Starbucks-Lyft partnership takes new shape

starbucks coffee sign

Starbucks is beefing up its partnership with Lyft, allowing customers the chance to earn more Rewards stars if they use the ride service as part of their morning commutes.

From today until Nov. 9, Starbucks Rewards members can earn 5 stars each time they use Lyft between the hours of 5 and 10 a.m., with a cap of one ride per hour. In addition, those using Lyft for the first time can earn 125 stars for that initial trip.

Starbucks will also sell $20 Lyft gift cards in participating stores, tacking on a $5 Starbucks card for purchasing patrons.

This promo may help appease some Starbucks Rewards members, many of whom were outraged by changes made to the loyalty program in April, which affected how quickly frequent customers could rack up stars redeemable for food and beverages.

When Starbucks' partnership with Lyft was announced last year, CEO Howard Schultz noted that the brand's baristas could gain access to cheap rides to work via the service. 

Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.

Multimedia

Exclusive Content

Emerging Brands

Bread Zeppelin hits pause on franchising to prove out model

Salad stuffed into baguettes is getting a whole lotta love right now. But this fast-casual concept wants to grow more company-owned units to attract the right kind of franchisee down the road.

Financing

Subway's corporate profit has taken off under Roark Capital

The Bottom Line: The fast-food sandwich chain’s operations shift, cost cuts and growing use of vendor rebates have improved the company’s profits. But it has a lot more debt.

Operations

Cost-cutting creativity: How operators are protecting margins in tough times

Inflation across the board is forcing restaurants to rethink everything from staffing to supply chains.

Trending

More from our partners