14 DAY TRIAL // Reports claiming Starbucks would begin offering free Wi-Fi to its customers have recently been confirmed. Owners of a Starbucks member Cards can just waltz in the coffeehouse and go Wi-Fi-ing for two whole hours with any 802.11 device (that includes their iPhone).
"As a way to thank our loyal customers, Starbucks is offering a reward for registering and using your Starbucks Card - complimentary access to AT&T Wi-Fi for up to two hours per day in any U.S. Starbucks store that offers Wi-Fi," the international coffeehouse chain informs.
To get your AT&T Wi-Fi account, you simply need a Starbucks Card that you have used in the last 30 days. You can buy a new one any time too, but you must agree to receive up to four emails per year from AT&T. You can handle that, right? From then on, you only need to use your card at least once a month (make a purchase or load a balance). As long as you do this, every day means 2 free hours of Wi-Fi goodness at the Starbucks coffeehouse. Isn't life grand?
You don't need your Starbucks Card to get online, all you need is your 802.11 device. As long as you've used your card in the last 30 days, the AT&T username and password you will create (as part of the registration process) is all you'll need each time you visit a Starbucks and want to wirelessly access the web or chat with your friends.
So, in the simplest words possible, here's what you need to do to start enjoying your privileges as a Starbucks customer:
1 - Buy a Starbucks Card (if you already have one, you're good for step #2); 2 - Register your card online to create Starbucks.com and AT&T WiFi accounts; 3 - Go to Starbucks and sign in to your AT&T account to access Wi-Fi.
You only need to register once, but you will be required to sign in every time you use your happy Wi-Fi hours.
NOTE: if you happen to be a fast coffee drinker, you can't take your remaining Wi-Fi to go.