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The first time I looked into the Starbucks birthday reward, I realized it is a little more specific than a free-anything-on-the-menu deal.
If you already use the app, it can be an easy way to start the day with something you probably would have ordered anyway.
This is the part that matters if you want to redeem yours without any confusion.
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.
When you become a member, you’re eligible to receive 1 free item off the menu on your birthday.
If coffee is not really your thing, that does not shut you out.
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 item is fair game too. Just remember that you can only redeem it on your actual birth date!
Merch is excluded, along with things like whole bean coffee or packaged coffee products.
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 like a lot of changes, you are limited to up to 2 customizations, or $20 worth.
You can also redeem one of the ready-to-drink bottled beverages, like Evolution Fresh juices, bottled Mocha Frappuccinos, or another bottled drink.
What can't you get with the Starbucks birthday reward
So there are plenty of ways to use the birthday reward, but there are still a few 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!
3 Steps to redeem the Starbucks free birthday drink
There are just three steps to take before you can enjoy it, and they are simple enough.
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.
Create your account at least one week before your birthday. It only takes a couple of minutes and is free.
You only need a name, email address, and password to get started.
Once you are signed up, you should be eligible for free refills, personalized offers, and promotion access before non-members.
2. Add your birthday
After that, go to the “Personal Info” tab on your account page.
Tap the little person icon in the upper right corner of the app, or choose it from the drop-down menu on the website.
Scroll down to the birthday field and enter your birth month and day. You do not have to share your birth year.
That step matters because your birthday needs to be on your profile before the reward will show up.
3. Earn at least 1 star
You also have to earn at least one star on your profile within the last year to receive the birthday reward.
That part is easy enough if you use your Starbucks Rewards account when you 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!
If you stop by Starbucks a few times a year, it can still be worth keeping an eye on your stars. They expire six months after they are 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 redeem it in person at an actual location, using your Starbucks app or a Starbucks gift card connected to your Rewards account.
If it’s cold, get a trenta
This is one of the parts people miss most often.
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 the drink is hot, it has to be 24 ounces, Venti or smaller.
Check your app
If you do not see the Birthday Reward in your app two days before your birthday, reach out to customer service to check that everything is set up correctly.
Get those free refills!
A free refill is the kind of thing that usually gets my attention too.
Make your purchase with a registered Starbucks card or the app, and you can grab a free refill before you leave.
The offer works with hot or cold beverages, but not bottled drinks.
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.
Why isn’t your Starbucks birthday reward working?
Most of the time, if the Birthday Reward is missing, it is because the birthday was not entered or the account has not earned a star in the last 12 months.
You also cannot sign up at the last minute. Starbucks says you need to join the loyalty program at least 7 days before your birthday.
If you have checked all of that and the reward still is not showing, customer service is the next stop.
What to do if you are charged after using birthday reward
When you get to the register, tell the barista you want to use your birthday reward so it does not get charged by accident.
The system does not always register it automatically 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
At that point, the part you were waiting for is finally here.
Once you have the reward, it is a good excuse to order something a little more fun than usual, such as:
1. Triple Chocolate Mocha
If you are going to use a birthday reward, this is usually the moment people go for the extra chocolate.
The chocolate cold foam and extra syrups make this drink feel closer to dessert than an everyday coffee.
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
Birthday drinks are a good time to add the extras you normally skip.
This version of the shaken espresso works well when you want something sweeter without leaning into chocolate or fruit.
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
If you like green tea, the white chocolate makes this feel a little more special than my usual coffee order.
Extra sauce, whipped cream, and a cookie topping make the whole drink feel a lot more like a birthday treat.
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.
FAQs
Can I get my free Starbucks drink after my birthday?
You do have to redeem it at your local Starbucks on your actual birthday. It expires the next day and is not 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, as 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 in the Starbucks app. You still need to tell the barista that you want to redeem it for that order.
What if your birthday is incorrect?
If your birthday is wrong in your Starbucks Rewards account, change it as soon as possible. It can take up to 48 hours to update, and some employees will not make an exception if the date still looks wrong.
In Summary - Get a free Starbucks birthday drink!
Starbucks' recent changes to how rewards are redeemed may have frustrated a lot of coffee fans, but the birthday reward is still intact for now.
If you have not signed up yet, it is worth doing before your next birthday.
