Customers are furious with Starbucks’ new rewards program

Earn 12 stars, get free coffee. The Starbucks rewards program was pretty simple – and with more than 11 million users, one of the most popular worldwide.

Monday, the Seattle-based company announced a time-saving change and customers aren’t happy about it.

According to Fortune magazine, under the current program, Starbucks Rewards members earn one star per visit regardless of how much is purchased on a given transaction. Under the new program – which you can view here –  members will get two stars per dollar spent, irrespective of the number of transactions.

Starbucks found many customers were asking baristas to ring up one item at a time to collect more points for a given transaction, creating delays at check out. The company estimates 1 percent of total Starbucks transactions were from customers splitting orders to get multiple stars.

Starbucks (Nasdaq: SBUX) customers now will get a free item after hitting 125 points, which works out to approximately $62. Previously, a person could buy any item – regardless of the cost – to obtain a star, according to Fortune.

The new system would seem to penalize regular coffee drinkers, incentivizing more expensive coffee options. Coffee drinkers worldwide took to social media to voice their displeasure with the new system.

“Thanks @Starbucks for punishing those of us who enjoy regular black coffee. #rewards #stars #customerservice.” @TPete316 tweeted.

“Not cool @Starbucks. Now I have to spend 3X as much to gain any rewards..... Sincerely, a tall dark roast drinker,” @StevenABowman tweeted.

Read more from Fortune.