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Starbucks iOS App Gains Support for Apple Pay

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Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
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Starbucks today updated its iOS app to add support for Apple Pay, making it possible for iOS users to reload their Starbucks cards using Apple's payments service.

Starbucks was listed as an Apple Pay app partner when Apple Pay launched in October, but it has taken several months for the feature to be available to Apple Pay users. Apple Pay can only be used in the Starbucks app for reloading Starbucks cards because Starbucks is not an Apple Pay retail partner.

The coffee chain uses its own bar code-based system for in-store purchases with the Starbucks app and Starbucks locations are not outfitted with the NFC technology that would enable Apple Pay. There has been no word on whether Starbucks plans to implement NFC and support for in-store use of Apple Pay.

apple_pay_starbucks.jpg
Along with Apple Pay support, today's Starbucks app update also introduces an enhanced menu with calorie counts and a better experience for Mobile Order & Pay in Portland.
Introducing Apple Pay and a Few Helpful Changes

Now you can use Apple Pay to quickly reload your Starbucks Card. Touch ID makes it faster than ever.

By popular demand, the menu is enhanced. When you browse our menu you'll now find additional calorie information on menu items. We've also enhanced the experience for Mobile Order & Pay in Portland.

This update addresses various bugs and stability issues.
Click to expand...
The Starbucks iOS app can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Article Link: Starbucks iOS App Gains Support for Apple Pay
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2015/02/11/starbucks-ios-app-gains-support-for-apple-pay/
I'll start ordering my coffee this way, hope they put it in stores eventually.
 
Just used it to reload. Nice that I can remove my other forms of payment for security. My starbucks account has been hacked before even with a strong lastpass generated password.
 
Nice. Paying with the Starbucks app is now almost as convenient as using Apple Pay itself, and you still get the Starbucks rewards.

If you have a Chase Freedom credit card, remember to use that in Apple Pay, since it has 5% cash back for Starbucks purchases this quarter.
 
No thanks. I stopped going to Starbucks after they canceled my gold card. I go to McDonalds for my coffee. They have better tasting coffee IMO.
 
I'm surprised Apple let this happen; I'm sure they'd much rather Starbucks enable ApplePay through NFC at their stores.

I guess they get their little cut either way, and this way keeps Starbucks customers happy because they can keep getting rewards.
 
Crashes every time I try to reload using Apple Pay also. Restarted phone and still crashes. Also deleted app and reinstalled, still crashes.
 
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apple.snapple said:
worked great.

in fact, this was the first "in-app" purchase I've made with :apple: Pay.
Click to expand...
So far I have used Apple Pay far more frequently for in-app purchases than in stores (mostly Panera Bread and Uber). And it is turning out to be surprisingly convenient. Perhaps it'll even be the more important use case in the end ...
 
Starbucks UK has NFC. Wonder how that will work?

I guess they'll just use the 'crippled' version until a worldwide version is up and running.
 
Rigby said:
Of course in the latter case you'd forgo the rewards.
Click to expand...

I've been wondering about that, is anyone doing a 'pay/stamp your rewards card' transaction in a single swipe? Is it at least possible?

I had to perform 3 separate transactions to get through the checkout at the supermarket this week, (redeem previous reward, scan rewards card, make payment) and thought how much easier it would be if Apple Pay could do all that in a single wave.
 
I guess this is a step in the journey. But I am missing something. I go into an app to load money using apple pay and then I have to use the app to pay at the store. Is it me or does this seem way harder than just paying with a credit card at the store? The whole point was to make it easier than a credit card not harder, right?
 
I guess I want to try it but I literally JUST loaded my Starbucks card with $200 even though I only meant to add $100.

I've never used Apple pay to do it before.
 
peterh988 said:
I've been wondering about that, is anyone doing a 'pay/stamp your rewards card' transaction in a single swipe? Is it at least possible?
Click to expand...
No, not with Apple Pay in its current form. In fact it's a bit of a contradiction, since the merchant needs your identity to add purchases to your loyalty account, while Apple Pay is specifically designed not to disclose the customer's identity to the merchant on in-store purchases ...

But the Starbucks app comes pretty close. You just pull up the barcode in Passbook and scan it to both pay and earn loyalty points. You just need to reload every once in a while, but thanks to Apple Pay it only takes a few seconds using the app now. For merchants where you regularly make small purchases this model works pretty well IMO.
 
not surprised. Starbucks was one of the first mass usage of a phone pay with iPhones that worked. People are used to paying within the app and it keeps them getting their points and helps to get Baristas tips.



for anyone that like McDonald's Coffee, I saw in my grocery store they are now carrying McDonalds coffee in bags. kinda weird seeing that.
 
just used apple pay to reload my card. It loaded my starbucks card and put two charges on my card for apple pay. I'll wait a few days, may take the extra charge off in a few days.
 
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