Starbucks Changes Upset Lactose Intolerant Rewards Members

Starbucks rewards members, brace yourselves.

Starting this fall, that soy in your latte will cost you.

Starbucks riled its lactose intolerant rewards members with a recent announcement of some big changes coming Oct. 16.

Starbucks' popular program rewards people with certain perks such as free soymilk, shots of flavor syrup and drinks, among others. The recent announcement was sent to registered rewards card holders on Sept. 18. It said soymilk and flavored syrups would no longer be offered for free.

That change prompted some reward members to start a Change.org petition to convince Starbucks against it.

Jennifer Jones, a petition supporter from Brandon wrote:

I am lactose intolerant and I don't believe that I'll be receiving anything in exchange for Starbucks taking away free soy/syrup.

The petition is asking for 5,000 signatures. So far, it has 858 supporters from all over the United States and Canada.

Starbucks is also no longer giving a complimentary tall drink with the purchase of a pound of coffee.

New member perks will include:

• Members will also get to use their "free drink" for food
• Members can earn a freebie for every 12 stars earned instead of 15

The popular coffee chain is also going completely digital. Instead of sending a postcard when someone earns enough points for a freebie, the member's card automatically loads and an alert is sent via email.  

The nearest Starbucks locations to New Port Richey:

1. US. 19 and Gulf Dr., 5435 US 19,  New Port Richey, Fl

2. Little Rd & Ranch Del Rio, 5220 Little Rd, New Port Richey

3. Little Rd & SR 54, 3244 Little Rd  New Port Richey