How to: Get (sorta) free wi-fi at Starbucks
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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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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.