Starbucks Coffee Company, Bank One, and Visa U.S.A. today launched the Starbucks Card Duetto Visa, which blends Visa credit card functionality with the re-loadable Starbucks Card.

The new Duetto Card offers the first formal Starbucks customer appreciation program, rewarding cardmembers with Starbucks Duetto Dollars for every Visa purchase and providing special Starbucks gifts and benefits with Starbucks Card Account purchases.

Starbucks will also contribute $5 to the Starbucks Foundation after each cardmember’s first Duetto Card Visa purchase. From October 13 through December 31, 2003, Jumpstart will be the recipient of the Duetto donation from the Starbucks Foundation. Jumpstart is a national non-profit organization that recruits and trains college students to serve in a year-long mentoring relationship with preschool children from low-income communities. Every $5 donation to Jumpstart will fund one hour of preschool tutoring to a child in need.

By using the Visa Account of their Duetto Card anywhere Visa credit cards are accepted, cardmembers will earn one percent back in Duetto Dollars that will be automatically loaded on their Starbucks Card Account after each billing cycle. Duetto Dollars can then be used to purchase anything cardmembers want at Starbucks including beverages, food and store merchandise.

Cardmembers will receive a one-time pre-load of $10 to their Starbucks Card Account after their first Duetto Card Visa purchase. By using the Starbucks Card Account of the Duetto Card, cardmembers can also qualify for additional quarterly gifts and benefits.

“The Duetto Card gives us a glimpse of what the future of payments looks like,” said Jamie Dimon, chairman and chief executive officer of Bank One. “This two-in-one co-branded rewards card is going to change the way many view the plastic in their wallet.”

According to a release, “tens of thousands” of Starbucks customers have already pre-registered for the card.