Starbucks, with its iconic coffeehouses numbering over 37,000 in the U.S., offers a unique coffee experience that many find irresistible. This popularity makes Starbucks gift cards a much-desired treat.
However, knowing how to redeem a Starbucks gift card, particularly the digital versions often intended for online use, can be confusing. It’s surprising to learn that in 2020, over $164.5 million on Starbucks gift cards went unredeemed – essentially, money left on the table!
The good news is that using your Starbucks gift card, whether physical or digital, is simple once you understand the correct steps. This guide provides all the necessary information for easy redemption.
Are you interested in earning free Starbucks gift cards? Products from Mode Mobile offer a fantastic way to earn free gift cards, prepaid cards, and cash rewards simply by using your smartphone for everyday activities.
Understanding Starbucks Gift Card Redemption
Starbucks prioritizes customer convenience, and their gift card policy reflects this. A Starbucks gift card (or Starbucks Card) can be used to purchase any product or service at Starbucks locations—including those in airports and grocery stores—within these regions:
- The U.S.
- Canada
- Puerto Rico
- Mexico
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- Australia
While redeeming a Starbucks gift card used to be as simple as presenting it at checkout, the process has evolved, particularly with the rise of digital cards.
Today, most Starbucks gift cards, whether plastic, paper, or digital, are designed for digital integration. You typically need to register them to your Starbucks account through the Starbucks app before using them for online or in-store purchases. The Starbucks app enhances your experience by allowing you to:
- Place customized orders for pickup
- Make contactless payments in stores
- Accumulate Starbucks Rewards points through their loyalty program
The following sections will detail the app-based redemption process, focusing on how to scan your Starbucks card for in-store payments.
Source: Engin Akyurt
Earn More Starbucks with the Mode Earn App
The Mode Earn App, available for free on Google Play, offers a seamless way to earn rewards without any subscription fees. Once installed on your Android device, the app tracks your regular phone usage and automatically rewards you with points for completing various earning tasks.
Users can earn up to $600 with the Mode Earn App, and you have the flexibility to choose tasks that fit your lifestyle. The app provides a variety of simple and rewarding activities, including:
- Listening to music or radio
- Playing games
- Unlocking and locking your phone
- Tracking fitness goals
- Completing surveys
- Watching short videos
- Trying new apps
The reward points you accumulate can be redeemed for gift cards from Starbucks, Walmart, Google Play, iTunes, Sephora, eBay, TJ Maxx, Amazon, Target, and many other popular brands. Beyond gift cards, the reward-based app offers a wide array of redemption options, as shown below:
| Redemption Options | Rewards—Examples |
|---|---|
| Cash and versatile payment cards | PayPal, prepaid cards |
| Financial assets | Cryptocurrencies, Stocks |
| Game-based rewards | PlayStation cards, Fortnite V-Bucks cards, Eneba gift cards, Free Fire diamonds, PUBG UC |
| Electronics and gadgets | Bluetooth speakers, Mini-drones, Headphones |
| Others | Airtime, Shopping discounts, Charity donations |
The Mode Earn App is highly rated on Google Play, boasting:
- A 4.4-star rating
- Over 2.6 million positive user reviews
- More than 30 million installs
Download the Mode Earn App today and discover easy ways to earn rewards.
Source: Google Play
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Scan a Starbucks Card In-Store
To use your Starbucks gift card for in-store purchases, you’ll need to load it into your Starbucks account using the Starbucks app. Here’s how to add your card and then scan it for payment:
- Download and Open the Starbucks App: Get the Starbucks app for your Android or iOS device and open it.
- Sign In or Create an Account: Log in to your existing account or create a new one if you’re a new user.
- Navigate to Cards or Gifts: Tap on Cards at the bottom of the screen. Note that some app versions may display a Gifts tab instead of Cards.
- Add Your Gift Card: Select +Add Card or Got a Gift Card? Add It Here, depending on your app version.
- Enter Gift Card Details: Input the gift card number and security code. These are typically found on the back of a physical card or in the email if it’s a digital gift card.
- Set as Primary Card (Optional): Check Make This My Primary Card if you want this card to be your default payment method. Otherwise, leave it unchecked.
- Add Card: Tap Add Card to finalize.
Once added, your gift card will be visible in the Starbucks Cards section of the app, with its design mirroring the physical card. Now you can use this card to:
- Pay for online orders through the app
- Make purchases in-store by scanning the card’s barcode within the app
- Transfer the card balance to another Starbucks gift card
Using Your Starbucks Gift Card for Online Orders
To use your loaded gift card for an online order, follow these steps:
- Open the App and Order: Launch the Starbucks app and go to the Order tab.
- Customize Your Order: Select your desired items and customize them.
- Choose Pickup Location: Select a Starbucks location for pickup.
- Confirm Store: Confirm your chosen store.
- Go to Payment: Tap on the Payment tab at checkout.
- Select Gift Card: Choose your Starbucks gift card from the payment options.
- Continue and Checkout: Tap Continue, then Checkout $XY.XY to place your order.
If your gift card doesn’t cover the entire order cost, you can use a credit or debit card to pay the remaining balance.
Source: Kaique Rocha
How to Scan a Starbucks Card for In-Store Purchases
For those who prefer the traditional in-store experience, paying with your Starbucks gift card is just as easy. Here’s how to scan your Starbucks card at the payment terminal:
- Open the Starbucks App: When you are ready to pay in-store, open the Starbucks app on your phone.
- Access the Scan Feature: Look for either:
- The green Pay in Store button (often floating on the screen)
- The Scan tab at the bottom of the screen
- Scan & Pay: Tap Scan & Pay. This will display barcodes for all your loaded payment cards.
- Present the Barcode: Scroll to your Starbucks gift card and present its barcode to the cashier to scan.
This method is exclusively for in-store purchases. You cannot use it to pay for online pickup orders at the store.
Transferring Balances Between Starbucks Gift Cards
Managing multiple Starbucks gift cards can be simplified by transferring balances onto a single primary card. Here’s how to consolidate your balances:
- Go to Gift Card Section: Access the Gift Card section in the app where all your loaded cards are listed.
- Select Card to Transfer From: Scroll to the gift card you want to transfer funds from and tap Details below the card.
- Initiate Transfer: Select Transfer Balance.
- Choose Target Card: Tap on the Starbucks gift card you want to transfer the balance to.
- Confirm Transfer: Hit Transfer to complete the process.
After the transfer, the original gift card will show a $0.00 balance. You can then remove the empty card by going to Details and selecting Remove the Card.
Checking Your Starbucks Gift Card Balance
Keeping track of your Starbucks gift card balance is straightforward. Here are several methods:
| Method | Details |
|---|---|
| In-Store Check | Visit any Starbucks store and ask the cashier to check your balance. They will swipe your card and provide the balance information. |
| Starbucks Website | Go to the Starbucks Gift Card page on their website and click on Check Balance. You’ll need to enter your card details online. |
| Starbucks App | Open the Starbucks app and go to the Scan tab. The balances of all your added Starbucks gift cards are displayed for quick viewing. |
Don’t let limited funds halt your coffee enjoyment. You can continuously replenish your Starbucks funds by earning free gift cards with Mode Mobile.
Mode Mobile products offer a consistent way to earn gift cards, prepaid cards, cash, and other rewards annually. Simply use your smartphone for everyday activities like listening to music, browsing, and charging. You earn points that can be redeemed for your preferred rewards.
Millions worldwide are already generating a supplemental income using Mode Mobile’s products—either the Mode Earn App or the Mode Earn Phone. It’s time for you to join them.
Source: Gustavo Fring
The Mode Earn Phone: Your Income Booster
For a significant boost to your earnings, consider the Mode Earn Phone. This Android smartphone doubles your earning potential compared to just using the Mode Earn App. Mode Earn Phone users earn 2x reward points for the same phone-based tasks. With the Mode Earn Phone, you can potentially earn over $1,200 annually.
The Mode Earn Phone comes pre-installed with the Mode Earn App and features an earn-as-you-go widget with 16 earning modes:
- Music Mode
- Games Mode
- Charge Mode
- Lock Screen Mode
- Share Mode
- Weather Mode
- Task Mode
- Watch Mode
- Save Mode
- Fitness Mode
- News Mode
- Finance Mode
- Crypto Mode
- Surf Mode
- Data Mode
- Cash Mode
These earning modes are always accessible, making it easy to accumulate rewards with minimal effort.
Kashkick
Get cash back from Kashkick when you read emails, complete surveys, take quizzes, refer your friend, and subscribe to special promotions!
Mode Earn Phone: Features and Purchase Options
Beyond income generation, the Mode Earn Phone offers high-end features including:
- Fingerprint and face ID security
- 128 GB expandable storage
- High-quality front and back cameras
- Octa-core processor for smooth multitasking
- Compatibility with major GSM carriers
Source: Mode Mobile
You can acquire a Mode Earn Phone through two options:
- Purchase the device outright for $109
- Subscribe with a free trial followed by a $9.99 monthly subscription fee (billed quarterly)
Subscribers receive a new, upgraded Mode Earn Phone model every 18 months. Many users recoup their device investment within just three months of active use. Boost your earnings further by:
- Referring friends to the Mode Earn Phone
- Taking advantage of special income-boosting promotions
Purchase or subscribe to the Mode Earn Phone today to elevate your earning potential.
Featured image source: Henry & Co.
