I’m a bit of a nervous traveler, which is why I invest in things like credit cards and airline statuses that can make flying more comfortable through seat upgrades and lounge access. Reading, however, is one of my most valuable investments, both as my go-to distraction in the air and as my favorite way to spend downtime once I land. That is where the Barnes & Noble Premium Membership comes in.
As someone who buys a lot of books throughout the year for both herself and for everyone around her for nearly every occasion, from birthdays to holidays, this is a membership that easily pays for itself.
How the Barnes & Noble Premium Membership actually works
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For $39.99 a year, the Barnes & Noble Premium Membership is one of the most straightforward value propositions I’ve found in retail loyalty. There’s one tier, one annual fee and plenty of benefits that stack up as high as my bookshelf.
Highlights of the Barnes & Noble Premium membership include:
10% off almost everything in B&N stores and online (including ebooks and audiobooks)
Automatic Stamp Rewards enrollment earns 1 stamp per $10 spent; 10 stamps = $5 reward
Free standard shipping on orders over $15 at BN.com
Free drink-size upgrades at Barnes & Noble cafés
10% off all Nook devices and accessories
Welcome canvas tote bag with each year you renew
Early access to sales and special promotions
Birthday rewards during your birthday month
Originally, I was just a Barnes & Noble Rewards member, the free entry-level program, which only offers the perk of earning stamp rewards at the same rate. I’d pop in to buy books, but I wasn’t really thinking about the rewards or whether the membership was worth it.
That changed when I realized B&N was already carrying nearly everything I was buying anyway, like books for myself and gifts, yes, but also bookish goods like bookmarks, reading lights and even my favorite Rifle Paper Co. stationery.
Beyond the convenience, I also love the experience of visiting a bookstore in person and stumbling upon my next read. I live near several B&N locations, so shopping in-store has become more important.
That’s when I decided to invest in the B&N Premium Membership as a regular shopper, which rewarded me for spending I was already making.
The real value of a Barnes & Noble Premium Membership
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Now, let’s put actual TPG point valuations behind this. The annual fee is $39.99. If that feels steep, first, consider the main benefits that the membership delivers:
Benefit
Annual spend: $400
Annual spend: $600
Annual spend: $800
10% discount
$40
$60
$80
5% stamp rewards
$20
$30
$40
Free shipping (est. 8-10 orders per year)
$56-$70
$56-$70
$56-$70
Total value
$116-$130
$146-$160
$176-$190
The 10% discount: If you spend $400 annually on eligible items, roughly $33 per month, that discount alone saves you $40 and covers the membership fee. The average cost of a new hardcover book at Barnes & Noble ranges from $25 to $35. So you’ll break even if you buy one to two books per month.
The Stamp Rewards: For every $10 you spend, you earn one stamp. Collect 10 stamps, and you get a $5 reward. That’s a 5% return for every $100 spent, with no caps, no tiering and no way to accidentally “waste” the value.
Free shipping on orders over $15: Standard shipping pricing for non-members on orders below $60 is $6.99. Most of my book orders clear $15 easily, so this easily adds up and can be especially value if you only shop online.
When you combine the three main benefits of the program alone, the effective return on B&N membership as a frequent reader can be quite significant and easily offset your annual fee. Plus, Barnes & Noble offers stamp deals occasionally throughout the year. For example, for Labor Day, both Premium and Rewards members can earn double stamps on their spending through Sept. 7.
The perks you might overlook (but definitely shouldn’t)
While the discount and rewards are straightforward, Barnes & Noble Premium members also get a few lesser-known benefits that sweeten the deal. A few of my favorites are:
Birthday rewards and early promotions: You’ll get a special offer during your birthday month and early access to sales.
Free drink-size upgrades at the café: It’s a small perk, but it’s one of my favorites as someone who likes to grab a coffee at the store and browse the bookshelves.
The yearly tote bag: You get a new one each year, and it has a nice, sturdy feel. I use mine for both carrying books and also for the farmer’s market. You can never have too many tote bags!
The one caveat: the 10% discount applies only to eligible items. Certain pre-orders, bestseller hardcovers at launch and clearance items may not qualify. I’ve also had times where my 10% discount has stacked with store and site-wide sales, and other times where it hasn’t. It’s worth checking with a store associate or reading the fine print if you are checking out online, but in practice, it covers the vast majority of what I buy.
Who should get the Barnes & Noble Premium Membership?
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If you’re a regular reader or frequent book gift-giver who visits a B&N location or orders online more than a few times a year, this membership easily pays for itself. Plus, when you stack these rewards on top of the points you already earn with your credit card and any cash back you earn through online shopping portals like Rakuten, it adds up.
Related: The best credit cards for online shopping
But the Barnes & Noble Premium membership isn’t for everyone. If you buy one or two books a year, the $39.99 fee may not be worth it, and you’d be better off skipping and considering opting for their free Barnes & Noble rewards program instead.
Bottom line
I invest in airline status and credit cards to make flying more comfortable, but one of the most valuable investments in my travel experience is far simpler: the books I buy to bring along for the ride.
Barnes & Noble’s Premium Membership rewards me for something I’ve already been doing: browsing their stores and buying books. At a straightforward $39.99 a year with no complex strategy or tier chasing needed, it’s easy to get the most out of your rewards, and even easier to grow your to-be-read list.
Related reading:
Novels and nightcaps: 7 bookstores that double as bars
Antarctica reading list: The 8 best books to read before a trip
‘How to Win at Travel’: TPG founder Brian Kelly’s debut book is here
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
