How to Get Free Starbucks Gift Cards

Disclaimer: This is not an affiliate or sponsored post for Starbucks. Sip your coffee assured there’s no corporate puppetry here. Just my opinion and admiration for the beverage brand. 

Are you a fan of Starbucks coffee and looking for ways to save money while enjoying your favourite drinks? 

We said it before – money is here to serve you and not vice versa. And spending it shouldn’t come with having a sense of guilt for enjoying your favourite Caramel Macchiato.

Millionaires don’t even follow their own advice

You’ve seen how the average millionaire will tell you to cut out the $5 coffee if you want to be rich like them.

And it’s partially true if you want to save money fast or enjoy making coffee and home.

Yet, millionaires don’t follow always follow their own rules. It’s not really because the rules of the rich do not apply to the poor.

They’re just frugal too!

They don’t pay full price if they can help it. Who would? According to this article and Healthcare Success, people making over $130,000 ($US100,000) were actually more likely than those making less to use coupons.

Looking forward to my daily morning espresso actually helps me get up in the morning. It’s definitely a habit that I now enjoy. So how do I continue enjoying my Starbucks without blowing my budget? I began searching the following on Google:

• Free Starbucks card
• How to get a discount on Starbucks
• Earn Starbucks cards instantly
• Free $20 Starbucks card

Is this legit? Yes, it’s 100% real. You can earn Starbucks gift cards for free. Here’s what I found to keep my espressos without breaking my budget. (So, have your Starbucks and save your money all year round. )

How to Get Free Starbucks Gift Cards – 7 Simple Ways

Here is the epic list of creative ways that you can score free Starbucks gift cards. 

1. Swagbucks

One of the easiest and most popular ways to get Starbucks is via Swagbucks. 

Swagbucks is a popular and well-known rewards program in North America. It’s paid out its members over half a billion dollars, and signing up is completely free. 

You get compensated by completing tasks such as playing games, searching the web, watching videos, and answering surveys. Basically, all of the stuff we already do online. This is by far my favourite as Starbucks is a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine.

Aside from Starbucks gift cards, you can redeem $50-$100 gift cards from any of your favourite retailers like Amazon. 

Currently, if you sign up now, you get a free $5 bonus from Swagbucks here.  That’s basically a free $5 Starbucks drink!

2. Survey Junkie

What if a website rewards you Starbucks by simply sharing your opinion?

Survey Junkie is a free platform where you can earn gift cards by taking surveys. Companies gather opinions and feedback from consumers just like you. Since they’re asking for your opinion, you chose to give feedback on what you’re interested in. Everything from restaurants to cars. 

And if you do not want the gift cards, you can be paid with cash via Paypal. Check them out here.

3. Drop

Drop recently had a branding update but the app is still the same under that facelift.

Drop is a “consumer-led intelligent mobile rewards platform” focusing on personalized experiences. Meaning, it allows you to earn cash rewards on your everyday purchases – not a blanket statement. 

You earn points through the app and internet browser extension. Then you can redeem them for rewards including gift cards, and cryptocurrency. Members can also link debit and/or credit card(s) to earn points from select brands, eliminating the need to scan receipts or sign up for additional loyalty programs. Every 1,000 points you earn is equivalent to $1.00.

What makes Drop stand out from the rest is how it can combine offers with other cash-back rewards, promos, coupons, and store offers. 

The drop will ask you which 5 favourite retailers you shop from and you can automatically earn points just for shopping there. Then redeem those points for gift cards – Starbucks included!

It’s the closest thing to earning passive points! Check them out here!

4. Branded Surveys

You can join Branded Surveys for free today from the comfort of your phone or sofa.

After you’ve signed up and set up a profile, you’ll be asked a few questions to match you with a variety of surveys. You’ll be given points for each survey you complete, which can be redeemed later for cash via Paypal or gift cards. 

You can earn Starbucks cards even faster by taking daily polls, referring your friends via their referral program, and earning bonuses.  

5. Ibotta (Not in Canada)

Ever since Ibotta launched, it has helped shoppers save over $500 million on their regular shopping purchases. The app is 100% free and easy to use. 

To get started you first grab a free account. Make sure you link all your loyalty cards so you can save even more money. When you make your weekly shopping list, go through the app and select the offers you are interested in. Scan the receipt after checkout and the cash back offers will be redeemed. 

Cashback is added to your account after 24 hours. Afterwards, you have the option of transferring cash into your bank account, into your Paypal or converting them into Starbucks gift cards. 

You’ll save up so much before you even know it!

6. Rakuten (Good ol’ ebates)

Basically, it’s like being paid to shop. No, really. 

Since its inception, Rakuten has helped savvy shoppers earn over $1 billion dollars in cash back at their favourite stores. It’s free to sign up and you get cash back for all the purchases you shop for online. 

While the norm and other cash-back programs give you an average of 2% – 10% back, Rakuten can earn you up to 40% off your purchases. And this is on top of store promos and other discounts. 

It’s not out of the way either. To save time and make the savings more seamless, remember to download the Rakuten Button Extension on your internet browser. That way every time you’re online with your favourite realtor, a nice notification will pop up reminding you of how much you can get back. 

With a rating of A+ on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), you don’t even have to think. You’ll save hundreds as a second nature. Check them out here.

7. Starbucks Rewards 

Often the easiest is to take advantage of Starbucks itself. Starbucks have their own reward program via their app, which allows their customers to earn stars. 

Once you sign up (for free), you will receive various bonuses such as:

• Free Starbucks drinks on your birthday
• 2 stars for every dollar you spend in-store
• Invitation to special events and promos

You can enjoy free in-store refills on brewed coffee or tea, but the best way to accumulate Starbucks cards is by participating in Bonus Star Challenges. 

The challenges are sent out to Starbucks Rewards members via email or app notifications. When you complete them, you earn stars, which can be redeemed for food, drinks, or even gift cards. Kind of like playing to win and earn points. Sign up with Starbucks Rewards.

How much do you actually need? (Effective as of April 2023)

25 Stars: Extra shot of espresso, syrup, and dairy replacement.

100 Stars: You’ll get a free brewed hot/iced coffee, bakery items, hot tea, and packaged snacks.

200 Stars: Enjoy a handcrafted drink (e.g. lattes, frappuccino, cold brew), breakfast sandwich, or parfait.

300 Stars: You can redeem a delicious sandwich, salad, packaged protein box, or a bag of whole-bean coffee.

400 Stars: Not only can you redeem 4 cups of free coffee at Starbucks with 400 stars, but you also have the option to redeem a Starbucks signature product such as their travel cup or an accessory under $20 (before-tax).

Remember: You can also get free refills in Starbucks! When you are a Starbucks Rewards member, you may receive free refills of hot or iced brewed coffee or tea.

Grab your free birthday drink! If you’ve signed up as a Starbucks rewards member, you are automatically eligible to grab a free drink on your birthday. =)

Bonus: Starbucks is a huge retailer with thousands of stores worldwide. Most of them have Starbucks Happy Hour once a week where you can buy one get one free drink. Check your local Starbucks to see if this program applies.

Final Thoughts

Earning free Starbucks gift cards is not as hard as it seems.

Even if you do not enjoy Starbucks every day, I believe you’ll benefit from a lot that’s on this list – even for the free occasional coffee. 

Getting your daily fix has never been more affordable or easy. Hope you enjoyed this list – would you have any more to add?