Starbucks GC can be used in the airports... right?

[MimitoAlex]

So this might sound strange, my friends just got back from a trip to Disneyland California, and she said that they tried to use their Starbucks GCs in the airport ( LAX ) and where told Nope you cant use Starbucks or any other Visa GC or the likes of them. Huh?

So I mentioned this to another friend and she said that they had the same response in JFK and in Atlanta, nope...

We have used Starbucks GC's at MCO( orlando) and JFK before. Is this something new? I understand not being able to use them internationally meaning in other airports in other countries.

I ask this as DD and I are heading to Japan and plan on using Starbucks GCs in US airports that we will be flying thru. its just the easiest way to go. I looked on line and did not find anything either way, maybe I missed something.

Anything light on this I much appreciated.

Thanks as always..

 

[eticketplease]

Like you I’ve had no issues using the gift cards at MCO. Mine are linked to my Starbucks account and I just scan the app not sure if that makes a difference though.

 

[dvcgirl67]

Starbucks in places like the airports and Disney are not corporate Starbucks....they are licensees. Those employees do not work for Starbucks. They work for the licensee. Some licensees may take Starbucks Gift cards while others may not. It depends on how integrated each store is with the corporation. Some do their own thing. I'm not sure why they wouldn't take the visa GC....that store may have a "no gift card policy".

 

[barkley]

their website just says it can be used at 'most' u.s. airport locations-but they don't provide a list so i suspect it's just luck of the draw on it. the airport locations are not operated by starbucks themselves but contracted out by starbucks to another operator who i guess can pick and choose which locations accept the cards and which do not (we have some local starbucks inside grocery stores that won't take giftcards either).

 

[design_mom]

We have had luck using gift cards in some airport Starbucks locations and not in others. However, we have not had trouble "paying with the app" and loading the giftcard in it. (i.e. I think almost all of them accept "pay through the app" and you can load your GC into the app... but fewer will accept a physical gift card.) We were told that it's up to the individual location whether they "participate" in accepting gift cards or not.

It is frustrating though, at least one of the locations that refused to accept physical gift cards actually SOLD gift cards... they had a whole big display on the counter. So you could BUY gift cards there, but you couldn't redeem them. Seems like if you're "participating in gift cards" by selling, you should also be required to redeem them.)

 

[QueenIsabella]

Good to know. My younger two are Starbucks fans, and the youngest, in particular, loves getting Starbucks cups/mugs in various places he visits--you know, those place-specific designs. I think they just use the app, though.

 

[bcla]

There are licensed locations that aren't operated directly by Starbucks. Worldwide there are almost as many licensed locations as company owned. I would think that many (but not all) airport locations are operated by an airport concession that's just doing business as a Starbucks location.

https://fourweekmba.com/starbucks-operated-vs-licensed-stores/

The locations I've been to at Target stores apparently take both SB and Target gift cards.

 

[MimitoAlex]

There are licensed locations that aren't operated directly by Starbucks. Worldwide there are almost as many licensed locations as company owned. I would think that many (but not all) airport locations are operated by an airport concession that's just doing business as a Starbucks location.

https://fourweekmba.com/starbucks-operated-vs-licensed-stores/

The locations I've been to at Target stores apparently take both SB and Target gift cards.

My local target takes both as well, yet the one near my DD only will take the app. for target GC, and the cards for SB.

 

[MimitoAlex]

Op here,

Thanks everyone... DD and I were talking about it and she used SB gift card at LAX on our trip to Disneyland, and we used them at JFK, ATL and at MCO - I wonder if it depends on which air-side terminal you are going out of, we always fly with Delta and have always been able to use them...

DD decided to put her SB - GC on the app so we will see.

I do agree why would the sell GC's and not accept them... which is just kinda silly..