Quick Tips

Starbucks’ Summer Game is Back and Could Score You Free Stars

In the past, I’ve written plenty about Starbucks, including penning a detailed guide to completing one of their games for scoring a boatload of free Stars — AKA their loyalty points that can be redeemed for food, beverages, and more. Yet, since writing that, my wife and I had slowed way down on our Starbucks consumption (thanks, pandemic), so I haven’t felt the need to mention them as of late.

That said, the coffee chain recently launched the latest edition of its Summer Game. This time around, customers can not only play their mini-game to try to set high scores but can also unlock spins that could result in prizes. Normally, these spins would be earned by accomplishing certain tasks, such as using the app’s order ahead feature a certain number of times. However, if you want a shot at winning Stars and other prizes without spending a dime, that can be arranged.

One of the secrets of Summer Game and other such Starbucks promotions is that you can get plays without making purchases — that’s what that whole “no purchases necessary” disclaimer you hear all the time is about. In fact, customers can claim up to two free plays per day. To do so, log into the Starbucks Summer Game site, scroll down to the bottom, and look for the “To enter without making a purchase, click here” link.

I’d recommend starting off by choosing Daily Play, filling out the form, and then checking your email for the link that will activate said free play. Then, you can go back, select one of the challenges, and follow the same process. Sadly, you will eventually run out of challenges to apply for, but you can still keep doing your single Daily Play each day.

While I have yet to win any major prizes from Summer Game or others, I have at least been able to nab some free Stars. So far, in this particular edition, I’ve already won 25 bonus Stars while my wife managed to win the same prize as well. If you’re not well-versed in how Starbucks Stars work, bakery items or drip coffee will cost you 50 Stars, while lattes and other such drinks are 150 Stars. Alternatively, you can also save up 400 Stars and cash them in for merchandise worth up to $20 (we tend to get whole bean coffee when we have redemptions to make). Thus, in essence, we won a cup of coffee combined.

Given the limited likelihood of a big payout, you’d be forgiven if you just as soon skip the free Summer Game play opportunity. However, if you do have a couple of minutes each day to fill out the form and get your free entry, you just might be rewarded. In any case, you can find all the rules and instructions on StarbucksSummerGame.com.

Also published on Medium.

Other Articles by Kyle Burbank