Starbucks is consolidating its customer rewards programs -- Starbucks Card and Starbucks Gold Card -- into one, easier-to-understand loyalty program called My Starbucks Rewards that includes a buy 15, get one free element that many other coffee shops offer (actually, most are buy 10, get one free, but same idea).

The company's three million-plus registered card members will become part of the streamlined program on Dec. 26. Benefits of the gold card program, which cost $25 a year, are being merged into the new, no-fee program with increasing reward levels as card use increases:

Welcome Level: A free birthday beverage when card is first registered.

Green Level: After using the registered card five times, customers qualify for free brewed refills, free flavor syrups and soy, a free tall drink with purchase of one pound of whole bean coffee and two continuous hours of free Wi-Fi a day.

Gold Level (30 visits a year): Benefits above, plus a free drink for every 15 purchases and a personalized card.

Gold card members who registered after Jan. 1 will continue to have their 10 percent discount until their membership year ends, when they will become gold level members of the new program.