Check your balance online, by phone, or in a store
Barnes & Noble lets you see how much money is left on a gift card through three routes: their website, a customer service phone line, or by asking a staff member in any store. The online method is fastest if you have the card number handy. The phone line works if you prefer speaking to someone. In-store lookup takes a few minutes but requires no technology.
You do not need to create an account or log in to check a balance. Barnes & Noble will ask for the card number and, usually, the card's expiration date or a security code on the back. Have the physical card in front of you when you check.
Key Takeaways
- Visit bn.com/giftcards and select "Check Balance" to see your balance instantly online without creating an account.
- Call 1-800-843-2665 during customer service hours and provide your card number to a representative.
- Walk into any Barnes & Noble store and ask a cashier to scan or look up your card balance at the register.
- You will need the 16-digit card number printed on the front of the card to check your balance by any method.
- Gift card balances do not expire, but the card itself may have an expiration date printed on it — check the back.
Using the Barnes & Noble website to check balance
Go to bn.com/giftcards and look for a link or button labeled "Check Balance" or "Gift Card Balance." Click it. You will see a form asking for your card number — the 16 digits printed on the front of the card. Enter those digits and click the button to look up your balance.
Some versions of the site also ask for the expiration date or the three-digit security code on the back. If the form asks for either, provide it. The balance will display on the next screen. You can check as many times as you want; checking does not reduce the balance.
Calling Barnes & Noble customer service
Call 1-800-843-2665. A representative will ask for your gift card number and may ask for the expiration date or security code. Read the 16-digit number from the front of the card slowly and clearly. The representative will tell you the current balance over the phone.
Customer service hours vary by season and day of the week. The number is typically available during store hours in your time zone, but calling during mid-morning or early afternoon usually means shorter wait times. If you reach an automated system first, follow the prompts to reach a person or select the gift card option if available.
Checking balance in a Barnes & Noble store
Bring the physical gift card to any Barnes & Noble location and hand it to a cashier or customer service desk staff member. Ask them to check the balance. They will scan the card or enter the number into their register system and tell you how much is left.
This method works even if the card is damaged or the numbers are hard to read, because the cashier can scan the barcode on the back. Stores are usually less busy during weekday mornings, so you may have a shorter wait then.
What to do if you cannot find your card number
If you have lost the physical card or cannot read the number, you have limited options. Barnes & Noble does not have a standard way to look up a gift card balance using only your name or email address. You will need the 16-digit card number to proceed.
If someone gave you the card as a gift and you no longer have it, contact the person who gave it to you and ask them to provide the number — they may have a receipt or confirmation email. If the card was purchased online, check your email for an order confirmation that includes the card number. If you bought it yourself in a store and kept the receipt, the number may be printed there.
Gift card expiration and what happens to unused balances
Barnes & Noble gift cards do not expire — you can use the balance at any time in the future. However, the physical card itself may have an expiration date printed on the back. That date refers to when the card stops working as a physical card, not when the money inside disappears.
If your card's expiration date has passed but you still have a balance, contact Barnes & Noble customer service at 1-800-843-2665. They can issue you a new card with the same balance transferred to it, or in some cases provide the balance in another form. Keep records of your card number in case you need to prove ownership of the balance.
Using your balance to make a purchase
When you are ready to spend the balance, you can use the gift card online at bn.com or in any physical store. Online, enter the card number at checkout just as you would a credit card. In a store, hand the card to the cashier and they will scan it or enter the number.
If your purchase is more than the balance on the card, you can pay the difference with another payment method — a credit card, debit card, or another gift card. If your purchase is less than the balance, the remaining amount stays on the card for future use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to create a Barnes & Noble account to check my balance?
No. You can check your balance on the website, by phone, or in a store without logging in or creating an account. You only need the 16-digit card number.
What if the website says my card number is invalid?
Double-check that you entered all 16 digits correctly and that you copied them from the front of the card, not the back. If the number is correct and the site still rejects it, call customer service at 1-800-843-2665 to verify the card number and check the balance by phone.
Can I check the balance on someone else's gift card?
Yes. Anyone with the 16-digit card number can check the balance using any of the three methods. Barnes & Noble does not require proof of ownership to look up a balance.
What if my gift card was damaged in the mail?
If the card is unreadable but you have the number written down or saved in an email, use that number to check the balance online or by phone. If the card itself is damaged and you need a replacement, contact customer service and they can reissue it with the same balance.
Can I transfer my gift card balance to someone else?
No. Barnes & Noble does not transfer balances between cards or to other people. The person who has the physical card or the card number can use the balance, but you cannot move it to a different card or account.