What’s better than coffee? Free coffee, that’s what! There are a variety of different ways to earn yourself one and I’ve compiled this great post to help you learn how to get free coffee from your favourite coffee chains.
There is something so satisfying about walking into my favourite coffee shop, picking up a mocha, latte or even a cold brew and knowing that it’s going to be completely free!
I’ve made it my own personal mission to avoid paying full price whenever possible and, if you sign up to my Chloe’s Deal Club newsletter, you can receive a weekly email packed full of the very best freebies, bargains, special offers, deals, tips and tricks carefully curated to help you make the most of every pound that you spend. Receiving a free coffee is just scratching the surface of the amazing deals that I will share with you every Wednesday.
Be sure to read until the end to see how you can even earn cashback while shopping at your favourite coffee shop chain.
20+ ways to get Free Coffee
How to get free coffee at Costa
Members of the Costa Coffee loyalty scheme, the Costa Club app, are able to collect stamps on every purchase made in-store.
Every coffee purchase will earn you one stamp (known as a ‘bean’). This applies to both Costa Coffee shops and when using the Costa Express machine in supermarkets, service stations and other quick-service locations.
Once 10 beans have been earned you can redeem these for a completely free coffee. If you use a reusable cup then you’ll receive a bonus bean each time you purchase a drink. This means you’ll only need to buy five coffees before earning a completely free one.
Add your birthday when you sign up and you’ll receive a free slice of cake via the Costa Club app.
Sign up to promotions from the Costa Club app to receive details of discounts and treat drops where you have a chance to get free coffee, receive access to special offers or vouchers to use for discounts on selected food or drink items.
If you’re signing up to the Costa Club app for the first time then use code 6FVU3 to receive 5 beans to help you get free coffee faster!
How to get free coffee at Pret A Manger
Sign up for the Pret Perks loyalty scheme then scan your app each time you shop in-store and receive a star on every shop. Once you’ve earned 10 stars you’ll receive a perk. Perks include free coffee, cookies, baked goods such as croissants or other breakfast pastries, canned drinks and more.
How to get free coffee at Caffè Nero
Much like the Costa Club you can earn free coffee with the Caffè Nero app.
Every time you purchase a hand-crafted barista drink, such as coffee, iced drinks, and hot chocolate, you can receive a stamp in the Caffè Nero app.
Once you’ve received nine stamps you’ll be able to order yourself a handmade drink completely free. Best of all you can order any size – so go for the largest you can! If you use a reusable cup you’ll receive a bonus stamp each time you purchase an eligible drink. This means you’ll reduce by half the drinks you need to purchase before you earn yourself a free coffee.
How to get free coffee at Waitrose
Members of the myWaitrose loyalty scheme can receive a free regular-sized coffee or tea in-store every day from the self-serve machine when making a purchase and using a reusable cup. Options include americano, latte, cappuccino or tea.
There are a small number of items that will not count as a purchase for this offer, such as carrier bags, tobacco, stamps, lottery tickets and gift vouchers. However, pick up a piece of fruit or even a small amount of loose vegetables, and you’ll be eligible for a freebie.
Make your purchase, swipe your myWaitrose loyalty card at the till and then you’re able to take your reusable cup to the self-service machine and receive a free drink. Selected Waitrose stores may require you to scan your loyalty card before the drink is dispensed.
The purchase of a single banana would be enough to allow you to pick up a free coffee.
How to get free coffee at Marks & Spencer
As per Caffè Nero and a few of the other national coffee shop chains you can purchase a set number of drinks in the M&S Café and receive a free coffee.
When you purchase a barista-made drink, such as latte, mocha and cappuccino, simply scan the QR code of your Sparks app and you can work towards earning yourself a free drink.
After purchasing six barista-made drinks, you’ll earn six stamps.
The Sparks loyalty scheme has a fantastic advent calendar filled with special offers and freebies during December, and every week customers have a chance to win their shopping completely free (one Sparks customer per store per week).
How to get free coffee at GAIL’s
Sign up to the GAIL’s loyalty app to receive a voucher for a free barista-prepared drink which is credited within 24 hours of your sign-up. This reward can be redeemed for a free coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or iced drink.
Much like the Costa Club, Caffè Nero loyalty scheme and Greggs you can get free coffee when you buy a specific amount of coffees. You earn a digital stamp in your app every time you make a purchase – regardless of the item or the price. If you spend over £20 you’ll earn a second stamp.
GAIL’s also provide you with a free sweet treat during your birthday month.
How to get free coffee at PAUL
Download the PAUL’s app for free and sign up to their loyalty scheme. Not only can you receive your 10th coffee for free but you’ll also receive 1 point for every penny that you spend using the app and you can exchange these points for free items in the PAUL points store.
You’ll find occasional freebies appearing in the app, similar to those from Greggs and Costa, helping you to get free coffee or even a sweet treat.
How to get free coffee at John Lewis
Become a member of the My John Lewis reward programme and you may receive a perk, such as a free hot drink or free coffee and cake.
While these aren’t guaranteed if you have a John Lewis nearby it can be a nice occasional treat.
How to get free coffee at Starbucks
Members of the Starbucks Reward loyalty card scheme are able to work towards earning a free drink by shopping at Starbucks.
Every time you spend £1 you’ll receive 3 Stars in your Starbucks Reward account. Once you have 150 Stars you can redeem these for a free drink.
Members who have earned a total of 450 Stars will receive Gold Level status and be eligible for extra shots of espresso, selected syrups and whipped cream for free.
Once you’ve reached Gold Level status you’ll receive a coffee reward for your birthday too. You must have made at least one purchase earning Stars before your birthday month.
If you’re going to be working from Starbucks, or have a couple of hours to kill, participating locations offer free unlimited refills when you purchase a filter coffee. Be sure to ask in the store you’re visiting before your purchase to make sure they offer this.
How to get free coffee at Blank Street Coffee
Blank Street Coffee customers who use their loyalty app can earn 1 point per eligible item order placed in-app or even in-store.
Once you have collected 10 points you can redeem these to get free coffee or even a tasty pastry.
How to get free coffee at Grind
The Grind Rewards app will earn you 1 point for every £1 spent both in-store or online. Once you have 35 points you’ll be able to get free coffee, an Espresso Martini, ten compostable coffee pods or a pouch of coffee.
How to get free coffee at Harris + Hoole
This coffee chain are on par with M&S for their generous coffee loyalty scheme. You only need to purchase six barista-made drinks to get free coffee. You’ll also receive your first coffee completely free when you download the Harris + Hoole app.
How to get free coffee at Ikea
IKEA Family members can receive a free filter coffee, or a cup of tea, Monday to Friday, when scanning the Ikea Family card at the in-store restaurant.
Membership to IKEA Family is free and you can sign up online or in-store. One membership card will allow you to receive a free tea or filter coffee for each person you’re shopping with.
Note: Free hot drinks aren’t redeemable in the Aberdeen Order & Collection Point, Hammersmith and Plan & Order Points.
How to get free coffee at Greggs
Sign up to the Greggs loyalty app to receive a voucher for a free medium (regular-sized) hot drink. This includes tea, latte, cappuccino, mochas and more.
Once you’ve completed your registration to the Greggs reward app you’ll receive a voucher in the Wallet section of the app. This can be redeemed within 31 days for a completely free drink.
Greggs also provide you with a free sweet treat during your birthday calendar month…and remember you can find more birthday freebies here!
The Greggs loyalty programme is one of the more generous as it offers you a free item in a variety of categories every time you make 9 purchases – making your 10th item free. This includes breakfast items, savouries & bakes, drinks & snacks, sandwiches & salad, sweet treats and hot food. These stamps are even rewarded if you’re using in-store special offers such as discounted meal deals.
To redeem free products visit the Wallet section of the Greggs App and toggle on the reward you want to redeem. Then click Scan and scan your QR code at the Greggs till. You can also see digital receipts.
How to get free coffee at Krispy Kreme
Sign up to the Krispy Kreme Rewards App and collect Smiles on every purchase. Once you have 200 points you can get free coffee. You’ll also receive a free doughnut just for signing up to this loyalty scheme. 100 smiles earn you a free doughnut and 1250 smiles can get you a dozen doughnuts of your choice.
You’ll receive 10 Smiles for each £1 spent in shops, supermarkets and online too. Look for codes inside boxes of doughnuts in supermarkets to maximise the amount you’re earning.
Loyalty members receive exclusive discounts, offers, birthday surprises and even personalised rewards.
How to get free coffee at Joe and The Juice
The Joe Loyalty App is one with a few elements to it. Firstly you’ll receive a free item after your first app order which is a nice treat.
Every time you order via the app or complete a challenge you’ll earn points. There are four tiers to progress through and you’ll need 300 points to get free coffee. You can also earn free shakes, salads, sandwiches, snacks or treats, breakfast bowls and more.
If you can make it to the highest tier, pink diamond, you’ll receive 5 free coffees every single month. You unlock a new free item for every 5,000 points.
Some advantages to the different tiers include free merchandise such as reusable cups and clothing, plus fast-track pre-ordering which allows you to skip the line in-store and have your drinks made fast.
Note: points are reset at the end of each year.
How to get free coffee at Coco Di Mama
Members of the Coco Di Mama loyalty scheme, Club Coco, will receive a free treat when downloading the app and signing up for the first time.
Scan the digital card any time you spend over £3 and you’ll receive a stamp. Once you have earned nine stamps you can redeem a free reward. This free reward will allow you to get free hot or iced coffee, or you can redeem it for a breakfast item, snack, dessert or even a Midi or Grande pasta pot.
You’ll also receive seasonal freebies plus a free treat on your birthday too.
Coco Di Mama allow you to earn loyalty stamps when you purchase a coffee and once you’ve paid for seven you’ll receive a voucher to your email that will allow you to get free coffee.
How to get free coffee at Subway
The Subway Rewards app allows you to progress through different membership tiers, collecting more and more points for every £1 spent as you do so. These points can then be exchanged for Subway Cash, with 150 points being equal to £1 to spend in Subway.
Members of the lowest tier would need to spend £15 to receive £1 of Subway Cash, while members of the highest tier (with an annual spend of at least £350) would need to spend £12.50 to receive £1 of Subway Cash.
There are bonus days to allow members to earn additional rewards and a variety of birthday treats available too depending on your membership level reached.
Not only can you get free coffee with Subway Cash, but you can use it towards anything on the menu.
How to get free coffee at Muffin Break
Sign up for the Muffin Break app, scan it each time you purchase a hot drink in store and once you’ve paid for five you’ll receive your sixth completely free.
There aren’t many fancy perks to this app but being able to get free coffee for every six cups you buy is a very generous loyalty scheme.
How to get free coffee at Dunkin’
Sign up for the Dunkin’ loyalty app, and you’ll earn a free drink completely free as a thank you for joining.
You can earn 5 points for every £1 spent and then use these points to redeem against drinks and sweet treats. They also have ‘Surprise & Delight’ moments where they’ll offer free donuts, double points day and other sweet surprises.
Member freebies with Octopus Energy
Octopus Energy customers, with a smart meter, can access the Octoplus Rewards scheme and claim a free drink each week. The free drink offer can be redeemed in-store at Caffè Nero or Greggs.
Each week you can choose between the two coffee chains, based on where you’ll be passing by. Then you select Reveal Offer in the Octoplus portion of the Octopus app and then once you’re waiting to pay, you select Activate Offer and you’ll receive a QR code that you show to staff to redeem your free drink.
Caffè Nero allow you to redeem your freebie for a hot or cold drink while Greggs will allow you to redeem your QR code for a free regular size hot drink.
Note: Activate your offer while you’re in-store (just before the till!) as you only have a small time-window to redeem your freebie and get free coffee.
How to get free coffee refills
Morrisons Cafe offer unlimited free refills on a number of self-serve hot drinks including cappuccinos, lattes, hot chocolate and fruit teas when you dine-in. Morrison’s Cafe are one of the retailers that participate in Kids Eat Free too – so this is a great way to take your family out without a big spend.
This offer is available every day of the week during all opening hours and also includes dairy-free milks.
Wetherspoons offer unlimited free refills on a range of different drinks including flat white, cappuccino, latte, mocha, coffee, espresso, tea and hot chocolate. Decaffeinated options, alternative milks, sugar, and sweeteners are available at the self-service coffee stations.
Pay for your coffee with a gift card to earn cashback
If you love the idea of earning a little bit of money back every time you buy a coffee then purchase a cashback gift card. Apps such as Cheddar, JamDoughnut and everup, plus cashback websites such as Quidco and TopCashback, have gift card sections that allow you to earn cashback.
All you do is purchase a gift card via one of these apps or websites and use that to pay for your coffee, instead of your credit or debit card.
You’ll find cashback gift cards available for a range of coffee chains including Caffè Nero, Costa Coffee, Greggs and Starbucks. Cashback rates are often as high as 10% back when you purchase coffee shop chain gift cards which is amazing!
Paying for your shopping with a gift card adds an extra step to your shopping process, but you can purchase your gift card before you head in-store and even treat yourself monthly to help with budgeting if this is one area you tend to overspend.
You can read more about Cheddar Cashback – 5 Steps To Earn Money Back On Your Shopping By A Money Expert and JamDoughnut – Earn £100s While Shopping Online for Free where I’ll take you through how to use gift cards.