• Starbucks (SBUX, $86.86) customers can now earn more than just “stars” for their purchases. Beginning Wednesday, the coffee chain is partnering with Delta Air Lines (DAL, $29.22) and awarding 1 mile for every $1 spent at Starbucks in an alliance between “two of America’s most highly regarded loyalty programs,” the companies said in a press release.
• Delta already lets its SkyMiles members earn miles with Airbnb, Lyft, and Instacart, as well as through its co-branded cards with American Express as the airline and others have expanded the ways customers can accrue points beyond flying.
• The brands have two of the country’s most popular loyalty programs. Starbucks has more than 27 million US members and Delta has around 100 million global members. Expanding Starbucks Rewards is a goal for the company because it gives the chain access to customers’ data and ordering habits, which in turn helps the company target members with deals.