Best Credit Cards For Bookstore Purchases March, 2024

If you’re a student, chances are you spend a lot of money on textbooks each year. If you’re a book lover then you’ll be in a similar situation. We decided to create a list of the best credit cards for bookstore purchases. If you’re making your purchases online we’d recommend having a look at the cash back portals to see if they are offering any discounts and as always do price comparisons.

Personal Credit Cards

These cards are in no particular order as they all offer 5% cash back. The only differences are the limits and which bookstores they count for. In addition to these cards you could use a card that earns 5%+ and use it to purchase gift cards for specific bookstores/retailers.

Barnes & Noble 5% Cash Back

Our incomplete review of the Barnes & Noble card
Apply for the Barnes & Noble card

This card earns a straight 5% cash back, but it only earns it on Barnes & Noble purchases and not on other bookstore purchases (or Amazon.com purchases). There is no cap on the amount you can earn 5% on and no annual fee, it also comes with a sign up bonus of a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card after first purchase.

 

Business Credit Cards

Previously American Express business cards could get 5% through the American Express OPEN savings program at Barnes & Noble, but this has now been discontinued and replaced with Do More Business program and that doesn’t offer any bonus at bookstores.

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Paleobiology
Paleobiology (@guest_950771)
April 2, 2020 21:00

The affinity credit union visa signature gets 5% on all bookstore purchases, INCLUDING Amazon.com.

Amanda
Amanda (@guest_1491674)
November 19, 2022 12:27
Paleobiology
Paleobiology (@guest_950769)
April 2, 2020 20:59

The affinity credit union visa signature get 5% on all bookstores, INCLUDING Amazon.ckm.

Ben
Ben (@guest_884142)
January 22, 2020 01:07

That Affinity FCU rewards card (https://www.affinityfcu.com/credit-cards/signature-card.aspx) you’ve already reviewed elsewhere on the site probably belongs at the very top of this list, now that it’s no annual fee and 10% cashback at all bookstores during Q4 (5% always).

Brandon
Brandon (@guest_708878)
January 19, 2019 21:40

The Marvel Mastercard gives 3% on bookstores as part of the entertainment category. I get you weren’t a fan, but it does have some use, like for us gamers getting 3% can be huge with the cost of all the games we buy.

Brandon
Brandon (@guest_641053)
September 11, 2018 05:02

Marvel Mastercard counts bookstores as an entertainment purchase and earns 3%.

Brandon
Brandon (@guest_602997)
June 6, 2018 22:46

Open Savings is dead. Therefore, the only card is Barnes and Noble. Though Marvel MasterCard gets 3% on bookstores (part of the entertainment category).

Ling
Ling (@guest_600044)
May 28, 2018 17:22

Marvel Mastercard’s “Select Entertainment” includes bookstores, only 3% but it counts everywhere including Amazon.

Steve
Steve (@guest_589067)
May 2, 2018 02:49

This info is out of date. Cash+ got rid of the bookstore category starting 1/1/2018.

Flame
Flame (@guest_650597)
October 2, 2018 20:27

With Gift of College cards now appearing at BN – I expect this category to get some attention soon. I wish US Bank would bring the category back.
Reports that these are $200 + $5.95 – so with the Marvel card you break-even. With a 5% card – it would be some money to be made

Flame
Flame (@guest_650666)
October 2, 2018 22:48

Yeah surprised me too – I was thinking of BB. looks like 46 BN for now as per some reports on twitter, expanding out nationwide by mid-Oct. I would keep my fingers crossed though

Flame
Flame (@guest_650678)
October 2, 2018 23:07
Brandon
Brandon (@guest_584660)
April 20, 2018 18:06

US Bank has removed this category as of April 2018. And Open Savings is only good through June 2018. Unless one spends a lot at Barnes and Noble (which Amazon beats in book prices) this category has really only the everyday spend cards. I suggest removing it from the best category list because of the everyday option.

Brandon
Brandon (@guest_573612)
March 24, 2018 19:56

If I may say, considering US Bank has removed this category as of April 2018 and Open Savings is dead as of June 2018, this category is useless. Unless one spends heavily on Barnes and Noble. Seems like this page should be removed from the best category list since 2% is the only real option.