I have the Starbucks VISA (no cap to the points you earn). One of the neat things about it is if I go to Target where they ask you to stick your card into their reader (which sucks it in) – I get the option of using my Starbucks or Visa.

I’ve never tried answering “Starbucks” and wonder if my rewards could be spent in Target just as easily as Starbucks.

The press release is pretty vague on how people will use the card to access the WIFI. I’m pretty sure it must refer to the disposable – otherwise the only number on my Starbucks VISA is my VISA account number itself – and I don’t see people using that.

Will wait to see how this all rolls out. I have a Blackberry 8320 on Hotspot@Home via T-Mobile and every time I walk into Starbucks it automatically goes to WIFI (UMA) coverage and all my calls are free. I’d be disappointed if Starbucks didn’t continue providing coverage for that service.

Come to think of it — I wonder if T-Mobile had to enter into some agreement to keep all their WIFI@Home customers from breaking their contracts? (Useage of the service in Starbucks is pretty heaviy hyped)

Does my plan for my iphone count as att broadband?

I thought the same thing as Ben L., as to what they mean by Starbucks card. If it means the typical Starbucks reloadable card, then that is great. And to answer Wayne’s questions, there really is no set minimum on a Starbucks card. I’ve started to use one recently, since Starbucks occasionally will add value to the card for being a loyal customer.

Someone clarify that Starbucks Card business. I’m not a Starbucks user. I think JK, who by now has a mutant DNA which is partially Starbucks, should elaborate on this point.

Starbucks Card…..?

Seems like everyone thinks this is referring to their “gift” cards, are we certain this isn’t referring to their Duetto Visa Cards (which are normal credit cards, not gift type cards)? Just thought of this as I read the story.

First, the release headline is:

“Agreement signals a transition to AT&T Wi-Fi service at Starbucks beginning in spring 2008″

…and in the release they mention that T-Mobile “HotSpot customers will be able to continue to access Wi-Fi services at no additional cost, through an agreement between AT&T and T-Mobile”

So T-Mobile is in fact “getting tossed” — or why would they need an “agreement”?

I can’t help but wonder how long that will last? Especially if at some point the ability to connect via WIFI at any Starbucks becomes a marketing tool for AT&T to sell wifi equipped cell phones with — especially the iphone.

Hey Hey — you guys all missed one BIG thing that I think is a potential profit maker for Starbucks. And it could also pose as a future “advertising supported” type revenue model for retailers — at least in the WIFI area.

Wayne

PS – Hint – you need to use a Starbucks Card to get your free 2 hours. And while I’m not sure what the minimum denomination is — don’t you think a lot of those cards will go unused or get lost….

What do you think – am I crazy?

This is so cool. I can now get wi-fi service free at starbucks. I can’t wait to see this in my local stores.

Mobiletechfan.com

Thanks for clarifying – thought I was being dumped. Though, two free hours a day is all I need – so I’ll cancel Melissa’s Hotspot plan when this goes live.

Thanks for the update Jason. Folks seem to have missed the Starbucks press release and the general impression I was walking away from on most of the related stories was that T-Mo customers were left out in the cold. Thanks!

I posted this also on WWD comments, but I never stated T-mobile users were left out in the cold, merely that AT&T has been selected by Starbucks as the wi-fi service provider.

However your point does need to be pointed out and I updated the post to avoid any confusion.