Barnes & Noble Mastercard®
Is the Fee Worth It?
Based on $1,500/mo average spend
Great value — no annual fee. You'd earn ~$900/yr on typical spending.
Barnes & Noble Mastercard®
Quick Snapshot
- Annual Fee: $0
- APR: 29.99% variable
- Rewards: 5% at Barnes & Noble; 2.5% on dining, groceries, gas; 1% everything else
- Bonus: 15% off your first Barnes & Noble purchase with the card
- Best For: Book lovers and Barnes & Noble regulars who want 5% back on books, gifts, and media
- Credit Needed: Fair to Good (620-750)
Overview
The Barnes & Noble Mastercard is designed for bookworms and frequent Barnes & Noble shoppers. You earn 5% back on all Barnes & Noble purchases (in-store and online), 2.5% on dining, groceries, and gas, and 1% on everything else.
The 2.5% earning rate on dining, groceries, and gas is notably strong for a no-annual-fee retail card, making this useful beyond just bookstore shopping. Rewards are issued as Barnes & Noble Gift Cards, which can be used for books, toys, games, gifts, and everything else in the store.
With no annual fee and a generous 15% off first-purchase discount, this card offers solid value for anyone who spends at Barnes & Noble regularly. The open-loop Mastercard design means you can use it anywhere while still earning toward your book fund.
APR Breakdown
- Purchase APR: 29.99% variable
- Balance Transfer APR: 29.99% variable
- Cash Advance APR: 29.99% variable
- Penalty APR: None (single rate)
Note: High single-rate APR. Always pay in full to avoid erasing your rewards earnings with interest charges.
Benefits Overview
Rewards Earning
- 5% back on Barnes & Noble purchases (in-store and online)
- 2.5% back on dining, groceries, and gas
- 1% back on all other purchases
- Rewards issued as Barnes & Noble Gift Cards
Barnes & Noble Perks
- 15% off your first purchase with the card
- Free Barnes & Noble Membership (normally $39.99/year)
- Member discounts on bestsellers, hardcovers, and more
- Free express shipping on BN.com orders
Card Basics
- No annual fee
- Open-loop Mastercard accepted everywhere
- Zero liability fraud protection
Rewards & Points
- 5% back at Barnes & Noble (in-store and online)
- 2.5% back on dining, groceries, and gas stations
- 1% back on all other purchases
Rewards are loaded onto a Barnes & Noble Gift Card every time you accumulate $5 in rewards. The free B&N Membership (a $39.99 annual value) stacks with the 5% card earning for maximum savings.
Welcome Bonus
New cardholders receive 15% off their first Barnes & Noble purchase with the card. Combined with the free B&N Membership discount, the savings on a large book or gift haul can be significant.
Fees Summary
- Annual Fee: $0
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3%
- Balance Transfer Fee: 5% (min $10)
- Cash Advance Fee: 5% (min $10)
- Late Payment Fee: Up to $41
Who This Card Is Best For
Ideal For
- Book Lovers who spend regularly at Barnes & Noble on books, media, and gifts
- B&N Members who get the membership free and stack it with 5% card rewards
- Gift Shoppers who buy gifts, toys, and games at Barnes & Noble for holidays and birthdays
Not Good For
- Non-B&N Shoppers who rarely visit Barnes & Noble and buy books elsewhere
- Cash-Back Seekers who want rewards as cash rather than B&N Gift Cards
- International Travelers who need no foreign transaction fees
Key Pros & Cons
Pros
- 5% back at Barnes & Noble
- 2.5% on dining, groceries, and gas -- strong for a no-fee retail card
- No annual fee
- Free Barnes & Noble Membership ($39.99 value)
- 15% off first purchase
- Free express shipping on BN.com orders
- Open-loop Mastercard for universal acceptance
- Member discounts stack with card rewards
Cons
- 29.99% APR is very high
- Rewards only redeemable as B&N Gift Cards
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- 1% on non-category spending is below average
- No traditional cash back or travel redemptions
- Limited to Barnes & Noble ecosystem for reward use
- No sign-up points bonus (just a discount)
Alternatives to Consider
| Card | Best For | Annual Fee | Rewards | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Prime Rewards Visa | 5% at Amazon for online book buying | $0 (with Prime) | 5% Amazon, 2% restaurants/gas | Good to Excellent |
| Citi Double Cash | Flat 2% on all purchases as cash | $0 | 2% on everything | Good to Excellent |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited | 3% on dining/drugstores, 1.5% everything else | $0 | 1.5% base, 3% categories | Good to Excellent |
How the Rewards Add Up
Example Annual Value
| Category | Annual Spend | Reward Rate | Earned | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnes & Noble | $1,200 | 5% | $60 | $60 |
| Dining | $4,800 | 2.5% | $120 | $120 |
| Groceries | $6,000 | 2.5% | $150 | $150 |
| Gas | $2,400 | 2.5% | $60 | $60 |
| Free B&N Membership | -- | -- | -- | $40 |
Annual value of approximately $430 including the free B&N Membership. The 2.5% everyday categories make this a surprisingly strong no-fee card beyond just bookstore spending.
Should You Get This Card?
You Should Get It If...
- You shop at Barnes & Noble regularly for books, gifts, or media
- You want a free B&N Membership (saves $39.99/year)
- You spend on dining, groceries, and gas and want 2.5% back
- You want a no-annual-fee card with strong retail and everyday earning
- You buy gifts at B&N for holidays and birthdays
- You value free express shipping on BN.com orders
You Should Skip It If...
- You rarely visit Barnes & Noble or buy books elsewhere (Amazon, library)
- You want cash back rather than B&N Gift Cards
- You carry a balance (29.99% APR is punishing)
- You travel internationally and need no foreign transaction fees
- You want flexible rewards redeemable for travel
Apply Now
Apply for Barnes & Noble Mastercard®
Information accurate as of May 2026. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit the issuer's website for the most current information.
Ready to Apply for Barnes & Noble Mastercard®?
Get started with your secure application on Barclays's website. Takes about 60 seconds.