Starbucks And Chase Partner On Prepaid Visa

In their ongoing mutual mission to make coffee purchases more rewarding, Starbucks and Chase are rolling out the Starbucks Rewards Visa Prepaid Card.

The product, the first of its kind, allows users to earn Starbucks Stars (the official currency of the Starbucks rewards program) outside the walls of a Starbucks in other retail locations where they use the card. There are no monthly or reload fees associated with the card.

This prepaid card is the second such rewards card play from the two firms in 2018: The first was Starbucks first branded credit card, the Starbucks Rewards Visa. According to the two firms, the card is designed to capture customers who would like access to the types of rewards that credit card customers are used to, but without having to use an actual credit card. Stars can be earned at any place Visa cards are accepted.

“We want to offer Starbucks customers a flexible card that delivers more Star-earning potential in the fastest way possible,” said Jennifer Roberts, head of digital products for Chase. “The new Starbucks Rewards Visa Prepaid Card is perfect for Starbucks fans who want a simple way to pay and get rewarded for everyday purchases.”

The Starbucks Rewards Visa Prepaid Card also comes with automatic Gold status in the program, which means users get more Stars per spend and become eligible for things like Birthday Rewards, free food and beverage items. They also can gain access to more specific perks, and they get to join the community of 14,000 or so Gold members.

“As we continue to expand and strengthen our digital relationships with customers, we want to make sure we’re providing choices that are both rewarding and meet their preferences in how they engage with us,” said Matt Ryan, chief marketing officer for Starbucks. “This reloadable Visa Prepaid card is a unique and modern option that gives customers one more way to earn more Stars and Rewards through everyday spend, in a way they haven’t been able to before.”

Chase Merchant Services is the payment processing partner for Starbucks stores in the U.S. and Canada, and Chase Pay is accepted at participating Starbucks stores in the U.S. and through the company’s mobile app.