I only just discovered the Starbucks Card whilst in the UK recently – can someone enlighten me as to the purpose of this card? According to the brochure “the Starbucks Card is handier than cash, as there’s no more searching for change”. Yes, but, isn’t that also the purpose of credit or debit cards?
“Load it with any amount from £2 to £150, and then your Card is activated to use whenever you are in Starbucks“. No doubt. But isn’t the money better sitting in my bank account earning interest (however little), and with my credit card I can even dispense with my cash one month later and earn spending points.
The only useful feature I can find is the ability to view your recent transactions – an easy way to find out just how much money you’re exporting to Seattle, and a quick way to realise that all those coffee’s can, in fact, be quite expensive!
I’m in the UK at the moment, so please excuse the infrequent postings though i’m back in Beijing tomorrow. I hope everyone had a great Chinese New Year – 恭喜發財 and 新年快樂 to all!
It’s actually quite pleasant to see rain again, and this February has been extremely mild – both in Britain and in Europe. Though with the pound so strong right now… crikey is this country expensive! It’s bad enough that the public transport doesn’t compare with that of any major Asian city, but to charge an arm and a leg for it is extortion. Hotels are typically £100 per night for something VERY average and food… it makes me wonder how people afford to live here!
Heathrow Terminal 5 is still under construction it seems (they could have built two whole airports in this time in China), Luton Airport is an even bigger shithole than it used to be, roadworks appear to take forever, and the streets sometimes just feel darnright unsafe.
But why do I keep coming back? At the end of the day the lush greenery, friendly countryside folk, and sticky toffee pudding (ooh I do miss that!) lure me back.
Programs like ‘Living in the Sun’ really say a lot about ‘British culture’ ; but if it’s any consolation, perhaps once everyone has moved to Spain, no doubt eating Fish and Chips and visiting English pubs, we can invite the Spaniards to come here and take over the Island 
I only just discovered the Starbucks Card whilst in the UK recently – can someone enlighten me as to the purpose of this card? According to the brochure “the Starbucks Card is handier than cash, as there’s no more searching for change”. Yes, but, isn’t that also the purpose of credit or debit cards?