Many people do not realize that if you are an avid Starbucks drinker, like myself, then you need to be taking full advantage of the Starbucks Rewards Program. If you know how to work the system, then you can basically get free Starbucks at least once a week. Read below to learn the many ways that you can take full advantage of the rewards that Starbucks offers you. They basically give away free coffee, and so many people let the opportunity let it slip right through their fingers. Don't be one of those people.

1. Never pay for Starbucks with cash, or a credit or debit card.

The first step to actually benefitting from the rewards program, is that the customer needs to purchase products with a registered Starbucks card. It is rather simple to do. First, one must download the Starbucks app on to their phone. If you don't have a Starbucks card to register, you may create one on the app. After you have created an account with a registered Starbucks Card, you need to use the app to pay for your coffee each time you go to Starbucks. You may attach a credit or debit card to your app so that you can refill your Starbucks card online whenever it is out of money. You may do the same thing with cash at the register before you pay. Your card will track your purchases, and you will receive a star for every two dollars you spend. (This is how the new program works, which is being launched April 11. You get stars for each item you purchase, so the more you spend, the more stars you get.)

Based on the amount of stars you receive, you will become a member with either Welcome, Green, or Gold status. Each has more benefits. By purchasing enough drinks, and earning enough stars, one can obtain Gold Level where you can obtain the most benefits. If you drink Starbucks on a daily basis, you will achieve Gold in no time! Gold provides free drinks every 12 stars.

2. Know the benefits for your Reward Level; Get Free Refills!

Green and Gold Level allows you to get free refills on all coffee and tea beverages, no matter what size, on the same visit. So, if you are sitting in Starbucks getting some work done, then you may get multiple drinks for the price of one. Also, this is sort of bending the rules, but if you walk into a Starbucks and ask for a refill, they usually give you one even if you haven't been in the store. This is an easy way to get more out of your Starbucks purchases. Keep in mind: a free refill does not count for an additional star.

3. Read email promotions.

Starbucks does different promotions where if you purchases certain items, they will give you extra stars. If you read the emails, then you will know that Starbucks is offering five extra stars for the purchase of any food item after 2pm. (Just an example of the variety of promotions Starbucks offers on a weekly basis.) This way you will earn stars quicker to either achieve higher reward status, or obtain a free beverage faster if you are Gold.

4. Register for Lyft.

In a new partnership between Lyft and Starbucks, Lyft offers new users 12 stars for downloading the app. That is equal to one free item from Starbucks. Then after the first three rides, the user will also receive 12 more stars. That is two free drinks for simply taking rides that you would probably take anyways.

Starbucks is a wonderful thing, but it can get expensive. Follow these guidelines in order to take advantage of the rewards that Starbucks provides, so that we can all continue being coffee addicts, at an affordable price!