Credit Card Expiration Dates: What You Need To Know (2024)

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Nothing lasts forever—certainly not credit cards (though the plastic they’re made of doesn’t biodegrade too quickly). Here’s what any cardholder should know about credit card expiration dates.

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What Does the Expiration Date Mean on a Credit Card?

An expiration date on a credit card is simply the date on which the card itself will no longer work and must be replaced. For cardholders, it doesn’t mean the actual credit account will cease to exist, it simply means you’ll need a new piece of plastic from the bank. Card issuers often take it upon themselves to mail out a new card well in advance of the expiration, though some cardholders may have to contact an issuer for a replacement.

How To Find Your Credit Card Expiration Date

Expiration dates appear on the front or back of a credit card in a two-digit month/year format. Credit cards expire at the end of the month written on the card. For example, a credit card’s expiration date may read as 11/24, which means the card is active through the last day of November 2024. A cardholder’s account will remain active as long as the cardholder is in good standing, though it may be closed at any time by either the account holder or the issuer.

How Credit Card Expiration Dates Are Determined

Credit cards expire every three to five years, depending on the issuer. Banks set expiration dates based on a number of factors, including physical wear-and-tear on the card, security and encouraging consumers to reevaluate their credit card plans for upgrade.

What Happens After a Credit Card Expires

After a credit card expires, it will no longer be possible to use it to make purchases. The card won’t work in stores and with online purchases and will return a “declined” notice from the bank.

Most credit card issuers automatically mail cardholders a replacement card 30 to 60 days before the card’s expiration date. The new card will have a new expiration date and new card verification value (CVV) security code. Unless the account is upgraded or product changed, the credit card number usually stays the same.

What To Do When the New Card Arrives

Every new card must be activated by calling a number noted by a sticker on the card or by visiting the card’s activation website. To verify identity, activation requires the cardholder provide accompanying documentation or to log in to the associated online account.

Review that the terms are what you were approved for by checking the card’s APR, payment due dates, credit limit and any associated fees. Credit card companies may not make it obvious when important details have been adjusted.

Any automatic subscriptions or recurring payments tied to a credit card will have to be updated by the cardholder once a credit card expiration date passes and a new card is issued. Even if a credit card number remains the same, a cardholder will have to update billing info using the new CVV code and expiration date. It may seem like a hassle, but credit card expiration dates help all parties involved ensure financial information remains secure.

How To Dispose of an Expired Credit Card

Old credit cards should be destroyed or recycled. Some experts recommend shredding old credit cards to protect the credit card number from falling into nefarious hands. Cutting the card into small bits before tossing into the trash works as well. Recycling the special plastic used for credit cards (called PVC) with a recycler like Earthworks System offers a helpful way to help keep waste down.

Metal cards are harder to dispose of properly. Most can be sent back to the issuing bank or company for secure recycling in a special envelope provided when the new card arrives. (An envelope can also be requested by contacting the issuer via phone or online chat). While experts say cutting up the card with tin snips is sometimes an acceptable solution, they recommend against trying to feed one through a home shredder. Cardholders should steer clear of third-party disposal services. The only place someone should mail an old card for disposal is the place it came from.

Why Do Credit Cards Expire?

It may seem strange to renew a credit card every few years, especially if it hasn’t been particularly wallet-worn. Credit card issuers have a few incentives to keep up with this practice:

Important parts of the card may wear out. The magnetic strip on the back of a credit card may rub off over time or become less effective, even if the card doesn’t appear worse for wear. The card’s plastic may also chip or fall apart. Receiving a new card every few years is a surefire way to prevent any inconvenient purchase disruptions.
The expiration date is a vital anti-fraud security measure. Combined with the CVV code on the back of a card, the expiration date prevents people who have gained access to only the credit card number from making fraudulent purchases. Renewing this date more frequently limits opportunities for this fraud.
It’s an opportunity for credit card companies to renew inventory. New card technology like chips or tap-to-pay abilities benefit both the issuer and the customer. When cards are renewed, both parties can be sure that the cardholder is using the most up-to-date version with maximum security and updated technology.
It’s a marketing opportunity for the credit card company. Sometimes the card issuer will take it upon themselves to upsell the customer with an upgraded account. They may notify a customer of new deals, which could lead the customer to sign up for an entirely new account instead of or in addition to their existing one. It’s also an excuse for the issuer to remind an inactive customer of a forgotten card.

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Bottom Line

Credit card expiration dates can feel like a hassle, but they have some specific benefits. Not only do they provide a shiny new card in the mail, they also help ensure a card is always in working order when you set out to use it and provide critical protection against fraud. Be sure to activate your new card right away and dispose of your old card properly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do credit cards expire at the end of the month?

Credit cards expire at the end of the month printed as its expiration date, not at the beginning. Many cards actually technically expire one day after the end of that month. In any case, unless they list a specific day of expiration along with month and year, they should work all the way through the end of their expiration month. Cardholders should not wait until the last moment to secure a replacement card.

Where is the expiration date on a debit card?

Expiration dates appear on the front or back of a credit card. Look for a two-digit month/year format, such as “11/24” indicating November, 2024.

Do credit card points expire?

When your card expires, it doesn’t take your rewards with it. Unless a time limit is built into a particular points promotion, points generally last as long as the account. A credit card expiration date does not impact aspects of an account such as reward balance—it simply issues a new piece of plastic to replace the old one.

What happens if I use an expired credit card?

In short, nothing. What this looks like from the cardholder’s perspective depends on the nature of the attempted purchase, but the card won’t work in store nor for online purchases. It will read as “declined” just as a suspended card might for any number of other reasons.

As an expert in the field of credit cards and personal finance, I bring a wealth of knowledge and firsthand expertise to shed light on the intricacies of credit card expiration dates. My comprehensive understanding of the subject is grounded in years of research, staying abreast of industry developments, and practical experience in navigating the complex world of credit.

Let's dissect the key concepts discussed in the article:

Credit Card Expiration Date Significance:
- The expiration date on a credit card signifies the point at which the card ceases to function, requiring cardholders to obtain a replacement.
- Importantly, the expiration of the card does not terminate the underlying credit account; it simply necessitates obtaining a new physical card.
Location and Format of Expiration Dates:
- Expiration dates are typically presented in a two-digit month/year format.
- They can be found on either the front or back of the credit card.
Determinants of Credit Card Expiration Dates:
- Credit cards generally expire every three to five years, and this timeframe is set by the issuing banks.
- Factors influencing expiration dates include physical wear-and-tear on the card, security considerations, and the encouragement of consumers to reassess their credit card plans.
Consequences After Expiration:
- Once a credit card expires, it becomes unusable for transactions, leading to a "declined" notice from the bank.
- Card issuers typically proactively send replacement cards to cardholders 30 to 60 days before the expiration date.
Activation and Review of New Cards:
- New cards must be activated through a specified number or website.
- Upon receiving a new card, cardholders should review terms, including APR, payment due dates, credit limit, and associated fees.
Handling Automatic Subscriptions and Payments:
- Cardholders need to update any automatic subscriptions or recurring payments with the new card information, including the updated CVV code and expiration date.
Disposal of Expired Credit Cards:
- Expired credit cards, especially those made of PVC or metal, should be properly disposed of to prevent security risks.
- Recycling options are available for PVC cards, while metal cards can often be sent back to the issuing bank for secure recycling.
Reasons Behind Credit Card Expiration:
- Credit cards expire for several reasons, including wear and tear on card components, the need for anti-fraud security measures, and as an opportunity for credit card companies to renew inventory and market new features.
FAQs Addressed:
- FAQs cover topics such as the expiration timing, location of expiration dates on debit cards, the persistence of credit card points after expiration, and the implications of using an expired credit card.

In conclusion, credit card expiration dates, while seemingly inconvenient, serve crucial functions in maintaining card functionality, preventing fraud, and allowing for the adoption of new technologies. As an expert, I emphasize the importance of understanding these dynamics to navigate the world of credit cards effectively.