Starbucks, Bank of America connect loyalty programs

Dan Berthiaume
Senior Editor, Technology
starbucks logo
Starbucks is partnering with Bank of America in a loyalty initiative.

Starbucks Rewards members who are also Bank of America cardholders can link their accounts for additional benefits.

Starbucks Rewards members can earn 2% cash back on top of the rewards or card benefits they already receive on qualifying purchases, and one Starbucks Rewards “Star” point per $2 spent at Starbucks when they link an eligible Bank of America debit or credit card with their Starbucks Rewards account.

Starbucks entered a similar partnership with Delta Air Lines in October 2022, when the companies linked their loyalty programs to increase rewards opportunities for mutual members.

Members can unlock new combined benefits through qualifying Starbucks in-app purchases with their linked Bank of America debit or credit card. Qualifying purchases include reloading a digital Starbucks gift card, ordering ahead, or paying in the app at the register. Stars earned can be redeemed toward rewards at Starbucks including free drinks, food, merchandise and whole bean coffee1

This new program is open to currently enrolled Starbucks Rewards members and Bank of America cardholders, as well as new members or cardholders. Bank of America offers it through the company’s BankAmeriDeals loyalty program.

Starbucks is launching this joint initiative as it is seeing rising participation in its loyalty offering. In the coffee giant’s recent first quarter of fiscal 2024, the Starbucks Rewards loyalty program’s 90-day active U.S. members increased to 34.3 million, rising 13% year-over-year.

"We are pleased to partner with Bank of America and offer Starbucks Rewards members even more valuable benefits like cash back and more Stars," said Ryan Butz, VP, loyalty strategy and marketing at Starbucks. "This partnership is the latest example of how we are continuing to invest in our most loyal customers to deepen engagement and connection by offering benefits and experiences that can't be found anywhere else."

"Partnering with Starbucks is part of our commitment to invest in meaningful ways to thank our clients for choosing to do business with us," said Shikha Narula, head of consumer and small business product strategy and transformation at Bank of America. "We are pleased to give Bank of America clients and Starbucks customers even more opportunities to make their everyday financial lives more rewarding."

Headquartered in Seattle, Starbucks Corp. operates over 35,000 stores worldwide.

X
This ad will auto-close in 10 seconds