The Waterstone's gift card

The Waterstone's gift card is the perfect way to treat friends and family. Choose a card in one of our branches and pay at the till point for the amount you wish to give. The recipient can then use the card to buy in Waterstone's stores and on Waterstones.com.

Using a gift card online to pay for an order

You can use your gift card to pay for any order on Waterstones.com. Simply select your products and go to the checkout as usual.

At the checkout, enter the gift card number and the security code in the 'Payment method - Gift card' section and hit 'Update'. The security code is the three digit number behind the scratch-off panel on the reverse of the card. Place your order by hitting 'Submit order'.

Please note: The value shown on your order confirmation email and on your despatch note is the total value of products purchased before any Gift Card values (or Waterstone's Card points) have been deducted. If you use a Gift Card for full or part payment on an order the value will be deducted from your final payment.

If you wish to use your gift card to pay for an order, then the gift card balance must be used in full before you can select another payment method. Only after the total balance of the gift card is used, can the outstanding balance be paid for by the another payment method. For example; if you are buying a £10 book, and have £10 on your gift card, you can not pay for the book with £5 from your gift card and £5 from a credit card, but must either use your £10 gift card balance to make the purchase, or use a different means of payment altogether.

Paper gift vouchers and/or book tokens are currently not accepted on Waterstones.com. Gift cards can be used on Waterstones.com and in Waterstone's stores.

Online and store use

Only one gift card can be used per transaction on Waterstones.com. Whilst there is a balance left on your card, your gift card can be used in Waterstone's branches and online at Waterstones.com, subject to point 6. of the Terms and Conditions below.

Cancelling or returning online orders where gift card was used as payment

If you cancel or return an online order where payment was made using a gift card, you should do so in the usual way. Please note: any amount tendered with your gift card is refunded to your online e-wallet, not to your gift card. Funds in your online e-wallet can be used for future purchases on Waterstones.com.

Topping up

You can top-up your gift card at any Waterstone's branch. Simply present your card at the till point and pay in the normal way. You can not top-up your card on Waterstones.com.

Balance enquiries

Your current balance will be displayed on your receipt when you use the card to make a purchase in Waterstone's shops or when you top it up. You can also check your balance at any time by presenting your card to a bookseller at any till point. Unfortunately you can not check your balance online at the present time.

1. Validly activated cards can be used as full or part payment of any goods at Waterstone's shops across the UK, Isle of Man and Jersey (excluding Harrods and De Gruchy) and for purchases made online at Waterstones.com. For online purchases please follow the redemption procedure accordingly (see above). No change or refunds will be given where the sales transaction is for an amount less than the balance on the card but the balance may be applied to future purchases.

2. This card cannot be used to purchase gift vouchers, additional gift cards or book tokens nor can the card (and any card balance) be exchanged for cash or used as a deposit on a credit agreement.

3. The card is for personal use only and it may not be used for commercial purposes (including but not limited to resale) without Waterstone's prior written consent. The card is exempt from Waterstone's Standard Returns Policy.

4. The minimum amount required to activate or top-up a card is £1 and the maximum card limit is £500.

5. This card is not a cheque guarantee, debit or credit card.

6. If the card is not used for a consecutive period of 24 months (whether to make a purchase, top-up or to make a balance enquiry), the card will automatically expire and any remaining balance will be deducted. If the card shows a zero balance and there are no card transaction(s) for 180 days, it will automatically expire at the end of that 180 day period.

7. Waterstone's cannot be held liable for lost, stolen or damaged cards or any credit amounts on such cards. Waterstone's reserves the right to issue another card for the balance of the original card at its discretion on production of your original receipt, but Waterstone's is not responsible for funds used without your knowledge.

8. Waterstone's reserves the right to add to or waive these terms and conditions on reasonable notice for legal, security or regulatory reasons or to discontinue the book card scheme at any time in the event of circumstances beyond it's reasonable control. Customers will be notified in advance via in store displays and on this page (Waterstones.com/giftcard) in the event of any such change.

9. The card may be used for payment of goods of a higher price than the current card balance, on payment of the difference. Over payments, where goods are subsequently exchanged for goods of a lower price, will be added to the balance of the card (see above for online procedure).

10. Additional terms and conditions apply for online card use - please see above.

Cards are issued by Waterstone's Booksellers Ltd, Capital Court, Capital Interchange Way, Brentford, Middlesex, TW8 0EX