Barnes & Noble has launched a targeted promotion offering 20 percent off select Nook e-readers, but this isn’t your average public sale. The discount is tied to a specific code—UPGRADE20—and comes with a few important conditions that buyers need to understand before checking out.
How the ‘UPGRADE20’ Promo Works
The ‘UPGRADE20’ code applies to purchases made directly through Barnes & Noble’s online store. However, as Good e-Reader mentioned, it’s not a blanket discount for everyone. To qualify, you must be an existing NOOK owner. To be clear on this, the offer is an upgrade incentive, not a new customer offer.
Here’s what else you need to know:
- The 20% discount is applied after all other eligible discounts have been deducted.
- The offer cannot be combined with the Barnes & Noble Premium Membership discount.
- You may need to log into your account associated with a previous Nook purchase to activate the code.
This promotion is valid for devices like the Nook GlowLight 4 and GlowLight 4 Plus, both of which offer warm lighting, crisp E Ink displays, and a distraction-free reading experience.
Other Active Offers
Barnes & Noble is also running parallel deals:
- Buy 1 Get 1 50 percent Off on select books
- Free shipping on orders over $50
- Student discounts up to 25 percent
- Free e-Books for Premium Members (not stackable with UPGRADE20)
Why Choose Nook Over Kindle?
While Amazon’s Kindle dominates the market, the Nook remains a strong alternative for readers who value:
- Native ePub support (no need for conversion)
- Ad-free experience—no “Special Offers” to remove
- Physical page-turn buttons and ergonomic design
- Warm light adjustment for nighttime reading
However, Nook lacks Kindle’s ecosystem perks like WhisperSync, Audible integration, and broader app support.
Specs Snapshot: Nook GlowLight 4 Plus
- Display: 7.8-inch E Ink Carta HD
- Storage: 32 GB
- Battery Life: Weeks on a single charge
- Waterproof: IPx7 rating
- Lighting: Adjustable warm and cool tones
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi only
Verdict
The ‘UPGRADE20’ promo is a thoughtful nod to loyal Nook users, offering a rare discount on hardware that’s often overshadowed by Kindle. Just be sure to read the fine print—this deal rewards existing customers, not newcomers, and can’t be stacked with Premium perks.
