Starbucks has launched a new iPhone app in the UK that lets customers scan a unique barcode at the till to charge their accounts.
The service is available to owners of Starbucks’ loyalty card, and synchronises their account and balance information with their iPhone so they are charged the correct amount.
The coffee house chain is also set to launch an Android version of the app in the near future.
The updated app, however, will not allow users to either pre-order or specify their drinks electronically.
Payment by Starbucks mobile app will be available in more than 600 UK stores from today.
The UK launch follows the US, where it has been available since January 2011. In the US, there have been 26 million mobile transactions and $110m has been loaded onto Starbucks Cards directly through the mobile app.
Ian Cranna, Vice-President of Marketing for Starbucks UK said “Customers are looking for extra value. This scheme allows us to be more personal, rewarding the most frequent customers with extra benefits. We also know that fewer customers want to use cash, so putting My Starbucks Reward on mobiles offers a faster, easier way to pay.”
The app’s loyalty scheme will encourage people to qualify as a ‘gold level member’ to get free drinks.
Customers paying with a registered Starbucks Card will get a free drink every 15 visits. After 50 visits they move from Green to Gold Level and get extra benefits such as free espresso shots, soy, syrups and whipped cream.
