There’s no limit when it comes to earning rewards. Programs like Everyday Rewards and Flybuys reward you for your everyday spending, while frequent flyer programs and hotel loyalty programs can yield extra perks away from home. But one of the easiest – and tastiest – ways to earn rewards is by becoming a member of a coffee loyalty program.
It’s no secret that Australians are passionate about their coffee. And whether you’re someone who drinks their weight in organic beans, enjoys an occasional pick-me-up, or prefers an aromatic tea blend instead, you’ll be pleased to learn that your next cup can inch you closer to a reward. In many cases, that means even more coffee, and for free. But we’re not complaining.
So before you go about ordering your first flat white for the day, have a read of our guide below to discover some of the best coffee loyalty programs in Australia that you should join right now.
The Coffee Club loyalty program
The Coffee Club is one of the largest coffee chains in Australia with over 200 stores throughout the country. As its name implies, customers can sign up for the store’s loyalty program to be rewarded for coffee and food purchases, though it’s not a requirement. But if you are thinking of joining The Coffee Club loyalty program, here’s how you can benefit.
How to join The Coffee Club
The Coffee Club is one of the few loyalty programs that requires payment to join. But if you’re already frequenting your local The Coffee Club cafe, the savings can add up quickly. There are two options for membership:
- Monthly membership costs $3 a month, which easily pays for itself after your first buy one, get one free coffee.
- Annual membership costs $25, which is a significant saving compared to paying monthly.
The loyalty program itself has two facets: the first is the ability to earn Rewards Dollars, and the second is the benefits that come with joining The Coffee Club’s loyalty program. The Rewards Dollars may not be appealing if you’re only popping in for your daily coffee, though the overall member benefits easily outweigh the cost of joining.
To sign up for The Coffee Club, simply download the app and follow the prompts.
Earning rewards
For every $10 you spend in-store, including food and beverages, you’ll receive $1 in Rewards Dollars. This is easily achievable if you’re purchasing food from The Coffee Club’s extensive menu, including burgers, salads and pastries.
Redeeming rewards
There’s no limit to the amount of Rewards Dollars you can redeem per transaction, but they can only be redeemed in $5 increments. Rewards Dollars can be redeemed for in-store purchases via The Coffee Club app.
Highlights of The Coffee Club membership
Aside from earning Rewards Dollars, one of the largest benefits of The Coffee Club’s loyalty program is the buy one, get one free coffee. You could treat a colleague (or yourself) for half the price, which more than covers the monthly membership cost. Members also receive a free coffee upsize, so you can enjoy a large coffee for the price of a regular.
Muffin Break loyalty program: Muffin Break Rewards
Coffee and muffins go hand-in-hand. And thankfully, with over 200 stores in Australia, Muffin Break has made this union accessible to the masses. The Muffin Break Rewards program rewards its loyalty coffee-loving members with more coffee (and the occasional muffin). Here’s how to get involved.
How to join Muffin Break Rewards
To become a Muffin Break Rewards member, download the mobile app and follow the prompts to sign up.
Earning rewards
It’s easy to be rewarded when you purchase coffee at Muffin Break. Simply scan your digital loyalty card found in the app each time you buy a coffee, and every fifth coffee is free. There are no points or rewards earned on the purchase of Muffin Break’s mouth-watering muffins, though.
Redeeming rewards
To redeem your free coffee, present your digital loyalty card on the app when ordering.
Highlights of Muffin Break Rewards membership
Muffin Break Rewards is a simple program that rewards members with a free coffee after a specific number of visits. Members also receive a free muffin during their birthday month, which is the perfect complement to a cup of Joe. Notably, Muffin Break doesn’t charge extra for plant milk, so there’s even more potential to save on the cost of your daily coffee.
Starbucks loyalty program: Starbucks Rewards
Starbucks is the world’s largest coffee chain. With stores along Australia’s east coast, locals and tourists alike can get their fix of Starbucks’ most popular drinks and seasonal beverages.
But before you dash in for a Pumpkin Spice Latte, find out how you can get rewarded by signing up for Starbucks’ loyalty program, Starbucks Rewards.
How to join Starbucks Rewards
Starbucks Rewards is free to join. Simply download the Starbucks Rewards app to sign up, or register your physical card in the app.
Earning rewards
Members of the Starbucks Rewards loyalty program can collect ‘Stars’, with an earn rate of one Star per eligible beverage purchased. There’s no shame in a cheeky frappuccino every now and then if it means you’ll be rewarded with more. Once you’ve collected nine Stars – or purchased nine eligible drinks – then your 10th drink will be free.
Stars are only earned on handcrafted, barista-made beverages. This means you won’t collect any rewards from the purchase of food, bottled drinks, or Starbucks merchandise.
Also, if you were hoping to earn Stars at any of the thousands of Starbucks stores globally, you’re out of luck. Stars earned in Australia can only be redeemed here – though if it’s any consolation, Starbucks in Australia accepts American Express cards.
Redeeming rewards
Your free beverage can be redeemed when ordering in-app or by presenting your app when you place an order in-store. Unfortunately, much like earning rewards, you won’t be able to redeem your reward at Starbucks stores outside of Australia.
Highlights of Starbucks Rewards membership
The ability to order ahead and pay via the Starbucks Rewards app is handy for skipping the queue. Members also get access to exclusive offers, and if you’re new to the program you’ll even receive some welcome goodies.
Jamaica Blue loyalty program
Jamaica Blue’s award-winning coffee has been an Australian staple for over three decades. From humble beginnings in New South Wales, there are now stores in almost a dozen countries which is a sigh of relief for Aussie travellers searching for a taste of home.
While you can’t earn or redeem rewards abroad, here’s how you can make the most of Jamaica Blue’s loyalty program in Australia.
How to join Jamaica Blue’s loyalty program
There are two ways to sign up for Jamaica Blue’s loyalty program. Firstly, you can collect a physical card in-store, though you’ll still have to create an account online and register your card to view your rewards balance. Or, you can simply download the mobile app and follow the prompts to join. You’ll even receive a free coffee just for signing up.
Earning rewards
For every $1 you spend in-store – this includes food, drinks, and even their delicious cakes – you’ll receive one point.
Note that if you’ve joined Jamaica Blue’s rewards program in Australia, you’ll only be able to earn points here, and the same applies to redemptions.
Redeeming rewards
Once you’ve collected 25 points – or spent $25 – you can redeem a free small coffee. This means you can earn a free coffee after a handful of visits, or even just one visit if you’ve ordered a full meal. There’s no limit to how many free coffees you can redeem in a single transaction, either. So you could save your points and treat a friend, or hold onto them for when you really need a pick-me-up.
Highlights of the Jamaica Blue loyalty program
Everyone loves a good slice of birthday cake, and it’s even better when it’s free. Members of Jamaica Blue’s loyalty program can redeem a free slice of cake at any store in Australia during their birthday month. There are also additional benefits for members who hold an Australian seniors card.
Gloria Jean’s loyalty program: Gloria Jean’s Rewards Club
Founded in Chicago, Gloria Jean’s hit the Australian market in the mid-90s and to date operates over 170 stores across the country. While the company has undergone some branding changes over the years, its distinct blends have remained a firm favourite for Australians. And Gloria Jean’s Rewards Club members can earn points the next time they order a bright orange cup. Here’s how.
How to join Gloria Jean’s Rewards Club
To become a Gloria Jean’s Rewards Club member, simply create an account online or download the app and follow the prompts. There’s even a free welcome drink waiting for you just for becoming a member.
Earning rewards
Every time you purchase a hot or cold beverage from Gloria Jean’s, you’ll earn points. The beverages refer to their ‘GJ’s crafted’ drinks only, so bottled drinks and food are excluded. The amount of points earned depends on the size of your drink.
- Small: 70 points
- Regular: 100 points
- Large: 130 points
Redeeming rewards
Once you’ve collected enough points, you can redeem them for a GJ’s crafted beverage. You’ll need the following points to redeem a hot or cold drink.
- Small: 700 points
- Regular: 1,000 points
- Large: 1,300 points
If you do the math, you’ll need to purchase 10 of the same-sized beverage to get a beverage of that size free. Though you could redeem your points for a free small drink after just six purchases of a large drink. It’s handy to have that option.
Highlights of Gloria Jean’s Rewards Club
Members receive a free regular drink during their birthday month, plus exclusive offers throughout the year.
Summing up
If you’re already fuelling up with a morning coffee, then it’s easy to turn your next cup into a reward.
And if you’re capping off your day with a rich red or crisp white, find out how you can turn your wine purchase into Qantas Points through Qantas Wine. You may just be sipping your next coffee overlooking Tassie’s glorious Peppermint Bay.
Featured image: Nathan Dumlao, Unsplash
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