How to Activate Your Starbucks Gift Card

Activate your Starbucks gift card in the app or at the register

You activate a Starbucks gift card by registering it to your account in the Starbucks app, or by asking a barista to register it at the register when you visit a store. The app method takes about two minutes and works from home. The in-store method is instant but requires a trip. Either way, once registered, the card is linked to your Starbucks account and you can reload it, check your balance, and earn rewards.

A physical Starbucks card does not work for purchases until it is registered. You can use an unregistered card to pay, but you will not earn Stars (Starbucks' rewards points), and you cannot reload it online. Registration is free and takes just your email address.

Key Takeaways

• Register your card in the Starbucks app by scanning it or entering the 16-digit number on the back, which takes about two minutes.
• A barista can register your card at any Starbucks store if you do not have the app or prefer to register in person.
• Once registered, your card earns Stars with every purchase and you can reload it through the app or at the register.
• An unregistered card still works for payment but does not earn rewards and cannot be reloaded online.

Register your card in the Starbucks app

Download the Starbucks app on your phone and open it. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right, then select "Card." Tap "Add a Card" and choose "Scan" to use your phone's camera, or "Enter Manually" to type the 16-digit number printed on the back of your physical card.

If you scan, point your phone's camera at the card number on the back. The app will read it automatically. If you enter it manually, type all 16 digits exactly as they appear. Then tap "Register" and confirm your email address. The card is now linked to your account.

Once registered, you can check your balance in the app anytime by opening the Card section. You can also reload the card through the app by tapping "Add Funds," choosing an amount, and paying with a debit or credit card on file.

Register your card at a Starbucks store

Walk into any Starbucks location and tell the barista you want to register your gift card. Hand them the physical card. They will scan it at the register and ask for your email address. They may also ask if you want to create a Starbucks account or link it to an existing one. The whole process takes less than a minute.

After registration at the register, your card is active and linked to your account. You can then use the app to reload it or check your balance. You do not need to register again.

What happens if you lose your registered card

If your registered card is lost or stolen, the balance is protected because it is tied to your Starbucks account, not the physical card itself. Open the Starbucks app, go to your Card section, and you can see your balance. You can reload the same card number or request a replacement card from Starbucks customer service.

To request a replacement, call Starbucks customer service at 1-800-782-7282 or visit the Starbucks website and select "Contact Us." Have your email address and the last four digits of the card number ready. Starbucks will mail you a new physical card with the same balance transferred to it.

Using a digital Starbucks card instead of a physical one

You do not need a physical card at all. When you register a card in the app or create a Starbucks account, you get a digital card that lives in the app. At checkout, open the app, tap "Card," and show the barista the barcode on your screen. They scan it the same way they would scan a physical card.

A digital card earns Stars, can be reloaded through the app, and cannot be lost or stolen since it only exists on your phone. Many people use only the digital card and never carry a physical one. If someone gives you a physical Starbucks gift card, you can register it and then use the digital version instead.

Troubleshooting registration problems

If the app will not scan your card number, make sure the camera lens is clean and you are holding the card flat under good lighting. The 16-digit number should be clearly visible. If scanning still does not work, tap "Enter Manually" and type the number by hand instead.

If you enter the number manually and get an error message, double-check that you typed all 16 digits correctly with no spaces. The number is on the back of the card, usually printed below a barcode. If the card is damaged or the number is worn away, visit a Starbucks store and ask a barista to register it for you — they can scan the barcode instead.

If you registered the card but it is not showing up in your app, sign out of the app completely and sign back in. Sometimes the card takes a few minutes to appear after registration. If it still does not show up after 10 minutes, contact Starbucks customer service.

Reloading your card after registration

Once your card is registered, you can add money to it anytime through the app. Open the app, go to your Card section, and tap "Add Funds." Choose how much you want to load (amounts vary but typically start at $5), then select a payment method. You can pay with a debit card, credit card, or another Starbucks card on file.

You can also reload at the register by handing your card to a barista and telling them how much you want to add. They will process the payment right there. Reloads are instant — your new balance shows up immediately in the app and on the register.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to register my Starbucks gift card to use it?

No. An unregistered card works for payment at any Starbucks. But you will not earn Stars, and you cannot reload it online or check your balance in the app. Registration is free and takes two minutes, so most people do it.

Can I register someone else's gift card to my account?

Yes. You can register any Starbucks card to your account, whether it was a gift to you or you bought it yourself. Once registered, the balance belongs to your account and you can use it whenever you visit.

What if I registered my card but forgot my password?

Tap "Forgot Password" on the Starbucks app login screen and enter your email address. Starbucks will send you a link to reset your password. Click the link, create a new password, and you can log back in. Your card and balance are still there.

Can I register multiple gift cards to one Starbucks account?

Yes. You can add as many cards as you want to a single account. Each card's balance shows separately in the app, but you can use any of them to pay. When you reload, you choose which card to add funds to.

How long does it take for a registered card to start earning Stars?

Immediately. As soon as your card is registered, your next purchase will earn Stars. You do not have to wait or do anything else. The Stars show up in your app within a few hours of the purchase.