When Do Cards Expire and What You Should Do

Financial cards like credit, debit, and gift cards all come with an expiration date. This date signifies when the physical card will no longer be valid for transactions. Understanding card expiration is important for managing finances and ensuring uninterrupted access to funds. It is a built-in feature designed to maintain security and functionality.

Identifying Expiration Dates

Locating the expiration date on your card is straightforward. For most credit and debit cards, this date is found on the front, often below the card number or cardholder’s name. It is presented in a two-digit month and two-digit year format, such as “MM/YY” or “MM/YYYY” (e.g., “11/26” or “11/2026”). This means the card remains active through the last day of the month indicated. For instance, a card showing “07/25” is valid until July 31, 2025.

While many cards display the date on the front, some issuers may place it on the back, often near the security code. For gift cards, the expiration date is also found on the card itself, usually on the back, or within the accompanying terms and conditions. If the date is unclear on a gift card, contacting the issuer’s customer service provides clarification.

Purpose of Card Expiration

Card expiration dates serve several purposes beyond simply indicating when a card wears out. A primary reason is to enhance security and protect against fraud. By regularly issuing new cards with updated expiration dates and security codes, financial institutions render previously stolen card numbers less useful, as transactions often require the correct expiration date for verification. This adds an extra layer of protection, particularly for online or phone purchases where the physical card isn’t present.

Expiration dates also address the physical degradation of cards from everyday use. Over time, the plastic cracks, numbers fade, and embedded EMV chips or magnetic stripes wear out, potentially causing transaction failures. Issuing new cards periodically ensures that cardholders have a functional payment instrument. This cycle allows financial institutions to roll out new technologies and updated security features, such as advanced EMV chip technology or contactless payment capabilities, keeping card technology current and offering improved fraud prevention and a better user experience. It also provides an opportunity for card issuers to update branding or introduce new card designs.

Managing Expired Cards

When a credit or debit card approaches its expiration date, most financial institutions automatically issue and mail a replacement card to the cardholder’s address on file. This new card arrives several weeks (30 to 60 days) before the old card expires. While the new card retains the same account number, its expiration date and security code (CVV) will be different.

Upon receiving a new card, activate it promptly. Activation can be done by calling a toll-free number provided with the card, through the issuer’s mobile app, or via their online banking portal. Activating the new card ensures it is ready for use and that your account remains active, so update any recurring payments or subscriptions tied to the old card’s information. This includes services like streaming platforms, utility bills, and online subscriptions, as transactions will likely be declined if the old expiration date is used. Some card issuers offer automatic update services that notify merchants of new card details, but it is prudent to verify these updates yourself.

Finally, securely disposing of the expired physical card is important to prevent fraud. For plastic cards, cutting through the magnetic stripe, EMV chip, and account numbers into multiple small pieces using scissors or a cross-cut shredder is recommended. Spreading the pieces across different trash receptacles adds another layer of security. For metal cards, which are more difficult to destroy at home, contact the card issuer, as many provide a service or prepaid envelope for safe return and disposal. Gift cards, unlike credit or debit cards, do not renew and their balances should be used before their stated expiration, though federal law requires them to be valid for at least five years from issuance.