The new "Gold card" promotion is the "anti-reward" for long-time Starbks customers. Not only is the "reward" a complete reduction of the former "10%" savings program, but the new "Gold" card requires customers to keep a balance on hand in order to qualify for the "Free" drink after 15 purchases. So much for rewarding customer loyalty. Our office of four daily Strbcks drinkers is going to a local coffee "casita" for a buck-fifty less. Greed, once again, wins the day in the short run; I fully expect this company to fail in the next three years. read full review »