Gift Card Help

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I redeem a Gift Card at Barnes & Noble.com?

Browse our site to find the items you wish to buy and add them to your Cart. On the Cart page, click Checkout. Enter the Gift Card number and the PIN (the four-digit number also located on your Gift Card) on the Payment Page during Checkout. (Please note: Some Gift Cards do not have a PIN.)

If the balance available on your Gift Card is less than the total cost of your order, you will be asked to provide an additional gift card, credit card information or select Pay by Phone.

Gift Cards are subject to the following terms and conditions:

Gift Cards cannot be used to purchase other Gift Cards or Online Gift Certificates.
Corporate, institutional, and government discounts will not be applied to the purchase of Barnes & Noble Gift Cards or Online Gift Certificates.

Are Gift Cards accepted at Barnes & Noble College Stores?

Yes, Barnes & Noble Gift Cards may be redeemed at any Barnes & Noble College bookstore nationwide.

For a list of Barnes & Noble College Bookstores in your area, select your state from the drop-down list at the top of the College Bookstore web site:

Barnes & Noble College Bookstores

Do all Barnes & Noble Gift Cards come with a PIN?

There is a PIN located on the back of most Barnes & Noble Gift Cards. If your card has a PIN, it must be entered to check your balance. Find out more about when a PIN is required.

How can I check the balance on my Barnes & Noble Gift Card?

You can check your balance anytime. Just click on Check Your Balance and follow the instructions. You will be asked to enter the card or validation number. In addition, a PIN is required for most Barnes & Noble Gift Cards.

What can I buy online with Barnes & Noble Gift Cards?

Barnes & Noble Gift Cards can be redeemed for any product sold at Barnes & Noble.com, except for the purchase of other Gift Cards or Online Gift Certificates. Gift Cards also can be used to join the Barnes & Noble Membership program. (Please note: a valid credit card is required to register for our Automatic Membership Renewal option.)

Do I need to keep my Gift Card after I've used it?

Yes, you should always keep your Gift Card. That's because money may still remain on your Gift Card for any of the following reasons:

You do not fully redeem your card.
You choose to return the merchandise ordered with a Gift Card.
We cannot fulfill your order and do not charge your account.

In any of these cases, you will need both the Gift Card number and the PIN to place a new order.

What if the total cost of my order is greater than the amount on my Gift Card?

If the balance available on your Gift Card is less than the total cost of your order, you will be asked to provide an additional gift card, credit card information or select Pay by Phone. Please note: If you select Pay by Phone to cover a balance, you must phone in your credit card number at 1-800-THE-BOOK (1-800-843-2665) with your order number within 7 days of placing your order or it will be cancelled.

How do I buy a Barnes & Noble Gift Card?

To buy a Gift Card, visit our Barnes & Noble Gift Cards & Gift Certificates page. You may also reach this page by clicking on the "Gift Card" tab located at the top of most pages. Gift Cards may be purchased in any amount between $10 and $250.

To order by phone, simply click the "Pay by Phone" button at the bottom of the Payment page. You may pay by phone for all items in your Cart. To use this method, please wait until you've received the confirmation email stating that your order has been received. Then, just call us at 1-800-THE-BOOK (1-800-843-2665): Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-11 p.m. ET, Saturday-Sunday (and Holidays) 9 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. ET. Customers outside the U.S., please call 201-272-3651. If we do not receive payment information within 7 days of receiving your order, it will be automatically canceled from our system.

If you do not wish to establish an account on our web site, we can still take your order over the phone. Just call us at 1-800-THE-BOOK (1-800-843-2665): Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET, Saturday-Sunday (and Holidays) 9 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. ET. Customers outside the U.S., please call 201-272-3651. Please have your credit card ready, as well as an email address where we may contact you.

Is there an easy way to order a large quantity of Barnes & Noble Gift Cards?

Yes. You can place orders in excess of $1,000 through our Bulk Orders department. Gift Cards make the perfect gift for employees, clients, and associates. To order, email us your request, or call 1-866-823-6304.

Delivery Information

What shipping options are available when I order Barnes & Noble Gift Cards?

Standard Shipping via U.S. Postal Service (USPS) ($0.95 per order)
UPS Air Service Shipping via United Parcel Service (UPS) ($7.95 per order)
Expedited Air Service Shipping via United Parcel Service (UPS - Delivery by 5:30 p.m.) ($11.95 per order)

NOTES:

To ensure safe delivery, a signature is required upon receipt of packages sent via UPS Air Service or Expedited Air Service.
Orders exceeding $200 are not eligible for Standard Shipping.
Orders to P.O. boxes can only be shipped via Standard Shipping and therefore must not equal or exceed $200.
All UPS service is guaranteed.

How soon will my Barnes & Noble Gift Cards arrive?

The total delivery time of your order is based on the shipping method you select. Approximate time of delivery:

Standard 3-9 business days
UPS Air Service 2-5 business days
Expedited Air Service 1-3 business days

Do you ship every day of the year?

We ship Gift Cards Monday through Friday, except on holidays observed by the Post Office and UPS.

What is the difference between a Barnes & Noble Gift Card and an Online Gift Certificate?

Barnes & Noble Gift Cards may be purchased in any Barnes & Noble store or online at www.bn.com and are redeemable both in stores and online at Barnes & Noble.com. Gift Cards usually arrive within 4-10 business days using our standard delivery method, but they can be sent using express shipping methods for an additional fee.

Online Gift Certificates may be purchased at www.bn.com and are only redeemable online.
Online Gift Certificates are sent to the recipient seconds after your order is placed.

Do dormancy fees apply to Barnes & Noble Gift Cards?

Dormancy fees do not apply to balances on Gift Cards or Online Gift Certificates issued by Marketing Services (Minnesota) Corp.; however dormancy fees do apply to balances on the Barnes & Noble.com Paper and Electronic Gift Certificates issued by Barnes & Noble.com prior to November 2003.

Are Gift Cards Taxed?

While Gift Cards are not subject to sales tax, many states tax the shipping and handling charges associated with the purchase of a Gift Card. Barnes&Noble.com collects this tax for Gift Card orders that are shipped to all but the following states: ID, MA, NJ, OK, and WY. Purchases paid for with Gift Certificates or other online currencies will be charged sales tax where required.