Barnes and Noble Credit Card Review: Is It Right For You?

Are you looking for a new credit card with excellent perks and rewards? The Barnes and Noble Credit Card issued by Barclays bank may be a perfect choice. With no annual fee and tons of benefits, this card could help you make the most of your shopping.


In this article, we’ll review the Barnes & Noble Mastercard to help you decide if it’s the right credit card for your needs. We’ll look at the features, rewards, and fees associated with this card so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not to apply.

Read on to learn more about the Barnes & Noble Mastercard and find out if it’s worth getting.



Quick Facts

  • Rewards: Earn 5 % back on Barnes & Noble purchases, 2 points for each dollar spent at restaurants, and 1x point for spending on all other purchases (excluding Barnes & Noble Café purchases).
  • Welcome Benefits: Receive a $ 25 Barnes & Noble gift card after your first purchase or balance transfer – an exclusive welcome offer.
  • Annual fee: $0
  • Introductory offer for purchases: No introductory APR is available on this purchase.
  • Introductory offer for Balance Transfer: For 15 months after opening your account, you can get a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers done within 45 days.
  • Regular APR: The standard Annual Percentage Rate is 13.99% or 24.99% (which can fluctuate).

Here is the Detailed noble mastercard® review

Barnes and Noble Credit Card image
Barnes and Noble Credit Card

Why should you have Barnes & Noble, Credit Card?

Are you a fan of books? Do you love to explore the world of literature and knowledge? If yes, having a Barnes & Noble Credit Card might be worth considering. So let’s delve further into why you should consider getting this card.

The intro APR on balance transfers is 0%

The Barnes & Noble Credit Card is an excellent choice for those looking to make balance transfers, as it offers an introductory 0% APR on balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening.

This 0% APR period lasts the first 15 billing cycles, which is longer than the average 0% APR period of 12 months.

After the initial period ends, the standard APR rate will be either 13.99% or 24.99%, depending on your creditworthiness and other factors, making it an ideal choice for those who plan to transfer balances from existing high-interest cards.

A high rate of rewards

If you’re a Barnes & Noble fan, consider getting the Barnes & Noble Credit Card. With this card, you can get a high rate of rewards for your purchases.

When you use your card at any Barnes & Noble store or online at bn.com, you get 5% back on all your purchases, and this reward is applied as a credit against future purchases on your statement.

This means you’re getting a discount when shopping with Barnes & Noble. Plus, if you spend money at restaurants (excluding the Barnes & Noble Café), you get 2x points for every $1 spent.

That’s an unbeatable rewards rate! Having a Barnes & Noble Credit Card is worth considering with all these benefits.

An initial rewards bonus of $25 is available.

With this card, you will receive an initial rewards bonus of $25 when you make your first purchase. This is a great way to kickstart your loyalty program, as the gift card will be sent automatically to your mailing address.

The welcome bonus may seem small compared to other credit cards in the market, but it is still worth considering if you frequently shop at Barnes & Noble stores or online. 

 If you want to save money while shopping at Barnes & Noble, consider getting the Barnes & Noble Credit Card.

Waiver of annual fees

The Barnes & Noble Credit Card is an excellent choice for those who often shop at the store. If you are a noble member, you will be entitled to free shipping on purchases at bn.com and special discounts.

The annual membership fee is $25 a year, but if you spend $7,500 per year on eligible purchases with the Barnes & Noble mastercard®, you’ll earn a 12-month membership without paying the fee.

This waiving of annual fees makes it an attractive option for frequent customers. Not only does your membership give access to exclusive offers and discounts, but you also get exclusive rewards with every purchase made through their website or in-store.

Furthermore, with no annual fee and generous reward points when shopping at Barnes & Noble stores, the card can offer significant savings for shoppers who make regular trips to their local store or shop frequently online.

Liability protection against fraud

This card is liability protection against fraud; if your card is ever stolen or used without authorization, you won’t have to pay for any unauthorized charges as long as you report them. This can give you peace of mind that your financial security is protected when using your card.

The Barnes & Noble Credit Card also allows you to manage your account online quickly, so it’s easy to check balances and make payments quickly.

Credit score access through FICO

Barnes and Noble Credit Card Mastercard, issued by Barclays, allows you to get free access to your FICO Score, which will enable you to keep an eye on your credit score at all times and ensure it’s in the best shape possible.

This means that you can use this information to help you make informed decisions about how to manage your finances and improve your credit score to enjoy better rates and terms on future loans.

This access can give you peace of mind knowing that your credit score is in good shape. With the Barnes & Noble Credit Card, you’ll be able to take control of your financial situation like never before.


Reasons why you should avoid a Barnes & Noble Credit Card?

When it comes to credit cards, there are a lot of options out there for shoppers. One option that has recently gained popularity is the Barnes & Noble Credit Card. While this card does offer some benefits, there are also many reasons why you should avoid it.

From high-interest rates to little rewards, here are some of the cons associated with the Barnes & Noble Credit Card and why you should think twice before applying for it.

There is no intro APR on purchases.

When considering whether or not to open a Barnes & Noble Credit Card, it is essential to note that there is no intro APR on purchases. All purchases made with this card will be subject to the standard interest rate from the outset.

Furthermore, many top credit cards offer 0% Intro APR on both balance transfers and purchases, so opting for one of these over a Barnes & Noble card may prove more beneficial in reducing your overall debt.

Therefore, if you are looking for a card with an introductory APR period and other advantages, it may be wise to bypass the Barnes & Noble Credit Card and look elsewhere.

There is a limited number of redemption options:

If you are considering getting a Barnes & Noble Credit Card, be aware that there are limited redemption options available. The only way to redeem your points is through statement credit; you must have at least 2,500 points to do this.

You must reach the 2,500-point mark to ensure your points are recovered and can be redeemed. Every time you reach the 2,500 points threshold, you will automatically receive a $ 25 Gift Card as a reward for your loyalty.

Therefore it’s crucial to understand these limitations before taking out a Barnes & Noble Credit Card or any store-specific card.

It could be costly to carry a balance.

If you are considering a Barnes & Noble Credit Card, there are several reasons why it could be costly to carry a balance and thus best avoided.

For starters, new and outstanding balance transfers after the introductory period, and all purchases will come with a variable APR of either 18.24% or 29.24%, depending upon their review of your credit history at account opening.

Interest Rates and Charges Summary Barnes & Noble Mastercard
Interest Rates and Charges Summary Barnes & Noble Mastercard( Image Credit: cards.barclaycardus.com)

This is relatively high compared to other available cards, so if you are looking for a way to manage debt more efficiently, you may have better choices.

Therefore, it is essential to consider all aspects of this card before deciding if it is right for you.

A balance transfer fee is charged.

When considering a Barnes & Noble Credit Card, it is vital to understand its potential fees. A balance transfer fee is charged when you move your balance from another card to this one; it is 5% of the amount transferred (minimum of $5).

Additionally, a cash advance fee of 5% (minimum of $10) will be charged for any cash advances taken on this account.

It is essential to read and understand this offer’s updated terms and conditions, including the “About the Variable APRs on Your Account” section, which provides information about the current Prime Rate information.

Overall, if you are not careful with your payments or cannot pay off your balance in full each month, a Barnes & Noble Credit Card may not be suitable for you, as the fees can add up quickly.

A fee for foreign transactions

When deciding whether or not you should get a Barnes & Noble Credit Card, there are a few things to consider.

The first is the foreign transaction fee – if you plan to use your card abroad, you’ll be charged a 3% fee every time. This can quickly add up and make your purchases more expensive than they need to be.

A good/excellent credit score is required.

When considering a Barnes & Noble Credit Card, it is essential to note that a good or excellent credit score is required. This means having a score of 670 or higher, much higher than the suggested credit score of 600-650.

If your credit score falls below this range, it is likely that you will not be approved for this card and could even suffer harmful consequences to your credit score.

Additionally, if you manage to get approved with a lower credit score, you may end up paying higher interest rates or have reduced spending limits. Avoid applying for the Barnes & Noble Credit Card unless you have an excellent credit score of 670 or higher.


A comparison of the Barnes & Noble Mastercard and other rewards cards

As more and more shoppers look for ways to save money, rewards cards have become a popular way to get the most bang for your buck when shopping.

The Barnes & Noble Mastercard is one of the many rewards cards available on the market, but how does it stack up against its competitors?

Let’s take a closer look at this card and compare it to other reward cards available on the market.

Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card 

If you are an avid book reader but do not want the Barnes & noble mastercard®, the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card is an excellent alternative.

It has no annual fee (but you need to pay for your Amazon Prime subscription at $119) and offers 5% cash back on all purchases made at Whole Foods and Amazon.com for Prime members and 3% cash back for non-Prime members.

Additionally, it provides 2% cash back at gas stations, restaurants, and drugstores and 1% cash back on the rest of your purchases.

New applicants may also receive a $100 Amazon gift card upon approval. Depending on creditworthiness, the variable APR rate is between 14.24% to 22.24%.

All these features make this card an attractive rewards option for book lovers!

Discover it Cash Back

The Barnes and Noble credit card is an excellent option for booklovers who want rewards, but the Discover it® Cash Back card may better serve those who wish to Cash Back.

This card offers no annual fee and 5% cash back after activation on rotating categories every quarter (up to $1,500 in purchases per quarter, then 1%) plus 1% back on all other purchases.

It also offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (then 16.24 percent to 27.24 percent variable APR).

Those who do not want to apply for the Barnes & Noble Mastercard should consider the Discover it® Cash Back as a great alternative rewards card.


The best cards to pair with the Barnes & Noble Mastercard

The Barnes & mastercard® credit card is great for earning rewards when shopping at Barnes & Noble stores, but to get the most out of it, you should consider pairing it with another card.

To maximize your earnings, look for cards with Cash back rewards programs like Chase Freedom Unlimited®. This will allow you to convert your earnings into Cash and spend them wherever possible.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for more travel-related benefits, consider pairing your Barnes and Noble with a travel credit card like the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.

This will give you access to exclusive travel perks such as free hotel stays and airline miles. By combining two credit cards, you’ll be able to take full advantage of both reward programs and earn more in the long run.


Instructions on how to redeem rewards

With the Barnes & Noble Mastercard, you don’t have to do anything extra to redeem rewards.

The 5% cashback you earn is automatically applied as a statement rebate, and points you earn from restaurants or other purchases are also automatically redeemed.

Once you reach 2,500 points, you’ll receive a $25 noble gift card every time. You can choose between receiving your gift card by regular mail or email.

However, please remember that the issued gift card cannot be exchanged or traded for anything else, which may not be ideal if you’d like more flexibility in redeeming your points.


User Experience for Cardholders

As a Barnes and Noble mastercard® holder, you can access your FICO credit score online to track your credit quickly. You can also manage your account through Barclays’ app or website.

If you have any questions or need help, customer service can assist you via phone, secure message, and Twitter. 

Unfortunately, according to the J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction Study, Barclays – the issuer of this card – ranked ninth out of 11 national card issuers and scored below the average.


Conclusion

The Barnes and Noble card offer customers an easy way to get 5% back on purchases, with rewards such as a statement credit or gift card.

However, if flexibility is desired, other reward cards may be better suited, such as cashback cards or tiered rewards that offer more points on specific categories of purchases.

Ultimately, it is worth researching the available options to ensure the Barnes & Noble Mastercard is the best choice for the individual.

About Author

Dhiraj Jha
Dhiraj Jha
As a personal finance and credit cards expert, I provide valuable insights and advice on budgeting, saving, investing, and debt management. I am also an expert on credit card rewards programs and help readers make informed decisions about which cards are right for them. My goal is to help people improve their financial literacy and make better financial choices.

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