Retooled Starbucks Rewards

Starbucks is changing its rewards program on April 16 so members can redeem more freebies with fewer stars.

Currently, members earn two stars for each $1 spent while paying with a registered Starbucks card or through the mobile app. They must earn

300 stars every 12 months to get Gold status. That won’t change.

Currently, members need

125 stars to get a freebie. That will change. The new program allows members to get more free items with fewer stars.

Here is a look at the new way members can redeem rewards:

25 stars: Free extra shot of espresso, flavor or soy milk

50 stars: Free any sized coffee

150 stars: Free handcrafted beverage or breakfast item

200 stars: Free lunch sandwich, protein box or salad

400 stars: Free packaged coffee or merchandise item

Members will still get free drinks for joining and on birthdays, free hot coffee and tea refills, and double star and

bonus days. There is no word yet on whether the chain will still offer drink specials during Starbucks Happy Hours.

Go to Starbucks.com/ rewards/comingsoon for more information or to join.

So long Savings Catcher

Walmart is discontinuing its Savings Catcher pricematching program on May 14, the company announced in a letter to customers.

Walmart, which built its reputation on having THE lowest prices, will end the program that refunded the difference if an eligible item was advertised at a lower price by a competitor. Customers submitted receipts through the free Savings Catcher app or online to receive refunds on Walmart eGift cards.

The program scanned about 80,000 grocery and general merchandise items and compared them to competitors to ensure the retailer was the low-price leader. Walmart launched Savings Catcher in 2014 after briefly testing matching buy-one-get-one free prices in Florida stores.

Balances on eGift cards will not expire and can be used online or in stores, according to the FAQ posted on Walmart.com. The app can still be used to scan paper receipts to keep track of purchases and reorder items.

In a letter to customers, Walmart said it “learned through Savings Catcher ... that our efforts to lower prices up front on thousands of items across our stores is working. Walmart’s prices win most often when you submit your receipts, which tells us that the program’s intent has been met.”

Hundreds of customers flocked to social media to complain about the decision to end Savings Catcher, saying it saved them hundreds of dollars.

One Twitter user disputed Walmart’s claim, saying he saved more than $900 since joining the program, while using the hashtag #BoycottWalmart.

Walmart does not pricematch competitors’ prices in stores, like Target, BestBuy and other big-box retailers. It only makes price adjustments on Walmart.com and Jet.com base prices, for identical items purchased in Walmart stores when customers request it, according to its price matching policy.

Unhappy customers also were ripping the retailer on Walmart’s Facebook page.

“I am not happy with Savings Catcher being discontinued,” posted Wendy Havelka Walsh. “I will do as little shopping with you as possible and I will definitely not be using Walmart pay. No point to it now. Our local Jewel often beats your prices with sale items. I guess I will just give them my business. Amazon Prime gives me 5% back on my purchases, so I will just buy more grocery items from them. Delivery is better anyway.”

Walmart’s reply to one unhappy customer: “We’re still committed to offering consistent low prices. If you see a lower price at another retailer, please reach out to your local store manager for help or call 1-800-WALMART.”