Starbucks currently awards 1 star to a member for every purchase they make, and they get a free drink every 12 stars ("The Lucky Dozen"). Starting tomorrow, April 12th, Starbucks will give a free drink every 125 stars. They justify this by giving 2 stars for every $1 spent.

Let's say you get a grande iced coffee ($2.65) once a week, and make no other Starbucks purchases. On the current rewards program, you'll earn a free drink in 3 months after spending $31.80 (2.65 times 12, not including tax). With the new rewards program starting tomorrow, you'll earn 5.3 stars (2.65*2 stars) for every iced coffee purchase, and you will need to make 24 of these purchases to get 125 stars and the free drink, which translates to $63.60.

As you can see, starting tomorrow, someone who buys one grande iced coffee every week will need to spend exactly twice as much to get a free drink. I've been a gold card member since 2012. They've taken away our free extra syrup privileges, free soy milk, free drink every 10 stars, and now they are taking away our free drink every 12 stars. The only other benefits the reward program provides are a free birthday drink and ability to order ahead to skip the line. They also provide some discounts on specific drinks or food items for a day or week or so. All the while, they've increased their prices since when I became a member. This is hardly a rewards program, it's a rip off.

Please Starbucks, some actual benefits to your loyal customers.