dailynewsnblog
Your morning cup of coffee might not be the sort of expense you think about optimizing. If it’s a regular habit, though, this repeat spending is where combining a rewards credit card with a good loyalty program can really help you maximize your rewards.
Starbucks, Dunkin’ and Dutch Bros — three of the largest coffee-focused chains in the U.S. (by number of U.S. locations) that have rewards programs available to anyone, no membership fee required — each offer rewards programs designed to turn your coffee fix into complimentary drinks and food, and two of these coffeehouses have overhauled their programs in the last 12 months.
In this guide, we take a look at all three programs, comparing menu prices at locations in Phoenix (where all three chains compete) to assess the value of your coffee rewards. Here’s what you need to know to be rewarded when you order your next cup of joe.
Starbucks, Dunkin’ and Dutch Bros compared
| Starbucks Rewards | Dunkin’ Rewards | Dutch Rewards | |
|---|---|---|---|
Green (entry level), Gold (attained after earning 500 Stars) and Reserve (attained after earning 2,500 Stars) | Member (entry level) and Boosted (attained after 12 visits in a calendar month) | None | |
1 Star per dollar spent (for Green members), 1.2 Stars per dollar spent (for Gold members) or 1.7 Stars per dollar spent (for Reserve members), plus 10 Stars per digital Starbucks card reload of $30 to $45, 25 Stars per digital Starbucks card reload of $50 to $95 and 50 Stars per digital Starbucks card reload of $100 or more | 10 points per dollar spent (for standard members) or 12 points per dollar spent (for Boosted members) | 3 points per dollar spent | |
25 Stars | 150 points | 250 points | |
Spending needed for a free drink | $100 (for Green members), $84 (for Gold members) or $59 (for Reserve members) for a brewed coffee or at least two $100 digital Starbucks card reloads at any membership level | $60 (for standard members) or $50 (for Boosted members) for a hot or iced coffee or tea of any size | About $83 for a medium drink or about $108 for a beverage of any size |
Expiration of Stars or points | Six months after the month in which you earned the points (as a Green member), extendable through monthly activity; no expiration for Gold and Reserve members | 12 months from the last day of the month earned, regardless of activity | Six months after the calendar month in which they were earned |
Delta SkyMiles, Marriott Bonvoy and Bank of America | None | None | |
3.25 cents per Star | 0.60 cents per point | 2.1 cents per point |
*TPG’s coffee rewards valuations are based on the median redemption rate of all levels of redemption in each program, using menu prices at the time of publication in Phoenix, a location where food and drink prices approximately match the U.S. national average and all three programs operate.
Starbucks Rewards loyalty program
Starbucks Rewards is the Seattle-based coffee chain’s rewards program. Membership in the program — which was overhauled in early 2026 to bring back elite status levels for the first time since 2019 — is free, though you’ll need to earn at least 500 Stars within 12 months to qualify for elite status. As an elite member, you’ll enjoy higher earning rates and additional perks, including the waiving of Starbucks’ expiration policy for Stars, which is six months after they’re earned.
While in-store food, beverage and merchandise purchases are the most common way to earn Stars, another way to boost your Stars balance is to reload your Starbucks card digitally. You’ll earn 10 Stars for a reload of $30 to $45, 25 Stars for a reload of $50 to $95 and 50 Stars for a reload of $100 or more — and then additional Stars when you spend that balance. As a result, reloading exactly $50 or $100 and then spending that balance increases a Green member’s 1 Star per dollar spent earning rate to 1.5 Stars, a Gold member’s 1.2 Stars per dollar spent earning rate to 1.7 Stars and a Reserve member’s 1.7 Stars per dollar spent earning rate to 2.2 Stars.
Redemptions are a little more complex than “your 11th coffee is free” offerings, like those your local independent cafe might provide, but they cater to a wide range of customers who might order more than a standard brewed coffee.
You can redeem your Stars at the following levels:
| Item | Stars cost | Typical cost | Redemption rate |
|---|---|---|---|
$1 off a drink customization (an extra espresso shot, a flavored syrup, cold foam, etc.) | 25 | Up to $1 | Up to 4 cents per Star |
60 | Up to $2 | Up to 3 cents per Star | |
Brewed coffee or tea (hot or iced), a bakery item, a packaged snack or another select item valued at up to $6 | 100 | Up to $6 | Up to 6 cents per Star |
A handcrafted beverage (like a latte or cold brew) or hot breakfast item valued at up to $10 | 200 | Up to $10 | Up to 5 cents per Star |
A sandwich, protein box or packaged coffee valued at up to $16 | 300 | Up to $16 | Up to 5 cents per Star |
Select Starbucks merchandise valued at up to $20 | 400 | Up to $20 | Up to 5 cents per Star |
For a complimentary coffee or tea, you’ll need to spend at least $100 as a Green member, $84 as a Gold member and $59 as a Reserve member.
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts
Related: Why I got top-tier status with Starbucks and enjoy it — despite the reduced earnings for some
Dunkin’ Rewards loyalty program
Compared to Starbucks Rewards, Dunkin’ Rewards is a simpler rewards program to understand and may be the fastest route to a complimentary drink through ongoing spending. Basic membership awards 10 points per dollar spent, while the elite status Boosted tier (which you reach after 12 visits with at least 99 cents worth of qualifying purchases in a calendar month and keep the remainder of that month and the next three months) gets you 12 points per dollar spent.
Once you’ve earned at least 150 points, you can redeem them for the following rewards:
| Item | Points cost | Typical cost | Redemption rate |
|---|---|---|---|
A three-count order of Munchkins doughnut hole treats, one six-piece order of hash browns or a drink customization (such as the addition of cold foam, an espresso shot, extra swirl or syrup, etc.) | 150 points | $1.59 | 1.06 cents per point |
300 points | $1.79 | 0.6 cents per point | |
One bakery item, including a 10-count order of Munchkins, a muffin or an iced loaf slice | 400 points | $2.49 | 0.62 cents per point |
A Wake-Up Wrap with or without meat, an order of Stuffed Bagel Minis, a Croissant Stuffer, a Snackin’ Bacon or a bagel with cream cheese spread | 500 points | $3.39 | 0.68 cents per point |
A hot or iced coffee or tea of any size | 600 points | $3.19 | 0.53 cents per point |
One noncoffee drink, including a Dunkin’ Refresher, hot chocolate, and a hot or iced chai or matcha latte | 800 points | $3.89 | 0.49 cents per point |
One breakfast sandwich with your choice of meat, egg, cheese and bread | 900 points | $5.34 | 0.59 cents per point |
Any specialty coffee or frozen drink, including espresso drinks, a Shakin’ Espresso, cold brew, a signature latte or a Dunkalatte | 950 points | $5.69 | 0.60 cents per point |
This means that earning a complimentary coffee or tea requires less spending overall. While you’ll need to spend $100 at Starbucks for a free coffee or tea as an entry-level Green member, you’ll only have to spend $60 at Dunkin’ to earn a coffee or tea as a standard member. Dunkin’s Boosted members come out ahead, too, as they need to spend just $50 for a coffee or tea redemption, whereas Starbucks Reserve members have to spend $59 for a comparable redemption.
One notable downside to the Dunkin’ Rewards program, though, is its expiration policy. Points expire 12 months after the last day of the month in which they were earned, regardless of program status, and, unfortunately, there is no way to extend them. Once you convert points into a reward, that reward expires 30 days later, so it’s a good idea to wait until you’re ready to redeem them to convert your points.
Related: How to use the Amex Gold Dunkin’ credit
Dutch Rewards loyalty program
Of the three programs covered in this guide, Dutch Rewards is perhaps the most limited, as it doesn’t offer any locations in New England and select states in the Midwest. However, it does have over 1,200 participating stores, mostly in California, Texas and Arizona.
Unlike Starbucks Rewards and Dunkin’ Rewards, Dutch Rewards has no elite tiers. All members earn 3 points per dollar spent on qualifying in-store purchases (excluding merchandise, gift cards, taxes, tips and charity donations), with the cheapest redemption available for 250 points.
There are just two ways to redeem Dutch Rewards points:
| Item | Points cost | Typical cost | Redemption rate |
|---|---|---|---|
250 points | $5.43 | 2.17 cents per point | |
One drink with your choice of milk, flavors and toppings, including whipped cream and Soft Top (a whipped sweet cream topping) | 325 points | $6.72 | 2.07 cents per point |
On average, you’ll need to spend around $83 to earn enough points to cover a medium drink or roughly $108 to redeem points for any beverage (up to 32 ounces). And remember, you’ll need to show your phone app or provide your phone number when paying for your purchase to earn points.
As for when Dutch Rewards points expire, its policy is the least generous of the three programs covered in this guide. Your points will expire six months after the calendar month in which they were earned, with no way to extend their validity or avoid the policy altogether (like you can with Starbucks Rewards elite status). Meanwhile, rewards expire 180 days after you convert your points.
Related: Alaska Airlines switches to Stumptown from Starbucks for inflight coffee
How to stack credit card rewards with coffee rewards
There are plenty of ways to earn additional points and miles by double- and even triple-stacking how you pay for your next coffee.
Link your Starbucks Rewards and Delta SkyMiles accounts to earn 1 SkyMile per eligible dollar spent at Starbucks, plus twice as many Stars on qualifying Starbucks purchases made on a Delta travel day.
Members who linked their accounts on or after Aug. 5 will earn miles for their first 12 months, regardless of recent Delta Air Lines activity. After that, they’ll need to have completed a qualifying Delta flight within the previous 12 months to continue earning. Existing linked members who don’t meet the qualifying Delta flight requirement have a one-time grace period through Oct. 5.
Related: Delta changes Starbucks-SkyMiles earnings again, bringing back 1 mile per dollar spent
You can also link your Starbucks Rewards account to your Marriott Bonvoy loyalty account and earn double Stars for the duration of your eligible stay at a participating Marriott Bonvoy hotel, plus Marriott Bonvoy points on qualifying Starbucks transactions during designated Marriott Bonvoy Week promotions.
Related: You can now transfer your Marriott Bonvoy points to Starbucks Rewards
By paying for your coffee and snacks with the right credit card, on top of earning coffee rewards, you can also earn the following rewards:
- Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (see rates and fees): 6 points per dollar spent at restaurants, including restaurant delivery services, on Citi Nights℠ purchases, from 6 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday and from 6 p.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Sunday, Eastern time (but 3 points per dollar spent on restaurant purchases outside of this window)
- American Express® Gold Card: 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar), plus up to $7 in monthly statement credits for U.S. Dunkin’ purchases (enrollment required)
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees), Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) and Citi Strata Premier® Card (see rates and fees): 3 points per dollar spent on dining
- Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees): 3% cash back on dining
- Any eligible Bank of America credit or debit card: 2% cash back on qualifying in-app Starbucks purchases, plus 1 bonus Star for every $2 spent, excluding taxes and tips
If you have an American Express or Chase card, remember to check your Amex Offers and Chase Offers, as coffee chains do appear from time to time. You can stack these offers on top of everything else noted above (enrollment is required).
Which coffee loyalty program is best?
If you’re judging these programs purely by the value of rewards from your everyday spending, Dutch Rewards narrowly comes out on top at the standard earning rates. We value Dutch Rewards points at around 2.1 cents each. Since members earn 3 points per dollar spent, that’s an average return of about 6.3% on qualifying purchases.
Dunkin’ isn’t far behind with its loyalty program. Based on our sample menu prices in Arizona, Dunkin’ points are worth around 0.6 cents each, giving base members an average return of about 6% on qualifying purchases and Boosted members about 7.2%.
Starbucks Rewards has a lower return at its standard Green earning rate. We value Stars at around 3.25 cents each, which might seem high, but it produces a return of about 3.25% for a Green member. However, Starbucks offers far more ways to increase that return. Reloading a Starbucks card in $50 or $100 increments raises the effective Green earning rate to 1.5 Stars per dollar, worth almost 5% back based on our valuation, while Reserve members who use the same strategy can earn an effective 2.2 Stars per dollar, worth around 7.2%. Its partnerships with Delta, Marriott and Bank of America can add even more value.
For someone who simply wants a standard coffee, Dunkin’ has the advantage: A base member needs $60 in qualifying spending for a hot or iced coffee or tea of any size, compared with $100 at Starbucks’ base earning rate for a brewed coffee or tea. Dutch Bros requires around $83 in spending, but its 250-point reward is more flexible because it covers any medium drink. Just don’t expect any status levels or partners with this program.
Bottom line
There is no single best coffee loyalty program for everyone since the value you get depends on what you order and how often you visit each chain.
Dunkin’ Rewards is a smart choice if you want an easy-to-understand program with a generous return on everyday spending.
Dutch Rewards can be particularly valuable if you tend to order specialty drinks since its 250-point reward can be used for any medium drink rather than just a basic coffee. However, the program lacks the status levels, earning accelerators and outside partnerships offered by Starbucks.
Starbucks Rewards is less rewarding at its basic earning rate, but it offers the most ways to boost your overall return, with plenty of opportunities to earn extra Stars.
Ultimately, the best program for you will likely be the one offered by the coffee shop you visit most often. Since Starbucks Rewards, Dunkin’ Rewards and Dutch Rewards are all free to join, there is little downside to signing up for all three and earning rewards whenever you stop by for a pick-me-up.
