The fastest way to check your balance
You can check your Starbucks gift card balance in three ways: scan the card at any Starbucks register, check it through the Starbucks mobile app, or look it up on the Starbucks website. The register scan is the quickest if you're already at a store — a barista can tell you the balance in seconds without making a purchase. The app and website work from home and don't require you to be near a store.
All three methods show your current balance instantly. None of them charge a fee or require you to log in with a password, though the app and website do ask for your card number.
Key Takeaways
- Ask any Starbucks barista to scan your card at the register to see your balance immediately.
- The Starbucks mobile app shows your balance if you add your card to your account, and you can check it anytime without visiting a store.
- The Starbucks website lets you enter your card number to look up your balance without downloading an app.
- Your balance never expires as long as the card itself is not damaged, so you can use it whenever you want.
Checking balance at a Starbucks store
Walk up to the register and tell the barista you want to check your gift card balance. Hand them the card. They will scan it on their register and read the balance aloud to you. This takes about 10 seconds and works whether the card is physical or digital.
You do not need to buy anything. The barista is not checking whether you have money to spend — they are simply reading what the card holds. If you want to use the balance right then, you can pay with the card. If not, you can take it and leave.
Using the Starbucks mobile app
Download the Starbucks app on your phone (available on iPhone and Android). Open the app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Select "Gift Cards" and then "Add a Gift Card." You can either scan the card with your phone's camera or type in the card number and PIN manually.
Once the card is added to your account, the app shows your balance on the main screen every time you open it. You can add multiple cards to one account. The app also lets you reload your card with money from a linked payment method, though that is separate from checking your balance.
Checking balance on the Starbucks website
Go to www.starbucks.com and look for the "Gift Cards" section in the main menu. Click "Check Balance." You will see a box asking for your card number and PIN (the four digits on the back of the card). Enter both and click the button to look up your balance.
The website does not require you to create an account or log in. You only need the card number and PIN. Your balance appears on the same page within a few seconds. You can check as many times as you want without any limit.
What the PIN is and where to find it
The PIN is a four-digit number printed on the back of a physical Starbucks gift card, usually near the bottom. If you have a digital gift card (sent by email or text), the PIN is included in the message along with the card number. You need both the card number and PIN to check your balance on the website or app.
If your card is scratched or worn and you cannot read the PIN, you can still check your balance at a Starbucks store by asking a barista to scan it. You can also contact Starbucks customer service by phone or through the app's help section, and they can look up your balance if you provide the card number.
Why your balance might not show up
If you enter the card number and PIN correctly but the website or app says the card is not found, the card may be damaged, expired, or never activated. Physical gift cards sometimes arrive unactivated and need to be registered before use. Digital cards sent by email should work immediately.
If the card was purchased a very long time ago and has not been used, it may have been deactivated by Starbucks, though this is rare. Try scanning it at a store first — if the barista can read it on their register, the card is valid and you can use it. If the register also cannot find it, contact Starbucks support with your card number and they can investigate further.
Using your balance and reloading the card
Once you know your balance, you can spend it at any Starbucks location by handing the card to the barista or tapping it on a contactless reader if the store has one. You can also use a digital card in the app by showing the barista the card image on your phone screen. The balance decreases by the amount you spend.
If your balance runs low, you can add money to the same card through the Starbucks app or website using a debit card, credit card, or bank account. This is called reloading. You can reload as many times as you want, and the card itself never expires as long as it is not damaged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does checking my balance cost anything?
No. Checking your balance at a store, through the app, or on the website is free. You are not charged a fee for looking up what is on your card, and you do not have to make a purchase.
Can I check someone else's gift card balance?
Yes, if you have the card number and PIN. Anyone with those two pieces of information can look up the balance on the website or app. If you have the physical card, a barista can scan it without needing the PIN.
What if I lost my gift card?
Contact Starbucks customer service with your card number if you have it written down somewhere. They may be able to transfer your balance to a new card, though this depends on whether the card was registered to an account. If the card was not registered, Starbucks cannot recover the balance.
How long does a gift card balance last?
Your balance does not expire. You can use it months or years after receiving the card. The only exception is if the card itself becomes damaged or unreadable — in that case, contact Starbucks with your card number and they can help you recover the balance.
Can I check my balance without the PIN?
Yes, at a Starbucks store. A barista can scan your physical card and tell you the balance without needing the PIN. On the website or app, you need both the card number and the four-digit PIN to look it up.