Does my credit card expire at the beginning or end of the month?

Credit cards are a fundamental tool for modern financial transactions, enabling purchases, managing expenses, and building credit histories. They offer convenience for everyday spending, a safety net for unexpected costs, and the ability to defer payments or earn rewards.

Understanding Your Credit Card Expiration Date

Your credit card expires at the end of the month indicated on the card. The expiration date is displayed in “MM/YY” or “MM-YY” format (e.g., “10/26”). This means a card showing “10/26” remains valid through the last day of October 2026.

The physical card has an expiration to account for wear and tear, as the chip and magnetic stripe can degrade. It also provides a security measure, as the expiration date is an additional data point used to verify transactions and prevent unauthorized use. This date also allows issuers to update card designs or incorporate new technology.

What Happens When Your Card Expires

When your credit card approaches its expiration date, the issuer sends a new card automatically to your address on file. This new card arrives several weeks to a month before the old one becomes invalid, ensuring a smooth transition. While the physical card expires, your credit card account remains active, and your account number stays the same, though the expiration date and security code (CVV) will be new.

Upon receiving your new card, activate it by following instructions provided, which may involve a phone call, website, or mobile app. Once activated, update any recurring payments or subscriptions that use your old card details. An expired card will be declined for new purchases, so updating these details promptly prevents service interruptions or missed payments.

Securely Disposing of an Expired Card

Properly disposing of an expired credit card protects your personal and financial information. Even if expired, a card still contains sensitive data like your account number. For plastic cards, cut the card into multiple small pieces, ensuring the account number, magnetic stripe, and embedded chip are destroyed.

Alternatively, a cross-cut shredder designed for credit cards can render the card unusable. For metal credit cards, which are more durable, return them to the issuer for secure disposal, as many companies provide a prepaid envelope. Disposing of the pieces in separate trash receptacles adds an extra layer of security.