How to Use Starbucks App: A Beginner-Friendly Guide to Getting Your Morning Coffee

The Starbucks app has revolutionized how people order their morning coffee, letting you skip lines and earn rewards. While it might seem complicated at first, this comprehensive guide will walk you through every step, from downloading the app to enjoying your first mobile-ordered drink.

Getting Started with the App

First, you’ll need to download the Starbucks app. If you have an iPhone, open the blue “App Store” icon on your screen.

For Android phones, look for the “Google Play Store” with its colorful triangle icon. Type “Starbucks” in the search bar – look for the official app with the white Starbucks mermaid logo on a green background.

Tap “Install” or “Get” to download it. The app is free, though you’ll need to load money to use it.

Creating Your Starbucks Account

When you first open the app, you’ll need to create an account. Tap “Join Now” and enter your basic information: email address, name, and create a password. You’ll receive a verification email – make sure to click the link in that email to confirm your account.

The app will also ask for your birthday (they send you a free drink on your birthday). This account automatically enrolls you in Starbucks Rewards, their free loyalty program.

Adding Money to Your Account

Before you can order, you’ll need to add money to your Starbucks account. Think of it like a digital gift card. In the app, tap “Cards” at the bottom, then “Add Money.” You can add funds using a credit or debit card.

The minimum amount is typically $10, but you can add more. Enter your card information carefully – this can be saved for future reloads. You can also set up “Auto-Reload” which automatically adds money when your balance gets low.

Understanding the Home Screen

The app’s home screen shows several important sections:

Your reward points (called “Stars”)
Current promotions and special offers
Featured drinks and food items
Nearby store locations
Your recent orders
Your current balance

Finding Your Store

Before ordering, you’ll need to choose a Starbucks location. Tap “Stores” at the bottom of the screen. The app uses your phone’s location to show nearby stores. Each store listing shows:

Address
Distance from you
Store hours
Whether they accept mobile orders
Current wait times
Available amenities (drive-thru, cafe seating, etc.)

Tap on a store to select it as your pickup location.

Placing Your First Order

Now for the exciting part – ordering your drink! Tap “Order” at the bottom of the screen. You’ll see several categories:

Drinks
Food
At Home Coffee
Merchandise

For drinks, you’ll find subcategories like:

Hot Coffee
Hot Tea
Frappuccinos
Cold Drinks
Espresso

Select your drink type, then the specific drink you want. Here’s where it gets detailed – you can customize almost everything:

Size (Tall, Grande, Venti, or Trenta for cold drinks)
Type of milk (whole, 2%, nonfat, soy, almond, oat)
Number of espresso shots
Type of syrup and number of pumps
Toppings (whipped cream, drizzle, etc.)
Temperature (for hot drinks)
Ice amount (for cold drinks)

The app remembers your customizations for future orders. After selecting your drink, tap “Add to Order.” You can add multiple items to your order, including food.

Completing Your Order

When you’re ready to check out:

Review your order details
Confirm your pickup store
Check the estimated pickup time
Tap “Order” at the bottom
The payment processes automatically using your loaded balance

The app will show you an estimated wait time and send notifications about your order status.

Picking Up Your Order

When you arrive at the store, your order will be waiting at:

The mobile order pickup area (usually marked with signs) for cafe stores
The drive-thru window (tell them you have a mobile order)
The counter (tell the barista you have a mobile order)

Your drink will be labeled with your name. You don’t need to show anything on your phone – they’ve already received and processed your order.

Helpful Tips

Save your favorite drinks for quick reordering
Order 10-15 minutes before you plan to arrive
Check store hours before ordering
Look for “Bonus Star” promotions to earn extra rewards
You can share your account balance with family through the app
Digital gift cards can be added to your balance
Keep notifications on to know when your order is ready

Getting Help

If something’s wrong with your order:

Speak to the store’s barista immediately
Use the “Help” section in the app
Contact Starbucks customer service through the app

Remember, while this might seem like a lot to learn, the convenience of skipping lines and earning rewards makes it worthwhile. After a few orders, you’ll be a mobile ordering expert!

Understanding Starbucks Rewards: A Complete Guide to Maximizing Your Benefits

Whether you’re a daily coffee drinker or occasional visitor, understanding the Starbucks Rewards program can save you significant money over time. Let’s break down everything you need to know about earning, saving, and strategically using your Starbucks Stars.

How Stars Are Earned

The basic earning structure is straightforward, but there are multiple ways to accumulate Stars:

Standard Payment: When you pay with preloaded funds in your Starbucks app, you earn 1 Star per dollar spent
Starbucks Credit Card: Using the Starbucks Visa Card earns 2 Stars per dollar at Starbucks
Bonus Star Days: Starbucks frequently offers “Double Star Days” where all purchases earn twice the usual Stars
Star Challenges: Personal challenges appear in your app, like “Visit 3 days in a row for 100 bonus Stars”
Shopping at Other Retailers: You can earn Stars by linking your Starbucks account to shopping partners like Rakuten

Star Redemption Tiers

Starbucks uses a tiered system for rewards:

25 Stars: Customize your drink (extra shot, syrup flavor, alternative milk)
50 Stars: Hot coffee, tea, or bakery item
150 Stars: Handcrafted drink (lattes, Frappuccinos), hot breakfast item, or parfait
200 Stars: Lunch sandwich, protein box, or salad
400 Stars: Select merchandise or at-home coffee
800 Stars: Higher-end merchandise like tumblers

Strategic Use of Stars

There are several strategies to maximize your Stars’ value:

Value Optimization

Save Stars for expensive items: Using 150 Stars on a $6.95 Frappuccino offers better value than a $2.95 coffee
Maximize customizations: When using 25 Stars, add multiple modifications that would normally cost extra
Use 50-Star rewards for more expensive bakery items rather than basic pastries

Timing Strategies

Wait for bonus Star events before making large purchases
Stock up on Stars during promotional periods
Consider saving Stars for group orders to maximize value on multiple drinks

Star Expiration Management

Stars expire 6 months after earning them
Track expiration dates in the app
Plan redemptions before Stars expire
Consider using soon-to-expire Stars on smaller rewards rather than letting them expire

Additional Ways to Earn Stars

Credit Card Integration

Chase Starbucks Visa: Earn 3 Stars per dollar spent at grocery stores
Linked Credit Cards: Some rewards credit cards offer bonus points for Starbucks purchases
Shopping Portal Bonuses: Use credit card shopping portals for additional points on Starbucks gift card purchases

Partnership Programs

Delta SkyMiles: Link your accounts to earn both Stars and miles
Lyft Rides: Earn Stars when taking Lyft rides
Online Shopping: Earn Stars through the Starbucks shopping portal

Special Promotions

Email Offers: Watch for exclusive Star-earning opportunities
App Games: Participate in limited-time games and challenges
Seasonal Events: Holiday promotions often offer bonus Stars

How to Redeem Stars

The redemption process is simple but needs to be done correctly:

Before ordering, check your Star balance in the app
When ready to order, tap “Use Stars” on the payment screen
Select which reward tier you want to use
Choose eligible items based on your selected tier
Complete your order with Stars applied

For in-store orders:

Tell the barista you want to redeem Stars before ordering
Scan your app at checkout
Select “Use Stars” when prompted

Birthday Rewards

A special note about birthday rewards:

You receive a free drink or food item during your birthday month
Must be a Rewards member for at least 7 days before your birthday
Birthday reward expires at the end of your birthday month
Can be used on any handcrafted beverage or food item, regardless of price

Maximizing Benefits Through Status

After earning 300 Stars, you reach Gold Status, which includes:

Free refills on brewed coffee and tea in-store
Ability to order ahead through the app
Early access to seasonal promotions
Monthly Double-Star Days
Custom offers based on your ordering habits

Is It Worth It?

For regular Starbucks customers, the rewards program offers significant value:

A daily $5 drink purchase can earn enough Stars for 2-3 free drinks monthly
Strategic use of bonus events can double or triple your earnings
Birthday rewards and free refills add extra value
Mobile ordering saves time and ensures customization accuracy

The key to maximizing the program is staying informed about promotions, tracking Star expiration, and being strategic about redemption. Regular customers should definitely participate in the program, as you’re earning Stars on purchases you’d make anyway.