ATLANTA and SEATTLE—Starbucks and Delta Airlines have connected their loyalty programs, allowing
U.S. customers who are enrolled in both Delta SkyMiles and Starbucks Rewards loyalty programs to earn one mile per $1 spent 1 on eligible purchases at Starbucks.
On days when enrolled members who have linked their Delta and Starbucks accounts have a scheduled flight with Delta, they will earn double stars on eligible purchases at participating Starbucks stores.
“We’re continuing to evolve Delta’s SkyMiles program to give our customers valuable, premium experiences not just on the days they travel but in their everyday lives as well,” said Prashant Sharma, vice president of loyalty at Delta. “Through this new partnership with Starbucks, we can deliver more moments and interactions that matter, both in the air and on the ground.”
Customers who link their accounts from now through the end of the year will earn 500 miles, and, once they make or have made a qualifying purchase, they’ll receive 150 stars. Delta SkyMiles members can also now choose Starbucks stars as a Choice Benefit. Diamond and Platinum SkyMiles members will be able to select 4,000 stars as one of their annual Choice Benefits in 2024.
Starbucks said that through these loyalty partnerships, the company aims to increase awareness and drive growth of Starbucks Rewards as well as attract new members by offering valuable benefits and making it easier for customers to join.
Over the past five years, U.S. membership in the Starbucks Rewards program has more than doubled, with more than 27 million U.S. 90-day active Starbucks Rewards members as of July 2022, according to Starbucks. Additionally, Starbucks Rewards transactions account for more than half of tender at all U.S. company-operated stores in the same timeframe.
NACS has published a free report on how convenience retailers can build loyalty program affinity beyond rewards and provides insights on c-store loyalty programs, shopper expectations, program engagement, personalization and program access/communication. Download the report: Driving Engagement From Convenience Retail Loyalty Programs.
NACS Magazine dove into loyalty programs and how they can provide convenience retailers with key consumer insights and a competitive edge, while NACS offered a free webinar that shows retailers how to improve their current loyalty program.