Coffee chain Starbucks has officially rolled out Wi-Fi access to its customers via AT&T, offering up to two hours of complimentary connectivity per day in exchange for keeping a Starbucks Card active within the last 30 days and agreeing to accept up to four email messages a year from AT&T.
Under the deal, customers simply need to keep a Starbucks Card active within the last 30 days—either by making a purchase or loading a balance onto the card—in order to qualify for Wi-Fi access. Users don’t actually need to have their card with them: their AT&T username and password created during the registration process will work as long as the card has been used in the last 30 days. Currently, Wi-Fi access is restricted to one session per day up to two hours in duration, but Starbucks says they’re working on letting users spread the two hours across multiple sessions per day.
Starbucks estimates the free Wi-Fi service will be available at every Wi-Fi enabled Starbucks location by the end of 2008.
The Wi-Fi access is part of a larger rewards program associated with the Starbucks Card; other consumer requires include complimentary syrup and milk options in coffee drinks, free refills of iced and brewed coffee, and a free tall beverage with the purchase of one pound of whole bean coffee. “Starbucks Card Rewards is a way to help you enjoy something special at a time when budgets are tight,” said Starbucks VP of customer relations Brad Stevens, in a statement. “Our customers have let us know that they want to be recognized for choosing Starbucks. We’d like to thank them in simple ways that can provide value every time they visit us and use their Starbucks Card.”
