money Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte Is More Expensive, But These Coffee Spots Are Not
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Fall weather is right around the corner, which means Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) is back. The drink is officially available starting August 30, 2022. But this year, inflation is giving a bitter taste to this sweet Autumn drink.
Starbucks prices for this popular drink have risen around 4%, bringing a grande (aka small) pumpkin-flavored latte to as much as $5.95, depending on where you live.
If you’re craving a PSL on a budget, fear not. There are ways to get the Starbucks drink at a discount — or even free. And there are plenty of alternatives to choose from.
Want Starbucks on a Discount? Use the App
One way to get your Pumpkin Spice Latte for a discount is by using the Starbucks app. It works best for frequent Starbucks customers.
It takes 150 points to get a free latte but only 25 points to customize a plain drink with a shot of pumpkin spice syrup. You get one point per dollar spent at the store and two points for every dollar you preload onto the app.
Pro tip: Registering a gift card counts as preloading, so if you get a card as a gift or cash-in credit card points for a Starbucks gift card, make sure to add it to your account.
If you have a Fall birthday, you’re in luck. Starbucks gives you a free birthday drink every year, so you can grab any size PSL latte without paying a cent.
Related: August 31 Last Day to Get 10x Points on Starbucks Purchases up to $500
Budget-Friendly Pumpkin Spice Latte Alternatives
If paying more than $5.00 for coffee seems crazy to you, there are still ways to get pumpkin spice in your life. Plenty of stores have caught onto the Fall coffee trend. None of them are as expensive as Starbucks, so you can order guilt-free.
Dunkin’
The Starbucks vs. Dunkin’ debate is as old as time. Price-wise, Dunkin’ blows Starbucks out of the water — even more now that it has a promotion on pumpkin spice flavors: grab a Pumpkin Spice Signature Latte or Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew for just $3.00 through September 13, 2022.
McDonald’s McCafé®
Confession time: I love McDonald’s lattes. Mickey D’s is the easiest place to stop for Wifi when I’m road-tripping in the U.S., and a medium pumpkin spice coffee or latte costs around $3.00.
Krispy Kreme
Grab yourself a Pumpkin Spice Latte and a matching donut! A medium runs about $4.
7-Eleven
If you’re looking for quick and affordable, look no further. 7-Eleven’s self-pour coffee only costs $1.99 for a medium. And the store regularly offers $1 coffee deals and free drinks on their app.
Featured photo courtesy of Starbucks
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