Starbucks' Former Gold Card - The 2009 to 2012 Edition

Courtney's Gold Card

The first Starbucks Gold Card program, which began in 2009, came out with this design for their Gold Card Members. 

This past year (2013), Starbucks updated their Gold Card style. 

The newer version has a background of sparkly stars with both a French and English translation on the back for American and Canadian cards. 

Personally, I prefer the older version better ;)

Word to the wise:

If you purchase anything from a Starbucks store even just once a month, PLEASE create a Starbucks account with any Starbucks gift card!

With every purchase, you will receive a star and be one step closer towards having and enjoying the MANY benefits of your own Gold Card!

(If none of what I just said makes any sense, read all the details here)

I, along with many of you I'm sure, had the unfortunate experience of not registering a card earlier. 

Goodness knows how much money I would have saved, and promotions I could have used, if I had done so!

I earned my Gold Card officially on September 28th, 2012. Without a doubt, it will always be a special day in my life. 

Little did I know that only a year and four days later I would begin my first day of training as an official Starbucks partner!

Here's to all of the current and soon-to-be Starbucks Card Members!

Happy Star-Earning!
-Courtney

Los Angeles' First City Card - Released April 2012

Los Angeles Card

"This is the first Starbucks Card for Los Angeles, California; released exclusively to the Los Angeles area around the end of April 2012." Source

I absolutely LOVE this card. 

Fortunately and unfortunately, it is the first Starbucks card that I have ever kept. 

I always wonder what my first Starbucks card must have looked like. Even so, this is still a great "First Card" for me. 

Why is this particular card so special to me?

Firstly, because I truly began to fall in love with Starbucks when I moved to Pasadena, California (15 - 20 minutes from LA) in August of 2010. 

Secondly, because I won it in a photo contest run by my former college. In fact, I won it for second place with this photo:

... Photography and Coffee ... 

Definitely two of my favorite things in life :)

And Lastly, because it is a beautiful reminder of all the wonderful and painful learning experiences it took for me to get to where I am right now. 

I may change my mind on this, but for now, personally, I believe that it is the most, if not one of the most, beautiful Starbucks card(s) I have ever seen or owned!

Hope you enjoyed this post!

Let me know if you have any facts about this card in particular!

-Courtney :)

And So It Begins...

Hey Everyone! 

A few days ago, I had an awesome idea! 

I have been slowly collecting Starbucks Cards over the past two years. 

Here is an Instagram photo featuring a "One of Each" sample of what I have so far:

http://instagram.com/p/hD26lmDf3U/

Recently, I moved back in with my family and have been trying to spend more time with my 5 younger siblings (15, 13, 11, almost 10, and almost 8!). 

We all love learning about different cultures/places (USA and around the globe!) and meeting new people, so I figured, why not start something here with my Starbucks family! 

Would any of you be willing to send a Starbucks Card or few (With or without a balance on it) and an assortment of family-friendly and interesting facts about yourself, along with a printed photo of you with the card(s) you're sending? 

I am planning to put together an example letter for you on this blog soon, but first I simply wanted to test the waters and see what you thought... 

I will feature multiple pictures of every submission, as well as my siblings' reactions to them, on this special blog I am piecing together probably as you read this! 

(By the way, if you think of a better title for this blog, please let me know!)

Also, we are planning to send out a card and photo(s) in reply! 

Here is an opportunity to help 5 great kids feel really special, learn more about other people/places, and experience the global Starbucks community!

Not only that, but it also gives us as partners - And maybe even Starbucks enthusiasts! - a way to interact as a community through a large-scale card-swap of sorts as well :D

So... 

What do you think? 

:)