Barnes & Noble Membership

The 10% discount applies to the marked price on almost everything sold at Barnes & Noble stores, Paper Source stores, and bn.com. That includes books (new and bargain), gifts, journals, stationery, puzzles, toys, games, music, DVDs, and café items. It applies both when you shop in person and when you order online. The discount is automatic when you are signed into your account or show your membership card in store. Some exclusions apply — digital audiobook subscriptions and audiobooks purchased with credits are not eligible.

A practical example: a new hardcover novel at $32 costs you $28.80 with the 10% discount — saving $3.20 on that single book. Buy four hardcovers in a year and you have saved nearly $13 just from the discount, not counting the free shipping and other perks.

Each year you pay for Premium Membership, you receive a free Barnes & Noble tote bag (valued at up to $19.99). The style and design of the tote varies each year. You pick it up in person at your local B&N store — it is not mailed to you. This is a simple but genuinely useful perk for book lovers who like to carry their purchases in style. The tote is sturdy enough for regular use and serves as a practical everyday bag for trips to the store, farmers market, or library.

Stamps work like this: every $10 you spend in a single transaction at B&N stores, Paper Source stores, or on bn.com earns you one virtual stamp. When you accumulate 10 stamps, they automatically convert to a $5 reward deposited into your account by the end of the next day. That $5 reward can be used in-store or online on any qualifying purchase.

For purchases made in-store, stamps appear in your account at the time of purchase. For online orders, stamps are added no later than one day after your items ship. If your order ships in multiple packages, stamps are added as each package ships. The free B&N app (available for iPhone and Android) shows you exactly how many stamps you have and how many more you need to earn your next $5 reward.

What is excluded: Digital audiobook subscriptions and audiobooks purchased with credits do not earn stamps. Purchases on papersource.com are also currently not eligible (B&N is working on enabling this).

You can join either membership level at bn.com/membership by clicking the “Join Rewards” or “Join Premium” button and following the steps. You can also sign up in person at your local Barnes & Noble or Paper Source store — simply ask a bookseller to help you join. Tip: Some sources report that signing up in store when making your first purchase allows you to receive 20% off that first member purchase — check with your local store for current in-store enrollment offers. Online enrollment does not always include this first-purchase bonus.

The Premium Membership 10% discount and the Mastercard 5% cash back apply independently and can be used on the same purchase. You pay the discounted 10%-off price at checkout, and then the Mastercard calculates its 5% statement credit on the amount charged to the card. These are different savings mechanisms — one reduces your price at checkout, the other gives you money back after the fact — so they work together without cancellation. Combined, frequent B&N shoppers who hold both can effectively save 15% or more on eligible purchases.

The vast majority of Barnes & Noble in-store events — including author signings, book club meetings, story times, and reading circles — are free and open to all customers, whether or not they have a membership. What Premium Membership adds is exclusive early access to special events and titles — meaning you may learn about and register for popular events before the general public, giving you a better chance of securing a seat for high-demand author appearances. Check your local B&N store’s event calendar on bn.com for upcoming events in your area.