Why I got top-tier status with Starbucks and enjoy it — despite the reduced earnings for some

I'll admit it. I'm a Starbucks fanatic ... but not just because I love the coffee. There's a Starbucks store a mere two-minute walk from my house, and I also know that no matter where I go in the world, I'm likely to find the taste of home at a local Starbucks.So, it may not be surprising, then, to learn that I'm a fan of the coffee chain's Starbucks Rewards program. Despite a number of changes to the program over the years, I still find it rewarding to be a member and keep collecting Stars. In fact, I've spent so much of my hard-earned money at Starbucks over the years that I qualified for top-tier Reserve status when the program was overhauled earlier this year.Here's why I'm a member and why you should be, too, if you're a coffee lover.What does the new Starbucks Rewards program look like?With the latest update to the Starbucks Rewards program came the return of elite tiers that offer various perks depending on your status. In addition to the previously available Green and Gold tiers, there's a new top-tier status called Reserve.Similar to other points- and miles-based programs, with Starbucks Rewards, you'll earn "Stars" on every Starbucks purchase you make that can then be red...