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By Claire Dodds
Life & Trends Reporter
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Starbucks has launched a sweeping overhaul of its long-running loyalty program, introducing a tiered rewards system that the company says will offer customers more ways to earn perks.
However, almost immediately after the changes went into effect on March 10, the update sparked criticism across social media, with some longtime customers arguing the new structure makes rewards harder to earn.
Members in Tiers
The redesigned Starbucks Rewards program now sorts members into three tiers—Green, Gold and Reserve—based on how many Stars they accumulated in 2025.
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According to a breakdown of the update published by Good Housekeeping, the higher a member’s tier, the more benefits they receive, with top-tier members gaining perks like extra bonus days and faster point accumulation.
While the coffee chain says the revamp expands the ways people can earn Stars, many critics online say the changes effectively raise the spending threshold required to earn meaningful rewards.
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The new system replaces the previous structure, which centered primarily on spending and app usage.
Under the updated model, Starbucks says members can accumulate Stars through several forms of engagement, including promotions such as Double Star Days, using reusable cups, adding funds to the Starbucks app or purchasing drinks and food.
Among the other notable changes:
- Three-tier membership: Green (0–499 Stars), Gold (500–2,499 Stars) and Reserve (2,500+ Stars).
- New redemption option: A 60-Star reward that gives customers $2 off any purchase.
- “Free Mod Monday”: Once a month, rewards members can add a free customization—such as syrup, extra espresso or cold foam—to a drink, up to $2.
- Star expiration changes: Stars will not expire for Gold or Reserve members, while Green-tier users can extend expiration by engaging with the app.
To promote the update, Starbucks also released three limited-time “secret menu” drinks tied to each tier and introduced promotional offers such as a Triple Star Day, where members can earn at least three Stars per dollar spent.
Boiling Points
Despite the added promotions, some customers say the update feels like a downgrade compared with earlier versions of the program.
A Reddit commenter lamented: "Customers just want to earn a free drink every once in a while. It’s not that complicated. They don’t want early access to stupid games and online experiences."
Another noted a common complaint mentioned throughout various social platforms: "Mod Mondays… but it’s only one Monday a month?! That’s so stupid."
Fellow contributors frothed with similar frustrations.
“Remember when it was 12 transactions and you got a free drink. Oh, those were the days,” an individual noted.
A Similar Backlash
The reaction reflects a broader pattern that loyalty program changes often face: customers who have grown accustomed to a certain structure can view updates as a loss, even when companies introduce new perks.
Starbucks faced a similar backlash in 2023 when it removed a popular 50-Star reward tier.
Still, the company appears to be betting that its new engagement-based model will encourage customers to interact more with the app and participate in promotions, rather than simply spending money in stores.
The new rewards structure officially rolled out nationwide this week, meaning customers will begin the year in their assigned tiers based on last year’s activity.
Over time, members can move up—or down—depending on how many Stars they earn in the months ahead.
Newsweek has reached out to Starbucks for comment via email.
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