How to Get a Starbucks Birthday Drink for Free

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Everything you have to do before your birthday to get your free reward

Co-authored by Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: December 7, 2024 Fact Checked

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How to Get Free Starbucks on Your Birthday

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Does Starbucks offer birthday rewards?

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Qualifying Drinks and Treats

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Other Benefits of Starbucks Rewards

Getting a free item from Starbucks can be a fun excursion on your birthday, but there are a few steps you need to take before leaving the café with your free drink or treat. To qualify for a Starbucks birthday reward, you’ll need to be an existing Starbucks Rewards member at least 1 week before your birthday, and you’ll have to have at least 1 purchase on record within the past year. We’ve broken down all the fine print, so read on to learn how to get your free birthday drink without a hitch.

How to Get a Free Starbucks Birthday Treat

Become a Starbucks Rewards member at least 1 week before your birthday.
Buy something that’s at least $1 to earn Stars on your Rewards account before your birthday.
Head to a Starbucks location on your birthday.
Order a handcrafted drink, bottled drink, or food item.
Use your Starbucks card or scan the in-app barcode to pull up your birthday promotion.
Enjoy your free birthday item!

Section 1 of 5:

How to Get Free Starbucks on Your Birthday

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If you aren’t already a member, click or tap here to create a Starbucks Rewards account using your name, email, and birthday. If your account is less than 7 days old on your birthday, you won’t qualify for a free drink or item.
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Make a $1 purchase with your Starbucks account before your birthday. Whenever you make a purchase as a Starbucks Rewards member, you earn Stars, which can be saved up and used to redeem rewards. Buy something from Starbucks any time before your birthday and pay with your Starbucks app or registered card. As long as you spend at least $1, you’ll earn a Star and be eligible for a free birthday drink!^{[1]
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- You don’t need to visit Starbucks a ton to unlock this reward. Just one purchase within the year before your birthday will do the trick!
- Keep in mind that Starbucks gift cards and alcoholic drinks won’t earn you Stars. You can cash in extra stars by purchasing items with your Starbucks card and in-app barcode.
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Order a treat at Starbucks and present your app’s barcode to your cashier. Head to Starbucks and order a free handcrafted drink, food item, OR bottled beverage (just 1—not all 3). To redeem your free treat, use your card or in-app barcode to pull up your birthday promotion. Show the code to your barista and your drink or food item should be completely free. Happy birthday, and enjoy your special treat courtesy of Starbucks!^{[2]
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- Find out other hacks for getting cheap coffee at Starbucks on the "What're your fav secret Starbucks hacks for cheap coffee?" page of the wikiHow forum.

Section 2 of 5:

Does Starbucks offer birthday rewards?

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As long as you’re an active Starbucks Rewards member, you can qualify for a free drink or snack on your birthday. However, your reward can only be redeemed on the birthday you used when signing up for the app, so don’t miss it!^{[3]
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Section 3 of 5:

What Starbucks drinks can I get on my birthday?

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You can get a free handcrafted drink, food item, or bottled drink on your birthday. Any one of these 3 items can be your birthday treat, but you can only get one of them for free.^{[4]
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- A handcrafted drink is one of the barista-made beverages, such as a latte or frappuccino.
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Bulk items, Starbucks merchandise, and specialty items don’t qualify. Starbucks’ Terms of Service indicate that only a handcrafted beverage, singular food item, or bottled drink qualifies for the free birthday reward. Bulk items (like a tray of specialty bars) don’t qualify for the reward, nor do:^{[5]
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- Merchandise (e.g., specialty cups, mugs, etc.)
- Bags of coffee beans
- Alcoholic drinks
- Special menu items from Starbucks Roastery locations and Princi bakeries.

Section 4 of 5:

What if I forget to go to Starbucks on my birthday?

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Unfortunately, you’ll have to wait until next year to claim your reward. Your free birthday treat has to be redeemed on the birthdate you provided when you first signed up for Starbucks Rewards.^{[6]
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- If you missed your birthday, don’t sweat it too much—as long as you make at least 1 star-qualifying purchase within the next year on your Starbucks Rewards account, you’ll be good to go next year.
- Starbucks’ Terms of Service only allow customers to have 1 Starbucks Rewards account, so you can’t make an alternate account with a different birthday.

Section 5 of 5:

How to Use Other Starbucks Rewards Benefits

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Pay for your Starbucks orders with your Starbucks card to accumulate stars. The Rewards program offers 2 Stars per $1 when you add money to the digital version of your Starbucks card through the Starbucks app, and use that to pay for your order. Once you accumulate enough stars, you can redeem them for free food and drinks. You can also earn 2 Stars per dollar by:^{[7]
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- Registering a physical Starbucks card in the app and paying for your order with it
- Scanning your Rewards barcode and paying with a physical Starbucks card (even if it’s not registered in your app)
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Get a free refill on your coffee or tea before you leave the store. All Starbucks Rewards members can get a basic drink refill for free before they leave the café.^{[8]
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- This only applies to physical visits to Starbucks, not online orders.
Occasionally, Starbucks will have “double Star days,” where you can earn extra Stars on nearly all of your purchases. Head to Starbucks on those days to rack up more Stars on your account!^{[9]
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As a Starbucks Rewards member, you can play minigames in the app that can potentially earn you tasty freebies and other prizes.^{[10]
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