Quick answer
Sign in to the Starbucks app or starbucks.com, open starbucks.com/gift and click Add, then enter the 16-digit card number and security code. The value stays on that card and is deducted at the till when you pay with the app or the physical card. Balances are held in the currency of the country where the card was sold, and each country version has its own store network.
Redeem a Starbucks gift card step by step
Sign in to Starbucks Rewards
Use the Starbucks app or the website of the card's country: starbucks.com for US cards, starbucks.co.uk for UK cards, starbucks.de for German cards.
Choose Add
On starbucks.com/gift, click Add and complete the online form. In the app, add the card to your account instead.
Enter the card details
Type the 16-digit Starbucks Card number and the security code from the eGift or the back of the physical card.
Pay in store
Show the digital card in the app, or hand over the physical card, at a participating store. The purchase is deducted from the card balance.
Watch the balance
Your receipt shows what is left. German cardholders can also see the balance and recent transactions online at starbucks.de.
Is a Starbucks gift card balance stored on my account?
Yes, once you register it. The value stays on the card itself, and registering links that card to your Starbucks Rewards account so you can pay from the app. Each purchase draws down the balance, so one card covers many visits.
Registering also protects the money. A registered US or UK card that is lost or stolen can be replaced with the balance left when you report it. Unregistered UK cards cannot be replaced. US cards may hold no more than $500 at any time, and UK cards cap stored value at £150.
Does a US Starbucks card work in other countries?
Partly. Most Starbucks stores in North America, including Puerto Rico, accept US cards. Starbucks also lets them pay in Canada, England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Mexico and Australia. Some airport, grocery, bookstore and Guam locations do not take them. The value stays in US dollars, and Starbucks charges no conversion fee.
German cards follow different rules. AmRest issues them, and they work only at its participating Coffee Houses in Germany. Buy the German Starbucks card for German stores, and the US version for North American trips.
What if my Starbucks card is declined?
Check the store first. Starbucks says certain branded locations may not accept the card for payment. UK customers can filter the Store Locator for stores that take the Starbucks Card.
If you think a US card was disabled by mistake, the US terms point to 1-800-STARBUC. In the UK, queries go through Starbucks Customer Care. German cardholders email [email protected]. A Starbucks code bought here is covered by [email protected]; mention the order number when you write.
Frequently asked questions
Do Starbucks gift cards expire?
No, in the US and UK. Neither the card nor its value expires, and Starbucks charges no activation, service or dormancy fees. German terms set no card expiry and refer to statutory limitation periods instead.
How much can I load onto a UK Starbucks card?
Up to £150 in one transaction, with a £150 maximum stored balance. UK terms also cap loads at £200 in any 30-day period and £9,000 over the card's life.
Can I check my German Starbucks balance online?
Yes. AmRest shows the balance and recent transactions on starbucks.de, and the till receipt prints it after each purchase.
Can I pay for a Starbucks gift card with crypto?
Yes. You pay face value in Ethereum, BTC, USDT, USDC, SOL or LTC. Up to US$1,000 per order, no KYC is required. The Starbucks code is added to your account within 24 hours of payment confirmation.
Official sources (4)
- Starbucks Card Terms & Conditions: Starbucks Coffee Company — Starbucks (checked 2026-10-21)
- Starbucks Rewards Terms of Use: Starbucks Coffee Company — Starbucks (checked 2026-10-21)
- Starbucks UK Terms and Conditions (Starbucks Card Terms) — Starbucks Coffee Company (UK) Limited (checked 2026-10-21)
- Starbucks Deutschland Nutzungsbedingungen (Starbucks Card) — AmRest Coffee Deutschland (checked 2026-10-21)