18 Must-Try Starbucks Hacks | Score Cheap Drinks All Year Long!
Want cheap Starbucks drinks? These Starbucks hacks can help!
Did you know that those who visit Starbucks just twice a week can easily end up spending over $380 a year on their coffee habit? 😱
This specialty coffee tastes so delicious but it’s not exactly easy on the wallet, so we’re sharing these clever Starbucks hacks to get your coffee fix for LESS!
1. Download the Starbucks App and beonlinee a Starbucks Rewards member to earn FREE coffee and other discounts.
If you visit Starbucks even occasionally, there is no reason not to sign up for Starbucks Rewards. You can join on the website, but we reonlinemend downloading the app because it makes ordering a breeze. In addition to ordering ahead and making customizations easily, here are a few more perks to being a rewards member:
- Birthday rewards
- Free drip coffee and tea refills in-store
- Member-only games to score more free stuff!
- Earn stars on every purchase (1 star per $1 by scanning app at checkout, double points if you fly Delta Air Lines and link your Starbucks account to your Delta SkyMiles)
Head HERE to see all the awesome perks for rewards members!
2. Starbucks Rewards members get free drip coffee and tea refills.
As mentioned earlier, Starbucks Rewards members get FREE drip coffee and tea refills. This is only for the duration you are in the store, but it’s a great way to get more coffee for less money!
3. Want a cheap Starbucks drink? Customize these four fan favorites!
Caramel Macchiatos and Iced Lattes are a favorite of so many people and that’s why these ordering hacks are SO genius! Verified YouTubers and ex-baristas show us how just a few tweaks to your typical order could shave dollars off your drinks! 💰
Caramel Macchiato
Here’s what to order:
- Use the app to order a triple espresso
- Then manually add these items:
- 5 pumps of vanilla syrup
- regular caramel drizzle
- 2% milk
- Prefer the iced version? Ask for a cup of ice and pour it over!
Total savings: $1.30!
Iced Latte
Here’s what to order:
- Order a double shot of espresso and a cup of ice
- Pour the double shot over the ice
- Add milk and sugar from the condiment bar- Volia!
Total savings: between $1.40 to $1.90!
Chai Latte (basically a chai tea w/ steamed milk)
Here’s what to order:
- Order a Grande Chai Tea
- Add milk from the condiment bar (The milk won’t be steamed, but the drink tastes so similar!)
- OR if you really want steamed milk, ask for a babyccino which is just a small cup of steamed milk that Starbucks gives to kids. It’s onlinepletely FREE.
Total savings: $1.70!
Want a Dirty Chai? Order a Grande Latte and then add chai syrup (sometimes called chai concentrate).
Cafe Misto (drip coffee w/ steamed milk)
Here’s how to order:
- Order a Grande drip coffee
- Ask your barista to add a little steamed milk (they usually will add a few oz. for free). Note- this is one of the Starbucks hacks that must be done in-store and not on the app
Total savings: 70¢!
4. Get more bang for your buck when you order a French Press pot.
Select Starbucks locations offer French Press coffee. Mine does not, but your local Starbucks just might. If so, consider getting a pot. You’ll pay WAY less per ounce for this style of coffee than ordering a specialty drink.
5. Go easy on the ice.
When ordering an iced drink, ask for no ice or light ice (note that this may now incur at $1 upcharge). The ice cubes take up tons of room in your cup which means you’re paying for more than you’re actually getting. You can always order the ice on the side and add the desired amount yourself.
Really love a drink with full ice? Try this! Order the hot version of your drink and ask for a cup with ice. You’ll still get the amount of ice you want AND the actual amount of coffee you ordered!
6. Ask for, “no water,” when you order tea.
I just learned that when you order tea at Starbucks, they add water to make it less strong. If you want the full flavor of tea, ask your barista for “no water” the next time you order your favorite brew. Note that this may now incur at $1 upcharge.
7. Save 10¢ & get 25 stars when you use a reusable Starbucks cup or bring in your own mug.
Help out the environment, save yourself a dime, and get 25 stars when you bring your own cup. You can use a Starbucks reusable cup or just bring your own from home. One YouTuber brought in a mega cup and Starbucks filled it all the way to the top for just $5. 🤯
8. Cut costs and split a Venti or Trenta with a friend.
If you and your friend were both planning on getting a Tall coffee, spring for one Venti or Trenta instead. Just ask the barista for an extra cup and you can split up the larger size at your table. You’ll save A LOT. This YouTuber was even able to get four small drinks out of one giant Trenta!
I love the vanilla sweet cream cold brew. I order a venti and then save half for the next day, which is basically like getting two tall size drinks for around $5 total. You could get even more by ordering it without ice and adding your own! – Hip Reader, Jessi
9. You can’t go wrong with brewed coffee as any base according to our readers!
When redeeming stars, start with a brewed coffee as the base instead of a handcrafted drink. From there you can add all the syrups, espresso, cream, and toppings you want (and you can get it for 100 stars instead of 150)!
A trick I’ve done for awhile now is with the 50 Stars (soon to be 100) to get the brewed coffee. You can order a caffe misto using these points and add in all the custom items like syrup, sauces, toppings etc. I like to do this when the PSL onlinees around. Add in Pumpkin Sauce and add the PSL topping and it tastes JUST like a PSL but only cost me 50 points! – Hip Reader, Jessica V.
10. See if your location is willing to give a military or senior discount.
This past November, Starbucks honored veterans, active service members, and military spouses with a discount on Veteran’s Day. If you’re part of the military or were, keep an eye out next year for a similar promotion!
Starbucks does not seem to have a corporate-wide policy regarding everyday military and senior discounts. However, it doesn’t hurt to ask when ordering. You might just score 10% off if your local Starbucks is willing.
11. Take advantage of Starbucks gift card deals.
If you know you’re going to visit a Starbucks in the future, it might be wise to buy a discounted gift card when they are available. There are often deals where you can get a gift card valued at $25 for only $20. This means you get $5 worth of Starbucks for free. Costco and Sam’s Club sometimes offer gift card discounts.
Bookmark this page to keep an eye out on all the HOT restaurant gift card deals!
12. Pamper your pooch with a FREE Puppy Cup.
Get a FREE snack for your pup. Starbucks gives out Puppy Cups or Puppuccinos which are small containers of whipped cream that dogs go wild over. If you want to score this free treat for your pup, all you have to do is ask!
13. One of our favorite Starbucks hacks is to use whipped cream to sweeten your drink in lieu of syrup.
If you aren’t a Starbucks Rewards member, this hack is for you. If you want to sweeten up your drink, skip the syrup. One single pump of syrup will cost you $.80. You can get the whipped cream added for FREE and it will add a little sweetness to your drink.
14. Play Starbucks games to win prizes, like Starbucks For Life!
Starbucks often offers instant win games for Starbucks Rewards members to play. Try your hand at these fun games and you can win free items and offers from Starbucks. There is currently no game going on, but you can always check back HERE for when the next one is live!
15. Try these ways to save when you shop at a Starbucks located inside a Target.
Have the Target app? Sometimes there are coupons to save at Starbucks! Give the app a look before you purchase that Caffè Americano. If you’re a Target RedCard holder, make sure to use your card to pay for your coffee. The barista will take 5% off your Starbucks order.
16. Check the ingredients before ordering a Short.
A lot of websites will tell you to save money by buying the Short size which is 8 oz. I disagree! Near me, the Short will only save you a dime and you’ll get 4 oz. less than the Tall. Plus, many times the Tall and Short have slightly different ingredients.
Check out these examples!
The Short Caffè Americano only has 1 shot of espresso. The Tall size has 2 shots of espresso. I say pay the extra 10¢ to get the Tall size which gives you more bang for your buck as far as caffeine.
If you’re getting drip coffee or a Caffè Latte, the ingredients in the Tall and Short are the exact same. If you want to save that dime and don’t mind getting fewer ounces, this might be an option you want to consider.
17. Get money back when you scan your receipt to a cash-back app like Fetch Rewards.
There are several cash-back apps you can use to get a little money back on your purchases and we made an entire list of them for your reference! One of our favorites to use is Fetch Rewards. Just snap a picture of your receipt and upload it to the app to start earning your cash back. Using apps like Fetch Rewards is a simple way to save a little money on your purchases.
18. Beonlinee an employee and take advantage of your perks.
If you’re a true coffee lover, you might want to consider getting a full or part-time job at Starbucks. Each week, employees can score a free pound of coffee or box of tea. They also get 30% off drinks, food, and merchandise.
In addition to free coffee and discounted goodies, Starbucks offers a very onlinepetitive benefits package. They offer 100% tuition coverage, health benefits, parental leave, a 401k retirement account, and more!
