I use my Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite Card to buy Starbucks gift cards at the grocery store. That way, I earn 4% cashback for buying the gift card. I also use this card to pay my rent with Chexy.
The Starbucks app doubles the stars you earn per dollar spent when you use a gift card to pay. The app is convenient because you don’t need to say your name each time you order. It might not be a big deal when your name is Michael, but it is when English folks can’t process Olivier. The app has other benefits. Getting a free drink on your birthday does make you feel special. I don’t keep a close eye on the promotions because I don’t go to Starbucks that often, but they look worthwhile for daily customers. The only gripe I have with their rewards program is that the stars expire after 6 months. Some folks use the app to order from home, so their drink is ready for pickup. For me, I don’t go to Starbucks for the quality of their drinks. I go there to write and think. I use Starbucks as a coworking space and a place to chat with friends and colleagues.
Ironically, I don’t like the taste of coffee. I usually get a tea (for here) and occasionally treat myself to a chai tea latte with extra cinnamon. I believe there are free refills for tea and coffee for in-store visits. I’ve only asked them to add hot water to my mug, but I think it’s a thing.
From one perspective, paying 3.62$ for a tea is a scam. And it is. You could probably prepare a similar beverage for 0.2$ at home. From another perspective, paying the occasional 3.62$ for a three-hour co-working space with complimentary tea is a bargain. Having a space outside your home and away from the kids is a game-changer in terms of focus and productivity. I also genuinely like the vibe of working in coffee shops.
You need 100 stars to get a free tea or coffee. Each tea gives you roughly 6.9 stars. You need to get 15 teas to get a free one. This 1:15 ratio is equivalent to an over 6% return. The ratio for my wife’s coffee is about 1:17. Thus, buying gift cards with my Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite Card gives me 4% cash back, and the stars have a value of approximately 6%. Getting a 10% discount on something you enjoy and would do regardless is a steal.
Read This Next
- Credit Card Optimization (2025)
- Automate Your Finances
- The Happiness Hypothesis – Book Notes
- My Second Brain – The Secret to Productivity
- Die with Zero – Book Notes
- I Finally Switched Phone Plans
- Wealthy Abundance
- Our Plan to Purchase a Home
- We Almost Bought a Home
- I Deleted All My Social Media Accounts
- Is Sports Betting Worthwhile?
- Hindsight Thoughts on Getting Married