for free on your birthday, there are some exclusions.
You can't get multi-serve food or beverage items such as a a coffee traveler, items that contain alcohol, Starbucks merchandise, pre-packaged coffee beans, and items at the Starbucks Roastery.
Other than that, you're free to celebrate your birthday with a delicious Starbucks drink![2]
3 Steps To Redeem The Starbucks Free Birthday Drink
There are just three steps you have to take before you can enjoy your treat (don't worry, they're super simple).
1. Join Starbucks Rewards Program
First, hop on the Starbucks mobile app or website (I recommend the app - so much easier!) and join the Starbucks Rewards Program.[3]
Make sure you create an account at least one week before your birthday. It takes just a couple of minutes and is completely free.
All you have to do is enter your name, email address, and password.
You’ll automatically be eligible to receive free refills, personalized offers, and promotion access before non-members.
2. Add Your Birthday
Okay, once that’s done, head over to the “Personal Info” tab located on the account page.
Simply tap on the little person icon on the upper right-hand corner of the app or click it from the drop-down menu on the website.
Scroll down to the “birthday field” and input your birth month and day (don’t worry, no one has to know your birth year!).
It's really important that you do this because your birthday needs to be added to your profile to obtain your birthday reward!
3. Earn At Least 1 Star
You have to earn at least one star on your profile within the last year in order to receive your birthday reward.
This is super easy to do. Just make sure you use your Starbucks Rewards account in any way when you visit Starbucks and order.
Ways to earn Starbucks stars include:
- Pay for your order with a Starbucks Card (Two stars per $1)
- Pay in person with a Starbucks Card at participating locations (Two stars per $1)
- Pay with a linked debit or credit card via the app (One star per $1)
- Enter star codes in via the Rewards page on Starbucks' website (Various stars per $1)
Some days Starbucks offers double stars, too, and you can use these to redeem free drink modifications, drinks, food, and even merch!
So if you go to Starbucks even a few times a year, it's worth earning stars. Just remember, stars expire six months after they're earned on the first day of the month.
Any Starbucks coffee shops located inside stores like Barnes & Noble, Target, or Safeway do not offer reward stars.
Tips For Using Your Starbucks Free Birthday Reward
It’s not for deliveries
You can't use your Birthday Reward if ordering delivery, like from Uber Eats or DoorDash.
You have to go in person to an actual location and use your Starbucks app or Starbucks gift card connected to your Rewards account.
If it’s cold, get a Trenta
Okay, this is a little hack many don't know.
For your birthday reward drink, if you want a cold beverage, you can order a 31-ounce Trenta, which still counts as a free drink!
If hot, though, it has to be a 24-ounce Venti or smaller.
Check your app
If you don't see the Birthday Reward in your app two days before your birthday or less, reach out to customer service to make sure you're eligible.
Get those free refills!
No caffeine junkie in their right mind would pass up a free coffee refill, am I right?!
Make your purchase with a registered Starbucks card or the app, and you can grab a free refill before you leave.
This offer works with hot or cold beverages (obviously not a bottled beverage).
Use the Rewards Programs’ offers the right way
Starbucks stores can make practically everything, so if you have a free drink after so many stars, at least get a Venti if you’re going to order a free hot brewed coffee.[4]
Why Isn’t Your Starbucks Birthday Reward Working?
Most of the time, if your Birthday Reward isn't showing up, it's because you either haven't input your birthday in your account information or haven't earned your one star in the last 12 months prior to your birthday.
Again, you also can't sign up last minute. Rather, you must sign up for the loyalty program at least 7 days before your birthday to enjoy your freebies.
If you have checked all these boxes, and your Starbucks birthday rewards still aren’t popping up, contact their customer service.
What To Do If You Are Charged After Using Birthday Reward
Okay, to make sure you enjoy all the birthday freebies and don’t get charged, please make sure to let the barista know you want to use your birthday reward.
Unfortunately, the system is kind of weird and doesn't automatically register it as a birthday treat.
If you have already been charged, call the 1-800 number on the back of the card or the regular customer service number, and they will refund you (and may even give you a free drink for the inconvenience).
3 Best Birthday Drinks At Starbucks
The big day is here and it's time to party!
Put those stars to good use and order a fancy birthday beverage, such as:
1. Triple Chocolate Mocha
If you can't eat as much chocolate as you want, when can you?
The chocolate cold foam and extra syrups really level up this indulgent dessert drink.
How To Order A Triple Chocolate Mocha
- Ask for a Venti Iced White Mocha with two pumps of white mocha syrup, two pumps of mocha sauce, and chocolate cream cold foam.
2. Cinnamon Dolce Shaken Espresso
It's your birthday - you may as well go ham on the extras!
This take on the shaken espresso is great for anyone who wants to sweeten things up without going down the chocolate or fruit route.
How To Order A Cinnamon Dolce Shaken Espresso
- Ask for a Venti Iced Shaken Espresso with blonde shots, no classic syrup, four pumps of cinnamon dolce syrup, and oat milk - try adding dolce topping and vanilla cold foam if you're feeling extra sweet.
3. Green Tea White Mocha Frappe
Green tea fans unite! Green tea and white chocolate are such a great combo that feel just a little fancier than my usual coffee.
Adding extra sauce, whipped cream, and a cookie topping just really ties together the birthday celebrations for me.
How To Order A Green Tea White Mocha Frappe
- Ask for a Venti Green Tea Frappuccino with two pumps of white mocha sauce, whipped cream, and cookie crumble topping.
Common Starbucks Birthday Drink Questions
Can I get my free Starbucks drink after my birthday?
Unfortunately, no, you have to go to your local Starbucks store on the day of your actual birthday. It will expire the day after and isn't offered the day before.
Can you get any size free birthday drink at Starbucks?
Rewards members can enjoy any size free birthday drink at Starbucks, so long as it is one of the standard Starbucks sizes.
Can you use your birthday reward on the Starbucks app?
Yes, you can use your birthday reward on the Starbucks app. However, you must let your barista know you want to redeem it specifically for that occasion.
What if your birthday is incorrect?
If you notice your birthday is incorrect in your Starbucks Rewards account, make sure to change it ASAP! It can take up to 48 hours to update the request, and many employees won't make an exception if it's still displaying the wrong date.
In Summary - Get a Free Starbucks Birthday Drink!
Starbucks’ recent changes to how to redeem rewards may have sparked outrage for many coffee lovers out there, but they’ve luckily kept their Starbucks Birthday Rewards program intact (for now).
What are you waiting for? Go sign up for that yummy birthday reward now!
References:
1. https://customerservice.starbucks.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3943/~/how-do-i-redeem-my-birthday-reward%3F-where-can-i-redeem-my-birthday-reward%3F
2. https://www.starbucks.com/rewards/terms/
3. https://www.starbucks.com/account/create
4. https://www.starbucks.com/rewards
