Your next cup of joe can now get you closer to a vacation.
On Wednesday, Delta Air Lines announced a new partnership with Starbucks in which members of both companies’ loyalty programs can now double dip on earning points and enjoy other perks.
Starting on Oct. 12, members based in the U.S. can link their Delta SkyMiles and Starbucks Rewards accounts. Once your accounts are linked, you’ll earn 1 SkyMile per dollar spent on eligible purchases at Starbucks. And on days when you have a scheduled flight with Delta, you will earn double Stars on purchases at Starbucks stores.
Note that eligible purchases are defined as purchases of food, beverages or merchandise at participating Starbucks stores, which can be found using the chain’s store locator. Alcoholic beverages and the purchase of Starbucks gift cards do not earn bonus miles or Stars as part of the partnership.
In addition to the reciprocal earning perks, Delta is adding a new Choice Benefit for Diamond and Platinum Medallions: 4,000 Starbucks Stars. This joins the recently revamped award picks that were unveiled last week, including a Medallion Qualification Dollars boost and cobranded American Express statement credit. No Choice Benefits are being removed or changed as part of this move.
While TPG publishes monthly points valuations for most of the top airline, hotel and credit card loyalty currencies, we do not have an official valuation for Starbucks Stars.
That said, the redemption rates for Stars vary based on the item you are looking to purchase. It takes 50 stars to get a free brewed hot coffee, bakery item or hot tea, while customized drinks, hot breakfast items and parfaits cost 150 Stars apiece.
Depending on your daily coffee consumption and redemption patterns, you’ll likely value Stars differently. So, be sure to crunch the numbers before you redeem a Choice Benefit for Starbucks Stars.
To begin the account linking process, visit either deltastarbucks.com or starbucksdelta.com. To generate buzz and drive engagement, the companies are also offering some limited-time promotions.
If you link your accounts from Oct. 12 to Dec. 31, you’ll earn 500 SkyMiles, and once you make a qualifying purchase at Starbucks, you’ll earn 150 Stars. Plus, all Delta passengers departing Seattle on Oct. 12 will receive a “Star Card” valid for 150 Stars that can be redeemed toward a free beverage on your next Starbucks visit.
Bottom line
For Delta SkyMiles members, this is the latest loyalty partnership that allows members to double dip on everyday, non-flight purchases. Earlier this year, the Atlanta-based carrier teamed up with Instacart — the popular online grocery delivery service — to allow members to earn SkyMiles for groceries.
Additionally, the carrier’s long-standing partnership with Lyft continues to award members at least 1 SkyMile per dollar spent on rides. Other potentially lucrative SkyMiles partnerships include Airbnb and Turo.
While earning 1 SkyMile for many of these everyday activities may not immediately turn into a long-haul Delta One ticket (especially at the carrier’s sky-high mileage redemption rates), it’s certainly better than nothing.
Plus, in addition to earning SkyMiles and Starbucks Stars on coffee purchases, you’ll also continue to earn bonus points on dining spending if you’re using one of our recommended credit cards for dining and restaurants.
This, along with the new Delta partnership, effectively turns your Starbucks purchases into a triple dipping opportunity, which will help get closer to your next vacation.
