First-world problems: The pumpkin spice latte is here, but the Starbucks loyalty card app has wiped my balance
- Reference: 1601047453
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2020/09/25/starbucks_app_titsup/
- Source link:
The issue – which was believed to have been caused by a major software overhaul – resulted in the Starbucks rewards app being unavailable to most, preventing punters from logging in and spending their hard-earned points.
On Wednesday, the multinational bean-flingers tweeted that its techies had resolved the problem. "We are pleased to say that after a few cups of coffee, our tech team have worked to resolve these issues and will continue to work through any further ones," [1]it said .
Nonetheless, some problems remain. Although users can now access their accounts, many have seen their points balance wiped to zero and their account activity wiped.
Starbucks' reward programme sees customers receive three "stars" for each pound they spend. To get a free drink, they need to accumulate 150 stars – which means spending £150. Punters can also achieve a "gold" status, which entitles them to free extras in their drinks, like espresso and syrup shots.
The app also allows users to top up a virtual wallet, as well as pre-pay for beverages. This feature is similarly handicapped for many users, with their balances zeroed and saved credit cards missing.
"So, the pumpkin spice latte is out today. I have £30 on my Starbucks card and the app doesn't work and the money isn't on my balance," [2]tweeted one irate customer, experiencing the kind of tragedy normally reserved for a Sophocles play.
"Starbucks updated their app and now the £4.40 I had on my account has vanished. Cool cool cool," [3]said another .
We've asked Starbucks for clarification on when punters can expect to get their money back. We'll update this piece if we get a response, but tweets to decaffeinated customers suggest it could take "up to 2 weeks" for "Stars" to reappear – "multiplied by 10 to reflect the new system." ®
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[1] https://twitter.com/StarbucksUK/status/1308843583089369091
[2] https://twitter.com/KawaiiZombiee/status/1309302067631194114
[3] https://twitter.com/emsbethany/status/1309402855711944704
[4] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Wow 1% discount
For lending them money free and probably the 10-20% in lost or unused cards or small balances that are never redeemed
Lets hope we don't run out of avocado's or the sky will really be falling.
Spendy
"To get a free drink, they need to accumulate 150 stars – which means spending £150."
At my local diner I get a free cup of (plain old coffee - no fancy crap for me) about every 4-5th time I visit. Which means spending about $8-10 to get a free coffee.
Of course, I do take in my own cup for to-go orders. If I get their go cup, they have to charge for it.
Re: Spendy
The only plus (a small one) of the new system is that spending on Food (if you can call it that) is now included.
with the dominance of WFH, and less people travelling on business times may well get hard for some outlets.
I'll stick to my local Coffee shop that is run by ex-ghurkas.
"the multinational bean-flingers"
Does this mean their stock control are multinational bean-counters.
OK, OK
starbucks.co.uk
seems to be down at the moment or at least my old login won't work.
As I seem to be WFH for the forseeable future the points from my one Latte since my last freebie drink are not that important.
No stars for you, el Reg
At 3 stars per pound, 150 stars != £150. Back of the class, and wear the pointy hat. The one with the "D" on.