{"id":243429,"date":"2023-12-10T11:59:53","date_gmt":"2023-12-10T11:59:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lovemainstream.com\/?p=243429"},"modified":"2023-12-10T11:59:53","modified_gmt":"2023-12-10T11:59:53","slug":"exact-amount-you-need-to-spend-at-every-major-chain-to-get-free-drinks-best-and-worst-loyalty-schemes-revealed-the-sun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lovemainstream.com\/lifestyle\/exact-amount-you-need-to-spend-at-every-major-chain-to-get-free-drinks-best-and-worst-loyalty-schemes-revealed-the-sun\/","title":{"rendered":"Exact amount you need to spend at every major chain to get free drinks – best and worst loyalty\u00a0schemes revealed | The Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"

MAJOR coffee shops like Starbucks and Costa are known for their loyalty schemes offering free drinks, as well as chains like Greggs.<\/p>\n

But exactly how much will it cost you before you get the freebie, and which ones are really worth it? <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Fresh analysis by The Sun since big changes to several schemes reveal you could be spending nearly \u00a3180 to get a brew on the house.<\/p>\n

But with others you'll be sipping pretty after forking out as little as \u00a315.75.<\/p>\n

Costa, the UK\u2019s biggest chain, has made their scheme slightly worse since a change in August.<\/p>\n

McDonald\u2019s no longer has their dedicated coffee loyalty program, which was the best value. <\/p>\n

Read more on freebies<\/h2>\n

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Starbucks is giving away free drinks to millions of workers TODAY \u2013 how to get it<\/h3>\n

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Little-known way to get free drinks from pub chain using Tesco Clubcard<\/h3>\n

Instead they have a wider scheme for all food and drinks.<\/p>\n

Posh bakery chain Gail\u2019s recently revamped app-only scheme is incredibly poor value. <\/p>\n

You might need to buy 50 coffees, or spend close to \u00a3180, for a free one.<\/p>\n

When comparing the loyalty programs, we based our research on buying the smallest latte on offer at each chain.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Most read in Money<\/h2>\n

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I tried flavoured panettones- the winner is the ‘perfect pick-me-up’<\/h3>\n

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Here's what we found…<\/p>\n

Starbucks – after spending \u00a350.15<\/h2>\n

The worst value scheme for a big chain is Starbucks Rewards.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It used to be among the best, but plummeted down the table after a revamp during the pandemic.<\/p>\n

Customers get three stars for each partial \u00a31 spent, then a free drink when they get 150 stars. It means spending around \u00a350.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

For a \u00a32.95 small latte, it means buying 17 small lattes to get a free one.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Taking a leaf out of airline loyalty programs, Starbucks has a \u201cgold level\u201d. <\/p>\n

This is reached once you have collected 450 stars – after spending \u00a384.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It lets you claim perks like extra shots, dairy-free milks and whipped cream for free. <\/p>\n

There is also a drink on the house for your birthday.\u00a0<\/p>\n