The Starbucks Card arrives in China in 2009 with the Coffee on Ice Card.

Cards in China have been confusing from the various programs they offer. Discount Cards (shown below) are purchased, then are used for discounts. This program is now expired.

The next section is the Reward Card. They are purchased but don't carry money. Their main purpose is to gain "stars" for free or discounted items.

The last section is the Gift Cards. It's the one term that Starbucks Corporate shied away from in the beginning - only wanted to refer to them as STARBUCKS CARDS. Why China is setting their own rules isn't clear. So, "Gift Cards" in China are loaded with the Yuan amount shown on the front of the Card(s).

Starbucks Cards in China are valid for three (3) months, so this explains the quick releases and short runs of the various Cards. This also explains why Cards are more expensive from China.

A special note about "Starbucks Cards" NOT listed here. They are not issued from Starbucks and for whatever reason, these "phone cards" can use the Starbucks logo legally. Hundreds of examples have surfaced and look like legitimate Starbucks Cards, but are phone cards instead. BucksCards.com does not track these Cards.