Barclays Barnes & Noble Mastercard

Quick Snapshot

• Annual Fee: $0
• APR: 17.74%–29.74% variable
• Rewards: 5% back at B&N, 1x points everywhere else
• Bonus: $25 Barnes & Noble gift card after first purchase
• Best For: Frequent Barnes & Noble shoppers, book lovers, students
• Credit Needed: Good to Excellent (690+)

Overview

The Barnes & Noble Mastercard is a specialized rewards card designed for bibliophiles, students, and anyone who regularly shops at Barnes & Noble stores or online at bn.com. With a straightforward 5% return on all B&N purchases and the ability to earn rewards on everyday spending, this no annual fee card transforms book budgets into future reading material.

What makes this card particularly appealing is its immediate value—earn a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card after your very first purchase or balance transfer, essentially giving you a free book right away. Unlike many retail cards, this Mastercard works everywhere, earning reward points on all purchases that convert to B&N gift cards automatically when you reach 2,500 points.

For serious Barnes & Noble customers spending $7,500 annually on the card, you'll unlock a free year of Premium Membership (normally $40/year), which provides additional benefits like free express shipping, exclusive offers, and member-only discounts. Combined with the extended 15-month 0% intro APR on balance transfers, this card offers both rewards value and financial flexibility.

APR Breakdown

• Purchase APR: 17.74%–29.74% variable (based on creditworthiness)
• Balance Transfer APR: 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening, then 17.74%–29.74% variable
• Cash Advance APR: 29.99% variable
• Penalty APR: None specified
• Balance Transfer Fee: 5% of amount transferred (minimum $5)

Note: The 15-month 0% intro APR on balance transfers is a standout feature for consolidating debt while earning rewards. After the intro period, the variable APR range is relatively standard for rewards cards.

Benefits Overview

Shopping Benefits

• 5% back on all purchases at Barnes & Noble stores and bn.com
• $25 gift card immediately after your first purchase or balance transfer
• Free Premium Membership annually when you spend $7,500+ on eligible purchases (worth $40/year)
• Early access to select sales and exclusive cardholder promotions
• Special financing on large purchases during promotional periods
• Automatic rewards conversion to gift cards (no need to manually redeem)

Premium Membership Benefits (earned at $7,500 spend)

• Free express shipping on bn.com orders
• Exclusive member pricing and discounts
• Special offers and promotions throughout the year
• Enhanced rewards during member-only events
• Access to Premium Member-exclusive content and experiences

Everyday Benefits

• 1 reward point per dollar on all other purchases where Mastercard is accepted
• Automatic $25 gift cards issued every time you reach 2,500 points
• No annual fee keeps long-term ownership cost-free
• Extended 15-month 0% APR on balance transfers for debt consolidation
• Zero fraud liability protection
• 24/7 customer service

Travel Benefits

• Standard Mastercard travel and emergency assistance services
• Travel accident insurance coverage
• Roadside assistance dispatch service

Rewards & Earning Structure

• 5% back on all purchases at Barnes & Noble stores and bn.com
• 1 reward point per dollar on all other purchases where Mastercard is accepted
• Automatic redemption: Every 2,500 points = $25 Barnes & Noble gift card (sent automatically)
• No caps or limits on rewards earned
• Gift cards never expire once issued
• Redemption: Gift cards usable on books, eBooks, NOOK devices, toys, games, music, movies, and café items

Barnes & Noble rewards provide a 5% return on B&N purchases—equivalent to $5 back for every $100 spent. Outside rewards automatically convert to gift cards at exactly 1 cent per point (2,500 points = $25), making the math simple and transparent.

Welcome Bonus

Earn a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card after your first purchase or balance transfer.

This instant welcome bonus requires minimal effort—simply make a single purchase of any amount, and you'll receive a $25 gift card that can be used on your next Barnes & Noble shopping trip. For book lovers, this essentially means your first book (or several books) are covered. Unlike tiered bonuses requiring spending thresholds, this immediate reward provides value from day one with no waiting period.

Fees Summary

• Annual Fee: $0
• Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
• Balance Transfer Fee: 5% of the amount transferred (minimum $5)
• Cash Advance Fee: 5% of the amount (minimum $10)
• Late Payment Fee: Up to $40
• Returned Payment Fee: Up to $40

Who This Card Is Best For

Ideal For

• Avid readers who shop at Barnes & Noble monthly or quarterly
• Students and educators needing textbooks, study materials, and academic resources
• Parents buying children's books, educational toys, and games regularly
• Book club members and literature enthusiasts with consistent reading habits
• NOOK users purchasing eBooks and digital content
• Gift givers who frequently buy books as presents
• Those seeking balance transfer cards with extended 0% intro APR plus rewards
• Collectors of special editions, graphic novels, and memorabilia
• Café regulars at Barnes & Noble locations

Not Good For

• Infrequent Barnes & Noble shoppers (less than 3–4 visits annually)
• Those preferring Amazon or other online retailers for book purchases
• Digital-first readers using Kindle, Kobo, or other non-NOOK platforms
• International travelers (3% foreign transaction fee)
• Those seeking premium travel benefits or flexible transfer partners
• Library patrons who rarely purchase books
• Cash back enthusiasts wanting flexible redemption options
• Those shopping primarily at other bookstores or independent retailers

Key Pros & Cons

Pros

• No annual fee makes long-term ownership cost-free
• Strong 5% return on all Barnes & Noble purchases (stores and online)
• $25 gift card immediately after first purchase provides instant value
• Automatic redemption system (no manual claiming required)
• Free Premium Membership annually at $7,500 spend threshold (worth $40)
• Extended 15-month 0% intro APR on balance transfers
• Works everywhere Mastercard is accepted for 1x rewards
• Rewards never expire once converted to gift cards
• Gift cards usable on books, eBooks, NOOK devices, toys, games, café items
• Standard Mastercard travel benefits and purchase protection
• Zero fraud liability protection

Cons

• Rewards locked to Barnes & Noble (no cash back or flexible redemption)
• 1x earning rate on non-B&N purchases is basic (many cards offer 1.5%–2%)
• 3% foreign transaction fee makes international use expensive
• Must accumulate 2,500 points before receiving each $25 gift card
• Variable APR up to 29.74% for those with lower credit scores
• Premium Membership benefit requires high $7,500 annual spend
• Limited value if Barnes & Noble isn't your primary book retailer
• 5% balance transfer fee
• High cash advance APR (29.99%) and fees
• Not ideal for those transitioning to primarily digital/library reading

Alternatives to Consider

Card	Best For	Annual Fee	Rewards	Welcome Bonus
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa	Amazon and Whole Foods shoppers	$0 (requires Prime)	5% Amazon/WF, 2% dining	$200 Amazon gift card
Target RedCard	Target-focused retail shopping	$0	5% at Target	Varies
Citi Double Cash	Simple flat-rate cash back	$0	2% on everything	N/A
Chase Freedom Unlimited	Flexible everyday rewards	$0	1.5%–5% tiered	$200 after $500 spend

How the Rewards Add Up

Example Annual Value

Assuming you're a regular Barnes & Noble shopper spending $15,000 annually:

Category	Annual Spend	Reward Rate	Earned Value
Barnes & Noble	$1,800	5% back	$90
Groceries	$4,800	1x points (1%)	$48
Dining & entertainment	$3,600	1x points (1%)	$36
Gas & transportation	$2,400	1x points (1%)	$24
All other purchases	$2,400	1x points (1%)	$24
Welcome bonus (first year)	—	$25 gift card	$25

First Year Total Value: $247
Ongoing Annual Value: $222

No annual fee to subtract = $222 net annual value

For dedicated Barnes & Noble shoppers spending $3,000 annually at B&N alone, you'd earn $150 in gift cards plus rewards on everyday spending—making this card highly valuable if B&N is your primary book source.

Premium Membership Bonus: If you reach the $7,500 spending threshold, add another $40 in value from the free Premium Membership, plus additional savings from member-exclusive pricing throughout the year.

Should You Get This Card?

You Should Get It If...

• You shop at Barnes & Noble at least monthly or spend $1,000+ annually there
• You're an avid reader with a consistent book-buying habit
• You want a $25 gift card immediately after your first purchase
• You value automatic rewards without manual redemption hassles
• You're interested in free Premium Membership benefits ($7,500 spend requirement)
• You need a balance transfer card with 15 months at 0% intro APR
• You purchase textbooks, study materials, or educational resources regularly
• You buy gifts at Barnes & Noble frequently
• You always pay balances in full to avoid interest charges
• You prefer a no annual fee rewards structure

You Should Skip It If...

• You shop at Barnes & Noble less than 3–4 times per year
• You prefer Amazon, local bookstores, or library borrowing for books
• You want flexible cash back redeemable anywhere
• You need higher rewards on everyday purchases (1% is basic)
• You travel internationally frequently (3% foreign transaction fee)
• You're seeking premium travel benefits or flexible point transfers
• You primarily use Kindle or other non-NOOK digital platforms
• You want a card with purchase protection and extended warranty benefits
• You prefer simple cash back over retailer-specific gift cards

Apply Now

Apply for Barnes & Noble Mastercard

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Information accurate as of December 2025. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit the issuer's website for the most current information.