Barnes and Noble is a book lover’s paradise. Customers walk in and are greeted with endless shelves full of books. There’s usually a café too, to fill up on caffeinated beverages, pastries and other foods. It can be a great place to meet with friends or get work done. All of these reasons and more are why it’s easy to spend awhile in there, even when coming in with a specific book purchase in mind.
Barnes and Noble previously offered a membership program that allowed customers to experience their store in a unique way. With this membership, they’d receive a discount on most in store purchases, among other benefits. This was known by various names such as the Legacy Membership, the $25 membership and previously the Reader’s Advantage Program.
Recently, the book-selling giant announced that they will start phasing out their original membership program. Members of this current program will have their memberships remain active through the end of their current term, but it will not be renewed afterward. However, shoppers need not worry. Replacing it will be two different programs, Barnes and Noble Premium Membership and B&N Rewards.
While B&N Rewards is free, a Barnes and Noble Premium Membership will cost $39.99 per year. This is more expensive than their previous $25 per year option. However, it does come with several benefits, some of which were also in the original membership. Some of these benefits include 10% off almost every product on bn.com and in store, as well as a free upgrade to the next beverage size at the Barnes and Noble Café.
Members also gain exclusive early access to special titles and events, exclusive deals and free standard shipping without a minimum purchase requirement. Both members and any children they have who are 12 or under will receive free birthday offers via email. In addition, members will also receive a free tote bag for each paid membership year. This tote bag is valued at up to $19.99.
For those who find the Barnes and Noble Premium Membership too expensive, B&N Rewards might be a better fit. In this virtual program, shoppers can earn 1 stamp for every $10 they spend in store or online. For every 10 stamps they earn, they will receive a $5 reward, that can be used for purchases online or in store. Customers deciding whether they should join a rewards program should note their advantages and disadvantages. If they’re stuck between the two of them, they should keep in mind that B&N Rewards is included with a Barnes and Noble Premium Membership, though they can still join B&N Rewards separately.
One advantage of the Barnes and Noble Premium Membership is that frequent shoppers will likely enjoy the 10% off most products in-store and online. They may also find the free shipping to be helpful. Even customers who mainly frequent the café will likely find this membership to be worth their while. A free beverage size upgrade could prove handy for those trying to finish work or catch up on reading.
Likewise, infrequent shoppers may not find the Barnes and Noble Premium Membership to be worth it. Most would agree that free shipping and saving 10% on many products are great perks. However, those who don’t shop at Barnes and Noble often may feel like the membership cost is an added expense. It’s not worth it to pay $39.99 every year for a membership at a store they shop at only every few months or less.
This membership cost can even be a disadvantage for frequent shoppers. Not all books are cheap, and life has other expenses as well. Adding $39.99 yearly on top of that can be too much for some people.
The cost of the Barnes and Noble Premium Membership might make some turn to B&N Rewards. At no extra charge, members can accrue stamps from their purchases, eventually leading to savings they can redeem. This can make it an attractive option for frequent shoppers who don’t have the extra cash for a premium membership.
Another advantage of B&N Rewards is their unlimited nature. While 10 stamps earn a $5 reward, there are no limits on earning stamps and rewards. Each qualifying purchase is guaranteed to earn stamps, and every 10 stamps will result in the reward. The only way rewards expire is if the B&N Rewards account they are applied to is canceled. Stamps will also expire if the account is canceled or if it is not active for 12 consecutive months.
However, unless one shops often at Barnes and Noble, they may not notice a tangible benefit from B&N Rewards right away. Since customers only earn 1 stamp for every $10 they spend, it can take awhile for less frequent shoppers to earn the required 10 stamps for the reward. The lack of immediate benefit may prove disappointing for certain individuals.
Some might also feel like B&N Rewards doesn’t have much value. It can take time for certain customers to earn 10 stamps, and they might conclude that $5 won’t help them much on their next purchase. They’ll then have to keep purchasing books to earn 10 more stamps and get another $5. This can cause frustration for some shoppers.
There is one advantage that applies to both programs, and that is their ability to be used in store and online. Previously, Barnes and Noble’s membership could only be used in-store. With these new programs, members can get benefits whether they shop online or in the store.
Anyone who was a part of Barnes and Noble’s original program can take advantage of these benefits before their current membership expires. Upon the launch of the new programs, members can convert their Legacy Membership to a Premium Membership. Alternatively, they can add B&N Rewards to their membership. This would allow them to receive B&N Rewards and their current membership benefits simultaneously.
Both programs have their advantages and disadvantages. This gives customers a lot to consider when choosing which one, if any, is best for them. It remains to be seen how both programs will do, and whether one will ultimately outshine the other.
