Starbucks Gold: worth it? How are you using it? What are the bonus offers?
#16
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Live: HVN -- Work: The World
Programs: DL - exPlat (now Gold) ; AB - Gold ; TK - Gold; BMI - exGold; US - exChairman ; UA-ex1K; NW-exGold
Posts: 1,248
I have the older, free, Starbucks Card and it is useful.
My wife is a Starbucks addict. I hate walking in there sometimes without her, because quite a few people who work there will hand me her drink assuming she's in the car waiting for me.
She was giving the card for free by the store manager,but looking at the numbers, I think the cost of the Starbucks Gold card is beneficial if you frequent Starbucks more than twice a week.
I figured out how many bagels and Izzie sodas I purchase from Starbucks at home and on the road each week and figured out that I should get one. I would come out with a significant savings.
My wife is a Starbucks addict. I hate walking in there sometimes without her, because quite a few people who work there will hand me her drink assuming she's in the car waiting for me.
She was giving the card for free by the store manager,but looking at the numbers, I think the cost of the Starbucks Gold card is beneficial if you frequent Starbucks more than twice a week.
I figured out how many bagels and Izzie sodas I purchase from Starbucks at home and on the road each week and figured out that I should get one. I would come out with a significant savings.
#17
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Upstate NY
Programs: IHG Plat, HH Gold, EZ Pass Plat, Starbucks Gold, Whatever flight is cheapest
Posts: 7,035
Only caveat I've noticed is that the discount isn't good at licensed locations(ie. Target, B&N).
#18
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Houston
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, UA 1.56MM (fmr UA1K)
Posts: 5,772
I've had it now for over a week and have decided that I'm pretty satisfied... I've gotten over how one can't get free drip refills with it or free soy...etc.
#19
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: ORD
Programs: nobody
Posts: 1,837
I may be wrong but I would be surprised that all starbucks around the world have ATT wi-fi. I am almost positive that it is another wi-fi company at the Starbucks in France, for example. I wouldn't count on getting it free too much internationally....this is an agreement between Starbucks and ATT...and I am not sure how big a player ATT is worldwide in the wi-fi. I'd be very happy if I were wrong though.
#20
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Mileage Plus, Skymiles, EleVAte founding member, SPG
Posts: 1,910
#21
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: New York City/NY22
Programs: AA Platinum 2.3MM (Lifetime PLT)
Posts: 5,285
One problem at my local Starbucks and some others I hear is that some people treat the copies of the Times as though they were in a library. They take a copy, read it at the table and leave it there, never paying for it.
#22
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Either at the shooting range or anywhere good beer can be found...
Posts: 51,142
So, buy a new belt, shoes, and shoulder bag. Stimulate the economy.
#23
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 1
Missing the obvious
I'm surprised by these comments. The Gold Card is a great Starbucks offering for one, simple reason: FREE INTERNET AT ALL STARBUCKS, ANYTIME, ANYWHERE. I travel very often for business and the Gold Card is my surefire means (so long as I have my laptop, which I always do) to access email and conduct business. It's so reliable because, well, there's a Starbucks everywhere.
As a frequent coffee drinker, the 10% off is an added bonus, and for most of us it pays for itself by year end.
But hello! FREE INTERNET. I think there's a stipulation that Gold Card users only have 2 hours free/day, but I use it for hours without restriction. It's unbelievable. Imagine year-round internet for $25. Shh, don't spread the word too much ;-)
As a frequent coffee drinker, the 10% off is an added bonus, and for most of us it pays for itself by year end.
But hello! FREE INTERNET. I think there's a stipulation that Gold Card users only have 2 hours free/day, but I use it for hours without restriction. It's unbelievable. Imagine year-round internet for $25. Shh, don't spread the word too much ;-)
#24
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: NY Metro Area
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Exactly. My wife and I go to Starbucks almost every day. We spend about $5 or $6. If I get breakfast there I spend that myself. We each have one and Im guessing that they paid for themselves in about 3 months.
#25
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: NY Metro Area
Programs: AA 2MM Yay!, UA MM, Costco General Member
Posts: 49,147
I'm surprised by these comments. The Gold Card is a great Starbucks offering for one, simple reason: FREE INTERNET AT ALL STARBUCKS, ANYTIME, ANYWHERE. I travel very often for business and the Gold Card is my surefire means (so long as I have my laptop, which I always do) to access email and conduct business. It's so reliable because, well, there's a Starbucks everywhere.
As a frequent coffee drinker, the 10% off is an added bonus, and for most of us it pays for itself by year end.
But hello! FREE INTERNET. I think there's a stipulation that Gold Card users only have 2 hours free/day, but I use it for hours without restriction. It's unbelievable. Imagine year-round internet for $25. Shh, don't spread the word too much ;-)
As a frequent coffee drinker, the 10% off is an added bonus, and for most of us it pays for itself by year end.
But hello! FREE INTERNET. I think there's a stipulation that Gold Card users only have 2 hours free/day, but I use it for hours without restriction. It's unbelievable. Imagine year-round internet for $25. Shh, don't spread the word too much ;-)
#26
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BOS
Programs: DL PM, Hilton Plat, Amtrak Select
Posts: 321
I got the Gold card last November. Then while visiting family at Christmas in BNA I picked up a Krups burr grinder that (with both the sale and the card discounts) only set me back $45. Just the card discount was almost the price of the card. Since I spend around $10/week at Starbucks (not counting the occasional pound of beans) I've more than recouped the $25 fee...we shall see about the 2nd year.
#27
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Upstate NY
Programs: IHG Plat, HH Gold, EZ Pass Plat, Starbucks Gold, Whatever flight is cheapest
Posts: 7,035
I received a coupon for a free pint of the new Starbuck's Ice Cream for having the Gold card. Now I just have to find a store that carries it.
#28
Moderator, Argentina and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
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Wirelessly posted (Palm TX: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 98; PalmSource/Palm-D050; Blazer/4.3) 16;320x448)
I wonder if the EZE Starbucks offer this....?
I wonder if the EZE Starbucks offer this....?
#29
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Lexington KY/Coronado, CA
Posts: 952
I hate to burst your bubble, but any Starbucks gift card gets you 2 hours per day of free internet so long as you've used it in the last 30 days and have registered it with Starbucks. I've considered Gold, but still haven't decided if it's worth it. Now that all my Starbucks-employed friends have quit, thus ending my free coffee stream, it might become worth it just for the beans!