Frequently Asked Questions
Where are National Book Tokens sold and exchanged?
National Book Tokens Gift Cards are the only gift cards that are sold and exchanged in bookshops across the UK and Ireland. This includes Waterstone's, WHSmith (excluding Travel outlets in stations and Airport locations), Blackwell, Easons, John Smith, Foyles and local independent bookshops. National Book Tokens gift cards can also be redeemed online at
www.hive.co.ukPlease note, National Book Tokens Gift Cards cannot currently be redeemed on the WH Smith website.
Can National Book Tokens be used to purchase ebooks?
National Book Tokens gift cards can be used to purchase ebooks on the Hive website at www.hive.co.uk
Does the National Book Tokens Gift Card have an expiry date?
If the Gift Card is not used for a period of 24 consecutive months, the gift card will expire and any remaining value will be deducted.
To ensure that a Gift Card remains active you either need to use it to purchase a book, have it topped up or do a balance enquiry. The next 24 consecutive month period will begin once the gift card has been used or its balanced checked.
What do I do if my National Book Tokens Gift Card has expired?
Please click here for more information on what to do if your gift card has expired.
Can I still redeem National Book Tokens paper gift vouchers?
Yes, National Book Tokens paper gift vouchers do not have an expiry date and you can continue to redeem these in any participating bookshop. Find your nearest bookshop by using our stockist search.
Will all bookshops continue to accept paper tokens?
It is likely that over time, some bookshops will stop accepting paper vouchers. We will issue a full list of these on our stockist search.
Does the National Book Tokens Gift Card have an expiry date?
If the Gift Card is not used for a period of 24 consecutive months, the gift card will expire and any remaining value will be deducted.
To ensure that a Gift Card remains active you either need to use it to purchase a book, have it topped up or do a balance enquiry. The next 24 consecutive month period will begin once the gift card has been used or its balanced checked.
What can a National Book Token be exchanged for?
National Book Tokens make the perfect gift for book lovers of all ages as they can be exchanged for all kinds of books from the best selling new fiction to reference and school textbooks as well as maps.
Are National Book Tokens easy to send?
National Book Tokens gift cards come with a free backing card and envelope, they are the right size to send as first or second class post.
Do I need to buy a card as well?
National Book Tokens Gift Cards come with a free backing card of the same design, which conveniently folds into a greeting card. These designs are on display in bookshops across the UK and Ireland. To find your nearest, use our stockist search.
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What choice of cards do I have?
National Book Tokens Gift Cards come in a range of colourful and eye-catching designs to suit all ages and tastes and are suitable for any occasion from Christmas or birthdays to school prize giving or corporate gift.
Are there specific terms and conditions for the National Book Tokens Gift Card?
Yes, specific terms and conditions apply to the National Book Tokens Gift Card. For more information on these, click here.
Can National Book Tokens be bought overseas?
National Book Tokens Gift Cards can be bought online and sent to recipients throughout the UK and Ireland. Visit our
buy online page to find out more.
Can National Book Tokens be sent overseas?
There are Book Token Gift Voucher schemes in a number of countries, if you have friends and family overseas they make a great way to send them a present. To buy Book Tokens in New Zealand,
click here. To buy Book Tokens in Australia,
click here.
Can change be given for a National Book Token?
Regarding Gift Cards, if the value of your purchase is less than the value on the card, the balance remains on the card for future purchases. They cannot be exchanged for cash in bookshops and change will not be given.
Regarding Paper Vouchers, these cannot not be exchanged for cash. If the value of the book(s) you purchase is less than the value of the paper token, it is at the bookseller's discretion whether they give the change in the form of National Book Tokens gift cards or cash.
Can National Book Tokens be used online?
In the future National Book Tokens Gift Cards will be able to be used against online purchases of books only on the websites of bookshops that have this online facility - this is currently available at www.hive.co.uk Please visit the specific bookshop’s website for more information on their policy.
Is it safe to buy National Book Tokens from auction sites?
We do not recommend that you purchase National Book Tokens gift vouchers or gift cards from auction sites. Although the sellers may be legitimate we have had reports of non delivery of items. We advise caution especially if the seller has a large quantity of vouchers or gift cards, numerous lots to sell or is offering various denominations.
How can I bulk buy National Book Tokens?
National Book Tokens can be purchased in bulk (a minimum purchase applies) for use in any incentive initiative, staff motivation, reward, as a simple thank you or for prize giving. For further details
click herep
Where can I purchase a National Book Tokens Gift Card?
National Book Tokens Gift Cards can be purchased at most chain and independent bookshops across the UK and Ireland. Find your nearest bookshop using our stockist search. They can also be purchased on our website using our secure online purchasing pages. Visit our buy online section to find out more.
Where can a National Book Tokens Gift Card be used?
National Book Tokens Gift Cards can be used in thousands of bookshops across the UK and Ireland, including independents and chains. To find your nearest bookshop, use our stockist search.
What can I buy with my National Book Tokens Gift Card?
National Book Tokens Gift Card can be used to purchase books and maps in any participating bookshop.
How do I use my National Book Tokens Gift Card?
Simply take your gift card to the till and use it as you would any gift voucher. The bookshop will deduct your purchase amount from the gift card’s value and give the gift card back to you.
What is the minimum and maximum amount I can load onto the Gift Card?
National Book Tokens Gift Cards can be loaded with any amount from a minimum of £1 to a maximum of £250, or €1 to €250 in the Republic of Ireland.
Can National Book Tokens Gift Cards be topped-up with more value?
Yes, the gift cards can be topped up with any amount up to the maximum value of £250. This can be done by taking your gift card to your nearest bookshop where you can put more value on it. Find your nearest bookshop by using our stockist search.
Do I have to spend the entire Gift Card’s value at once?
No, you can spend as much of the gift card’s value as you like, whenever you like, providing your gift card has not expired. Any remaining balance will stay on the gift card until your next purchase.
Is there a limit to the number of times a National Book Tokens Gift Card can be used?
No, the gift card can be used any number of times until all the balance is used.
How do I find out how much value is on the gift cards?
You can check your National Book Tokens Gift Card value at any time.
You can check your gift card’s value by using online Balance Enquiry function, by asking in store at your nearest bookshop or by phoning 0845 602 7423.
What happens if my National Book Tokens Gift Card is declined?
Your gift card may have expired, or the available balance on the gift card could be less than the purchase amount and you could use another form of payment to pay the difference
Alternatively, it may have been blocked due to fraudulent activity reported on it. Please phone our helpline on 0845 604 1698 and we can investigate further.
What happens if my National Book Tokens Gift Card is lost or stolen?
National Book Token Gift Cards should be treated like cash, so unfortunately if they are lost or stolen we are unable to refund any balance that was remaining on the card.
Can I use my National Book Tokens Gift Card on Amazon/Play.com?
You cannot currently use your National Book Tokens Gift Card on these websites.
Can I use my National Book Tokens Gift Card in supermarkets?
National Book Token Gift Cards cannot currently be used in supermarkets.