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Here’s a clear breakdown of what the Dunkin’ Rewards changes mean for earning free coffee, based on the program updates that took effect in October 2023.
The Short Answer: It’s Now Easier to Earn a Free Drink
The core change is a shift from earning points per dollar to a simpler system where you earn points per visit. For the average customer who just buys a coffee, this is a significant improvement.
Key Changes at a Glance
| Feature | Old Program (Before Oct. 2023) | New Program (As of Oct. 2023) |
|---|---|---|
| How You Earn | 10 points per $1 spent | 1 point per visit (with a purchase) |
| Free Brewed Coffee | 200 points | 500 points (equivalent to 5 visits) |
| Free Premium Drink | 700 points | 500 points (equivalent to 5 visits) |
What This Means for You (The Detailed Breakdown)
1. Earning is Simpler and Often Faster
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Then: You had to spend $20 to get 200 points for a free hot coffee.
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Now: You get 1 point for any visit where you make a purchase, regardless of the amount. After 5 visits, you earn 5 points, which gets you a free beverage of your choice.
Why it’s better for coffee drinkers: If your typical order is just a medium hot coffee ($2.50-$3.00), you now get a free drink after spending roughly $12.50 – $15.00 (over 5 visits), instead of having to spend $20.
2. All Free Drinks Now Cost the Same
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Then: A free hot coffee cost 200 points, but a free espresso drink (latte, cold brew, frozen coffee) cost 700 points.
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Now: Every beverage on the menu costs 500 points. This is a huge win if you prefer premium drinks. You can now get a free latte after just 5 visits, whereas before you needed to spend $70 to earn 700 points.
3. Points Expire (The Biggest Catch)
This is the most important negative change to be aware of.
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Then: Points never expired.
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Now: Points expire after 6 months of account inactivity. If you don’t earn or redeem a point for 6 months, your entire balance will be wiped out.
4. Other Ways to Earn
The new program also offers “Bonus Point” challenges through the app (e.g., “order 3 times this week for an extra point”), which can help you earn free drinks even faster.
The Bottom Line: Who Wins and Who Doesn’t?
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✅ The Winner: The Occasional Coffee Drinker. If you typically just buy a simple, inexpensive coffee a few times a week, you will earn free drinks much faster than under the old system.
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✅ The Winner: The Premium Drink Lover. Getting a free latte or Cold Brew for the same number of points as a hot coffee is a massive upgrade.
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❌ The Loser: The High-Volume Spender. If you frequently placed large, expensive orders for a group (e.g., spending $15 on breakfast and coffee for the office), you earned points rapidly under the old “per dollar” system. Now, that $15 order only earns 1 point, the same as a $1 donut hole.
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⚠️ Everyone Must Be Mindful: The new 6-month expiration policy means you can’t let your points sit idle forever. You need to use the app at least once every six months to keep your balance.
In summary, Dunkin’ moved to a model that rewards frequency of visits over the amount spent. For most customers grabbing their daily cup of joe, this change is a net positive, making it easier and faster to get that free coffee.
