We rank top coffee loyalty cards from Costa to McDonald’s – and one makes you spend a staggering £50 to get a freebie

WE’RE in the middle of a COSTA living crisis – with the price of takeaway coffee soaring.

Caffeine junkies were dealt a new blow yesterday when it was announced that popular chain Costa is getting rid of their cheaper filter coffee option.

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We compare each coffee shop’s loyalty programme to find out which one gives you the best bang for your buck[/caption]

Many shops on the high street claim they can save you money with their loyalty schemes.

But which one will REALLY give you the most free hot drinks for your cash?

We’ve compared each coffee shop’s loyalty programme to find out which one gives you the best bang for your buck – and the cheapest way you can get a free coffee with all…

Costa

£19.60 for a free coffee

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COSTA’S revamped loyalty programme gives users who download the app a free coffee for every eight hot drinks.

You will need to scan your Costa Club app in-store and with every hand-crafted drink ordered, you’ll get a bean added to your account.

At £2.45, a small tea is the cheapest drink you can buy to bag yourself a bean, and eight of these will take you up to £19.60.

McDonald’s

£4.95 for a free coffee

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MyMcDonald’s Rewards is by far the best value loyalty scheme[/caption]

McDONALD’S has by far the best value loyalty scheme with MyMcDonald’s Rewards – especially as the price of black or white coffee is just 99p.

The fast-food chain has two coffee loyalty card schemes. One runs on the free My McDonald’s app and gives you a sixth hot drink for free after buying five.

All you have to do is order your hot drink on the app, or scan your QR code at the ordering screen, counter or Drive Thru, and you’ll be awarded a stamp.

This means if you regularly purchase a black and white coffee at 99p in total it will cost you £4.95 to get a free McCafe coffee.

Starbucks

£50 for a free coffee

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You will have to buy 21 Americanos to get a free one[/caption]

THE American coffee chain has the worst-value loyalty scheme by miles, with customers having to spend £50 before they get a free coffee.

You can use the Starbucks Rewards app or card to collect Stars and for every pound spent, you’ll get three Stars. But one hot drink will set you back 150 Stars. It means you will have to buy 21 Americanos to get a free one!

Caffe Nero

£21.60 for a free coffee

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After you purchase nine drinks, the tenth is free[/caption]

COFFEE lovers at Caffe Nero collect stamps for every drink they buy either in real-life via a paper stamp card or on the free mobile app.

After you purchase nine drinks, the tenth is free. The cheapest drink that’ll get you a stamp is tea, priced at £2.40 – and nine of these will set you back £21.60.

Pret

£8.50 for a free coffee

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Pret gives you a star every time you buy something on the menu[/caption]

PRET Perks launched in November and it’s very good value if you use it correctly.

It gives you a star every time you buy something on the menu and scan your app. For every ten stars you will get a free coffee.

The trick is that these stars can be given even if you buy the cheapest item on its menu – an apple or banana for 85p. So ten apples, costing £8.50, could get you that free coffee.

Greggs

£9 for a free coffee

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The Greggs app gives your tenth coffee for free.[/caption]

LIKE Caffe Nero, the Greggs app gives your tenth coffee for free. However, you need to spend far less to bag your complimentary brew if you shop at the popular High Street bakery.

At Greggs, you can get a cup of tea for £1 – £1.40 less than at Caffe Nero – meaning you would only have to part with £9 to get a free coffee.