12 Starbucks Hacks For a Cheaper (and More Caffeinated) Coffee Experience

Four-year barista and Quora user Josh Whittington says if you're not in a rush, order a french press coffee rather than drip for fresher brew. In addition, Quora user Stephen Carlson says, "If you are getting regular coffee and have a couple minutes to wait, ask for a pour over. That way, you'll be guaranteed freshly-brewed coffee."

Use a registered Starbucks card to earn stars, which lead to free drinks and refills on hot or iced brew coffee and tea during the same store visit.

Quora user Julie Finkelstein says, "If you like Chai Lattes but don't like them super sweet, try this: order a hot tea with the chai teabags (tea is cheaper than coffee drinks at Starbucks) and ask them to add hot milk for 60 cents."

An anonymous Quora user suggests that instead of pouring out coffee to make room for cream, order a small size but in a bigger cup.

Quora user Jamie Beckland writes, "Starbucks has stopped brewing decaf in the afternoon. Therefore, if you order a decaf drip coffee in the afternoon, they will upgrade you to a decaf Americano for free."

Quora user Ibai Garcia suggests, "Starbucks has the tendency to serve milk really hot and in general burnt milk. You can customize this by ordering your drink 'kids temperature'. By doing so they will serve you a drink at 135 degrees that is way more pleasant to drink and get the full flavor of the coffee."

Former barista and Quora user Mike Miles came up with the idea for a mint chocolate chip Frappuccino by ordering a green tea Frappuccino and adding peppermint syrup and java chips.

Quora user Jim Humphries writes, "Order Grande not Venti — If, like me, you're in it for the caffeine, don't bother with Venti, as both Grande and Venti contain 2 espresso shots . . . "

Quora user James Woodcock recommends ordering a signature hot chocolate made using pouring cream: "It's the smoothest and sweetest drink ever conceived."

Four-year barista and Quora user Josh Whittington recommends asking for any kind of iced tea with "no water" for a more flavorful (and in some cases caffeinated) drink.

A former Starbucks barista and Quora user, Matthew Lucas recommends, "If you order a Frappuccino with an extra shot, ask for it 'affogato style' and they will pour the shot on top. The benefit is that you don't lose any of the drink, and you get a higher shot-to-drink ratio."

An anonymous Quora user writes, "Today I saw a lady bring in her coffee sleeve to be reused and she got a $0.10 discount. You also get a $0.10 discount for bringing in a mug."