Limited Edition Starbucks (R) 2015 Planner: A Review

Starbucks Philippines kicked off their holiday campaign on October 30, 2014 with a 15% discount on merchandise for Starbucks Card users followed by the launch of its holiday themed Starbucks Cards and the new limited edition Holiday Mini Card with a pay PhP 1,500 get PhP 1,800 credit promo.

The Starbucks Christmas Traditions Promo Mechanics

The Christmas Traditions Promo awards customers with a planner when they buy 18 designated Starbucks drinks: 9 Holiday Featured Beverages (Toffee Nut Latte, Peppermint Mocha, Christmas Cookie Latte) and 9 Starbucks core beverages excluding bottled drinks, bottled water and fruit juices from November 3, 2014 to January 8, 2015. Customers can also instantly get a planner if they bulk purchase food and other retail items worth at least PhP 7,000 in one receipt (gift certificates and Starbucks card reload are not allowed).

Starbucks Philippines uses a promo card and sticker system to keep track of the drinks consumed (Holiday vs Core beverage). Customers can combine two promo cards to avail of a planner. Drinks have to be consumed between November 3, 2014 and January 8, 2015 (67 days) and be claimed between November 3, 2014 and March 8, 2015.

PLUS

• As one of the earlier customers starting her sticker collection for the promo, I was able to get a FREE Holiday Featured Beverage sticker (so I only have to consume 17 drinks)

MINUSes

• Promo card and sticker system: sometimes, I leave my promo card at home and if I already have two, it either (a) deters me from buying a drink from Starbucks or (b) makes me feel bad for not being able to get the sticker included in my collection. I see the wisdom in having something tangible that people can hold onto and look at to "chase" the stickers, but on a practical note, Starbucks Malaysia (in 2012) had a system where the drinks were recorded in the Starbucks Card and once the customer has consumed the necessary drinks, the Starbucks Card account would reflect that a planner is ready for the customer to claim at the store.
• The requisite 9 Holiday Featured Beverages: Not to say that the drinks taste horrible, some people just prefer to drink their unsweetened boring drinks. I understand that the monetary value of the Holiday drinks are higher, but instead of "forcing" people to drink Holiday drinks (or offer them a replacement regular drink while paying holiday drink prices), why not have a system where people have to collect more non-Holiday drinks to avail of the planner?

The Limited Edition Starbucks (R) 2015 Planner

The Starbucks Planner comes in four colors/designs, namely barista apron green with a Starbucks logo, barista apron black with a Starbucks logo, barista Holiday apron red with a Starbucks logo and brown with a coffee drinking person embroidered in front.

Photo Credit: Starbucks Philippines Facebook Page

Your planner comes wrapped in a coffee bag, with its sealer and a BEST BEFORE date of 01/01/2016. Also in the bag are a pen (for you to write your name on the name plate) and a bookmark (comes in 4 designs together with each planner design).

WHAT'S INSIDE
(see full album)

Personal Information Page

Full Year Calendars for 2015 & 2016 (partial 2015 shown)

Dates to Note - Philippine Holidays

Monthly Covers to CONNECT, January 2015

Thoughtful Notes

Connect with Memories Page - 2015 Highlights

Starbucks Coupons

Coffee Shop Planners 2015

November ushers in that time of the year when coffee drinkers make their way to their preferred coffee shop on a daily basis to collect stickers (or chops) for a 2015 planner. There's just that compulsion to get all the needed stickers lined up. Established bloggers get sent the planners to unbox and review; some present the company line, the official messaging to why you want to get the planner, other analyze the cost of getting the planner, and then there's Rappler with its list of cool planners available in the Philippines for 2015.

My plan is to focus on the planners of three major coffee destinations, and (unfortunately) do it the expensive and time-consuming way, one drink at a time. In the coming weeks, I will delve into the promo mechanics surrounding each planner,  unwrap / unfold / unbox them and take a peek into the contents, comment on what I like/dislike about them. Given that I'm getting all three, I will also prepare monthly posts reminding you, the planner owner, of the freebies/discounts available for the month. Let's face it, while we spend money fervently drinking our coffee and sweetened drinks, we comfort ourselves thinking that (1) we'll use the planner during the year and (2) the freebies and discounts offered in the planner will make the spend lighter on your wallet, but in fact, forget to "cash in" on the benefits.

In no particular order, here's what the journals/planners look like from the outside.

Seattle's Best Coffee

Starbucks Coffee

The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf

Photo credits: Seattle's Best Coffee Philippines Facebook Page, Starbucks Philippines Facebook Page, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (Philippines) Facebook Page