Starbucks - vent

[pam95]

A few weeks ago, I redeemed some Pampers rewards points for a Starbucks gift card. When I received the card, there was a sticker saying I should register my card online to receive extra rewards. I went to the Starbucks site, registered my card, etc. Last week, I got an e-mail offer from Starbucks stating that I would get $5 if I reloaded my card with $25 using my VISA card. So, I did. The extra $5 was not added to my card, so I e-mailed customer service. I got a response today saying that in order to qualify for the extra $5, I was required to reload my card using the mobile application - store reloads and online reloads don't apply. I rechecked my e-mail, and NOWHERE in the e-mail does it state this! All it says is go to starbucks.com, reload card with $25 using VISA card, get $5. I did exactly what the e-mail said! I replied to the e-mail I got from Starbucks and will see what they say, but I am pretty upset by this. For us, Starbucks is a rare treat, and I would never have reloaded the card if I had not gotten this offer.

 

[nena]

that is a bummer. If they sent you the offer, they should honor it.

You do get exta perks for registering the card. Today I got a coupon for a FREE oatmeal. I also got a FREE drink on my birthday. Every few months I get something for free. It works out!

 

[mrsklamc]

Hit 'em up on twitter. Seems to be effective. They claim to read every tweet sent to them.

 

[imsayin]

When you finally get your card loaded....you get credit for each drink you buy, but if you buy 2 drinks at once, it only counts as 1 drink, so if you're buying more than 1 drink , have the cashier ring them up as separate transactions so you get credit for 2 drinks. I didn't know this until a cashier was nice enough to tell me.

 

[DawnM]

I didn't even know you could register your card. I got a $25 gift card for Christmas. Cool.

So far I have only purchased a pound of beans with it.

Dawn

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I didn't even know you could register your card. I got a $25 gift card for Christmas. Cool.

So far I have only purchased a pound of beans with it.

Dawn

OT, but, if you register your card before the next time you do a bean purchase you get a free drink .

Per Starbucks Reward page:

Free Beverage with Whole Bean Purchase

Get more coffee with your coffee. When you use your registered Starbucks Card to buy 1 lb of whole bean coffee, we’ll give you a handcrafted Tall (12 fl oz) beverage of your choice.

I love my Starbucks rewards card as I only get 1-2 drinks from Starbucks a month but I get them made with half and half (breve) [which is why I only get them 1-2 times a month! ] and it's free to get them made that way with my registered card, otherwise it would be an additional $.75.

OP, I hope it works out for you! That does stink . I wish I would've gotten that email though.

 

[tar heel]

OP -- the email I got was a $5 credit for setting up "auto reload" with Visa. If yours said that, are you sure you meant to do it? Perhaps you got a different offer. Nothing in mine about it having to be mobile BTW.

Unless it's changed, you have to register for Starbucks Rewards AND register the card. You want to do the rewards even if you don't go often -- you'll get a free drink of your choice on your birthday.

 

[pam95]

Nope, the e-mail doesn't say that it only applies if I set up "auto reload."

Here's the exact wording:

We'd like to top off your starbucks card with an extra $5. Keeping your starbucks card loaded just makes sense. It's the easiest way to make sure that your favorite treats are covered - all the time. Plus, you earn stars with every purchase at a participating store, and enjoy free refills and tasty custom drinks.

Reload your starbucks card with $25 or more using your VISA card today and get an extra $5. It's easy! 1. Visit starbucks (dot) com. 2. Manage your card. 3. Reload using your VISA card. You can even surprise someone special and reload their card for them. All you need is their card number.

I read the fine print, and it doesn't say anything about the offer applying only to "auto reloads," and the e-mail response I got from Starbucks even acknowledges that the offer applies to both one-time reloads and auto reloads. So, it looks like the only thing that excludes me from getting the extra $5 is Starbucks' assertion that I had to reload using a mobile device, which the original e-mail offer doesn't say anything about.

Needless to say, I have no plans to reload my card in the future.

ETA: I did get an e-mail previously that I qualify for the free drink on my birthday. So, I guess at least that's something.

 

[Mickeypooh99]

OT, but, if you register your card before the next time you do a bean purchase you get a free drink .

Per Starbucks Reward page:

Free Beverage with Whole Bean Purchase

Get more coffee with your coffee. When you use your registered Starbucks Card to buy 1 lb of whole bean coffee, we’ll give you a handcrafted Tall (12 fl oz) beverage of your choice.

I love my Starbucks rewards card as I only get 1-2 drinks from Starbucks a month but I get them made with half and half (breve) [which is why I only get them 1-2 times a month! ] and it's free to get them made that way with my registered card, otherwise it would be an additional $.75.

OP, I hope it works out for you! That does stink . I wish I would've gotten that email though.

I don't have a rewards card or a gift card, but they always give me a free drink when I buy a pound of beans.

 

[surfergirl602]

the facebook app also works as the mobile app. I got the five dollars put on my card... but they just gave it to me for registering my card. I didn't have to do anything.

Thanks for the tip for the drink number and ringing them up separate!

 

[bemily]

OP - I got the same exact worded email as you did! I would call customer service directly, dont just email! You have until Feb 4th to do it and I was going to reload mine as well. I hope it works out..

There is no wording whatsoever about it having to be done using the mobile app!

 

[Tiger926]

You shouldn't worry, as Starbucks has incredible customer service.

I had a small question, and was sent free certificates, so just be patient, and I'm sure they'll load your card up.

It's good that you have the original email, as that will help as well.

Have fun at Starbucks, as a registered card means lots of freebies! Just got my free birthday drink last week. Yummy!

Tiger

 

[princessfionasmom]

I got the same offer but not in an email I just saw it in the mobile app and reloaded my card thru the app and got the extra $5. I hope you hear something soon, I'm sure they'll fix it for you. Good luck!

 

[stczt]

I have my card, dd and dh's card registered on my iphone and the pop up said $5 on first reload for each card so I loaded all 3 cards with $25 and $5 extra on each card.