This card has been discontinued (July 29, 2026)
Barclays no longer lists the Barnes & Noble Mastercard in its card lineup, and the card's page now redirects to an 'offer expired' notice. Verified 2026-07-29.
We keep this review up for current cardholders. The rates and benefits below describe the card as it was last offered.
Barnes & Noble Mastercard®
Is the Fee Worth It?
Based on $1,500/mo average spend
Great value — no annual fee. You'd earn ~$221/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
Availability
This card is no longer open to new applications. Barclays no longer lists the Barnes & Noble Mastercard in its card lineup, and the card's page now redirects to an 'offer expired' notice.
Information accurate as of May 2026. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit the issuer's website for the most current information.
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Barnes & Noble Mastercard®: quick answers
What is the Barnes & Noble Mastercard® annual fee?
The Barnes & Noble Mastercard® has no annual fee.
What credit score do you need for the Barnes & Noble Mastercard®?
Fair to Good (620-750) is the typical approval range for the Barnes & Noble Mastercard®.
How much are the Barnes & Noble Mastercard® rewards worth per year?
On a typical $2,400/month spending mix, the Barnes & Noble Mastercard® earns about $340 a year — an effective 1.18% back (5% at Barnes & Noble).
Is the Barnes & Noble Mastercard® still available?
No — the Barnes & Noble Mastercard® has been discontinued and can no longer be opened.
What is the Barnes & Noble Mastercard® APR?
The Barnes & Noble Mastercard® has a 29.99% variable APR.
Ready to Apply for Barnes & Noble Mastercard®?
Get started with your secure application on Barclays's website. Takes about 60 seconds.