February 23 Update: My Starbucks Rewards goes revenue based, killer iPrefer bonus points deal & lots of credit card changes coming soon!

Here is your Tuesday update!

News, Tips & Tricks
 
Starbucks is revamping their My Starbucks Rewards program. I discussed these changes earlier today on Calgary's Newstalk 770. The changes take affect on April 12th and will be good for some people and bad for others as Starbucks is following in the footsteps of many airline programs and going revenue based. Gone is the one star per transaction rather you'll now earn 2 Stars for every $1 spent. The rough breakeven point between the old and new program is just above $5. If you spend less than this in a transaction you're screwed, if you spend more than this you're golden. Personally 99% of my Starbucks purchases are over $5 as I am buying for multiple people so this is a welcome change but for those of you who just go for a single coffee it isn't.

Here is a brief summary of the changes:

1. It is moving from a transaction based program to a revenue based program. (taking note from the moves seen in the airline industry)
2. They will award 2 Stars per dollar spent versus the current 1 star per transaction - the program will be more beneficial for higher spenders (just like many frequent flyer programs)
3. The 3 levels of status are being simplified to 2. Previous was Welcome, Green, Gold. Now it is Green and Gold
4. Previously 12 stars got you a free drink, now 125 Stars does so.
5. On average those who spend over $5 per transaction will come out ahead, those below or at $5 will be losing out over the current offering.
6. You no longer have to reach 5 star before you get free refills on coffee and tea in store
7. and also bad as Stars have a 12 month expiry!

To maintain all benefits of the Green Level, you must earn at least one (1) new Star during each consecutive 12-month period following your enrollment date. If you do not earn at least one (1) new Star in each 12-month period, your Star balance will automatically reset to zero (0) and you may no longer be eligible to receive Starbucks Rewards benefits. If you do not earn at least three hundred (300) new Stars in each consecutive 12- month period, your Stars will expire and your Star balance will automatically reset to zero (0).
To maintain the Gold Level, you must earn at least three hundred (300) new Stars during each consecutive 12-month period following the date you reached the Gold Level. If you do not earn 300 new Stars in 12 months, you will be placed at the Green Level of Starbucks Rewards and your Star balance will automatically reset to zero (0). If you fail to requalify for the Gold Level, and you have between 125 and 299 Stars in your account, Starbucks will add one (1) free food or drink Reward onto your account (subject to the Gold Level exclusions and restrictions described below). This Reward will be loaded onto your account on your requalification date and will be available for you to use at participating stores for a period of thirty (30) days. If you have provided Starbucks with a current, valid email address, you will receive an email from Starbucks approximately twenty-four (24) hours after the coupon is loaded to your account indicating that your Reward is available to you.

Learn all about the Starbucks changes in their updated T&Cs

Yesterday we brought you some of the details of Preferred Hotel Group iPrefer changes and embedded at the bottom of the email was a booking bonus to celebrate the new program. If you can swing this and stay with PHG it can be a very lucrative promo as it is a flat 12,500 points for each booking made online. That 12,500 points translates to a US$25 reward certificate. Crazy thing is there are rooms out there from PHG going for as little as US$53 night (base rate) including one in Toronto! That mean's your achieving nearly a 50% return! Heck even at a $100 per night $25 is big return! Now is the time to move some stays to PHG iPrefer!! Read more about this on FrequentFlyerBonuses.com

And finally watch out next week as there are going to be a bunch of new offers for credit cards as of March 1st! We know of new offers and card changes from TD, Scotia and a really big one from RBC (a hint on the RBC one was alluded to in our Top Credit Card Rankings for 2016)

Posts since our last update:

• Starwood Preferred Guest 2016 Hotel Category Changes - 14 Hotels in Canada affected (282 Worldwide)
  Yesterday we mentioned that more hotel programs have come out with their 2016 hotel category changes. Now these aren't…
• Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan - Up to a 40% bonus when buying or gifting miles until March 31
  The Alaska Airlines buy Mileage Plan miles promo returns and is a good one but not the great one…

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Hyatt Gold Passport
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Marriott Rewards
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Preferred Hotel Group iPrefer
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