Yahoo Finance Starbucks vs. Dunkin’ Donuts: How To Take Advantage of Deals at Each Chain to Perk Up Savings
It’s an age-old debate that stokes deep passion and tests loyalty. Which chain offers the best coffee and food for the best deals: Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts?
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For some coffee lovers, the choice is easy. For others, it’s merely a matter of which location is closer. However, for the truly discerning lovers of coffee and fine foods, the answer is, frankly, why not both?
With some strategic shopping, you can enjoy truly the best of both worlds while also getting the best deals. GOBankingRates compared some of the prices and quality of common items at Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts to help you make your decisions.
Finding Hot Prices for the Cheapest Cold Brew
When the Eat This, Not That! team evaluated Starbucks and Dunkin’ in their own head-to-head, they found at least one price comparison that flips the old narrative that Starbucks is inherently pricier than Dunkin’ on its head.
Using prices at a New Jersey-based location of each store as their point of comparison, the team did find that Dunkin had the edge in terms of lower prices for many items — with one notable exception.
They wrote, “…not all of the drinks are cheaper at this New Jersey-based Dunkin’. For instance, a medium cold brew at Dunkin’ is $4.59, while a grande cold brew at Starbucks is $4.45.”
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Bringing the Flavor Home
Both Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts offer loyal customers a chance to brew their own versions of the chains’ coffees, with bags of whole bean and ground coffee available at store locations and most grocery stores.
However, there are often clear differences in the prices of coffee you can brew at home. A medium roast coffee from Dunkin’ can be priced as low as $6.64 on Amazon, while a bag of coffee from Starbucks will cost $12.48.
Saving Dough While Feeding Many People
While Eat This, Not That! shared that Starbucks has the more diverse menu, offering a broader selection of sandwiches, wraps and other breakfast items, Dunkin Donuts has the market cornered on its namesake.
Starbucks doesn’t have a lot of options for foods that can feed larger groups of people at once, with many sandwiches costing at least $5 each. A box of a dozen donuts at Dunkin’ could cost under $20, depending on your region.
Exploring Rewards Programs
If you happen to get your java on-the-go often enough, you might want to consider enrolling in a rewards program for your preferred chain. But which reward program for coffee lovers comes with greater perks?
Each program is structured a little differently. Dunkin’ rewards members can earn 10 points for every dollar they spend on qualifying purchases, finally getting to unlock rewards once they’ve reached 150 points — which Eat This, Not That! estimates to be about $15.
If you’re a regular Dunkin’ customer, you’ll probably reach “Boosted Status” fairly quickly. This coveted title is bestowed upon Dunkin rewards program members who visit 12 times in one month; with it, comes the ability to earn 12 points for every dollar spent for three months afterward.
However, Starbucks rewards members earn just one point, or Star, for every dollar they spend, should they opt to pay as they go. You can start redeeming rewards after you’ve spent about $25. Customers are incentivized to frontload their app with gift cards because they can earn twice as many points.
Starbucks rewards members essentially “build credit” toward enjoying the chain’s wide variety of selections.
For instance, 25 Stars will earn you beverage customizations such as espresso shots or special syrups, while 100 Stars get you brewed coffees and teas, packaged snacks or even items from the bakery.
Once you get up to 400 Stars, you can walk away with those coveted cups, tumblers and other Starbucks merch that’s worth up to $20.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Starbucks vs. Dunkin’ Donuts: How To Take Advantage of Deals at Each Chain to Perk Up Savings
