If you are a member of Starbucks Rewards, you get a birthday reward each year. The window of time that you have to redeem that reward has shrunk over the years. When Starbucks Rewards were new (then called “MyStarbucksRewards”) you had 30 days. Then it went to a week.

In October 2015, Starbucks went down to a four-day window redemption time (2 days before your birthday, your birthday, and the day after) to use your free food or drink reward. On March 27, 2018, Starbucks changed the reward to just your birthday only.

I don’t want you to miss out so I’m spreading the word: Your birthday reward allows you to get a free beverage or anything from the ready-to-eat cold case. It’s pretty much any free beverage or any free food item. (You cannot redeem your birthday reward for something alcoholic. Beer and wine is still offered at select Starbucks airport locations. Licensed stores may have their own terms and conditions.) You have to join Starbucks Rewards at least 30 days before your birthday to be able to redeem the reward, and keep your account active.

I just had a birthday, so I was on the lookout for my reward perk:

 

On March 27, 2018, all Starbucks Rewards members got a message in their inbox on the app, notifying them of the change to just one day only to redeem your birthday reward:

On my birthday (May 17th), I drove about 45 minutes out of my way to Starbucks (because there was a new store I wanted to visit) and redeemed my reward for a Flat White. It was super easy! I just told the register barista that I wanted to use my birthday reward, handed her my registered Starbucks card, and pretty soon I had a perfect drink!

Don’t miss out on your free drink or food reward for your birthday! By the way, there are many ways for you to tell Starbucks your thoughts: One option is to use the MyStarbucksIdea website.