Starbucks & Lyft have announced a multi year partnership, here is how it’ll work:
- Lyft gift cards will be sold at your local Starbucks. When you purchase a $20 gift card, you’ll also receive a $5 Starbucks Gift card as well. Currently only available in their 20 biggest cities. Full terms of the gift cards can be found here.
- Riders using Lyft can also earn Starbucks stars during their morning commute. New users will receive 125 stars, existing users will earn 5 stars for each ride taken during their morning commute (Monday to Friday, 5am to 10am, local time). These offers are valid until November 9th, 2016. Limit of one qualifying ride per hour.
- Lyft drivers will automatically receive gold level status, lyft riders will also be able to tip their driver with a Starbucks gift card
- They will test ‘convenient and cost effective transportation benefit to Starbucks partners in one test market to understand partners’ interest and determine its long-term viability’
Our Verdict
This is a nice partnership, especially the gift card deal. I wonder what the resale rates for Lyft will be like. Let me know your thoughts on this partnership in the comments.
Since I use both Uber and Lyft. It would be nice for Uber to follow suit and offer gift cards. I don’t understand why Uber (and Lyft) discontinued their gift cards. When queired, both said there were instances of major fraud.
In the meantime, the best way to take advantage would be to purchase Starbucks at a discount from the online reseller that gives you 5x on Chase Ink (hint: Giftcardmart). Or use Chase Freedom for the 5x till end of the Sept (capped at $1500). Anything I missed?
Went to a popular Starbucks this morning in Boston. They had about 200 cards stacked in front of the register. No one knew how to activate them even the manager…….. Waited 15min and then just left because I didn’t want to be late for work.
Did anyone figure out if stars are given for these gc”s?
Nope. It doesnt work at any starbucks. They rolled this thing out without telling their employees. No starbucks had a clue. How stupid is that. The machines are not even patched up to accept this. Dumb. Gonna wait a week.
Me: “Hi, so you guys have this new lyft promo?”
Staff: “Umm… do we? I guess.. Hey Mr. Manager, do we have this new promo?”
Mgr: “Uh.. When did we get these lyft gift cards?”
Staff: “Dont know. How do we activate? I have no idea..”
Me: “Ok nevermind. Thanks.”
So this means you can now buy Lyft credit and get 5x UR points (Freedom) this quarter? Not bad.
And free Starbucks as well, $20 gift cards only is a bit annoying but worth it.
The commute thing isn’t worth much as 125 stars, at a valuation of 5 cents a star, is $6.25 when most Lyft referrals are $10 or $20. If you can earn Starbucks stars from purchasing Lyft gift cards, or pay for Lyft gift cards with Starbucks gift cards, that would be the best way to take advantage, as Starbucks cards are routinely 20% off or more on the major exchanges.
this is why this site is awesome … analysis like this so i dont have to think
Oh oh. Purchase those lyft gift cards with a Starbucks gift card purchased at a discount? Possible? You can purchase almost any thing in store with it.
yea. i guess its possible but its not worth it unless you use hardcore Starbucks and Lyft daily. Then it makes sense to get massive continuation of discounts. Its only until NOV too. Its not an endless MS loop or anything. Resale? sure CC to discount SB GC from exchange to Lyft GC to resale for profit or use urself and loop back… but too much trouble IMHO but someone here will do it to the point it gets shut down quickly. Its just a really good way for discounts when you already use the service.