When Does a Card Expire? How Expiration Dates Work
Gain clarity on payment card expiration dates. Understand their purpose, how to interpret them, and the steps for managing your card's lifecycle.
Payment cards, including credit, debit, and certain gift cards, all come with an expiration date. Understanding these dates is important for uninterrupted use and managing your financial accounts. This article clarifies what these expiration dates signify and outlines the steps to take when a card approaches its expiry.
Locating the Expiration Date
The expiration date is typically printed on either the front or the back of your physical card. For credit and debit cards, you will find it near your name or the card number, sometimes labeled “Valid Thru” or “Expires End”. Gift cards also feature an expiration date. For digital payment methods or cards stored in online accounts, this information is accessible within the associated mobile application or website details.
Decoding the Date Format
Expiration dates are almost always presented in a two-digit month and two- or four-digit year format, such as MM/YY or MM/YYYY. For example, a card displaying “03/27” means it is valid through the last day of March 2027. It becomes inactive starting April 1st, 2027. The term “Valid Thru” explicitly indicates that the card remains usable until the very end of the month specified.
Implications of an Expired Card
Once a card reaches its expiration date, it becomes invalid for new purchases, whether attempted online or in person. Transactions will be declined, as the system verifies the expiration date as part of the authorization process. For recurring payments and subscriptions, an expired card can lead to failed transactions if not updated promptly. Expiration dates help manage physical wear and tear, implement security upgrades like new chip technology, and prevent fraud by requiring periodic validation of card details.
Receiving and Activating a New Card
Most card issuers automatically send a replacement card before your current one expires, arriving about one to two months prior to the expiration month. If a new card is not received within this timeframe, contact your issuing bank to inquire about its status. Upon receiving a new card, activation is required and can be completed through various methods, such as calling an activation number, using the issuer’s online portal, or via their mobile banking app. After activation, update the new card’s details, including the new expiration date and security code, for any recurring payments, subscriptions, or digital wallets.