Passbook Ready

This depends on the outlet that is providing you with the pass.  You may either receive a URL through e-mail, a mail attachment, or a link from a 3rd party application that allows you to store the pass in Passbook.  Follow the instructions provided by the outlet to successfully save coupons and tickets into Passbook.

Passbook is essentially a storage compartment for all your passes, tickets, coupons, and cards.  It is not an interface for you to search for new coupons.  You must find outlets that support Passbook (i.e. United Airlines, Fandango) and purchase a coupon/ticket through them in order for it to appear in Passbook.

Passbook does not support purchases at the moment.  It is an application for you to store previously purchased goods (i.e. tickets, coupons, loyalty cards), so it does not act as a credit card.  In the case of your Starbucks card, in which credit has already been purchased before, your purchases are deducted from your outstanding balance.  Once the card has been scanned, it is updated to your card in Passbook.  Note how there is no exchange or transfer of money.  Your store credit has already been purchased outside of Passbook.

Yes, you can store coupons in Passbook received from a URL, mail attachment, or 3rd party application. In this case, verify that the 3rd party application in which you receive the coupon from is valid and authentic.

By the time Apple releases Passbook to the public this fall, there will definitely be some third-party applications which can be integrated for use with Passbook.  As of now, we don't know which apps work with Passbook because it hasn't been officially released yet. Check back later for an updated answer.

Each membership/loyalty card has a unique QR code that contains your personal information.  Depending on the outlet that supports Passbook, you have to approach them in person to deal with renewing memberships.  Once that is handled, your loyalty card should be updated immediately for use.

Passbook can store just about any card, ticket, voucher, or pass.  You must first check to see which outlets are participating in the integration of membership/loyalty cards in Passbook before you can use it.

This depends on the type of card you have in Passbook.  If it is a unique store card (i.e. Starbucks) with a QR code that contains your Starbucks balance, you can use it to purchase items there.  The QR code is scanned by a 2D scanner or application that automatically deducts a certain amount from your outstanding balance.  Your updated balance immediately appears on your card.  Check to see which outlets provide this card through Passbook.