Starbucks Holiday Hints

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post.  I just really love Starbucks.

I admit, I’m a bit of a Starbucks addict.  The objective of my morning walk most days is to walk to Starbucks and back.  I love the green straws.  I love the mermaid.  I love the red holiday cups.  Recently, I had to trim back on my Starbucks expenditures because I was going twice a day.  I got an Iced Grande Americano in the morning and a Iced Grande Caramel Machiatto in the afternoon right before I picked up my daughter from school.  They know me well at my neighborhood Starbucks.

From being such a frequent visitor, there are a few tips and hints that I would like to recommend for this Starbucks holiday season.  From money saving tactics to holiday promotions, here are some ways to help you get your Starbucks on.

Money Saving Tips

#1 Put your Starbucks Card on your cell phone.

Starbucks has a great app for both the Android and iPhone that lets you pay directly from your phone.  I use this all the time because in addition to a fast payment, it keeps track of how many times you visit and gives you rewards.  Once you reach 30 visits in a calendar year, you are moved to Gold level. At Gold level, every 12th visit, earns a free drink or food item.  You also get a free treat on your birthday (regardless of level), free refills on coffee and tea in the store (Green Level) and promotions such as 25% Food items.  The Starbucks card is a must have if you visit as frequently as I do.  Downside: It counts per visit instead of per item.  If you are ordering for a group, you only get one star.

#2 Watch out for “Buy One, Get One”

Every time Starbucks launches a new drink line, they usually have a “Buy One, Get One” promotion.  I visited with my friend Brie in September when the fall drinks were announced and treated myself to a Salted Caramel Mocha.  The new Holiday drinks will be promoted next week and my Starbucks sources tell me that you will be able to buy one holiday drink and get one free November 12-16th from 3-5pm.  Take advantage of this to test out the new Chestnut Praline Latte.

#3 Split a Venti with a friend.

Frappuccinos are an amazing indulgence – especially with all the amazing combinations out there including special concoctions you can ask the barista to whip up for you through the Starbucks Secret menu.  However, if you order two tall Frappucinos, you are going to be spending over $8.  Instead, order a Venti with a tall cup on the side and split with a friend.  You will get the same amount of Frappucino and will save $2.

#4 Ask your Barista when the promotions are planned

Behind every Starbucks cash register is a Starbucks marketing calendar.  Laminated 4X6 cards on a little binder ring tell when all the big deals are planned.  When I went to my local Starbucks this morning, I discovered that they are planning a Veterans Day promotion with coffee deals for former and active members of the military.  The current calendar behind the register lasts only until the end of December.

For the Ultimate Starbucks Gift Lover. 

Some reasonable.  Some… well, I leave that up to you. 

#5 Limited Edition Sterling Silver Starbucks Card

The title really says it all.  Starbucks will be selling this during the holiday season for the extreme Starbucks fan.  The card will set you back $200 and comes loaded with $50 that the giftee can spend on her favorite drinks.  You can find it here: Sterling Silver Starbucks Card.

#6 Gold Swarovski Starbucks Tumbler

Yep.  Not dishwasher safe.  $110.  Ogle away here: Swarovski Tumbler

#7 The Starbucks Dot Collection

I love the cold cup tumbler with lids and hard, plastic straws.  Starbucks is releasing a new line of collectible cups for the holidays called “The Dot Collection.”  The range from $10.95 to $19.95 depending on the cup you decide on.

#8 The Refill Tumbler

This was available on Black Friday last year and I’m told that it is coming back.  Last year, you were able to purchase the 16oz refill tumbler for $65.  The tumbler then entitled its owner to a free drink EVERY DAY for the entire month of January.  If you liked the specialty drinks, the total value of this tumbler was $140.  This year, a refill tumbler will again be offered on Black Friday, except this time, the price will be lower and the refills are for drip coffee only.   Actually, this deal sounds more appealing to me than last years.  The thought of a specialty Starbucks drink every day for a month makes my stomach hurt.  But straight coffee, that I can do.

What Starbucks tips do you have this holiday season?

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