Why the days of coffee freebies and perks could be numbered
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It appears the days of free and discounted coffee may soon be over.
A second Woolworths location – this time at Central Park in Chippendale, Sydney – has notified customers it is ceasing free coffees for every $30 spent for Everyday Rewards customers as cafés in the supermarket’s Metro locations continue to shut down across the country.
This sign has appeared at Woolworths in Chippendale, Sydney. Nine
A nine.com.au reader informed us of this latest development, saying: “Woolies Metro are discontinuing their free coffee vouchers (stopped being issued June 22, final redemption by August 21).
“I do most of my shopping in small ‘top-up’ bursts, so I’d often get a few vouchers a week.
“It wasn’t the world’s best coffee but if I wanted to grab a quick one without breaking the bank, I’d duck to Woolies on a lunch break or after the gym.”
They added that whenever they’ve spoken to staff at the supermarket about the issue, they have been told, “No-one ever buys the coffee, it’s always just the free vouchers”.
In May, Woolworths confirmed the gradual closure of cafés in its Metro locations after a shopper in Randwick, Sydney arrived to see a sign sharing the bad news.
“Our Metro stores are designed to provide maximum convenience for customers looking for quick ‘grab and go’ essentials and top-up shops,” a Woolworths spokesperson told nine.com.au.
“We have decided to cease the barista-made coffee service due to limited uptake.
“This will allow our team to adapt our store offering as part of our ongoing commitment to better meet the needs of the local community.”
“Customers can still find a wide selection of coffee products in-store, including instant, ground, beans and pods.”
Most of the supermarket's Metro stores were operating cafes until this year. Jo Abi
A Woolies spokesperson pointed customers to "coffee products in-store". Jo Abi
A new blow for shoppers
Coles Express – rebranded to Reddy Express under Viva Energy ownership – ended its long-running “every sixth coffee free” program for Flybuy members in 2025.
Meanwhile, McDonald’s Australia has almost doubled the number of loyalty points customers need via their MyMacca’s app to redeem a coffee as of May 28.
McDonald's recently increased the number of loyalty points needed to redeem coffees via the MyMaccas app. Jo Abi
A spokesperson confirmed it now takes 6000 points rather than 3000 to redeem a medium coffee at the fast food outlet.
“To ensure we can continue delivering value to our customers, we’ve evolved our rewards program by introducing a new 2500-point tier, and adding some of our most loved menu items to the program for the first time,” they said.
Today Money Expert Joel Gibson says we’re still seeing the “flow-through effects of when fuel prices spiked back in March”, in addition to other business expense increases.
This includes the minimum wage increasing by five per cent on July 1.
“So business costs are going up, and the first thing they do when their costs are going up is they don’t automatically raise their prices, they start to cut back,” Gibson told nine.com.au.
Especially during the cost of living crisis, a free cuppa felt like a bit of a win ... it makes you feel good.
“That’s maybe what we’re seeing there ... rather than putting in a higher price, [companies are] just looking for other places where they can cut costs first and maybe avoid putting their prices up.”
For customers, it can feel like a further blow on top of already increased prices, particularly at the supermarket.
Some cafés such as Bourke Street Bakery still offer free coffees for loyal customers. Jo Abi
“Especially during the cost of living crisis, a free cuppa felt like a bit of a win,” Gibson said.
“Apart from the fact that coffee has caffeine in it, which keeps you skipping a step as you walk out of the supermarket, it makes you feel good about the whole experience.”
Where you can still get a cheaper cuppa
Hungry Jacks still offers barista coffee from $2.75 via its app, with every fifth one free and an additional free coffee on a customer’s birthday.
Many cafés still offer customers loyalty cards that allow them to earn a free coffee for making multiple purchases.
Popular Sydney chain Bourke Street Bakery, for instance, does this for every 10th coffee.
The days of free and discounted coffees may be over. iStock
Then there are retailers such as Jax Tyre & Auto, which offers customers free coffee while they wait for their tyre balances and changes and scheduled services.
But it seems the writing is on the wall for coffee perks like this, as cost of living pressures continue for business and consumers alike.
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