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Original poster

Is it cheeky to claim your free drink and not buy anything?

35 replies

Sophiehoney · 04/06/2026 14:54

In a cafe with friends
Is it cheeky to go into a cafe you regularly go to with one of those stamp cards, where 10th drink or whatever is free, claim your free drink and not buy anything to go with it?
I say no, because you've effectively paid for the drink by paying for all the previous ones and it's no different to using clubcard vouchers or whatever.
Friend 1 thinks it depends on whether or not you usually order just a drink.
Friend 2 thinks it depends on how busy the cafe is
Friend 3 thinks it's mortifying.

OP posts:
bohnerific69 · 04/06/2026 15:08

Of course it’s fine, it’s already paid for and taking a table is fine too. You’re being rewarded for your loyalty and that includes potentially taking a table.

WhatAMarvelousTune · 04/06/2026 15:05

Like several PPs, I wouldn’t even question whether this was ok. It seems absolutely obviously ok.

Original poster
Sophiehoney · 04/06/2026 15:04

Lmnop22 · 04/06/2026 14:59

I never buy food in my local Costa because I’m coeliac and buy the same drink every time. My tenth is always free and I have never given a second though to just walking out with it! It’s paid for with the insane profit margin of the approximately £40 I spent on the other 9 drinks 😬

Would you think differently if you weren't walking out with it but were taking a table?
I wouldn't, but JW if you would as this is what friend is mortified about?

OP posts:
Imaginary86 · 04/06/2026 15:03

No, you earned the free drink

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 04/06/2026 15:02

This is fine as you have effectively bought a drink, it’s just that you paid with your stamp card rather than cash.

ForMerryMauveDreamer · 04/06/2026 15:00

i can’t believe this is even a question. I would take my free drink and not think anything of it

Esmeraldathe3rd · 04/06/2026 14:59

YANBU I went to Costa then other day to get my free drink, saw on the app they were also doing a free bottle of coke. So got two free drinks, didn't spend a penny.
Just like you can redeem a gift voucher without spending more money. It's already paid for. There's not a thing to be embarrassed about .

Lmnop22 · 04/06/2026 14:59

I never buy food in my local Costa because I’m coeliac and buy the same drink every time. My tenth is always free and I have never given a second though to just walking out with it! It’s paid for with the insane profit margin of the approximately £40 I spent on the other 9 drinks 😬

Johnogroats · 04/06/2026 14:56

fine. I used to do this in the cafe at work.

mindutopia · 04/06/2026 14:55

Absolutely fine. You’ve already bought something. The 9 drinks before it. This wouldn’t even occur to me to question.

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