Credit Card News
Barclays and Barnes & Noble Renew Credit Card Partnership
Two decades after forming their credit card partnership, Barclays and Barnes & Noble have reached a deal to extend it once again.
About the Barclays-Barnes & Noble Co-Branded Program and Extension:
Today, Barclays US Consumer Bank and the popular book retailer Barnes & Noble announced an extension of their credit card partnership. Formed in 2026, this agreement was last renewed in 2022. The terms of this extension were not shared.
Barclays is the exclusive issuer of the Barnes & Noble Mastercard. With this co-branded rewards card, customers can earn 5% back on purchases made at physical Barnes & Noble locations as well as on BN.com and on Paper Source. Additionally, the card earns 2 points per dollar spent at restaurants and 1x on all other purchases. Note that the 5% back is issued as a statement credit, while earned points will be automatically redeemed for a $25 Barnes & Noble eGiftCard once cardholders accumulate 2,500 points.
In addition to those benefits, the Barnes & Noble Mastercard also offers a welcome bonus — which varies depending on how customers apply. New cardmembers who open an account online can earn a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card after they complete their first purchase on the card. Meanwhile, new cardholders who apply at Barnes & Noble stores can get $10 off their first eligible purchases and enjoy a complimentary year of Premium Membership (normally $39.99). Among the perks that Premium Membership includes is 10% off “almost everything” in Barnes & Noble stores and on BN.com. Cardmembers who spend at least $7,500 on the card annually can also unlock a 12-month Premium Membership.
The Barnes & Noble Mastercard does not have any annual fee.
What They’re Saying:
Discussing the extension, Barclays US Consumer Banks’ head of cards and partnerships Doug Villone said, “Barnes & Noble is an iconic American brand with a deeply loyal customer base, and we are proud to extend one of Barclays’ longest-standing co-branded partnerships.” Elsewhere, Barnes & Noble CEO James Daunt stated, “Barnes & Noble is very pleased to continue to work with Barclays to offer its customers such a compelling credit card proposition. The Barnes & Noble Mastercard, exclusively issued by Barclays, has proved its enduring popularity with our bookstore customers.”
My Thoughts:
Did you know Barnes & Noble had a credit card? I suppose many major retailers do, but this is definitely not one that has crossed my desk before.
Looking at it now, there are some interesting aspects of it — but I mean “interesting” in terms of how it works, not that it’s particularly attractive. For one, having both a rebate category and points-earning categories is (pardon the pun) novel. Similarly, while it’s common for retailers and other brands to offer different bonuses in person versus online, these two options have some intriguing pros and cons here. Personally, if I were to get this card, I think I’d apply online to get the $25 gift card upfront and then earn Premium via the $7,500 in spending.
Anyway, with Barclays and Barnes continuing their partnership, if you are interested in this card, it sounds as though it will be around for a long while.
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