(Steve)
Take a Lyft, earn a free cup of coffee? Well, something like that anyway. Starbucks and ride-sharing service Lyft teamed up on Wednesday to unveil a new arrangement that gives customers – and drivers – of the car service extra perks through the coffee chain’s loyalty program.
Starbucks announced the new partnership Wednesday, saying the multi-year deal will increase value for current customers and attract new customers for both companies.
Under the program, all Lyft drivers will have the option of becoming My Starbucks Rewards loyalty program gold status members, and both drivers and riders will have the opportunity to earn Starbucks loyalty “Stars” redeemable for food and beverages at participating Starbucks stores.
And if you happen to take an extra enjoyable Lyft ride, the coffee chain (not so) subtly suggests you tip your driver with Starbucks eGifts through the Starbucks mobile app, the company says.
“Lyft and Starbucks share a lot of the same customers and importantly we share a commitment to doing right by our customers and our people,” John Zimmer, co-founder and president of ride-sharing company says. “In the days, months and years ahead, we will launch exciting programs for loyal community members, and new products that will change the way we move around our cities.”
The partnership is just the latest for Starbucks, which has been touting its mobile capabilities and emphasizing its loyalty program recently.
Starbucks announced on Tuesday that it had reached a deal with the New York Times in which top news stories will be available for free through the coffee chain’s mobile app.
Customers will also have the opportunity to earn reward stars through paid digital and print subscriptions to the NYT, the company said.
Back in May, Starbucks announced a similar program with Spotify. Under that partnership, stores and customers were linked with the music subscription service, allowing loyalty members to access Starbucks music on Spotify, influence in-store playlists and earn stars by making purchases through the music service.
Starbucks Adds Lyft to Growing Network in Retail’s Most Robust Digital Loyalty Ecosystem [Starbucks]
by Ashlee Kieler via Consumerist