Do Gift Cards Expire? Gift Card Expiration and Fees, Explained
Mostly, no — at least not as fast as people fear. Under US federal law, the money on a gift card generally can’t expire for years, and inactivity fees are tightly limited. But the rules have nuances, states can add stronger protections, and some card types are exempt. Here’s a plain-English overview.
This is general information, not legal advice. Rules vary by state and by card — always check the terms printed on your specific card.
The general US rule: funds last at least 5 years
The Credit CARD Act of 2009 (gift-card provisions effective August 22, 2010) sets a federal floor: the funds underlying a gift certificate, store gift card, or general-use prepaid card generally can’t expire for at least 5 years from the date the card was issued or the date money was last loaded onto it. Any expiration term also has to be disclosed before you buy.
When the card expires but the money doesn’t
A physical card can carry a printed expiration date that’s sooner than the 5-year funds rule — for example, the plastic shows a date but the balance behind it is still protected. In that situation the law generally entitles you to a replacement card at no cost while funds remain. If a card’s date is approaching, contact the issuer rather than assuming the money is gone.
Inactivity, dormancy, and service fees
These fees are restricted. A dormancy, inactivity, or service fee generally can’t be charged unless all three of these are true:
- There’s been no activity for at least 12 months;
- No more than one fee per month is charged; and
- The fees are clearly and conspicuously disclosed on the card.
So a card can lose value to fees over time if it sits unused long enough — which is a good reason not to let one languish in a drawer.
State laws can go further
The federal rules are a floor, not a ceiling. Some states add stronger protections — for example, tighter limits on expiration, or a requirement to cash out small remaining balances on request. These vary by state, so check the rules where you live for your specific card.
What’s usually exempt
Some cards generally fall outside these gift-card rules — for example, promotional or loyalty/reward cards given away (not sold), and certain cards not marketed to the general public. The terms on the card will say what applies.
Losing value to fees? Swap the card before that happens
If a card you won’t use is sitting unused — especially one that could start racking up inactivity fees, or whose printed date is approaching — don’t let the value erode. On FlipGift you can swap it for a card you’ll actually use, card-for-card, with no fees and full value retained. It’s a peer-to-peer exchange, so nothing is skimmed as commission.
Swap a card you won’t use
Per-brand expiration
Checking a specific brand? See do Amazon gift cards expire and other per-brand pages, or look up your balance first on our gift card balance pages.
Frequently asked questions
Do gift cards expire?
Under US federal law, the funds on most gift cards generally can’t expire for at least 5 years from issuance or the last load. A physical card may show an earlier date, but you can usually get a free replacement while funds remain. State laws and card terms can differ.
Can a gift card charge inactivity or dormancy fees?
Only under limits: no fee unless the card has gone unused for at least 12 months, no more than one fee per month, and the fees must be clearly disclosed on the card.
What happens when a gift card expires?
Often the plastic expires before the money does. If funds remain and the card is within the protected period, the issuer generally must replace it at no cost — contact them with the card details.
Do prepaid Visa or Mastercard gift cards expire?
These open-loop cards usually show an expiration date on the card, but the underlying funds are generally protected for years under the same federal rules. If the card date passes with money left, ask the issuer about a replacement. Always check your card’s terms.
Is there a way to avoid losing a gift card’s value to fees?
Use it, or swap it. If you won’t use the brand, trade it on FlipGift for one you will — full value, no fees — rather than letting inactivity fees chip away at it.