How are we feeling, Club Pret members? Today is the last day you’ll be able to get free coffees – and we’re as devastated as you are.
The high street chain confirmed in July that it’d be changing up its subscription, forcing coffee fanatics to wave goodbye both to free drinks and cheap food as part of a new Club Pret model.
From September 3, Pret is scrapping the £30 a month fee which has allowed customers up to five hot or iced drinks per day and a 20% discount on food. Instead, the replacement membership scheme will cost £10 per month – but subscribers will only get 50% off five drinks each day.
For the first few months, both existing customers and new members will pay £5 per month for the membership, but this will increase to the £10 fee from March 31, 2025. Sob.
Why has Pret scrapped the free coffee subscription?
Pret UK&I Managing Director Claire Clough issued a message to subscription fans revealing there were elements of the deal ‘we never really got comfortable with’ and stated: ‘Four years and over a quarter of a billion coffees later, we have decided that it’s time to rethink how it works.’
Claire went on to add: ‘Given the majority of our customers are not Club Pret subscribers, our priority now is to focus on better value for everyone.’
Where does free coffee subscriptions in the UK?
Fear not; if you’re already mourning the loss of the free coffees, there are other similar subscription services on the market to appease your caffeine addiction.
Here is what you need to know.
LEON
LEON might be famous for its waffle-shaped fries, but did you know that it also offers a coffee subscription?
The Roast Rewards programme costs £25 per month and allows subscribers access to five barista-made drinks each day.
And if you’re a fiend for their hash browns, there’s 20% off the breakfast, as well as the all-day food menu (with the exception of the meal deal).
Though you can use the food discount as frequently as you like, you can only order one coffee per hour as part of your daily limit. So if you’re ordering with a friend (or want to order two drinks for yourself – no judgment), you’ll need to pay for one of them.
Coffee Club
Got a few firm favourites? The Coffee Club subscription covers a range of coffee shops – including Caffè Nero, Black Sheep Coffee, The Foundation Coffee House, Crepe Affaire, Ditto Coffee, and FCB Coffee.
For £2.99 per month, members can access 25% off barista-made drinks all day, seven days a week on both drink-in and takeaway options.
There’s also the annual version of the membership, which comes in at £24.99, and a 30-day free trial.
And if you want to be super savvy, the likes of Caffè Nero use a loyalty card system that issues a stamp for each drink. When you’ve collected nine stamps, the next drink comes free – so it’s worth taking advantage of this alongside the Coffee Club subscription.
Interested? You can sign up by downloading the Coffee Club app, where you can browse local coffee shops that offer the discount.
Blank Street
Known for signature drinks including the blueberry matcha and the iced pistachio latte, Blank Street is another viable option.
Since launching in Williamsburg, Brooklyn in 2020, the chain has expanded to build 31 stores in London and three up in Manchester.
Its Blank Street Regulars membership offers discounts on coffee, pastries and merchandise, and members are entitled to 14 free barista-made drinks per week (which can be hot or iced, and any size).
Drinks can be redeemed once every 30 minutes, with a 20% discount offered on any extra drinks – so you can treat a friend with this one.
The UK subscription fee comes in at £12, but sadly, it’s relatively exclusive. The waitlist is currently full, but it’s worth checking the website for regular updates.
Costa
It might not be a monthly subscription service, but Costa Coffee’s Costa Club offers a few worthwhile benefits.
Buying a drink gives customers a virtual bean, and once you’ve collected 10 of these, you’ll be entitled to a free drink of your choice at either a Costa store or a Costa Express machine.
And if you use a reusable cup, you’ll get an extra bean added to your account.
You’ll also be gifted a free slice of cake on your birthday. What’s not to love?
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