Here’s a secret: most weeks I spend $2.70 on coffee. From Starbucks. And I have a venti iced coffee every weekday.
Want to know the secret? Starbucks offers 54 cent refills and no, I’m not gross and I haven’t been using the same cup all summer. What I have done however, is invested $3.21 (including tax) in a venti iced coffee. Reason I went for the big cup is simply because refills at Starbucks are the same no matter what size you get your iced coffee. So a tall would still cost me the same as a venti.
Now that I have my magical cup, I consume my coffee during the day at work. Once done with the cup, I
Do Not Throw Me Out!
either wash it out, or leave it on my desk. The next day, I head to Starbucks with my old cup, and they give me a new coffee – in a brand new cup. All for just 54 cents (this price includes tax, and yes, I usually pay in change). Please note that refills are good on iced coffee, and an intern of mine has had success refilling a Passion tea lemonade. According to some discussion boards online, Starbucks refill policy is on hot or ice coffees and teas, but I’ve seen a refill on hot tea get rejected.
If you really want to be as cheap as our Postabon office, feel free to skip making the investment and just grab an empty cup from your caffeine-addicted co-worker who may have a few laying around on his or her desk.
I haven’t tried it, but I believe you can beat the system even more if you decide to purchase a Starbucks gift card. Say you purchased a $10 card and registered it online at Starbucks Rewards. You make the $3.21 investment, and head to Starbucks 5 times to refill your coffee. According to the rewards program FAQ, after you use your card 5 times, you are able to get free refills. Please note again that I haven’t tried this, but will keep you updated if I do.
Deals at chain establishments have been difficult to redeem here in the city in the past, but I can 100% confirm that this deal is valid at my local Starbucks in Soho!
I’m a Starbucks gold card member here in Manhattan and yes, there is a free refill allowance for cardmembers. However, the policy here is a bit more stringent; refills must be two or more hours after the initial purchase, and must be on the same day. I imagine if you go to a busy location they won’t recall (or even care, perhaps) how long ago you purchased your drink, and might refill without a problem. Also, if you refill at a location different from the purchase location you’ll really throw them for a loop because they won’t even remember you! (and are likely to assume you purchase earlier). I have, however, had cashiers ask quite bluntly, “did you buy this today?” and “how long ago did you buy this?”. These nuisances aside, it’s a good deal.
I don’t follow – did you leave your used cup at work or take it home with you? If you’re spending $2.70 a week on coffee, that means each cup you buy is a refill. Don’t they get suspicious about the girl who only buys refills and never a new cup?
If the same-day 3-hour window policy mentioned above is true, then it’s not such a great deal. I haven’t tried it, but I imagine they have some controls to avoid too many people going in with used cups and paying for refills only.
Carol, to answer your question, I leave my used cup at work, and when I get into work every day, I grab it and then head to Starbucks. No one at my local Starbucks has questioned my refills ever. Maybe it depends how friendly your baristas are. Definitely worth a try if your Starbucks is open to it.
blueengima, thanks for giving me the heads up about being a card member.
My understanding of the Starbucks refill policy is that it is designed for “in store” refills only. So once you leave, it’s no longer a refill and you should be charged full price (with a cup discount, if applicable).
I’m one heck of a believer in ‘just say yes’, and that having happy customers means more business (because happy customers also spread goodwill) but in all honesty what you describe above sounds to me like you’re taking that too far. My read of what you’re doing above sounds like abuse of the refill policy. I hope you’ll reconsider constantly asking for a refill under these circumstances where you’ve left the store and then returned much later. I know that I wouldn’t even feel good about what you’re doing, and simply couldn’t do that because I understand the refill policy.
Melody
Melody, Starbucks should firmly outline its refill policy then in-stores. Many people I’ve shared this deal with offline didn’t even know refills existed at Starbucks. If they are transparent about the refills they offer, then this wouldn’t happen.
That’s stingy lol. I’d rather pay the amount. If you’re worried about saving money why even go to Starbucks? I should speak to them about making their policies stricter! lol
Tani, I like Starbucks coffee. That’s why I decide to go there. In Soho, the refill is cheaper than any coffee I’d get at a cart.
Hm, it’s my understanding that it’s up to each Starbucks to enforce their own policies. If your Starbucks doesn’t mind you getting refills each day I say go for it. I would if I made it into a Starbucks more than one time per month.
Who gets snarky about getting sweet deals when they obviously follow a website designed to let you know about said deals? A bunch of haters commenting on this one!
I take advantage of this deal every day, multiple times a day. The folks at my Starbucks know me and and are glad to give me a refill for $0.54. They know I bring other people into the store and I am a loyal customer. I’d say this: get it while it lasts! The price cannot be beat and a Venti Iced Coffee No Classic with Heavy Cream is for half a buck is SWEET!
Just like blueenigma, I am a Starbucks Gold Member. All you have to do is register a gift card and after 30 purchases, you become a Gold Member (with a special card with your name). Gold Members get FREE REFILLS so what I do is buy a Tall Iced Coffee every morning ($2.29 in Times Square) and can get unlimited free refills. I can have 90 ounces of coffee for $2.29. It’s great and I don’t feel like I’m cheating the system. Gold Members also get other perks like free drinks, read more here: http://www.postabon.com/deals/22450?li=ti?sharer=dorylarrabee
I’m curious about whether this policy works at my local Starbucks (42nd and 3rd) but I don’t have the chutzpah to deal with “Sir, did you buy that here earlier??” If anyone else tried and was successful at an east midtown Starbucks, please share the details.
I’ve been thinking about this since your post and love it. If i did it, I will probably go to a different Starbucks everytime out of fear of being recognized
Good thing to be reminded about!
[...] my friend Laura from 89thandBroke.com wrote a post about how she only spends $2.79 at Starbucks each week by making use of Starbucks’ liberal $.54 refill policy. I loved the post and would [...]
Well to update all you starbucks haters… they have a new policy.
Your not allowed to get a refill unless you have been in the cafe for an hour, so no brining back your cup the next day, baristas are people too, an not as stupid as ya’ll really think. also your probably going to a gross starbucks anyways if they take ur same cup and re use or rinse and re use.. thats a health code violation.
The refill idea is good, but overusing deals usually kills such deals soon. It is more economical to buy a drip coffee machine, buy starbucks coffee by the pound from grocery store using $1.50 off coupons (will cost you around $5 per 12 oz bag) and then you can get a free coffee later.
That and using a ceramic mug will save the planet too.
I do this all the time and fyi they don’t give you the same cup back they give you a new cup.