14 Ways to Save at Starbucks

Caffeine lovers who have heard over and over again that they could be saving so much money if only they’d cut back on their daily Starbucks latte can now rejoice. So long as your coffee habit isn’t putting you in debt, there’s no pressing need to give up that jolt. Instead, try putting some of our trusty brand hacks to work.

Here are 14 ways to save at Starbucks.

1. Shop the Site

If you’re looking to stock up on at-home Starbucks goodies, it never hurts to start at Starbucks.com. Often the company offers coupon codes and discounts for online orders (check the top banner). They also advertise any discounts and savings deals directly on the homepage or via member emails, which brings us to our next point …

2. Join Starbucks Rewards

Join the Starbucks Rewards program and start earning “Stars” that can be redeemed for Starbucks Rewards benefits. You’ll earn two stars for every $1 you spend using your registered card. Check out more about the two reward level options and what you can get with them right here.

3. Get Your Birthday Drink on the House

Register your birthday when you join the Starbucks Rewards program and you’ll be gifted a free beverage or treat through the Starbucks app on your birthday.

4. Bring Your Own Cup

Some Starbucks chains offer a $0.10 discount on your drink when you bring in your own reusable cup to drink from.

5. Go Easy on the Ice

Iced drinks are great, but all that icy goodness takes up a lot of room in your cup. Ask for your ice on the side to ensure your drinking cup is full to the max with your actual drink of choice.

6. Skip the Bottled Water

The water at Starbucks is filtered to ensure your coffee retains its flavor, so skip the pricey bottled water and go for free cup of tap water instead.

7. Split a Venti

The 20-ounce Venti cup (or 24-ounce Venti Iced) is certainly large enough to split with a friend, and you’ll essentially be getting two tall-size drinks for less than you’d pay if you ordered one outright.

8. DIY Your Own Chai Latte

With a little ingenuity you can DIY your own chai latte using Starbucks ingredients, but for a cheaper price. Just order a cup of hot water with a chai tea bag and add your own milk from the condiments bar.

9. Order Gift Cards for Less

Visit sites like Gift Card Granny or Raise.com to purchase Starbucks gift cards for less than face value.

10. Follow Starbucks on Social Media

Check out Starbucks on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest to be sure you catch all their recent deals.

11. Ask for a ‘Short’

While it’s not listed in most stores, a short size (8 ounces) does exist, and it’s cheaper than the tall if you’re only looking for a little caffeine buzz.

12. Check Your Target Receipts

It might seem odd, but if your Target happens to have a Starbucks, be sure to check your receipt after making a purchase. Sometimes a discount or BOGO offer for Starbucks will be attached. (Speaking of Target, we’ve got a review of its RedCard, which can earn frequent shoppers 5% off eligible purchases, right here.)

13. Make the Most of Free Refills

Pay with your Starbucks card or through your mobile app for your initial purchase and you’ll be rewarded with all the free refills of brewed coffee or tea you like.

14. Avoid Leaving Room for Milk & Ask for a Larger Cup

Instead of opting to have your barista leave you extra room in your tall cup for milk (read: less coffee), ask for your tall beverage in a grande cup instead. Voila! Appropriate amount of beverage with room to spare for milk.

Do you have a thing for java in general? Here are four credit cards that can help coffee lovers reap rewards on their daily brew.

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