Consolidated "Starbucks - games, promotions, devaluations, et al" thread
Apr 16, 2019, 2:03 pm
#451
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Really? You were redeeming the 125 awards for regular coffee? That's like using 25K miles for ATL-MCO-ATL.
I also like the new redemption options for merchandise.
Apr 16, 2019, 2:08 pm
#452
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I should also mention that we should be "grateful" there's still a chart!!!
If they went further like DL and UA have been doing they'd try to do variable peak-time award pricing.
Though first - as soon as they got rid of the chart - they'd double just about everything except the regular coffee.
If they went further like DL and UA have been doing they'd try to do variable peak-time award pricing.
Though first - as soon as they got rid of the chart - they'd double just about everything except the regular coffee.
Apr 16, 2019, 3:35 pm
#453
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Apr 16, 2019, 5:38 pm
#455
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Apr 16, 2019, 6:58 pm
#457
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Apr 16, 2019, 7:10 pm
#458
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I burned up all my stars prior to today. My Mom, a SBUX addict on the road to recovery did the same. Even she is getting put off by all the customer unfriendly changes to the loyalty program.
Apr 16, 2019, 8:08 pm
#459
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Once upon a time long, long ago (okay, in my lifetime) in a galaxy far far away there were retailers who sold their goods without any incentives or awards, making the poor customer pay for the item with cash and giving him/her the choice of cream or sugar 
(although I do remember Green Stamps at the grocery store 
)
Now you not only get to deal with 5000 options for the drink along with the pricing to go with it, but rewards program machinations that would stun a flying elephant
(I believe the name is Dumbo
)
Glad I gave up the stuff 40 years ago. Never missed it either.
(although I do remember Green Stamps at the grocery store )Now you not only get to deal with 5000 options for the drink along with the pricing to go with it, but rewards program machinations that would stun a flying elephant
(I believe the name is Dumbo
)Glad I gave up the stuff 40 years ago. Never missed it either.
Apr 16, 2019, 8:12 pm
#460
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Apr 16, 2019, 10:16 pm
#461
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Uhm, what do you mean by "eliminating the elite tier"? SBUX is the only thing that I have status wit anymore. Don't take that away from me!
No seriously, no more free refills for Golds? ...?
No seriously, no more free refills for Golds? ...?
Apr 17, 2019, 12:18 am
#462
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I'm not at all surprised or even particularly bothered by the changes. And some of them actually are better -- like being able to buy a bag of coffee beans using stars (400). Wasn't even possible before. Certain bakery items will cost just 50 stars -- were 125 stars before.
Of course, I'm a habitual redeemer of 125-star awards for the more expensive things -- like sandwiches or food items that sell for $5 or $6 or even more. Now I'll have to pay 200 stars for those. Big deal.
Unfortunately, the "aggressive expiration" is still in place. Unless you have a Starbucks Visa credit or prepaid card, stars still expire six months after they are earned. But at least there are more ways to burn those expiring stars!
Of course, I'm a habitual redeemer of 125-star awards for the more expensive things -- like sandwiches or food items that sell for $5 or $6 or even more. Now I'll have to pay 200 stars for those. Big deal.
Unfortunately, the "aggressive expiration" is still in place. Unless you have a Starbucks Visa credit or prepaid card, stars still expire six months after they are earned. But at least there are more ways to burn those expiring stars!
Apr 17, 2019, 2:35 am
#464
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Starbucks is super-duper sensitive to drops in consumer discretionary spending, so if the economy slows down or tips into recession they'll be among the first to feel it. In such a case I'd think they'd WANT the rewards program to be able to incentivize more business, and I'm skeptical this is the one for times like that. Though they could just decide to give double points or something like that.
Apr 17, 2019, 6:06 am
#465
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