Gift Card Expiry Value Calculator

Gift cards are among the most popular gifts anywhere, and an enormous amount of that money is never spent. Some of it expires, some is nibbled away by fees, and a great deal of it simply sits in a drawer. Knowing the rules is how you keep yours.

US Law: The Credit CARD Act of 2009

In the United States, federal law provides important protections for gift cards:

1. Gift cards cannot expire for at least 5 years from the date of purchase or the last date the card was loaded with funds.
2. Inactivity (dormancy) fees can only be charged after the card has been inactive for 12 consecutive months.
3. Only one fee per month may be charged, and the fee must be clearly disclosed.

Note: These rules cover store gift cards, gift certificates and general-use prepaid gift cards alike. Many states go further, and a few ban expiry dates or inactivity fees on store cards altogether.

Inactivity Fee Impact

Fees cannot start until the card has sat unused for 12 months. After that, a $2 to $5 monthly fee empties a small balance fast:

• A $5 monthly fee on a $20 card: nothing for the first 12 months, then gone by month 16
• A $3 monthly fee on a $50 card: nothing for the first 12 months, then $36 eaten during the second year

The 12-month grace period is why the single most useful thing you can do is set a reminder for month 11.

Which Cards to Use First

If you have multiple gift cards, use them in this priority order:

1. Cards with inactivity fees AND a low balance (drain fastest)
2. Cards expiring soonest
3. Cards with inactivity fees but higher balance
4. Cards with no fees and no expiry (use last)

Unclaimed Property / Escheatment

State rules differ more here than anywhere else. Some states require an issuer to report a gift card balance left untouched for 3 to 5 years as unclaimed property, and you can then claim it back from the state years later. Many others exempt store gift cards entirely, so the issuer keeps the money. Check your own state before counting on it.

Tips to Avoid Losing Value

• Register cards online: this helps you track balance and activates theft protection
• Set a reminder for 11 months after receipt to use any card with inactivity fees
• Combine partial balances from multiple cards on Amazon where permitted
• Exchange low-balance cards you will not use at gift card exchange sites (Raise, CardCash)