Starbucks begins testing its “Odyssey” Web3 rewards initiative

Starbucks is poised to give its customer loyalty rewards a Web3 flavor with the launch of its long-awaited “Odyssey” initiative. The clean and green Polygon blockchain was chosen by Starbucks to issue “Journey Stamps” as NFTs that would allow holders to participate in “interactive journeys.” For now, the coffee chain has brought in a small group of people who signed up on the waitlist to test the feature. The Seattle-based 51-year-old company is using modern technology to target the next generation of coffee consumers.

The Odyssey program leaves Starbucks Customers play interactive games as well as full activities and trips to earn points and unlock stamps.

“We use Web3 technology to reward and engage with our members in new ways, e.g digital stampsa new digital community, and access to new benefits and immersive coffee experiences—both physical and digital,” said Brady Brewer, Starbucks executive vice president and chief marketing officer in a official statement.

The Starbucks Odyssey beta interface shows the on-screen journeys like “Coffee Heritage” or “Holiday Cheer” that people can select to interact with and earn their rewards.

Coffee lovers can also take a virtual tour of Starbucks coffee farm Hacienda Alsacia in Costa Rica and partake in trivia about Starbucks heritage.

“Shortly after the beta launch, members will have access to the Starbucks Odyssey Marketplace, powered by Nifty Gateway, where they can buy or sell collectible Starbucks Odyssey digital stamps among members polygon as blockchain for the entire experience beginning with beta launch,” reads the official statement.

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz first released details of the company’s Web3 plans during its third-quarter earnings conference call.

In September, the company partnered with Polygon as a blockchain provider to support its Web3 and NFT initiatives.

The Odyssey initiative is expected to be rolled out more widely in early 2023.