NOTE: This listing covers all Gold Card issues. Scroll down for older issues.

"White Gold" 2014 Rewards Card

Released in the United States and Canada on February 15th, 2014 is the latest vertical rewards Starbucks Card. Unofficially - it's been dubbed "White Gold" because of the gold "swirling" around the centered cup - all on a white background with geometric lines.

This card works the same way as other Starbucks Cards. Register this Card with My Starbucks Rewards, load money on it and use it for payment at participating stores and start earning benefits, like food, drinks and refills.

It should be clarified that the card doesn't unlock rewards at the Gold Level, rather a person has to start at the Welcome Level. Many think it's an automatic gold level Card, but with normal purchases (30 uses) you too can achieve gold status and unlock rewards at the Gold Level. It's been heard via Starbucks Stores that this is a “White Gold Card", not an “Instant Gold” card.

It's been reported that each corporate store only recieved 25 units.

The Canadian version has English/French.

"Gold Card" U.S. Custom Edition

Starbucks has updated the Gold Card starting in 2011. The older version (shown above) has a solid gold background where the newer version has STARS. Both the United States and Canada are issuing these newer versions, with English/French for the Canadian version. Click here for a closer look at the GOLD STARS..

This is the latest in a series of "gold" cards (other versions are listed below). It's was marketed after Christmas 2009. The way to obtain this Card is simply register any U.S. Starbucks Card and use it up to 30 times. A personalized Card should be mailed to you with your name on the front and added benefits as you use it, including free drinks after 15 uses, free wi-fi, various upgrades and more.

The following is a copy of a bulk email sent to current Gold Card members. This explains the program in more detail.

"As a Starbucks Gold card holder, your frequent visits mean a lot to us. We started this program to give you the extra-special treatment you deserve - and we're always thinking of new ways to improve your experience and
reward your loyalty.

With our first charter memberships approaching their one year expiration date, we wanted to let you know about several improvements to the Starbucks Gold program. On December 26, we are evolving both of our loyalty
programs into one - My Starbucks Rewards - and we think you'll like it even better.

As a special thank you to charter members of Starbucks Gold like yourself, we will extend your benefits, including the 10% discount, through January 5, 2010, at no additional cost. You won't need to renew because when the new program launches, you will automatically be transitioned into the Gold Level of My Starbucks Rewards and your welcome packet, including your personalized card, will be sent to you. Please make sure your account is updated, including your mailing address.

So why are we changing a good thing? We've heard from a lot of you on ways we can make the program better. As a result, the new program will be free. While it will not provide the 10% discount, it will offer benefits such as free
flavored syrups or brewed coffee refills that many of you have asked for. Best of all, the new program will recognize and reward you for every visit with the ability to earn free drinks. That's right - free drinks for something you are
doing anyway - visiting Starbucks! To find out more visit starbucks.com/rewards.

In the meantime, we hope you'll enjoy your Starbucks Gold benefits through the end of the year. We're excited about these coming changes - a better rewards program, with no annual fee, and a variety of additional benefits - and we hope you will be too. Stay tuned for the coming details. Until then, we'll see you at Starbucks.

"Gold Card" United States Retail Version

The GOLD Card program was all about recognizing customer loyalty. Its designed to reward the most frequent customers with an exclusive club membership that will allow customers to save 10 percent on purchases at participating U.S. Company operated Starbucks stores. This program is an upgrade from the Starbucks Card Rewards program and offers customers even more value with a consistent 10% discount on most purchases (excluding digital releases, newspapers and Starbucks Cards). What is new and different is a special friends and family discount days. On your birthday you'll get a free beverage (any beverage, any size). As you purchase drinks, you'll receive a free drink after 10 purchases. Each Gold Card member has an account (starbucks.com/gold) to watch their purchases and rewards.

Retail stores in the United States are now offering the vertical Gold Card (shown above). The initial cost was $25.00 to join.

"Test Gold Card"

For collectors, this is the one to find. This is the "Test" Gold Card and was used during the initial test period in Vancouver, B.C. and Denver, Colorado. The Test phase has ended and now the Gold Card Program is rolling-out. (see Gold Card above).

This Card was available via invitation only. Current Starbucks Card holders that had registered their Card will be the initial recipients of this new Card.

The design is unlike any Starbucks Card in the past, so this is truly a unique release. The "test" Card (shown above) will be made with the recipients name and "member since" year just under the name. Notice the Card doesn't have the STARBUCKS CARD written over the front. This design has a small iced cup in the bottom right corner with a couple of gold stars (click magnifying glass for closer look).

The recipients of the cards in Denver had their gold cards mailed to them in fancy wood boxes along with a pound of coffee beans.  In Vancouver, B.C., they were handed out in a very fancy envelope/card - much like a very nice wedding invitation (see Special Sleeves page for images).

The inside of the round Sleeve says: "I'd like to personality invite you into Starbucks Gold. It's a new rewards pilot program, and our way of saying thank you to our very best customers. As a member of Starbucks Gold, you'll receive a personalized Starbucks Gold Card. It entitles you to special coffeehouse rewards, a members-only website and other indulgences, like a treat on your birthday. Gold is a status you rightly deserve and will thoroughly enjoy. So please accept our invitation and sign up for Starbucks Gold before July 21, 2008, at www.starbucks.com/gold. Then let the thanks begin."

It also says: "This was a pilot program for selected Vancouver, BC, residents only". On September 29th, 2008, the first Gold Card sold on eBay for $695.00.

close