If you have a gift card that is nearing expiration or has a balance remaining, you may be wondering if you can extend the validity period so you can continue using it. Here are some tips on how to extend the life of gift cards.
Check if the gift card expires
The first thing to do is check if your gift card actually expires. Some gift cards, like American Express or Visa gift cards, do not have an expiration date and can be used indefinitely. Gift cards issued by retailers and restaurants, however, often have printed expiration dates ranging from 6 months to 2 years from the date of purchase. Identify if your gift card has an expiry and when it is set to expire.
Look for expire date on gift card
Carefully examine both sides of the physical gift card as well as the packaging it came in. The expiration date is usually printed on the front or back of the gift card in fine print. You can also check if there is an expiry date noted on the receipt or email confirmation from when the gift card was purchased. If you registered the gift card online, check your account on the retailer’s website as the expiry may be visible there.
Check balance online
Many retailers allow you to check the balance and expiration date associated with a gift card number online or over the phone. Go to the company’s website and see if there is a “Check Balance” feature. Enter the gift card number and PIN or security code and it should display details like the remaining balance and date of expiration.
Extend expiration of gift card
If your gift card does have an expiration date coming up, here are some tips that may allow you to extend the validity and get more use out of the card:
Request expiration extension
Some retailers and restaurants are willing to provide a one-time courtesy expiration extension for gift cards. Contact the customer service department, either by phone, email or chat. Politely explain your situation and ask if they can push back the expiry date by a few months or a year so you can use the balance. Make sure to be friendly and understanding if the request is denied.
Use card before expiration
Another option is to make sure to use the gift card and deplete the balance before the printed expiration date. Carefully monitor the expiration and try to use the card for purchases, meals or services at that retailer in the weeks leading up to expiry. That way, you get full use of the card before the validity period ends.
Spend remaining balance
Instead of letting the card expire with money left on it, you can actively spend down the balance to zero as the expiration approaches. Treat yourself to a meal, splurge on apparel or make larger-ticket purchases to use up the full gift card amount prior to expiry.
What happens when gift cards expire?
Here is what typically happens when the expiration date passes on a gift card:
Card is deactivated
Once the printed expiration date has passed, the gift card is usually deactivated by the issuing retailer. The card number will be flagged in the system as expired and not able to be used for payment. Any attempt to make a purchase with the card past the expiry will be declined.
Remaining balance forfeited
In most cases, if there is a remaining balance left on the gift card at the time of expiration, that money is forfeited. The unused funds are absorbed back by the retailer or restaurant once the card reaches the expiration date noted.
No refunds issued
The customer does not receive a refund for the leftover balance on an expired gift card in most situations. Unless it is due to a store policy or error, retailers generally do not issue refund checks for the unused portions of expired cards.
May still redeem at customer service
While expired cards are deactivated and can’t be used for normal transactions, some retailers may allow you to redeem the remaining balance if you bring the expired card to customer service. The store may issue you store credit or a replacement card for the residual value.
Ways to Extend Gift Card Expiration
If asking for an extension and spending down the balance before expiry are not options, here are some other creative ways to try and extend the life of a gift card past the expiration date:
Resell or exchange
You may be able to sell gift cards online prior to expiration through gift card exchange websites. This allows you to recoup some of the remaining value. You can also swap soon-to-expire cards for ones with later or no expiration dates.
Redeem for non-expiring card
Some retailers will let you redeem an expiring gift card for a new one with an extended validity, or with no expiration date at all. Ask the store customer service about swapping it for a card that does not expire as the balance gets low.
Use for partial payment
When the expiration date approaches, start using the gift card as a partial form of payment for purchases above the card’s balance. That way you can deplete as much of the remaining value as possible before it expires fully.
Purchase gift card alternatives
Instead of regular retailer gift cards, consider requesting prepaid Visa or American Express gift cards which do not expire. The recipient can use the funds wherever those cards are accepted.
Will expired gift cards ever be reactivated?
In most cases retailers will not reactivate gift cards after the printed expiration date has passed. This is because the cards are only valid for the stated validity period under the cardholder agreement. Here are some rare cases where expired cards could potentially be reactivated:
Retailer honors expired card
Some retailers may make a one-time exception and allow an expired card with remaining funds to be used as a gesture of goodwill. This is rare and depends on the store’s policy though.
Class action lawsuits
In a few cases, consumer class action lawsuits have successfully led retailers to reactivate expired gift cards and consent decrees. Examples include CVS and The Children’s Place reactivating cards under settlements.
State gift card laws
A small number of states prohibit gift cards from expiring or require minimum expiration periods beyond 5 years. If the retailer operates in those states they may be required to honor expired cards based on the law. For example, California prohibits expiry under 5 years.
Account credits for lost cards
If you lose a gift card, some retailers can look up the number and apply the remaining balance as an account credit even past expiration. You would need to reference the gift card number to potentially recover the funds.
Tips to Avoid Gift Card Expiration Issues
To prevent gift card expiration problems in the future, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Use gift cards soon after receiving them
- Spend down balances instead of saving cards
- Buy cards with longer expiration periods when possible
- Avoid cards for retailers you may not frequent often
- Always check card expiration dates upon purchase and activation
- Request no-expiry prepaid Visa or American Express gift cards
- Re-gift soon-to-expire cards to others who can use them
- Register cards online to track balances and expiration status
- Photocopy or take a picture of gift cards to have records of numbers and expiry in case they are lost
Can I get a refund on an expired gift card?
In most instances, you cannot get a refund on the remaining balance of an expired gift card. The unused funds are forfeited back to the retailer when the card reaches its expiration date. There are a few rare cases where refunds may be possible though:
Refunds explicitly allowed by retailer policy
A small number of major retailers like Walmart, Target and Starbucks do allow refunds to be requested on expired gift cards, either as cash back or store credit. Their posted policies permit this, but most stores do not.
Card was purchased with a credit card
If you bought the gift card using a credit card, you may be able to request a chargeback from the credit card company to dispute a refund on the expired card. This can revert the purchase and recover the funds.
Expiration dates not clearly disclosed
If the gift card expiration was not conspicuously visible or disclosed at time of purchase, you may be able to argue for a refund based on inadequate expiration date disclosure to consumers.
Refund offered as customer service gesture
Retailers sometimes can make exceptions and offer refunds on remaining balances as a customer satisfaction gesture. It depends on the policies and situation.
State gift card laws require it
A few states require minimum gift card expiration periods beyond 5 years and some even prohibit expiry. Refunds may be mandated by law in those cases if funds remain on expired cards.
State | Gift Card Expiration Rule |
---|---|
California | Cards cannot expire before 5 years |
Colorado | Cards cannot expire before 7 years |
Connecticut | Cards cannot expire before 3 years |
Massachusetts | No expiration date allowed |
Outside of these exceptional cases, most retailers will not allow refunds or cashing out of balances left on expired gift cards. The best option is to spend down the card before the printed expiration date.
Can retailers impose fees on gift cards?
Retailers and restaurants can impose a variety of fees on gift cards, subject to state laws. Typical gift card fees include:
Purchase or activation fees
Some gift cards charge an upfront purchase or activation fee, such as $3-5, when the card is first bought. This reduces the initial usable value.
Dormancy or inactivity fees
If a gift card sits unused for a period of time, such as 6-24 months, an inactivity fee may be deducted from the balance monthly or annually.
Service fees
Ongoing service or maintenance fees can be charged monthly or annually for still having an open gift card account with available funds.
Expiration fees
A fee may be imposed when the gift card reaches its expiration date as a way for retailers to recapture unspent balances.
Replacement fees
If you lose a gift card and need a replacement, the retailer may charge a card replacement fee, such as $5-10.
However, in recent years many states have enacted consumer protection laws limiting gift card fees. Federal law also prohibits expiration fees and fees for inactivity in the first year. Always check state and federal rules before purchasing gift cards.
Conclusion
Having a gift card expire before you can use all the funds can be disappointing. In most cases, expired gift cards cannot be reactivated and unused balances are forfeited. However, you may be able to get an expiration extension or policy exception if you contact the retailer. To avoid issues, try to spend down gift cards before they expire, and only buy cards you are likely to use quickly. With some prep and awareness, you can maximize the convenience and value of gift cards.