12 Proven Ways to Earn Starbucks Gift Cards in 2025

If you’re a coffee lover, there’s nothing quite like grabbing a hot cup of your favorite brew at Starbucks, especially when it’s free! 

While you can always collect points through the Starbucks Rewards program, there are many other creative and simple ways to earn Starbucks gift cards in 2025. 

Whether you’re a student, a busy professional, or someone who loves the occasional frappuccino, these 12 proven methods can help you fill your Starbucks wallet and enjoy a few extra treats throughout the year.

1. Join the Starbucks Rewards Program

Let’s start with the most obvious but still highly effective method – joining the Starbucks Rewards program. By signing up, you can earn stars with every purchase you make, which can be redeemed for free drinks and food. 

The more you spend, the more rewards you earn, and those rewards can quickly add up to a free drink, snack, or even a full meal.

How it Works:

• Earn Stars: You earn 2 stars per $1 spent when you use your Starbucks card or the Starbucks app to pay.
• Redeem Stars: For every 25 stars, you can get a free brewed coffee or tea, and the rewards get better with higher star thresholds.
• Bonus Stars: Occasionally, Starbucks offers bonus stars for specific products or promotions, giving you an extra boost toward earning that free gift card!

Why It Works:

It’s easy to use and doesn’t require much extra effort. If you’re already going to Starbucks anyway, why not earn rewards for it?

2. Download Cashback and Rewards Apps

There are several apps that reward you for making purchases at Starbucks, and many of them offer free Starbucks gift cards as a redemption option. These apps allow you to earn cashback or points that you can convert into gift cards, including Starbucks ones.

Apps to Try:

• Swagbucks: Swagbucks lets you earn points for shopping online, taking surveys, watching videos, and more. You can redeem your points for Starbucks gift cards.
• Rakuten: If you shop online and make Starbucks purchases, you can earn cashback through Rakuten. You can withdraw your cashback in the form of Starbucks gift cards.
• Ibotta: Ibotta is an app where you can earn cashback on grocery and restaurant purchases, including Starbucks. Once you accumulate enough points, you can redeem them for gift cards, including Starbucks.

Why It Works:

These apps give you a chance to earn Starbucks gift cards passively while you go about your usual shopping or tasks.

3. Complete Online Surveys

Taking surveys online might seem like a small effort, but it can be a great way to rack up points toward Starbucks gift cards. There are a variety of survey sites that reward you for sharing your opinions, and many of them allow you to choose Starbucks gift cards as a reward option.

Survey Platforms to Check Out:

• Survey Junkie: Survey Junkie is one of the most popular survey platforms. While they primarily reward you with cash, you can exchange your earnings for gift cards, including Starbucks.
• Pinecone Research: This survey site has higher payouts and offers various gift cards, including Starbucks.
• Toluna: Toluna offers points for survey participation, and those points can be redeemed for Starbucks gift cards.

Why It Works:

If you have a little free time to spare each day, this is an easy way to earn some extra money that you can use to buy Starbucks without spending your own cash.

4. Participate in Focus Groups

Focus groups pay participants to share their opinions on different products and services. While not every focus group offers Starbucks gift cards as rewards, many do provide gift cards as compensation for your time and feedback.

Focus Groups to Consider:

• Respondent.io: This platform connects you with companies that need consumer feedback. Some focus groups provide Starbucks gift cards as compensation for participating.
• FindFocusGroups.com: This is a great resource for finding paid focus group opportunities, some of which include Starbucks gift cards as payment.

Why It Works:

Focus groups typically pay better than surveys, and they allow you to give your opinion on new products, services, or ideas, which can be interesting and rewarding in more ways than one!

5. Use Survey and Task Apps Like InboxDollars

InboxDollars rewards users for completing small tasks like watching videos, taking surveys, or even playing games. When you accumulate enough points, you can redeem them for gift cards, and Starbucks is usually an option.

How It Works:

• Earn Points: Complete tasks such as watching ads, playing games, or answering surveys.
• Redeem for Starbucks Gift Cards: Once you’ve earned enough points, you can cash them in for a Starbucks gift card.

Why It Works:

It’s a simple way to earn points while doing everyday activities, like watching TV or browsing the internet. Plus, who doesn’t want to earn Starbucks gift cards while lounging at home?

6. Take Advantage of Starbucks Promotions and Giveaways

Keep an eye out for special Starbucks promotions and giveaways. They sometimes offer limited-time opportunities to win free gift cards or earn rewards just by participating in specific campaigns.

Where to Look:

• Starbucks’ Social Media Pages: Follow Starbucks on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. They often host giveaways or flash sales that include free gift cards.
• Starbucks Email Newsletters: By subscribing to Starbucks’ newsletter, you may get access to exclusive promotions and giveaways, which could include free gift cards.

Why It Works:

It’s completely free to enter these promotions, and if you’re lucky, you can snag a Starbucks gift card without any effort!

7. Refer a Friend to Starbucks

Starbucks has a Referral Program where you can earn rewards by referring new customers. When a friend signs up for the Starbucks app and makes their first purchase, you both might earn rewards, such as bonus stars or gift cards.

How It Works:

• Share Your Referral Code: Use your unique referral code to invite friends to download the Starbucks app.
• Earn Rewards: Both you and your friend may receive Starbucks gift cards or stars that can be converted to gift cards.

Why It Works:

It’s a win-win situation! Not only do you help a friend enjoy Starbucks, but you also earn rewards for doing so.

8. Join Loyalty Programs from Other Brands

Some brands offer loyalty programs that allow you to earn Starbucks gift cards as rewards for purchasing their products. For example, many grocery stores, food chains, or even beauty brands partner with Starbucks to offer gift cards as part of their rewards system.

Programs to Explore:

• Shell Gas Stations: Shell gas stations offer loyalty points that can be redeemed for Starbucks gift cards.
• CVS Rewards: Some CVS Rewards programs provide Starbucks gift cards as an option when you earn enough points.
  
• Target Circle: If you’re a regular at Target, their loyalty program occasionally offers Starbucks gift cards as rewards.

Why It Works:

If you’re already purchasing from these brands, it’s a great way to get a bonus Starbucks gift card for simply shopping like you normally would.

9. Watch Ads with Apps Like Perk TV

Apps like Perk TV reward you for watching short ads and videos on your phone. You can accumulate points and redeem them for Starbucks gift cards once you reach a certain threshold.

How It Works:

• Watch Ads and Videos: Earn points by watching short video ads or completing simple tasks.
• Redeem Points: After accumulating enough points, you can redeem them for a Starbucks gift card.

Why It Works:

It’s a passive way to earn money while you’re on your phone. If you have a few minutes throughout the day, you can rack up points that you can redeem for your favorite Starbucks drink.

10. Sign Up for Mystery Shopping

As a mystery shopper, you get paid to visit stores and evaluate the service and products. Some companies may reimburse you with Starbucks gift cards for your evaluations.

Companies to Consider:

• Market Force: This company hires mystery shoppers to evaluate service at retail stores, including Starbucks.
• BestMark: Another mystery shopping company that occasionally hires people to evaluate coffee shops like Starbucks.

Why It Works:

Mystery shopping is a fun way to earn rewards while getting a firsthand experience at Starbucks, plus you’re compensated with gift cards!

11. Sell Unused Gift Cards

Do you have old or unused gift cards lying around the house? If they’re not Starbucks cards, you can trade them for Starbucks gift cards on platforms like CardCash or Gift Card Granny.

How It Works:

• Trade Your Unused Gift Cards: List your unwanted gift cards on a marketplace, and receive payment in the form of Starbucks gift cards.
• Receive Starbucks Gift Cards: After the trade, you’ll receive your Starbucks gift card!

Why It Works:

You can clear out clutter and turn unwanted gift cards into something much more useful—Starbucks!

12. Earn Through Mobile Gaming Apps

Many mobile game apps reward you with gift cards for completing challenges or achieving milestones. Some of these apps allow you to redeem those rewards for Starbucks gift cards.

Apps to Try:

• Mistplay: This app rewards you with points for playing games, and you can exchange those points for Starbucks gift cards.
• Lucktastic: Another app where you can earn points by playing games and enter giveaways for Starbucks gift cards.

Why It Works:

If you enjoy gaming, why not turn that hobby into a way to earn some Starbucks rewards? It’s fun and rewarding!

Conclusion

Earning Starbucks gift cards in 2025 is easier than ever with so many different methods available to you. From joining loyalty programs to taking surveys, playing games, and completing tasks, you can be sipping your favorite beverage without spending a dime of your own money.

Start with the methods that resonate most with you, and soon you’ll have enough Starbucks gift cards to treat yourself to your favorite drinks, snacks, or even try something new from their seasonal menu. Happy earning, and enjoy that well-deserved coffee!

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