21
Mar
2008
Posted by: Mark Ashley
Starbucks recently changed their wi-fi provider from T-Mobile to AT&T, and a different pricing scheme is in place. But why pay, when you can get it for free?
Frequent Starbucks wi-fi user Dr. Vino sends in this tip from WiFi Net News:
AT&T says in their press release that all Starbucks Card holders, which is simply their value-storing swipe card system [edit: would it have been too hard to call it a gift card?], will get two hours of free Wi-Fi a day. No purchase is needed: you just need an active card, I confirmed with the company. Walk in, buy a $5 value card, activate it, and you’re on for two hours a day from then forward. You can also use multiple devices with a single account, within reason, Starbucks told me.
So it’s not free, since you have to drop $5 on a Starbucks card, but you can tap the value AND get free wi-fi. Until there’s free universal wi-max, it’s worth considering.
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Categorized in: Coffee and travel, wi-fi
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March 22nd, 2008 at 12:43 pm
There’s another catch … you have to occasionally use your Starbucks Card–like once a month. I read that fine print somewhere.
Plus, Starbucks Card users will have to register their card at Starbucks.com.
March 22nd, 2008 at 1:45 pm
At some point, AT&T customers in general (hopefully, iPhone users too) will be able to get free Wi-Fi at Starbucks:
http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/pressdesc.asp?id=827
@johnmore – IANAL, but the Starbuck Card Terms state:
“Fees and Expiration of Card Balances.
Starbucks does not charge any fees for the issuance, activation, or use of your Starbucks Card and your Starbucks Card has no expiration date.”
https://www.starbucks.com/customer/card_terms.asp
AFAIK, gift card service fees are illegal if you’re in California. SB 250 was also updated so Californians are entitled to receiving cash back up to $10 for gift cards:
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/sen/sb_0201-0250/sb_250_bill_20071013_chaptered.html
March 23rd, 2008 at 9:51 am
Why jump through hoops to patronize the mega-Starbucks chain when there is so much free WiFi available at independent cafes — at least in this country? My laptop and I settled in for an hour of expensive connectivity and expensive coffee in Brighton, England, last October — but only as a last resort when I couldn’t find anyplace else anywhere near the underground parking garage where I had stowed my rental car for a few hours.
Claire @ http://travel-babel.blogspot.com
March 24th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
AT&T DSL customers also get access for free.
May 30th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Free WiFi….well…it is now summer and I have a registered Starbucks card that I have also used to purchase which supposedly activates the free WiFi. I went to Barnes & Nobles where they already have AT&T WiFi but you cannot use your card in the Starbucks coffee shop there and they knew nothing about the free WiFi telling me that I should go to stand alone Starbucks…I went and to my surprise they still have T-Mobile and are waiting on AT&T…obviously no free WiFi yet!!! So I go online to find out more…all I have found is that every site repeats the Press release info but I have yet to find out how this should be working!!! Is there a code to use…should the barista supply me with a card or something??? It is very confusing!!! I would definitely like to hear from someone with a Starbucks card that has received free WiFi!!! Up until now I have not seen anyone mention having used it!!!!
October 13th, 2008 at 10:29 am
T-Mobile HotSpot customers will still be able to receive free wifi at Starbucks through a roaming agreement with AT&T wi-fi. At keast according to the Starbucks website.