Agreement is with Starbucks Corporation and binds you by buying, loading or using a Card
This Starbucks Card Agreement is between you and Starbucks Corporation and sets the terms for your Starbucks Card. You accept it simply by buying, loading, or using your Starbucks Card. The page states it is effective July 24, 2023.
Supporting quotations
Effective July 24, 2023
This Starbucks Card Agreement ("Agreement") is between you and Starbucks Corporation ("we" or "us") and describes the terms and conditions that apply to your Starbucks Card.
By buying, loading, or using your Starbucks Card, you agree to these terms.
Qualifications & exceptions
Acceptance is by conduct (buying, loading or using the Card); no signature step is described in this section.
The stated effective date is July 24, 2023.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception
Disputes go to individual arbitration, with jury trial and class proceedings waived
The Agreement includes an arbitration agreement that governs disputes between you and Starbucks. It says arbitration has less discovery and appellate review than court, removes your right to a jury trial to the extent applicable law allows, and substantially affects your rights, including preventing you from bringing, joining or participating in class or consolidated proceedings in arbitration and litigation. The Dispute Resolution section describes most disputes being resolved by individual arbitration instead of court trials and class actions, and says each party may bring claims only in an individual capacity to the fullest extent allowable by applicable law. If a prohibition on class, representative or non-individualized injunctive relief is found unenforceable for a particular claim after all appeals (such as public injunctive relief), that claim is decided by a court after other claims are arbitrated.
Supporting quotations
This Agreement includes an arbitration agreement that governs any disputes between you and us.
Eliminate your right to a trial by jury to the extent allowable under applicable law
Substantially affect your rights, including preventing you from bringing, joining or participating in class or consolidated proceedings in arbitration and litigation.
It provides for resolution of most disputes through individual arbitration instead of court trials and class actions.
Arbitration Agreement
To the fullest extent allowable by applicable law, you and we agree that each may bring claims against the other only in your or our individual capacity and not as a plaintiff or class member in any purported class, collective, consolidated, private attorney general, or representative proceeding.
then such a claim or request for relief will be decided by a court of competent jurisdiction, after all other claims and requests for relief are arbitrated.
Qualifications & exceptions
The jury waiver applies only to the extent allowable under applicable law.
The class and representative waiver applies to the fullest extent allowable by applicable law.
If a prohibition is held unenforceable for a particular claim after exhaustion of all appeals, that claim or request goes to a court after the other claims are arbitrated.
Not stated here
The full arbitration process, carve-outs and opt-out terms are in the Dispute Resolution section and are explained in the cards for those blocks.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Permission or license
Starbucks may give notices and amendments electronically and amend at any time
You agree that Starbucks may provide notices, disclosures and amendments to this Agreement, and other information about your Card, by electronic means, including by posting online at the Agreement page. Starbucks may amend the Agreement at any time by posting the amended Agreement on its website and, for 30 days after posting, also posting a notice that the terms have changed. As permitted by applicable law, a change is effective when the revised Agreement is posted, and unless Starbucks says otherwise it applies to your future and existing Cards. You are deemed to accept changes if you do not notify Starbucks to the contrary in writing within 20 days of the notice (or another time the notice specifies) or if you use any Card after the notice period. If you say you do not accept them, Starbucks will cancel your Cards and refund any remaining balance to you.
Supporting quotations
You agree that we may provide notices, disclosures and amendments to this Agreement, and other information relating to your Starbucks Card, by electronic means, including by posting such materials and information online at
Changes to This Agreement
We may amend this Agreement at any time.
As permitted by applicable law, any change, addition or deletion will become effective at the time we post the revised Agreement to our website.
the change, addition, or deletion will apply to your future and existing Starbucks Cards
You are deemed to accept the changes, additions or deletions if: (1) you do not notify us to the contrary in writing within 20 days of the date of our notice or such other time specified in the notice; or (2) you use any of your Starbucks Cards after such notice period.
If you notify us that you do not accept the changes, additions or deletions, we will cancel your Starbucks Cards and refund any remaining balance to you.
Qualifications & exceptions
Effective on posting is stated only as permitted by applicable law.
Changes apply to future and existing Cards unless Starbucks states otherwise.
Acceptance is deemed after 20 days without written objection, or such other time as the notice specifies, or on any use of a Card after the notice period.
A refund of the remaining balance is stated for a customer who notifies Starbucks of non-acceptance; the cancellation is by Starbucks.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Card value is a prepayment, generally nonrefundable, not cash, not FDIC-insured, earns no interest
Starbucks issues the Card to you so you can load a dollar value for use at participating Starbucks stores. The loaded value is a prepayment for goods and services of participating stores. Unless otherwise required by law or permitted by the Agreement, the value is nonrefundable and may not be redeemed for cash. The value is not insured by the FDIC and does not earn interest.
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It allows you to load a dollar value onto your Starbucks Card for use at participating Starbucks® stores.
The dollar value that you load onto your Starbucks Card is a prepayment for the goods and services of participating stores.
Unless otherwise required by law or permitted by this Agreement, the dollar value on your Starbucks Card is nonrefundable and may not be redeemed for cash.
The value on your Starbucks Card is not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), nor does it earn interest.
Qualifications & exceptions
Nonrefundable and non-cash only unless otherwise required by law or permitted by the Agreement.
Use is at participating Starbucks stores.
Not stated here
The Agreement's permitted refund cases appear in other sections and are explained in their own cards.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Context
Most North American stores accept the Card; some branded locations do not
Most Starbucks stores in North America, including Puerto Rico, accept the Card. Certain Starbucks-branded locations may not permit it for payment, including some airport, grocery and bookstore locations, or stores in Guam. You can check at the store or on the store locator; a store listing Digital Rewards as an amenity accepts the Card.
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Most Starbucks stores in North America including Puerto Rico accept your Starbucks Card.
Certain Starbucks-branded locations may not permit you to use the Starbucks Card for payment, including some airport, grocery and bookstore locations, or stores in Guam.
Any store that lists "Digital Rewards" as one of its amenities is a store that accepts the Starbucks Card.
Qualifications & exceptions
Acceptance varies by location; the list of excluded location types is introduced with 'including', so it is not stated as complete.
Not stated here
Which specific locations do not accept the Card is not listed; the Agreement points to the store or the store locator.
Account & Service Control · Restriction or exception
Cards are not intended for under 13; ages 13 to 18 need parent or guardian supervision
Starbucks Cards are not targeted towards or intended for use by anyone under 13. People between 13 and 18 may use Cards only under the supervision of a parent or legal guardian who agrees to be bound by the Agreement.
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Starbucks Cards are not targeted towards, nor intended for use by, anyone under the age of 13.
If you are between the ages of 13 and 18, you may only use Starbucks Cards under the supervision of a parent or legal guardian who agrees to be bound by this Agreement.
Qualifications & exceptions
Ages 13 to 18: supervision by a parent or legal guardian who agrees to be bound is required.
Not stated here
The text does not say what happens if someone under 13 uses a Card.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Context
Rewards terms also apply to registered Cards; the Agreement does not supersede three other terms
When you register your Cards with the Starbucks Rewards program, the Starbucks Rewards terms of use also apply. The entire-agreement clause supersedes prior proposals and other agreements governing your Card, but does not include the Starbucks Privacy Policy, the Starbucks.com Terms of Use or the Starbucks Rewards Terms of Use, as applicable. Those linked documents are not supplied in this source and are not analyzed here.
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When you register your Starbucks Cards with the Starbucks® Rewards program, the Starbucks® Rewards terms of use which can be found at
Entire Agreement, Construction
This Agreement is the complete and exclusive statement of agreement between you and Starbucks Corporation, and supersedes and merges all prior proposals and all other agreements governing your Starbucks Card (not including Starbucks Privacy Policy
Qualifications & exceptions
Rewards terms apply when Cards are registered with the Rewards program.
The three named documents are carved out of the entire-agreement clause 'as applicable'.
Not stated here
The linked Rewards terms, Privacy Policy and Starbucks.com Terms of Use are not supplied here, so their content and priority over this Agreement are unknown.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Procedure
Load value in a store, online or by phone, with a possible delay before funds are usable
In the United States and Canada you can load value on a Starbucks Card at any participating store, online, or by calling 1-800-STARBUC. There may be a delay between paying the amount and the funds being available for use.
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In the United States and Canada, you can load value on your Starbucks Card by visiting any participating store
or by calling 1-800-STARBUC.
There may be a delay from the time you pay the amount to be loaded onto your Starbucks Card and those funds being available for use.
Qualifications & exceptions
Stated for the United States and Canada.
A delay before loaded funds are available is possible; no length is given.
Not stated here
How long the delay can last is not stated.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Card balance, daily and loading limits, which Starbucks can change without notice
You may not have more than $500 in value on any of your Cards at any time. No more than $2,000 may be associated with any one Card in a single day, meaning activity on one Card cannot exceed $2,000 over a day. The total you may load across all your Cards, together with new Cards you purchase, may not exceed $10,000 on any given day. There is a minimum load amount, typically $5. Starbucks may change any of these amounts at any time without notice to you.
Supporting quotations
You may not have more than $500 in value on any of your Starbucks Cards at any time, and no more than $2,000 may be associated with any one Starbucks Card in a single day.
This means that the activity on any one of your Starbucks Cards cannot exceed $2,000 over the course of a day.
The total value you may load onto all of your Starbucks Cards, together with the value of any new Starbucks Cards that you may purchase, may not exceed $10,000 on any given day.
There is a minimum amount that you may load on any Starbucks Card at any given time, and that amount is typically $5.
We may change any of these amounts at any time without notice to you.
Qualifications & exceptions
$500 applies to the value on each of your Cards at any time; $2,000 per Card per day; $10,000 per day across all Cards including newly purchased Cards.
The minimum load amount is 'typically' $5, so it can differ.
Starbucks may change any of these amounts at any time without notice.
Not stated here
Whether the minimum load differs from $5 in particular cases is not stated.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Procedure
Credit or debit purchases are authorized first; your bank may hold funds until fulfillment
If you use a credit or debit card to buy or reload a Starbucks Card, an authorization process runs for the transaction amount before charging. It validates the card number, status, available credit or funds and billing information against what the bank or card company has on file, and your bank or Starbucks may contact you for more information first. After authorization your bank may hold the amount from your credit line or available balance, or place a temporary hold on a debit account, for a period set by your bank. Your card is charged only on fulfillment. If the transaction is cancelled, Starbucks will request an authorization reversal on your behalf; reversal times vary. Starbucks recommends contacting your bank about its authorization and reversal policies.
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If you use a credit or debit card to purchase or reload your Starbucks Card, prior to charging your credit or debit card, an authorization process will occur
The authorization process will validate the credit or debit card number, status, available credit or funds and billing information to ensure that it matches what the bank or card company has on file.
Your bank or Starbucks may attempt to contact you for additional information prior to authorizing the Transaction amount.
Your bank may hold this dollar amount from your credit line or available balance for a short period of time determined by the policy of your bank before your Transaction is fulfilled.
Regardless of whether you use a credit or debit card, your card will be charged only upon fulfillment of your Transaction.
If your Transaction is cancelled, Starbucks will request an authorization reversal on your behalf. Reversal times may vary.
Qualifications & exceptions
Applies when a credit or debit card is used to purchase or reload a Starbucks Card.
Hold length is determined by the bank's policy, not Starbucks.
Reversal times may vary.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Company practice
Balance stays in the base currency; use abroad is converted at that day's rate with no Starbucks fee
Amounts loaded are denominated in the currency of the country where the Card was sold (the base currency). Cards purchased in the United States may also be used in Canada, England, Scotland, Wales, the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Mexico and Australia. A purchase in another country is converted from local currency to the base currency using exchange rates applicable on the transaction date and deducted from the balance. No fees or other charges are made to the Card for the conversion, but your bank or card provider may charge a separate fee if you use a credit or debit card or other accepted payment method to load the Card outside the U.S.; Starbucks receives no portion of it and does not control it. The receipt shows the balance in the local currency of the store. Transactions on the website are denominated in U.S. dollars.
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All amounts loaded onto your Starbucks Card are denominated in the currency of the country in which it was sold (the "base currency").
Starbucks Cards purchased in the United States may also be used in Canada, England, Scotland, Wales, Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Mexico and Australia.
No fees or other charges are made to your Starbucks Card for the currency conversion.
However, note that your bank or card provider may charge you a separate fee if you are using a credit or debit card or other accepted payment method to load your Starbucks Card outside of the U.S.
Transactions that occur on our website are denominated in U.S. dollars. Currency conversions are based on currency exchange rates applicable on the date of the Transaction.
Qualifications & exceptions
The 'no fees' statement is about the Card's currency conversion, not fees your bank or card provider may charge.
The list of countries applies to Cards purchased in the United States.
Rates applied are those applicable on the date of the transaction.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Procedure
Reload in store or online, with optional auto-reload; stop it 24 hours ahead; loads cannot be reversed
You can reload in store or link a payment method to your Starbucks account and reload manually online or set up automatic reload. With auto-reload you set the reload date or the balance that triggers it and provide payment information. Starbucks emails confirmation of the automatic reload terms, bills your credit or debit card on the schedule and amount you selected, and emails you after each reload. You can change preferences at any time, but changes may take up to 24 hours to take effect. To stop auto-reload you must log in or call at least 24 hours before the next scheduled reload. Once dollar value is loaded, the transaction cannot be reversed.
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You can reload your Starbucks Card in-store or, to make reloading your Starbucks Card easier, you can link a payment method to your Starbucks account
With automatic reload, you simply set the reload date or the balance at which you want to reload your Starbucks Card and provide us with payment information.
We will send you an email confirming the automatic reload Transaction terms and bill your credit card or debit card according to the schedule and amount you have selected.
You can change your reload preferences at any time, but changes may take up to twenty-four (24) hours to go into effect.
you must log-in to your Starbucks account at
at least twenty-four (24) hours before the next scheduled reload.
Once the dollar value is loaded, the Transaction cannot be reversed.
Qualifications & exceptions
Changes to reload preferences may take up to 24 hours to take effect.
Discontinuing auto-reload requires action at least 24 hours before the next scheduled reload.
Once value is loaded the transaction cannot be reversed.
Not stated here
The text does not say what happens to a reload scheduled less than 24 hours after a stop request.
Account & Service Control · Restriction or exception
Businesses face extra rules, including bans on reselling Cards and soliciting new customers
There are unique requirements and restrictions on the use of Starbucks Cards by businesses, such as prohibitions against reselling Cards and using Cards to solicit new customers. The Agreement points to a business-to-business site for details; that site is not part of this source and its terms are not analyzed here.
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Use of Starbucks Cards by Businesses
There are unique requirements and restrictions on the use of Starbucks Cards by businesses such as the prohibitions against reselling Starbucks Cards and using Starbucks Cards to solicit new customers.
Qualifications & exceptions
The two named prohibitions are examples ('such as'), not a complete list.
Details are on a separate business-to-business site not supplied here.
Not stated here
The full set of business requirements is on the linked business site and is not supplied.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Permission or license
eGift purchases charge your payment method at purchase, even if delivery is scheduled later
The eGift program lets you buy and send a virtual Starbucks Card by email or through certain social media and messaging platforms. You choose the design and dollar value, within certain limits, and pay by credit card, debit card or certain other electronic payment methods. You may choose when delivery happens, including the same day if your form of payment is approved. You authorize Starbucks to charge your chosen payment method at the time you purchase the eGift, regardless of the delivery date you choose.
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Starbucks eGift Card
allows you to purchase and send a virtual Starbucks Card via email, or via certain social media and messaging platforms.
You may choose the design and dollar value (within certain limits) and complete your purchase using a credit card, debit card, or certain other electronic payment methods.
You may choose when to have your eGift delivered the same day, provided that your form of payment is approved.
You authorize us to charge your credit card, debit card or other chosen electronic payment method at the time you purchase your eGift regardless of the date you choose for delivery.
Qualifications & exceptions
Dollar value is chosen only within certain limits that this section does not state.
Same-day delivery is available only if the form of payment is approved.
The charge happens at purchase, not at delivery.
Not stated here
The eGift value limits and the supported social media or messaging platforms are not listed here.
Cross-references
contrast (model-proposed): Credit or debit purchases are authorized first; your bank may hold funds until fulfillment — contrast: eGifts are charged at purchase regardless of the delivery date, while the loading section says the card is charged only upon fulfillment of the transaction; the text does not say whether an eGift purchase is fulfilled at purchase or at delivery.
Account & Service Control · Company practice
eGift recipients get an email with options, and an eGift should be treated like cash
On the requested delivery date Starbucks emails the recipient to say they received an eGift from you. The recipient may add it to their Starbucks account, transfer the balance onto an existing Starbucks Card, or print it and take it into a store; they may also register it for use with Starbucks mobile applications. Starbucks emails you a confirmation when the recipient opens the eGift email. An eGift is like any other Starbucks Card and should be treated like cash by the recipient. Each eGift has a unique card number no matter how many times the email is printed.
Supporting quotations
On the requested delivery date, we will send the recipient of your eGift an email notifying them that they have received an eGift from you.
The recipient will have the option of adding the eGift to their Starbucks account, transferring the balance onto an existing Starbucks Card or printing out the eGift and bringing it into a Starbucks store to make a purchase.
We will also send you an email confirming receipt of your eGift when the recipient opens the eGift email.
An eGift is like any other Starbucks Card and should be treated like cash by the recipient.
Each eGift has a unique Starbucks Card number associated with it no matter how many times the email is printed out.
Qualifications & exceptions
The 'treat like cash' wording is an expectation placed on the recipient.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
eGifts are refunded only if unused and with the original receipt
Starbucks says it will give refunds only for unused eGifts, and only with the original receipt. This is a narrow refund route that sits against the general rule that Card value is nonrefundable unless required by law or permitted by the Agreement.
Supporting quotations
We will only give refunds for unused eGifts with the original receipt.
Qualifications & exceptions
Both conditions apply: the eGift is unused and the original receipt is provided.
Not stated here
The text does not say who can claim the refund or how long after purchase.
eGift status questions go to a separate eGift support site, email address or phone number
For questions or concerns about the status of an eGift, the Agreement gives an online self-service page, an eGift support email address and a phone number. The linked pages are not supplied in this source.
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If you have any questions or concerns about the status of an eGift, please go online to
Not stated here
The linked eGift support pages are not supplied here.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Permission or license
Starbucks may run promotions under extra terms and change or end them at any time
From time to time Starbucks may, in its sole discretion, run promotional programs tied to the Starbucks Card program. Promotions are subject to these terms and to any additional terms shown with the Promotion. Starbucks reserves the right to modify the terms of any Promotion at any time, up to and including terminating it.
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Promotional Programs
From time to time, we may in our sole discretion, run promotional programs associated with the Starbucks Card program
Such Promotions are subject to these terms, as well as additional terms as indicated in connection with the Promotions.
We reserve the right to modify the terms and conditions of any Promotion at any time, including and up to terminating the Promotion.
Qualifications & exceptions
Starbucks decides in its sole discretion whether to run Promotions.
Additional terms for a Promotion are indicated in connection with that Promotion and are not in this source.
Not stated here
Promotion-specific terms are not supplied here.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Company commitment
No activation, service, dormancy or inactivity fees, and Card value never expires
Starbucks says it does not charge activation, service, dormancy or inactivity fees on the Card. The Card has no expiration date and the value on it never expires. Separately, the Fraud section lets Starbucks cancel all affected Cards and retain the related balances without notice if a Card or balance was sourced or derived from fraud or other unlawful means; that is a different circumstance from expiration.
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Fees and Expiration of Card Balances
We do not charge any activation, service, dormancy or inactivity fees in connection with your Starbucks Card.
Your Starbucks Card has no expiration date nor does the value on your Starbucks Card ever expire.
Fraud Associated with Your Starbucks Card or Card Balance
we may in our sole discretion, cancel all impacted Starbucks Cards and retain all related Starbucks Card balances without notice to you.
Qualifications & exceptions
The no-fee statement lists four named fee types; it does not address other kinds of charges.
Cancellation and balance retention for fraud-sourced Cards, stated in the Fraud section, applies in its own circumstances.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Permission or license
Cards bundled with merchandise: returns of the merchandise part are at Starbucks's discretion
Some Starbucks Cards are merchandise or are bundled with merchandise, with a price equal to the Card value plus the merchandise's retail value. The Card and merchandise must be bought together. Where the parts are separable, Starbucks may in its sole discretion allow returns of the merchandise if you keep only the Card. Where they are inseparable, Starbucks may in its sole discretion allow a return with a refund of the merchandise value and a replacement Card loaded with the original Card value. In either case the return requirements are those for other merchandise unless Starbucks specifies otherwise at purchase.
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Starbucks Cards That Are Also Merchandise
Some Starbucks Cards are also merchandise or are bundled with merchandise
to the extent that the components are separable, we may in our sole discretion allow returns of the merchandise component if you choose to keep only the Starbucks Card.
In cases where the merchandise component is inseparable from the Starbucks Card, we may in our sole discretion allow you to return the item by issuing you a refund for the value of the merchandise component and a replacement Starbucks Card loaded with the original value of the Starbucks Card component.
the requirements for returning the merchandise component are the same as the requirements for returns of other merchandise unless otherwise specified by us during your purchase of that merchandise.
Qualifications & exceptions
Returns are allowed only if Starbucks chooses to allow them, in its sole discretion.
Return requirements follow other merchandise returns unless Starbucks specified otherwise at purchase.
Not stated here
The ordinary merchandise return requirements are not in this source.
Account & Service Control · Company practice
Receipts on request, a duty to check online history, and no activity statements
When you use your Card Starbucks provides a receipt if you request one, showing the purchase was made with a Card and the remaining balance. You are asked to check your online transaction history regularly to ensure your history and balance are correct. You can check balance and recent transactions online, and the balance also appears on the point-of-sale receipt. Starbucks will not send you statements of activity on your Card.
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Receipts and Transaction History
When you use your Starbucks Card, we will provide a receipt if you request one.
Please check your online Transaction history regularly to ensure that your Transaction history and account balance are correct.
We will not send you statements of activity on your Starbucks Card.
Qualifications & exceptions
A receipt is provided only if you request one.
Checking online history regularly is requested ('Please check'); no consequence is stated in this block.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Procedure
Starbucks corrects balance errors it believes occurred, but must be told within 60 days to be obliged to review
Starbucks will correct the Card balance if it believes a clerical, billing or accounting error occurred. To dispute a transaction or correction, call Customer Service. If you give enough detail, Starbucks will review your claim and tell you what it finds, correcting any error promptly after the review, or explaining what it found if there is none. Starbucks has no obligation to review or correct a billing error unless you give sufficient notice within 60 days of the transaction in question.
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Billing Errors, Corrections
We will correct the balance of your Starbucks Card if we believe that a clerical, billing, or accounting error occurred.
Assuming you provide sufficient details, we will review your claim and tell you what we find.
We have no obligation to review or correct any billing error unless you provide us sufficient notice for us to review your claim within sixty (60) days of the date of the Transaction in question.
Qualifications & exceptions
Review requires that you provide sufficient details.
The 60-day period runs from the date of the transaction in question.
Not stated here
Whether Starbucks may still choose to review a claim after 60 days is not stated.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
Starbucks may refuse or limit Cards it reasonably suspects are fraudulent, and disclaims liability for third-party fraud
Starbucks will not accept a Card, or will limit use of a Card or balance, if it reasonably believes the use is unauthorized, fraudulent or otherwise unlawful and considers the action appropriate to limit its risk. Starbucks says it does not control who may sell preloaded Cards or the price or denominations independent sellers offer, so it has no liability to you for any third-party fraud or unlawful activity associated with a Card balance.
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Fraud Associated with Your Starbucks Card or Card Balance
We will not accept any Starbucks Card, or will limit use of any Starbucks Card or Starbucks Card balance, if we reasonably believe that the use is unauthorized, fraudulent or otherwise unlawful, and we consider such action appropriate to limit our risk.
Starbucks does not control who may sell preloaded Starbucks Cards, nor can we control the price or preloaded denominations offered by independent sellers.
Consequently, Starbucks has no liability to you for any third-party fraud or unlawful activity associated with any Starbucks Card balance.
Qualifications & exceptions
Refusal or limits require Starbucks to reasonably believe the use is unauthorized, fraudulent or otherwise unlawful and to consider the action appropriate to limit its risk.
The no-liability statement concerns third-party fraud or unlawful activity associated with a Card balance.
Not stated here
The text does not say how a refused or limited Card holder can contest the decision.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Permission or license
Starbucks may cancel Cards and keep balances sourced from fraud, without notice
If Starbucks discovers that a Card or balance was sourced or derived from fraud or other unlawful means, it may in its sole discretion cancel all impacted Cards and retain all related balances without notice to you. It may use retained balances to help offset its liability to card companies, networks and issuers of lost or stolen credit and debit cards used to buy or load Cards.
Supporting quotations
If Starbucks discovers any Starbucks Card or Starbucks Card balance was sourced or derived from fraud or other unlawful means, we may in our sole discretion, cancel all impacted Starbucks Cards and retain all related Starbucks Card balances without notice to you.
We may use retained Starbucks Card balances to help offset our liability to card companies, networks and issuers of lost or stolen credit and debit cards used to purchase or load Starbucks Cards.
Qualifications & exceptions
Applies where Starbucks discovers a Card or balance was sourced or derived from fraud or other unlawful means.
Cancellation and retention are in Starbucks's sole discretion and without notice.
Not stated here
The text does not say whether a legitimate holder of an affected Card has any route to recover value.
Account & Service Control · Restriction or exception
Registering a Card requires accurate information; Starbucks may disable a Card if it is not provided or updated
To register a Card you complete an online form. When registering or purchasing, you agree to provide complete and accurate information about yourself and to update it if it changes. If you do not, or if Starbucks has reasonable grounds to suspect you have not, Starbucks may in its sole and absolute discretion disable your Card; if you think it was disabled in error you can call Customer Service. You are responsible for the accuracy of what you provide and for keeping your Card information confidential and secure. All your Cards can be activated and registered in your Starbucks Rewards account, but you may keep only one such account at any time.
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Registration, Liability for Unauthorized Transactions
When registering or purchasing a Starbucks Card, you agree that you will: (i) provide complete and accurate information about yourself; and (ii) update such information if it changes.
If you do not provide or update such information, or if we have reasonable grounds to suspect that you have not provided or updated such information, we shall have the right, in our sole and absolute discretion, to disable your Starbucks Card.
If you believe your Starbucks Card has been disabled in error, please call 1-800-STARBUC.
You are responsible for: (a) the accuracy of all information that you provide to us; and (b) maintaining the confidentiality and security of your Starbucks Card information.
you may only maintain one (1) such account at any time.
Qualifications & exceptions
Disabling is in Starbucks's sole and absolute discretion and can rest on reasonable suspicion.
Only one Starbucks Rewards account may be maintained at any time.
Not stated here
The text does not say what happens to the balance on a disabled Card.
Charges & Financial Obligations · Restriction or exception
You are responsible for all Card transactions, including unauthorized ones; replacement only for registered Cards
Starbucks asks you to treat your Card like cash and not disclose its information. If the Card or its information is lost or stolen, whoever has it may use it, and you are responsible for all transactions on your Card, including unauthorized transactions. If the Card is lost, stolen or destroyed it can be replaced with the balance remaining when you contact Starbucks, but only if you previously registered it. Separately, Starbucks and its affiliates say they have no liability for unauthorized access to, or alteration, theft or destruction of a Card through accident, misuse or fraudulent means or devices by you or any third party.
Supporting quotations
You should treat your Starbucks Card like cash and not disclose your Starbucks Card information to anyone.
If your Starbucks Card or Starbucks Card information is lost or stolen, anyone who obtains possession of either may use your Card. You are responsible for all transactions on your Starbucks Card, including unauthorized transactions.
However, if your Starbucks Card is lost, stolen or destroyed, your Starbucks Card can be replaced with the balance remaining on it at the time you contact us, but only if you have previously registered it with us.
Disclaimers and Limits of Liability
In no event shall Starbucks or its affiliates have any liability for unauthorized access to, or alteration, theft or destruction of a Starbucks Card through accident, misuse or fraudulent means or devices by you or any third party
Qualifications & exceptions
Replacement with the remaining balance applies only if the Card was previously registered and uses the balance at the time you contact Starbucks.
The liability disclaimer in the Disclaimers section covers unauthorized access, alteration, theft or destruction through accident, misuse or fraudulent means or devices by you or a third party.
Charges & Financial Obligations · User right or choice
Report a lost, stolen or damaged registered Card to freeze its balance and move it to a replacement
If a registered Card is lost, stolen or damaged, report it as soon as possible online through your Starbucks account or by phone. The registered Card balance is protected from the time you notify Starbucks. Starbucks will freeze the remaining balance when you notify it and load that balance onto a replacement Card.
Supporting quotations
If your registered Starbucks Card becomes lost, stolen, or damaged, report it as soon as possible either online through your Starbucks account at
Your registered Starbucks Card balance is protected from the time you notify us.
We will freeze the remaining balance on your Starbucks Card at the time you notify us and will load that remaining balance on a replacement Starbucks Card.
Qualifications & exceptions
Applies to a registered Card.
Protection runs from the time you notify Starbucks, not from the time of loss.
Not stated here
The text does not say how quickly the replacement is issued.
Information handling is described in the Starbucks Privacy Policy, which is not part of this source
The Agreement asks you to read the Starbucks Privacy Policy to understand how Starbucks collects, uses and discloses information about customers, how to update personal information and how Starbucks communicates with you. The Privacy Policy is linked but not supplied here, so none of its content is analyzed in this document.
Supporting quotations
Privacy Statement
carefully to understand how Starbucks collects, uses, and discloses information about customers, how to update or change your personal information, and how we communicate with you.
Qualifications & exceptions
The Privacy Policy is a separate linked document.
Not stated here
What data Starbucks collects, uses or discloses is in the linked Privacy Policy, which is not supplied here.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Company practice
Amendments take effect when posted and cover existing Cards; objecting means cancellation and refund
Starbucks may amend the Agreement at any time by posting it on its website, with a change notice posted for 30 days afterwards. As permitted by applicable law, a change is effective when the revised Agreement is posted and, unless Starbucks says otherwise, applies to your future and existing Cards. You are deemed to accept if you do not tell Starbucks otherwise in writing within 20 days of the notice (or another time the notice sets) or you use any Card after the notice period. If you tell Starbucks you do not accept, it will cancel your Cards and refund any remaining balance to you.
Supporting quotations
Changes to This Agreement
We may amend this Agreement at any time.
for a period of thirty (30) days after we post the amended Agreement, we will also post a notice on our website stating that the terms of this Agreement have changed.
As permitted by applicable law, any change, addition or deletion will become effective at the time we post the revised Agreement to our website.
You are deemed to accept the changes, additions or deletions if: (1) you do not notify us to the contrary in writing within 20 days of the date of our notice or such other time specified in the notice; or (2) you use any of your Starbucks Cards after such notice period.
If you notify us that you do not accept the changes, additions or deletions, we will cancel your Starbucks Cards and refund any remaining balance to you.
Qualifications & exceptions
Effectiveness on posting is stated as permitted by applicable law.
Applies to existing Cards unless Starbucks states otherwise.
Objection must be written and made within 20 days of the notice or the time the notice specifies; use of a Card after the notice period is deemed acceptance.
Not stated here
Whether a notice is also sent directly to you, beyond the website posting, is not stated in this section.
Starbucks may suspend or terminate at any time without notice; balances refunded only if termination is without cause
Starbucks may suspend or terminate the Agreement and revoke or limit any or all of your rights and privileges at any time without notice or liability. Termination may result from fraudulent or unauthorized use of the Card, including failing to provide valid information. As an example, transferring balances between Cards solely to obtain cash back is unauthorized use, and if Starbucks considers it appropriate to limit its losses it will cancel such a Card and retain the associated balances. If Starbucks terminates the Agreement without cause, it will refund or issue store credit equal to the balance on the cancelled Card or Cards, less any amounts you may owe it.
Supporting quotations
Cancellation of This Agreement
We may suspend or terminate this Agreement and revoke or limit any or all of the rights and privileges granted to you at any time without notice or liability.
Termination may result from your fraudulent or unauthorized use of the Starbucks Card including your failure to provide valid information.
transferring balances between different Starbucks Cards solely for the purpose of obtaining cash back is an unauthorized use of the Starbucks Card and if we deem it appropriate to limit our losses we will cancel any such Starbucks Card and retain any balances associated with those Starbucks Cards.
If we terminate this Agreement without cause, we will refund or issue store credits equal to the balance on your cancelled Starbucks Card(s), less any amounts that you may owe us.
Qualifications & exceptions
Starbucks may act at any time, without notice or liability.
Termination for fraudulent or unauthorized use, such as balance transfers solely to obtain cash back, can involve retaining balances.
The refund or store credit for termination without cause is less amounts owed to Starbucks and may be issued as store credit rather than a refund.
Not stated here
The text does not say what refund applies when termination is neither for fraud nor 'without cause'.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception
Most disputes go to final, binding individual arbitration, with small-claims and IP exceptions
The Dispute Resolution section asks you to read it carefully because it affects your legal rights. It provides for most disputes to be resolved through individual arbitration instead of court trials and class actions. Arbitration is described as more informal than a lawsuit, with a neutral arbitrator instead of a judge or jury and more limited discovery. It is final and binding and subject to only very limited court review. The section also contains a jury trial waiver and a waiver of rights to proceed in class, collective, consolidated, private attorney general or representative actions, to the fullest extent allowable by applicable law. Two stated limits: either party may take a Dispute to small claims court if it is not removed or appealed to a court of general jurisdiction, and the defined Dispute excludes claims about patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, piracy or unauthorized use of intellectual property. The parties also keep the right to participate in a class-wide settlement. An arbitrator may award individual relief available in court, including injunctive or declaratory relief only for the individual party seeking it.
Please read this section carefully. It affects your legal rights.
It provides for resolution of most disputes through individual arbitration instead of court trials and class actions.
Arbitration is final and binding and subject to only very limited review by a court.
This section also contains a jury trial waiver and a waiver of any and all rights to proceed in a class, collective, consolidated, private attorney general or representative action in arbitration, or litigation to the fullest extent allowable by applicable law.
except that either of us may take a Dispute to small claims court
Dispute, however, does not include disagreements or claims concerning patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets and claims of piracy or unauthorized use of intellectual property.
An arbitrator may award on an individual basis any relief that would be available in a court, including injunctive or declaratory relief only in favor of the individual party seeking relief
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties retain the right to participate in a class-wide settlement.
Qualifications & exceptions
'Most disputes' is the section's own phrase; small claims and intellectual property claims fall outside arbitration as described.
The class and jury waivers apply to the fullest extent allowable by applicable law.
Court review of an arbitration is described as 'very limited'.
The parties retain the right to participate in a class-wide settlement.
Not stated here
The informal notice process, hearing options, costs and the other arbitration rules appear in the following blocks and are explained in their own cards.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception
The arbitration clause is read broadly, covering Card use and your relationship with Starbucks and affiliates
Any dispute or claim arising out of or relating to the Agreement, your use of the Card, or your relationship with Starbucks or any past, present or future subsidiary, parent or affiliate, under any legal theory, is a 'Dispute' resolved by binding individual arbitration. The provision is to be interpreted broadly. Disputes include claims that arose before this or any prior Agreement (including advertising claims), claims currently the subject of purported class action litigation in which you are not a member of a certified class, and claims arising after termination. Either party may take a Dispute to small claims court if it is not removed or appealed to a court of general jurisdiction. Disputes do not include claims about patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, piracy or unauthorized use of intellectual property. The Entire Agreement section says the Dispute Resolution section survives termination of the Agreement.
Supporting quotations
Arbitration Agreement
This provision is intended to be interpreted broadly.
Any dispute or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, your use of the Starbucks Card, or your relationship with Starbucks or any past, present, or future subsidiary, parent or affiliate company or companies, whether based in contract, tort, statute, fraud, misrepresentation, or any other legal theory
will be resolved through binding individual arbitration, except that either of us may take a Dispute to small claims court
Dispute shall include, but not be limited to: (a) any dispute or claim that arose before the existence of this or any prior Agreement (including, but not limited to, claims relating to advertising)
(b) any dispute or claim that is currently the subject of purported class action litigation in which you are not a member of a certified class; and (c) any dispute or claim that may arise after termination of this Agreement.
Dispute, however, does not include disagreements or claims concerning patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets and claims of piracy or unauthorized use of intellectual property.
It provides for resolution of most disputes through individual arbitration instead of court trials and class actions.
Entire Agreement, Construction
the following sections shall survive termination of this Agreement: (a) Disclaimers and Limits of Liability; (b) Dispute Resolution (including Arbitration Agreement; Class Action Waiver; Jury Trial Waiver); and (c) Governing Law and Jurisdiction.
Qualifications & exceptions
The 'including' list is stated as not limiting ('shall include, but not be limited to').
Small claims court is an exception only if the case is not removed or appealed to a court of general jurisdiction.
Intellectual property claims are excluded from the definition of Dispute.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception
A court decides scope and enforceability; the Federal Arbitration Act governs; agencies remain open
The arbitrator decides all issues except issues reserved for a court in the Agreement, issues about the scope, validity and enforceability of the arbitration agreement, class action waiver or any provision of the Dispute Resolution section, and issues about arbitrability of any Dispute; a court decides those. The Agreement and arbitration agreement do not prevent you from bringing a Dispute to the attention of any government agency. The parties agree the Agreement evidences a transaction in interstate commerce and that the arbitration agreement is interpreted and enforced under the Federal Arbitration Act and federal arbitration law. Separately, the Governing Law section says the Agreement as a whole is governed by Washington law.
Supporting quotations
The arbitrator shall decide all issues except the following (which are for a court of competent jurisdiction to decide): (a) issues that are reserved for a court in this Agreement; (b) issues that relate to the scope, validity, and enforceability of the arbitration agreement, class action waiver, or any of the provisions of this Dispute Resolution section; and (c) issues that relate to the arbitrability of any Dispute.
This Agreement and this arbitration agreement do not prevent you from bringing a Dispute to the attention of any government agency.
this arbitration agreement will be interpreted and enforced in accordance with the Federal Arbitration Act and federal arbitration law.
Governing Law and Jurisdiction
This Agreement is governed by the laws of the state of Washington, United States of America
Qualifications & exceptions
Scope, validity, enforceability and arbitrability questions are for a court, not the arbitrator.
The statement about government agencies concerns bringing a Dispute to an agency's attention; it does not say agencies can resolve it for you.
The Federal Arbitration Act governs the arbitration agreement; Washington law governs the Agreement.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Procedure
Before arbitration you must send a signed written notice and negotiate for 60 days
You and Starbucks agree to try to resolve a Dispute informally first. The initiating party must send a written notice, personally signed by that party (and counsel, if represented), with information identifying the transaction and account, contact details, and a detailed description of the Dispute and relief sought including a calculation. You send it to Starbucks Customer Service through the stated link; Starbucks sends its notice to your most recent contact information. For 60 days from receipt of a completed notice (extendable by agreement) both sides negotiate in good faith, and the receiving party may request a telephone settlement conference that you and a Starbucks representative personally attend. Completing this process is a condition precedent to starting arbitration; a court may decide disputes about notice sufficiency or compliance, any arbitration is then stayed, and the court can enjoin arbitration filings and fee collection. Limitations periods are tolled from receipt of a completed notice until the process ends, and either side may begin arbitration if the Dispute is not resolved. An arbitration demand must be accompanied by a certification of compliance with this process.
Supporting quotations
The party initiating the Dispute must send the other a written notice of the Dispute that includes all of this information
The notice must be personally signed by the party initiating the Dispute (and their counsel, if represented).
If you have the Dispute with us, you must send this notice to our Customer Service department using the appropriate link at
For a period of 60 days from receipt of a completed notice (which can be extended by agreement of the parties), you and we agree to negotiate in good faith in an effort to informally resolve the Dispute.
Completion of this Mandatory Informal Dispute Resolution Process
is a condition precedent to initiating a claim in arbitration.
All applicable limitations periods (including statutes of limitations) will be tolled from the date of receipt of a completed notice through the conclusion of this Process.
An arbitration demand must be accompanied by a certification of compliance with the Process
Qualifications & exceptions
The 60-day period is extendable by agreement of the parties.
Completing the process is a condition precedent to arbitration.
Limitations periods are tolled from receipt of a completed notice through the end of the process.
A party may still seek damages in arbitration for non-compliance with the process.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Procedure
The American Arbitration Association administers arbitration under its Consumer Arbitration Rules, as modified
Arbitration is administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its rules, including the Consumer Arbitration Rules as applicable, as modified by the arbitration agreement. The parties agree that the AAA's determination that the arbitration agreement comports with the Consumer Due Process Protocols is final and that neither a court nor an arbitrator can revisit it. If the AAA is unavailable or unwilling to administer consistent with the agreement, the parties agree on another administrator; if they cannot, they petition a court to appoint one.
Supporting quotations
The arbitration of any Dispute shall be administered by and conducted in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association
as modified by this arbitration agreement.
neither a court nor an arbitrator has the authority to revisit it.
If the AAA is unavailable or unwilling to administer the arbitration consistent with this arbitration agreement, the parties shall agree on an administrator that will do so. If the parties cannot agree, they shall petition a court of competent jurisdiction to appoint an administrator that will do so.
Qualifications & exceptions
AAA rules apply 'as modified by this arbitration agreement'.
The Consumer Arbitration Rules apply 'as applicable'.
Not stated here
The AAA Rules themselves are linked, not supplied here.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Procedure
Arbitration demands must be certified and signed; hearing format depends on the amount and relief sought
An arbitration demand must come with a certification of compliance with the informal process and be personally signed by the party starting arbitration (and counsel, if represented). By submitting it, the party and counsel represent that they comply with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11(b), and the arbitrator may impose any Rule 11 sanctions on represented parties and counsel. You may choose a phone, video or in-person hearing, or written submissions, except that any Dispute seeking $25,000 or more, or injunctive relief, gets an in-person or video hearing unless the parties agree otherwise. Either side may ask the arbitrator for a hearing in any matter. You and a Starbucks representative will personally appear at any hearing, and any in-person hearing is held in the county or parish where you live or another mutually agreed place.
Supporting quotations
An arbitration demand must be accompanied by a certification of compliance with the Process and be personally signed by the party initiating arbitration (and counsel, if represented).
The arbitrator is authorized to impose any sanctions available under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11 on represented parties and their counsel.
You may choose to have the arbitration conducted by a phone, video, or in-person hearing, or through written submissions, except any Dispute seeking $25,000 or more, or injunctive relief, shall have an in-person or video hearing unless the parties agree otherwise.
Any in-person hearing will be held in the county or parish in which you reside or at another mutually agreed location.
Qualifications & exceptions
Disputes seeking $25,000 or more, or injunctive relief, must have an in-person or video hearing unless the parties agree otherwise.
In-person hearings are in the county or parish where you reside, or another mutually agreed location.
Rule 11 sanctions can apply to represented parties and their counsel.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception
Relief is individual only; no class or consolidated arbitration, with a court fallback if a limit is unenforceable
An arbitrator may award on an individual basis any relief available in court, including injunctive or declaratory relief only for the individual party seeking it and only as far as needed for that party's individual claim. To the fullest extent allowable by applicable law, each side may bring claims against the other only in an individual capacity and not as a plaintiff or class member in any purported class, collective, consolidated, private attorney general or representative proceeding. Unless both agree otherwise, the arbitrator may not consolidate more than one person's claims or preside over such a proceeding, and must follow the Agreement as a court would. If, after all appeals, a prohibition on non-individualized injunctive or declaratory relief or on class and representative proceedings is held unenforceable for a particular claim (such as a request for public injunctive relief), that claim is decided by a court after all other claims are arbitrated. The Class Action Waiver paragraph adds that any proceeding, whether in arbitration or court, is on an individual basis, subject to the parties' retained right to participate in a class-wide settlement.
Supporting quotations
An arbitrator may award on an individual basis any relief that would be available in a court, including injunctive or declaratory relief only in favor of the individual party seeking relief and only to the extent necessary to provide relief warranted by that party
To the fullest extent allowable by applicable law, you and we agree that each may bring claims against the other only in your or our individual capacity and not as a plaintiff or class member in any purported class, collective, consolidated, private attorney general, or representative proceeding.
Further, unless both you and we agree otherwise, an arbitrator may not consolidate more than one person
An arbitrator must follow and enforce this Agreement as a court would.
then such a claim or request for relief will be decided by a court of competent jurisdiction, after all other claims and requests for relief are arbitrated.
You and we each agree that any proceeding, whether in arbitration or in court, will be conducted only on an individual basis and not in a class, collective, consolidated, private attorney general, or representative action.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties retain the right to participate in a class-wide settlement.
Qualifications & exceptions
The waiver applies to the fullest extent allowable by applicable law.
Consolidation is barred unless both you and Starbucks agree otherwise.
A claim whose limit is found unenforceable goes to court only after the other claims are arbitrated, and only after exhaustion of all appeals.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Procedure
The arbitrator issues a reasoned written decision; awards are limited in preclusive effect
The arbitrator must issue a reasoned written decision explaining essential findings and conclusions, and must apply the cost-shifting provisions of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 68 after entry of an award. Judgment on an award may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction, except that an award that has been satisfied may not be entered. An award has no preclusive effect in any other arbitration or proceeding in which you are not a named party.
Supporting quotations
The arbitrator shall issue a reasoned written decision sufficient to explain essential findings and conclusions.
The arbitrator shall apply the cost-shifting provisions of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 68 after entry of an award.
Judgment on any arbitration award may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction, except an award that has been satisfied may not be entered.
An award shall have no preclusive effect in any other arbitration or proceeding in which you are not a named party.
Arbitration is final and binding and subject to only very limited review by a court.
Qualifications & exceptions
Cost-shifting under Rule 68 applies after entry of an award.
A satisfied award may not be entered as a judgment.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Procedure
Arbitration fees follow the AAA fee schedule, and the parties agree to keep costs down
Payment of arbitration fees is governed by the AAA Rules and fee schedule. The parties agree they share an interest in reducing arbitration costs and increasing efficiency, either may elect to engage with the AAA about fees, and the parties (and counsel) will work together in good faith to keep arbitration cost-effective. This paragraph does not state who pays which fee; the AAA fee schedule, which is not supplied here, governs.
Supporting quotations
Payment of arbitration fees will be governed by the AAA Rules and fee schedule.
you or we may elect to engage with the AAA regarding arbitration fees
The arbitration of any Dispute shall be administered by and conducted in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association
Not stated here
Who pays which arbitration fee is determined by the AAA Rules and fee schedule, which are not supplied here.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception
25 or more coordinated similar Disputes can be delayed and proceed in court rather than arbitration
Additional procedures apply if you take part in a Multiple Case Filing, defined as 25 or more similar Disputes, including yours, asserted against Starbucks by the same or coordinated counsel or otherwise coordinated. Resolution of your Dispute might then be delayed and ultimately proceed in court, and counsel for both sides must meet and confer in good faith to resolve the Disputes, streamline procedures, address information exchange, modify the number of Disputes to be adjudicated and conserve resources. This sits against the general rule that Disputes are resolved by binding individual arbitration.
Supporting quotations
If 25 or more similar Disputes (including yours) are asserted against Starbucks by the same or coordinated counsel or are otherwise coordinated
the resolution of your Dispute might be delayed and ultimately proceed in court.
their counsel shall meet and confer in good faith in an effort to resolve the Disputes, streamline procedures, address the exchange of information, modify the number of Disputes to be adjudicated, and conserve the parties
will be resolved through binding individual arbitration, except that either of us may take a Dispute to small claims court
Qualifications & exceptions
The trigger is 25 or more similar Disputes by the same or coordinated counsel or otherwise coordinated.
Delay and court proceeding are stated as possibilities ('might').
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Company commitment
Limitations periods are paused for Multiple Case Filing claims until selected, settled, withdrawn or opted out
If your claim is part of a Multiple Case Filing, applicable limitations periods are tolled from the time the Dispute is first submitted to the AAA until it is selected to proceed in a staged process or is settled, withdrawn, otherwise resolved, or opted out of arbitration under this provision.
Supporting quotations
any applicable limitations periods (including statutes of limitations) shall be tolled for your Dispute from the time that your Dispute is first submitted to the AAA until your Dispute is selected to proceed as part of a staged process or is settled, withdrawn, otherwise resolved, or opted out of arbitration pursuant to this provision.
Qualifications & exceptions
Tolling starts when the Dispute is first submitted to the AAA.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Procedure
Stage One: up to 100 Disputes proceed in individual arbitrations; the rest wait, then global mediation
If at least 100 Disputes are submitted in a Multiple Case Filing, claimants' counsel and Starbucks' counsel each select 50 to be filed and proceed as individual arbitrations (the number can be raised by agreement; if fewer than 100, all proceed). Each case has a different arbitrator. If a case is withdrawn before an award, another is selected. The remaining Disputes are not filed or deemed filed in arbitration and no arbitration fees are assessed or collected for them. Afterwards counsel take part in a global mediation with a jointly selected retired federal or state court judge to resolve the remaining Disputes, and Starbucks pays the mediator's fee.
Supporting quotations
If at least 100 Disputes are submitted as part of the Multiple Case Filing, counsel for the claimants and counsel for Starbucks shall each select 50 Disputes to be filed and to proceed as cases in individual arbitrations as part of this initial staged process.
Each of the 100 (or fewer) cases shall be assigned to a different arbitrator and proceed individually.
The remaining Disputes shall not be filed or deemed filed in arbitration nor shall any arbitration fees be assessed or collected in connection with those claims.
counsel for the parties shall participate in a global mediation session with a retired federal or state court judge jointly selected by counsel in an effort to resolve the remaining Disputes
Starbucks shall pay the mediator
Qualifications & exceptions
Applies only to Multiple Case Filings.
Starbucks pays the mediator's fee.
Remaining Disputes are not filed in arbitration and no arbitration fees are assessed for them during this stage.
Not stated here
Stage Two and the later opt-out of arbitration are described in the following blocks and carded there.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Procedure
Stage Two: up to 200 more Disputes proceed in individual arbitrations, then a second global mediation
If Disputes remain unresolved after Stage One, claimants' counsel and Starbucks' counsel each select 100 Disputes to be filed and proceed in individual arbitrations (the number can be raised by agreement; if fewer than 200 remain, all proceed). No more than five cases may go to a single arbitrator. A withdrawn case is replaced by another. The remaining Disputes are not filed or deemed filed in arbitration and no arbitration fees are assessed or collected for them. After Stage Two, the parties hold a global mediation of all remaining Disputes with a jointly selected retired federal or state court judge, and Starbucks pays the mediator's fee.
Supporting quotations
STAGE ONE: If at least 100 Disputes are submitted as part of the Multiple Case Filing
If the remaining Disputes have not been resolved at the conclusion of Stage One, counsel for the claimants and counsel for Starbucks shall each select 100 Disputes per side to be filed and to proceed as cases in individual arbitrations as part of a second staged process.
No more than five cases may be assigned to a single arbitrator to proceed individually.
The remaining Disputes shall not be filed or deemed filed in arbitration nor shall any arbitration fees be assessed or collected in connection with those claims.
the parties shall engage in a global mediation session of all remaining Disputes with a retired federal or state court judge jointly selected by counsel
and Starbucks shall pay the mediator
Qualifications & exceptions
Follows Stage One and applies only if Disputes remain unresolved.
Starbucks pays the mediator's fee.
Remaining Disputes are not filed in arbitration and no arbitration fees are assessed for them during this stage.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception
After Stage Two mediation, unresolved Disputes are opted out of arbitration and may go to court
After the mediation in Stage Two, each remaining Dispute that is not settled or withdrawn is opted out of arbitration and may proceed in a court of competent jurisdiction. Counsel for both sides may instead agree in writing to adjudicate some or all remaining Disputes in individual arbitrations (with random selection and elective mediation) or through another mutually agreeable process. A court can enforce the Additional Procedures for Multiple Case Filings, including enjoining the filing or prosecution of arbitrations and the assessment or collection of arbitration fees. Limitations periods are tolled for these claims until they are selected, settled, withdrawn, resolved or opted out.
Supporting quotations
any applicable limitations periods (including statutes of limitations) shall be tolled for your Dispute from the time that your Dispute is first submitted to the AAA
Upon the completion of the mediation set forth in Stage Two, each remaining Dispute (if any) that is not settled or not withdrawn shall be opted out of arbitration and may proceed in a court of competent jurisdiction consistent with the remainder of this Agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, counsel for the parties may mutually agree in writing to proceed with the adjudication of some or all of the remaining Disputes in individual arbitrations
A court of competent jurisdiction shall have the authority to enforce the Additional Procedures for Multiple Case Filings, including the power to enjoin the filing or prosecution of arbitrations and the assessment or collection of arbitration fees.
Qualifications & exceptions
Opt-out to court applies to Disputes not settled or withdrawn after the Stage Two mediation.
Counsel may mutually agree in writing to keep Disputes in arbitration or another process.
Limitations periods are tolled for the Multiple Case Filing claim until it is selected, settled, withdrawn, resolved or opted out.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception
If the multiple-filing procedures are held unenforceable, your Dispute goes only to court
The Additional Procedures for Multiple Case Filings and each of its requirements are essential parts of the arbitration agreement. If, after all appeals, a court decides they apply to your Dispute and are not enforceable, your Dispute will not proceed in arbitration and will proceed only in court.
Supporting quotations
The Additional Procedures for Multiple Case Filings provision and each of its requirements are essential parts of this arbitration agreement.
then your Dispute shall not proceed in arbitration and shall only proceed in a court of competent jurisdiction consistent with the remainder of this Agreement.
Qualifications & exceptions
Applies only after exhaustion of all appeals and a court finding that the procedures apply and are unenforceable.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · User right or choice
You can reject future changes to the arbitration agreement within 30 days, but not opt out of arbitration
If Starbucks makes future changes to the arbitration agreement (other than a change to its contact information), you may reject a change by sending a personally signed written notice to the Starbucks Law & Corporate Affairs Litigation Department address given in the Agreement within 30 days of the change. Rejecting a change is not an opt-out of arbitration altogether: you agree to arbitrate any Dispute under the version of the arbitration agreement you did not reject.
Supporting quotations
If we make any future changes to this arbitration agreement (other than a change to our contact information), you may reject any such change by sending your personally signed, written notice to the following address within 30 days of the change
Attention: Litigation Department
Such written notice does not constitute an opt out of arbitration altogether.
By rejecting any future change, you are agreeing that you will arbitrate any Dispute between you and Starbucks in accordance with this version of the arbitration agreement.
Qualifications & exceptions
Contact-information changes cannot be rejected.
Notice must be personally signed, written, and sent within 30 days of the change.
Rejection keeps you in arbitration under the earlier version.
Not stated here
The Agreement does not describe an opt-out of arbitration altogether.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception
You and Starbucks waive class and representative actions and the right to a jury trial
You and Starbucks agree that any proceeding, in arbitration or in court, will be on an individual basis and not in a class, collective, consolidated, private attorney general or representative action, and waive any right to bring or take part in such an action, to the fullest extent allowable by applicable law. The parties keep the right to participate in a class-wide settlement. To the fullest extent allowable by applicable law, you and Starbucks also waive the right to a jury trial.
Supporting quotations
You and we each agree that any proceeding, whether in arbitration or in court, will be conducted only on an individual basis and not in a class, collective, consolidated, private attorney general, or representative action.
You and we agree to waive any right to bring or to participate in such an action in arbitration or in court to the fullest extent allowable by applicable law.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties retain the right to participate in a class-wide settlement.
To the fullest extent allowable by applicable law, you and we waive the right to a jury trial.
To the fullest extent allowable by applicable law, you and we agree that each may bring claims against the other only in your or our individual capacity and not as a plaintiff or class member in any purported class, collective, consolidated, private attorney general, or representative proceeding.
Qualifications & exceptions
Both waivers apply to the fullest extent allowable by applicable law.
The right to participate in a class-wide settlement is retained.
The waiver applies in arbitration and in court.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception
Washington law governs; if arbitration does not apply you consent to King County, Washington courts exclusively
The Agreement is governed by Washington law without regard to its conflict-of-laws rules, and the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods does not apply. If the arbitration agreement is ever deemed unenforceable or void, or a Dispute is not subject to arbitration, you irrevocably consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal and state courts in King County, Washington, and waive objections to personal jurisdiction or venue there, including on inconvenient-forum grounds or any right to transfer venue. The Agreement separately lets either party take a Dispute to small claims court; this block does not say whether those small claims actions must also be in King County.
Supporting quotations
Governing Law and Jurisdiction
This Agreement is governed by the laws of the state of Washington, United States of America
The United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods shall have no applicability.
If the arbitration agreement is ever deemed unenforceable or void, or a Dispute between the parties is not subject to arbitration, you irrevocably consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal and state courts in King County, Washington, United States of America
will be resolved through binding individual arbitration, except that either of us may take a Dispute to small claims court
Qualifications & exceptions
The exclusive King County courts clause applies only if arbitration is unenforceable or void or the Dispute is not subject to arbitration.
Washington's conflict-of-laws rules are disregarded.
The arbitration agreement itself is stated to be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act.
Not stated here
Whether small claims actions allowed by the arbitration clause must be brought in King County is not stated.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception
No warranties on the Card, and no promise it will always be accessible or accepted
Starbucks and its affiliates make no representations, warranties or conditions of any kind, express or implied, about the Starbucks Card, including implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title or non-infringement, or warranties from usage of trade, course of dealing or course of performance. Starbucks does not represent or warrant that your Cards will always be accessible or accepted.
Supporting quotations
Disclaimers and Limits of Liability
Starbucks and its affiliates make no representations, warranties or conditions of any kind, express or implied, with respect to the Starbucks Card
Starbucks does not represent or warrant that your Starbucks Cards will always be accessible or accepted.
Qualifications & exceptions
The disclaimer covers Starbucks and its affiliates.
Some jurisdictions do not allow such disclaimers; see the card on jurisdictions where limits may not apply.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception
Liability is capped at your last Card balance, excludes indirect and punitive damages, and excludes theft and delay
If Starbucks or its affiliates are found liable to you, you may recover only actual and direct damages, capped at the last balance held on your Card. They have no liability for incidental, indirect, consequential, punitive or exemplary damages, including lost profit, revenue or use, under any legal theory and even if advised of the possibility. They also have no liability for unauthorized access to, or alteration, theft or destruction of a Card through accident, misuse or fraudulent means or devices by you or any third party, or for delay or mistake from circumstances beyond their control. This sits with the Fraud section, which says Starbucks has no liability for third-party fraud or unlawful activity associated with a Card balance.
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In the event that Starbucks or its affiliates are found liable to you, you shall only be entitled to recover actual and direct damages and such damages shall not exceed the last balance held on your Starbucks Card.
Starbucks and its affiliates shall have no liability for any incidental, indirect or consequential damages (including without limitation loss of profit, revenue or use), or any punitive or exemplary damages arising out of or in any way connected with this Agreement
In no event shall Starbucks or its affiliates have any liability for unauthorized access to, or alteration, theft or destruction of a Starbucks Card through accident, misuse or fraudulent means or devices by you or any third party, or as a result of any delay or mistake resulting from any circumstances beyond our control.
Fraud Associated with Your Starbucks Card or Card Balance
Consequently, Starbucks has no liability to you for any third-party fraud or unlawful activity associated with any Starbucks Card balance.
Qualifications & exceptions
The cap is the last balance held on the Card.
Applies under any legal theory (contract, warranty, tort including negligence, product liability, strict liability or other).
Jurisdictions that do not allow some limits may override them (see the jurisdiction card).
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · User right or choice
Where local law does not allow the disclaimers or damage limits, they may not apply to you
Some states or jurisdictions do not allow limits on implied warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain damages. If those laws apply, some or all of the disclaimers, exclusions or limitations may not apply to you, and you may have rights in addition to those in the Agreement. In those jurisdictions, Starbucks's liability is limited to the greatest extent permitted by law.
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The laws of certain states or other jurisdictions do not allow limitations on implied warranties, or the exclusion or limitation of certain damages.
If these laws apply, some or all of the above disclaimers, exclusions or limitations may not apply to you, and you may have rights in addition to those contained in this Agreement.
In such jurisdictions, our liability is limited to the greatest extent permitted by law.
Qualifications & exceptions
Applies only where a jurisdiction's law prohibits the limits; which jurisdictions is not stated.
Not stated here
The Agreement does not identify which states or jurisdictions prohibit these limits.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Permission or license
Starbucks may assign the Agreement without notice and be released; you may not assign without written consent
Starbucks may assign all or part of the Agreement without notice to you, and is then released from all liability. You may not assign the Agreement without Starbucks's prior written consent, and an attempted assignment is void.
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Assignment
We may assign all or part of this Agreement without notice to you. We are then released from all liability.
You may not assign this Agreement without our prior written consent and any attempted assignment will be void.
Qualifications & exceptions
Starbucks needs no notice or consent to assign; you need prior written consent.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Context
Entire agreement, with severability and survival of disclaimers, dispute resolution and governing law
The Agreement is the complete and exclusive statement of agreement between you and Starbucks Corporation and supersedes prior proposals and other agreements governing your Card, not including the Privacy Policy, the Starbucks.com Terms of Use or the Rewards Terms of Use, as applicable. Except as otherwise provided, an unlawful, void or unenforceable provision is severed and does not affect the rest. Beyond provisions that survive by their own terms, the Disclaimers and Limits of Liability, Dispute Resolution, and Governing Law and Jurisdiction sections survive termination. The arbitration clause itself covers claims arising after termination, and Starbucks may suspend or terminate the Agreement at any time. Where specific arbitration limits are found unenforceable for a particular claim after all appeals, that claim is decided by a court after other claims are arbitrated.
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Entire Agreement, Construction
This Agreement is the complete and exclusive statement of agreement between you and Starbucks Corporation, and supersedes and merges all prior proposals and all other agreements governing your Starbucks Card (not including Starbucks Privacy Policy
Except as otherwise provided herein, if any provision of this Agreement, shall be deemed unlawful, void or for any reason unenforceable, then that provision shall be deemed severable from this Agreement and shall not affect the validity and enforceability of any remaining provisions.
the following sections shall survive termination of this Agreement: (a) Disclaimers and Limits of Liability; (b) Dispute Resolution (including Arbitration Agreement; Class Action Waiver; Jury Trial Waiver); and (c) Governing Law and Jurisdiction.
(b) any dispute or claim that is currently the subject of purported class action litigation in which you are not a member of a certified class; and (c) any dispute or claim that may arise after termination of this Agreement.
Cancellation of This Agreement
We may suspend or terminate this Agreement and revoke or limit any or all of the rights and privileges granted to you at any time without notice or liability.
If, after exhaustion of all appeals, any of these prohibitions on non-individualized injunctive or declaratory relief and class, collective, consolidated, private attorney general, or representative proceedings are found to be unenforceable with respect to a particular claim or request for relief (such as a request for public injunctive relief)
Qualifications & exceptions
The Privacy Policy, Starbucks.com Terms of Use and Rewards Terms of Use are carved out 'as applicable'.
Severability opens with 'Except as otherwise provided herein'.
The three named sections survive termination in addition to any provision that survives by its own terms.
Not stated here
The carved-out documents are linked but not supplied here.
Account & Service Control · Procedure
Questions about the Agreement or the Card go to the Starbucks website or phone line
For questions about the Agreement or your Starbucks Card, the Agreement points you to the Starbucks website or the 1-800-STARBUC phone number.
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Inquiries or Questions
If you have any questions regarding this Agreement or your Starbucks Card, please visit our website at