Gift certificates and gift cards are popular gift items, especially around the holidays. But if you’ve ever received a gift card or certificate, you may wonder – do these gifts expire? Here’s what you need to know about expiration dates for gift certificates and cards.
Do gift certificates expire?
In most cases, yes, gift certificates and gift cards do expire. However, the exact expiration date and policies depend on the retailer or restaurant that issued the gift certificate/card.
Some key things to know about gift certificate expiration dates:
- Most gift certificates and gift cards expire 6 months to 2 years after being issued. For example, a gift card purchased in October 2023 may expire in April 2025.
- Under federal law, gift certificates cannot expire for at least 5 years from the date of purchase or last use. But this federal law does not apply to gift cards – only paper gift certificates.
- State laws on expiration dates for gift cards and certificates vary. Some states prohibit expiration dates of less than 3-5 years or ban them altogether.
- The expiration date should be clearly disclosed on the gift card or certificate. If not, contact the retailer to find out.
Do unused gift cards expire?
Yes, even if a gift card or certificate goes unused, it can still expire per the printed expiration date. So you can’t “pause” the expiration date by not using the card. Make sure to use gift cards in a timely manner and check the expiration date upon purchase.
What happens when a gift card expires?
If a gift card expires before you can use it, here’s what typically happens:
- The card is voided and any unused funds are forfeited. You can no longer spend the money on the expired card.
- Some retailers may charge an “expiration fee” or inactivity fee if the card goes unused for a certain time period.
- The gift card number becomes invalid in the retailer’s system after expiration.
- Some states require retailers to turn unused gift card funds over to the state as “unclaimed property.”
Bottom line – use your gift cards promptly to get the full value before expiration. And if a card does expire, you likely lose the remaining balance.
How to check a gift card’s expiration date
To avoid losing money on an expired gift card, check the expiration date as soon as you receive it. Here are some ways to find the expiration date:
- Look for a visible printed expiration date on the front or back of the physical gift card.
- If purchasing a digital gift card online, check for expiration date before completing the purchase.
- Register the gift card on the retailer’s website – this may reveal the expiration date.
- Contact the retailer’s customer service department to inquire.
- Download the retailer’s mobile app, if available – expiration dates are often visible there.
Do some gift cards never expire?
While most gift cards and certificates expire, there are some exceptions:
- American Express Gift Cards – These gift cards currently do not have an expiration date and the funds never expire.
- Amazon Gift Cards – Amazon gift cards also currently do not expire.
- Some branded Visa/Mastercard gift cards may have expiration dates of 5 years or more.
- State laws – In states that prohibit expiration dates, some retailers issue non-expiring gift cards.
However, policies can change. Be sure to double check the expiration rules before purchasing any gift card, even from retailers known for not setting expiration dates.
Using expired gift cards
Once a gift card expires, there’s unfortunately no way to recover or reactivate the funds. But you may be able to put an expired card to use in the following ways:
- Shopping – Some retailers may allow purchases with recently expired cards as a courtesy.
- Returns – Make a return without a receipt and ask for store credit on an expired card.
- Discounts – Retailers may give a small discount for turning in an expired card.
- Gifts or donations – Art projects, card crafts, etc. Get creative repurposing cards!
While the above tactics could recoup a very small amount, your best bet is always using gift cards prior to expiration whenever possible.
Extending expiration dates on gift cards
If your gift card is nearing expiration, you may wonder if you can extend the expiration date. Here are some potential options:
- Customer service request – Politely ask the retailer if they will extend the expiration as a one-time courtesy.
- State laws – Some states require extensions if requested before expiration.
- Use a small amount – Making a small purchase can sometimes reset the expiration date.
- Registration – Check if registering the card online extends the expiration.
- Fees – Retailers may extend expirations for a small renewal fee.
However, retailers are not obligated to extend expiration dates. So don’t count on this if buying a gift card close to the expiration date.
Avoiding expired gift cards
To get the most value from gift cards and avoid dealing with expirations, keep these tips in mind:
- Use gift cards promptly – Spend within the first 1-2 months, if possible.
- Research expiration policies before buying.
- Avoid buying cards far in advance of gifting unless they have 5+ year expiration dates.
- For long-term gifting, choose non-expiring brands like American Express or Amazon.
- Set calendar reminders for expiration dates on any gift cards you receive.
- Spend down to a small balance, then use up the remainder in one transaction.
Other gift card expiration considerations
Some other things to keep in mind about gift card and certificate expiration dates:
- Inactivity fees – These may reduce balances over time, shortening a card’s useful life.
- Lost or stolen – Expiration dates still apply if cards are lost and replaced.
- Returns – Time limits for returns based on purchase date may affect use of replaced cards.
- Bankruptcies – Expiration dates are void if the retailer declares bankruptcy.
- Sold balances – Expire according to original card’s terms if you sell a card with remaining funds.
The bottom line on expiration dates
The vast majority of gift cards and certificates have expiration dates, ranging from just a few months to several years. While state consumer protection laws are improving, it’s still important to carefully check and abide by the expiration policy of any gift card you purchase or receive.
With gift card use soaring in recent years, being aware of expiration rules, check dates promptly, and using your cards in a timely manner can help ensure you get the full value – and don’t lose money due to expired funds.