Starbucks’ Contactless Payment Options Will Help Prevent Spread Of Coronavirus And Still Earn Stars

Starbucks (SBUX) has introduced an updated loyalty program to allow for more ways to pay amid the coronavirus pandemic as customers look for contactless purchases at the coffee chain.

The company said that beginning in the fall, coffee drinkers at U.S. and Canada stores will be able to pay with cash, credit or debit, or through select mobile wallets and still earn stars from their purchase.

Customers will also be able to save their payment method in the Starbucks app, allowing them to earn stars when paying in any form and not just through a Starbucks card or in-app purchase.

Customers will earn one star per $1 when they pay with a credit or debit card, cash, or mobile wallet payment at participating stores. Two stars are earned per $1 spent when using a preloaded Starbucks card or when using the app to pay.

The announcement from Starbucks will not only give customers more ways to pay and earn stars through purchases at its stores, but it will offer contactless payment options as customers look for ways to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

“Having a connection with our customers, whether in our stores or digitally, allows us to anticipate their needs and deliver the products and experiences they are looking for,” Brady Brewer, Starbucks chief marketing officer, said in a statement.

“Our customers have shared with us that they would like more options to pay and earn Stars in the app as a Starbucks Rewards member, in addition to the Starbucks Card. We expect the expansion of payment options will appeal to an even wider customer audience and deepen engagement with our members,” the statement read.

As of March 29, Starbucks had 19.4 million active U.S. members in its loyalty program, according to CNBC.

Shares of Starbucks were trading at $76.42 as of 11:09 a.m. ET, up $1.46 or 1.93%