Check your balance online, by phone, or in a store
You can find out how much money is left on a Barnes & Noble gift card in three ways: through the Barnes & Noble website, by calling their customer service line, or by asking a staff member at any Barnes & Noble location. The website method is fastest if you have the card number handy. The phone and in-store methods work if you don't have internet access or prefer to speak with someone directly.
Barnes & Noble does not charge a fee to check your balance, and checking does not reduce the amount on the card. You can check as many times as you want without penalty.
Key Takeaways
- The Barnes & Noble website balance checker requires your 16-digit card number and the 4-digit PIN on the back of the card.
- You can call 1-800-843-2665 during customer service hours and provide your card number to a representative who will tell you the balance.
- Any Barnes & Noble store employee can scan your card at the register to show you the remaining balance without making a purchase.
- Gift card balances do not expire, so you can use the card whenever you want after you check it.
- If your card was damaged or lost, you will need the original receipt or proof of purchase to recover the balance.
Using the Barnes & Noble website to check balance
Go to the Barnes & Noble gift card balance page at barnesandnoble.com. Look for the "Check Gift Card Balance" link, usually found in the footer or under the Help section. You will need to enter two pieces of information: the 16-digit number printed on the front of the card and the 4-digit PIN printed on the back.
After you enter both numbers, the website will display your remaining balance when ready. This method works for physical gift cards and digital gift cards sent by email. If you received a digital gift card, the card number and PIN will be in the email from Barnes & Noble.
If the website does not recognize your card number, double-check that you entered all 16 digits correctly and that the PIN matches the 4 digits on the back. If the card is still not found, contact customer service by phone.
Calling Barnes & Noble customer service
Call 1-800-843-2665 to speak with a representative. Have your gift card number ready. The representative will ask for the 16-digit card number and can look up your balance in their system without needing the PIN.
Customer service hours vary by season. During most of the year, the line is open Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time. Hours may extend during the holiday shopping season. If you call outside these hours, you will reach an automated message with the option to leave a callback request.
Checking balance in a Barnes & Noble store
Walk into any Barnes & Noble location and ask a staff member at the register to scan your gift card. They will see the balance on their register screen and can tell you the amount. You do not need to make a purchase or provide any information beyond the physical card itself.
This method is useful if you are already shopping or if you want to confirm the balance before you buy something. Store employees can also answer questions about whether the card can be used for specific items, such as café purchases or special orders.
What to do if your card is lost or damaged
If your gift card is lost, stolen, or damaged, contact Barnes & Noble customer service at 1-800-843-2665. Have the original receipt or proof of purchase ready. Barnes & Noble can look up the card in their system using the receipt information and may be able to transfer the remaining balance to a new card.
If you do not have the receipt, the process becomes more difficult. Barnes & Noble will ask for details like the date of purchase, the amount on the card, and where it was bought. The more information you can provide, the better your chances of recovering the balance. Keep your receipt in a safe place until you use the entire card balance.
How long gift card balances stay active
Barnes & Noble gift card balances do not expire. You can use the card one year after purchase or ten years after purchase, and the remaining balance will still be there. This means you do not need to rush to spend the money or worry about losing it due to time passing.
The card itself may wear out or become unreadable over time, especially if it is bent or exposed to water. If the physical card stops working, you can still recover the balance by contacting customer service with your receipt.
Using your balance when you shop
When you are ready to spend the balance, you can use the gift card at any Barnes & Noble store or on the Barnes & Noble website. At a store, hand the card to the cashier and they will scan it like any other payment method. Online, enter the 16-digit card number and 4-digit PIN in the payment section during checkout.
If your purchase is less than the card balance, the remaining amount stays on the card for future use. If your purchase is more than the balance, you will need to pay the difference with another payment method. Barnes & Noble does not allow you to split a single transaction between a gift card and another payment method on the website, but store employees can do this at the register.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check my balance without the PIN?
The website balance checker requires both the card number and PIN. However, if you call customer service at 1-800-843-2665, a representative can look up your balance using only the card number. You can also visit a store and ask an employee to scan the card.
What if the website says my card number is invalid?
Make sure you entered all 16 digits correctly and that you did not include spaces or dashes. The PIN should be exactly 4 digits from the back of the card. If the card still is not recognized, call customer service or visit a store to have the card scanned manually.
Can someone else check my gift card balance?
Yes. Anyone with the card number and PIN can check the balance online. In a store, anyone with the physical card can ask an employee to scan it. If you want to keep the balance private, do not share the card number or PIN with others.
Do I lose my balance if I don't use the card for a long time?
No. Barnes & Noble gift cards do not expire, so your balance will remain on the card indefinitely. You can use it whenever you want, even years after you received it.
What happens if I lose my receipt and my card?
Contact customer service at 1-800-843-2665 with as much information as you can remember: the purchase date, the original amount, and where you bought it. They will try to locate the card in their system, but recovery is not may provide without a receipt.