How Do Starbucks Free In-Store Refills Work, Actually?

Grabbing a cup of coffee at Starbucks can be a delicious treat, but also an expensive one, especially if you want to meet a friend at the coffee chain and have more than just one cup during your visit. What you may not realize, however, is that Starbucks locations, even the ones in your local grocery store or Target, also offer free refills so that a second cup doesn't have to cost more than your tip money.

Getting a free refill at the coffee chain isn't as easy as just walking up to the register and asking for a cup. To be eligible for a free drink you'll need to meet a few specific criteria. Most notably, you'll need to have a Starbucks card or the Starbucks app.

That free refill also isn't available for just any drink. While every Starbucks drink is technically eligible for a refill, what you get your cup refilled with might not be the same drink you originally purchased.

Starbucks Cards are gift cards purchased from the store. If you received one as a gift, that also works. To get free refills with it, however, you'll need to register the card on the Starbucks website. In order to get your replacement beverage, you'll have to either make your original drink purchase using a registered Starbucks Card or the Starbucks mobile app.

Registering a card takes just a few minutes and you'll need at least $5 saved on your card for the registration to work. Once you do register your card you'll also get other perks beyond free refills. Each time you make a purchase you'll accumulate "stars" that can be redeemed toward free drinks (including getting a free drink on your birthday) plus your card balance will be stored by Starbucks so if it ever gets lost or stolen you'll be able to potentially get the value of your card back.

If you're not a fan of carrying around gift cards, the Starbucks app works as a digital version of that card and offers the same features on your phone as well as the ability to do things like order ahead. In both cases, you can reload the card with cash whenever you're running low, so you'll be able to use it forever rather than just until that $20 card grandma gave you gets depleted.

To get a free refill at Starbucks you'll need to have made your original purchase that day using your registered Starbucks card or the Starbucks app. You'll also need to be enjoying your beverage in the store rather than taking your drink to go or rolling through the drive-thru. Once you leave the store then any additional drinks are considered a new purchase.

When you're ready for a refill, you'll present your cup and your Starbucks app or card at the register to order. With it, you're able to get a free hot or iced coffee, tea, or cold brew. Those drink choices remain the same regardless of what your initial order was. For instance, if you originally purchased a grande vanilla latte, you could get a grande coffee or tea, but not another latte.

If you don't make your initial purchase with a registered card all is not lost. Starbucks says that customers without a registered account are still eligible for refills, they're just sold at a reduced price rather than free.