Apple Pay and Starbucks App

[rugmankc]

Not sure if this belongs in Apps. But, is tied to AP.

With Starbucks in Target and Kroger's now, I buy a coffee in the mornings I shop there. Being old and running out of gift ideas for my wife and sons to buy me, I am moving toward gift cards like iTunes, Amazon and maybe Starbucks. I need to know how it works. I think it is something like my JC Penny card. Put it in Wallet and use touch ID when paying. I already installed App and was reading thru Agreement, but not 100% sure on some things. I will number my questions so easier to answer specific questions.

1. Is my assumption it works like my JCP card correct?

2. Are there any hidden processing fees when adding money to Starbuck Card (App), I assume will be added to Wallet?

3. If I just want to add money to App, do I need to join Digital Rewards.

4. For my basic usage can I add money with AP, and how.

5. Can my family buy me Starbuck gift cards and add them to App thru Wallet, or must it be done online.

6. If I only need to join, start account, and not have Digital Rewards, is my account number from joining added to Wallet. I assume I will have no hard card if joining online.


Sorry for what may be basic questions, just like to know how things work before trying them.


Thanks for any help---

 

[RobinInOR]

Starbucks is my main Apple Watch usage.
I didn’t want to tie any cards to the Starbucks app, so i load it manually $20 at a time. You can do that through Apple pay in the app, theres a setting in there somewhere just select load the starbucks card, select the amount, and it will prompt if you want to use apple pay

Then you add the Starbucks ‘card’ to wallet.

At Fred Meyer, they scan my physical rewards card for the store so i get credit for that (it doesnt work in wallet), then i bring up the starbucks card in wallet. I tell them ‘pay with Starbucks card’ and hold out my wrist, and they press a button on the terminal and wand my wrist. Im the only person who uses my watch to pay so they know the routine.

Ive never had a hard card, i do everything through the app. I joined the rewards because i wanted my free coffees, but you dont have to.

There arent any extra fees to add money to the starbucks card.

Im not sure how gift cards would tie in, ive never done that

 

[rugmankc]

Thanks RobinInOR

My son told me I don't have to use app at all. Can use just AP. I didn't know they changed that from having to use AP thru Starbuck App to load Starbuck Card.

 

[Rigby]

I think it is something like my JC Penny card. Put it in Wallet and use touch ID when paying.

Starbucks gift cards loaded in Wallet currently don't work with NFC and TouchID. The card shows a barcode that you have to hold in front of an optical scanner at the register.

My son told me I don't have to use app at all. Can use just AP. I didn't know they changed that from having to use AP thru Starbuck App to load Starbuck Card.

Yes, you can pay directly with Apple Pay at most stores, but you won't get any loyalty perks that way.

 

[rugmankc]

Thanks Rigby,

I got my account and installed app on iPhone. Starbucks digital card is in Wallet. I can use that with Touch ID?

A little confused on last comment.

paying with gift cards loaded in your Starbucks account comes with some perks (e.g. free drinks after collecting a certain number of "stars" by making purchases).

1. I can add a gift card to App under Pay, add card, then transfer that money to my main card within the app. Then the money will be on main card usable with Touch ID. I just can't add the gift card to app and add it straight to Wallet and use with Touch ID.

2. I haven't loaded any money to card with Apple Pay yet. It says reload card with 25.00 with Apple Pay. If I select that is the money taken right from my credit card I use for Apple Pay, or will I be prompted for my credit card info?

 

[Rigby]

1. I can add a gift card to App under Pay, add card, then transfer that money to my main card within the app. Then the money will be on main card usable with Touch ID.

Again, the Starbucks gift cards do not use TouchID in any way. You can only use them by holding the barcode in front of the optical scanner at the register. If you do an Apple Pay transaction (i.e. you hold the phone to the payment terminal while tapping TouchID), the gift card will not be used.

2. I haven't loaded any money to card with Apple Pay yet. It says reload card with 25.00 with Apple Pay. If I select that is the money taken right from my credit card I use for Apple Pay, or will I be prompted for my credit card info?

If you reload your card within the Starbucks app, you can use Apple Pay for that and you will then not be prompted for credit card info (assuming you have one or more credit cards enrolled).

 

[rugmankc]

Ok thanks, guess I don't need the app then. Except if I want to use it in lieu of AP and get rewards?

If I get a gift card I will just use it at terminal.

1. So, even though I have AP Enabled and select AP to reload SB card, I still need to add that card number to App as a new card first?

 

[rugmankc]

My first not so good experience with app, sort of----

Got an email for free coffee, which I figured I would after installing app. I asked how to do it at register, but barista was new and needed help. So, took a little while. Unfortunelty someone was behind me and I hate making people wait. I did ask if they take AP, but was told it is "finicky" and doesn't work most of the time. I then asked, since it doesn't work what would happen if I loaded my card with my enabled AP card. She didn't know and said they could load it for me at register and unload if it didn't work. A lot of wasted time and a PITA to try that.

I emailed Starbucks Customer Service and got a reply within the hour from Ramon. Impressed by his quick response. Said he will take care of it and notify store and district manager. Also, said I should not load the card until terminal is fixed, as he doubts it would work.

I doubt if I will just load my card into app unless with AP. So, will see how this turns out. Have another Starbucks inside a Target I can try.

 

[Rigby]

Ok thanks, guess I don't need the app then. Except if I want to use it in lieu of AP and get rewards?

Yes.

1. So, even though I have AP Enabled and select AP to reload SB card, I still need to add that card number to App as a new card first?

Not sure I understand you correctly. Obviously you need to add the gift card first (so it becomes visible in the app) before you can reload it using Apple Pay. Once you have added it in the app, you have the option to add it to Apple Wallet too for easy access (but you can also display the barcode directly within the app).

Got an email for free coffee, which I figured I would after installing app. I asked how to do it at register, but barista was new and needed help.

Normally you just tell the cashier that you have a free reward on your account and then scan the gift card.

I then asked, since it doesn't work what would happen if I loaded my card with my enabled AP card.

The gift card always works the same. It doesn't matter if you reload it using Apple Pay or another payment method.

I doubt if I will just load my card into app unless with AP.

That's what I do. I always use my gift card (via barcode on the phone) to get the rewards, and reload when necessary using Apple Pay in the app. It's fast and I don't have to carry around another card.

Have another Starbucks inside a Target I can try.

Not all Starbucks within other stores are franchise stores that accept their gift cards. The optical scanner at the register is a telltale sign.

 

[rugmankc]

That's what I do. I always use my gift card to pay via the phone to get the rewards, and reload when necessary using Apple Pay in the app. It's fast and I don't have to carry around another card.


That is what I just learned Googling. I do have the card in the app and in Wallet. Just not loaded. Used it for the free coffee. They scanned the Pay screen, just had to do some things on their screen since it was free. AP was actually enabled by default on my iPhone within their app, I never enabled did it.

At this point I think I can do what you suggested. Load SB card within app onto the card with enabled AP. Then just use app and get rewards.

Just not sure if AP needs to be working in their store to pay that way. I don't think so.


Thanks

 

[Rigby]

That is what I just learned Googling. I do have the card in the app and in Wallet. Just not loaded. Used it for the free coffee. They scanned the Pay screen, just had to do some things on their screen since it was free.

That's how it's supposed to be.

AP was actually enabled by default on my iPhone within their app, I never enabled did it.

There is nothing to enable. The app offers in-app Apple Pay as another payment method besides manually entering a credit card number, that's all.

Just not sure if AP needs to be working in their store to pay that way. I don't think so.

No it doesn't.

 

[rugmankc]

Thanks Rigby, you have been a big help. I will load some money and see how it goes. Of course with buying only 2 coffees a week, rewards may come very slow---

 

[NoBoMac]

Loading a Starbucks card onto your account/app and reloading that via AP is the way to go. That way, one card shows in Wallet and in the app.

Mobile ordering is my preferred method of ordering, even if parked in front of the SBux. That way, you basically jump to the front of the line inside, no fumbling with the scanner in the store. And can have your favorite drinks programmed into the Favorites section (eg. Extra shot, skim, etc). Tap, tap, tap, done.

Something else to think about: buying your SBux cards at the local grocery store. For example, the Kroger chain offers 2x fuel points on gift cards, sometimes 4x. Load the gift cards onto the app, transfer the balance(s) onto the primary card, then delete the empty gift cards. All the cash is now on the default card, getting bonus fuel points that you would not get using AP to reload. I do similar with iTunes account (eg. Have several magazine subscription renewals coming up, so bought on-sale iTunes cards at one store, got remainder balance at Kroger).

 

[rugmankc]

Loading a Starbucks card onto your account/app and reloading that via AP is the way to go. That way, one card shows in Wallet and in the app.

Mobile ordering is my preferred method of ordering, even if parked in front of the SBux. That way, you basically jump to the front of the line inside, no fumbling with the scanner in the store. And can have your favorite drinks programmed into the Favorites section (eg. Extra shot, skim, etc). Tap, tap, tap, done.

Something else to think about: buying your SBux cards at the local grocery store. For example, the Kroger chain offers 2x fuel points on gift cards, sometimes 4x. Load the gift cards onto the app, transfer the balance(s) onto the primary card, then delete the empty gift cards. All the cash is now on the default card, getting bonus fuel points that you would not get using AP to reload. I do similar with iTunes account (eg. Have several magazine subscription renewals coming up, so bought on-sale iTunes cards at one store, got remainder balance at Kroger).

Good suggestions, Thanks

I will give them a try

 

[rugmankc]

Ok, bought my first Gift Card, loaded and transferred. Little bit of issue transferring as it was telling me card that came with app wasn't registered. After some fumbling around, got it sorted and original card is now only card on app and website and the default one. Unfortunately the Starbucks I buy at aren't corporate stores and don't support pick up.

Thanks for all your help, am all set.

NoBoMac------BTW I was lucky to catch 4x Fuel Points on card purchase.

 

[NoBoMac]

Ok, bought my first Gift Card, loaded and transferred. Little bit of issue transferring as it was telling me card that came with app wasn't registered. After some fumbling around, got it sorted and original card is now only card on app and website and the default one.

I too have run into the "not registered" issue on occasion. When that happens, yes, go to the website to deal with the cards and get it sorted out.

 

[ecschwarz]

I came to this thread a little late, but basically I have a Starbucks (and Dunkin) gift card in Wallet for quick access and use the respect apps to constantly reload the gift cards using Apple Pay. Keep in mind that the Starbucks app doesn't allow Apple Pay reloads via Discover (they need to update, as some other apps are the same way). Additionally, app reloads tend to code as grocery store transactions, so if you have a card that gives better rewards for groceries, Starbucks reloads could be worth more (I have a Bank of America card that I use and get 2% back on those because of that).

As I also have a Discover card, I sometimes just buy gift cards if the 5% quarterly category fits into that area (over the summer, it was restaurants, so I bought cards in Starbucks stores, this quarter it's Target) and then just transfer the balance to my primary Starbucks card.

Finally, Starbucks does support NFC Apple Pay on their credit card terminals in most standalone stores, but you miss out on rewards on that.

 

[NoBoMac]

Additionally, app reloads tend to code as grocery store transactions, so if you have a card that gives better rewards for groceries, Starbucks reloads could be worth more.

Good to know, but as mentioned, depends on the card. My AMEX tied to Apple Pay codes Starbucks reload as restaurant, so, not getting the grocery percentage on that.