Starbucks, Tim’s loyalty program changes leave some ‘not happy.’ What to know – National | 24CA News

Changes are coming for Starbucks and Tim Hortons prospects in Canada – and a few will not be comfortable about it.

Starting on Monday, Starbucks mentioned it is going to be updating its rewards program, rising the variety of factors wanted to redeem free objects.

Rewards members within the U.S. and Canada have been first notified concerning the modifications by the American espresso chain in December 2022.

“To ensure the long-term sustainability of the Starbucks Rewards program and to meet the changing needs of our members, we occasionally need to make changes to the program,” Leanna Rizzi, a spokesperson for Starbucks Canada, mentioned in an announcement to Global News Friday.

“And while some items may require additional stars to redeem for, other popular items like iced coffee and packaged coffee will need less stars to redeem for and be easier for members to be rewarded.”

Meanwhile, Tim Hortons can also be making it dearer to say that free espresso for its loyal prospects.

Those modifications have been introduced in December and go into impact beginning Feb. 21.

In an announcement to Global News Friday, Tim Hortons mentioned its rewards loyalty program is “evolving to make every dollar count,” including that “those who spend more, will earn more.”

The modifications come as decades-high inflation has surged on a regular basis bills for Canadians, with grocery payments by means of the roof.

Coffee and tea costs have been up 13.2 per cent yr over yr in December, in keeping with the newest inflation report by Statistics Canada launched final month.

Rewards packages are a manner for firms to retain loyal prospects who in flip can lower your expenses by amassing extra factors.

Starting Feb. 13, Starbucks prospects might want to earn 100 stars to redeem objects resembling brewed espresso or a bakery product without cost. Under the present program, 50 stars are required. So meaning you’ll should spend double the quantity to get the identical objects.

Additionally, the price of handcrafted drinks resembling a latte or frappuccino and scorching breakfast objects goes as much as 200 stars from 150.

A lunch sandwich or packaged protein field will now price you 300 stars, up from 200.

The new modifications will make it barely cheaper to get a packaged espresso merchandise, costing 300 stars, down from 400. A free packaged snack merchandise would require 100 stars versus 150 beneath the outdated program.

However, there isn’t any change to how members earn stars. Starbucks reward members can earn one star by spending $1 with money, card or cellular pockets and two stars utilizing a Starbucks card.

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Tim Hortons introduced on Dec. 14 that it was shifting its rewards program from a visit-based system to a spending-based one.

Under the brand new program, Tims rewards members will earn 10 factors for each greenback spent quite than a set 10 factors per eligible buy — a minimal of fifty cents — beneath the present program.

Customers must spend at the very least 10 cents to earn one level, the corporate mentioned. Existing factors will carry over to the brand new program.

But identical to Starbucks, you’ll have to bag extra factors to redeem free goodies at Tims.

For occasion, brewed espresso, tea, bagels and baked items price 70 factors proper now, however beneath the brand new program, they are going to price you 400 factors.

Rewards Canada mentioned it is a “massive devaluation” from this system for the most well-liked choice from the chain.

“With the current program it takes seven visits to earn the 70 points needed for a free coffee or tea,” Rewards Canada wrote in a weblog when the modifications have been first introduced.

“At 10 points per dollar that means you have to spend $40 instead of $15 to get the same reward.”

More fancy espresso drinks, iced cappuccino, frozen drinks and a field of 10 Timbits would require 800 factors, going up from 140.

If you’re in search of free doughnuts, cookies and hash browns, you want 300 factors versus 50 on the outdated program.

The watered-down rewards programs will not be happening properly with some prospects in Canada.

Cody Schiltroth from Spruce Grove, Alta., mentioned he was “not happy with the changes” coming at Tim Hortons and would favor to see this system keep as it’s.

He mentioned he would get six free drinks a yr with the outdated program, however that will now go down to 2 drinks.

“Those who buy breakfast each week or multiple coffees a day will benefit, but I will not,“ Schiltroth told Global News in an email.

Steve Namislo, who is a regular at Tims, said the switch to points per dollar from points per purchase was a “lot more profitable” for him.

“I can now see gaining enough points for a free coffee in less than half the time it took me under the old policy,” he mentioned.

Some mentioned they are going to flip to different cheaper choices, like McDonald’s, for his or her caffeine repair.

“I’ve put up with the rising prices, pumpkin spice lattes and disappearing points. Now time for me to disappear from their line-up,” mentioned Jamie Hanlon, who described himself as a loyal Starbucks fan for over 25 years.

Gordon McCallum, one other Starbucks loyalty member, mentioned “changing the amount of stars to get a free coffee seems like an unfair way to increase profits.”

Meanwhile, others have been not likely bothered by the modifications.

“I’m just glad we get a chance to get free stuff,” Laurie Tomkins mentioned in an e-mail.

Ashley Junkin from Peterborough, Ont., mentioned the Starbucks rewards program was “always very generous.”

“I think it was a long time coming considering they never increased during COVID.”