I thought they passed a law that there could be no expiration date on a gift card. I would just go ahead and use it.

If it's expired there's not much you can do. My understanding is new cards don't expire or have penalties but what I understood that didn't affect the old ones. I'm not sure about it so check into it.

I'm curious how someone could just go ahead and use it if they don't accept it! :)

This happened to us a few weeks ago. My DH tried to use a Penney's gift card that had been given to him well over a year ago. The clerk said it wasn't coming up as "valid", but she called the headquarters, (at her suggestion). We were told that Penney's would send him a new card to use. Within 3 days he had the card, and used it with no problem.
This was our experience. Penney's is a pretty good company.

I think Georgysmom is right about the law, and I think it's over a year old. I lost quite a bit years ago on some gift cards, and found there was nothing I could do. It was written in the finer-than-fine print on the card itself. Glad this can't happen anymore.

We received gift cards during this Christmas shopping season that expired by the end of Feb.

Those are the ones that "you get FREE" when you purchase the one for a bigger amount. Like at Grizzley's we bought a card for $50 and rec. an additional card for $10 FREE. The free one expires the end of Feb of this year. My guess is this way they get around the law -- because it was not "sold."

I saw a news story just a month or so ago about how to collect the money from expired cards. I wish I went on the news site and saved the link.

But, it reminded me of the unclaimed money thing and I think they give you cash back. Anyway, the money is usually out there for you to get if it's a real gift card and not like a Groupon or coupon or something. Hold onto them; they are not worthless.

Here's a little something I found. I'm sure there's more info out there on your particular state/area if you feel like searching for it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Unclaimed Gift Cards

Here is the list of laws by state.

Here is a link that might be useful: State Gift Card Consumer Protection Laws

Another thing that bugs me is the fee that's charged monthly, after, say, four ... or six ... months, by a number of them.

You got my money ...

... have been using it without having given service/product in return, for a number of months ...

... so, darn well come up with the full value equivalent of product/service, now, darn you!

By the way, you Canadians - do the rules forbidding an expiry date apply in Canada, as well?

ole joyful

My sister did something about an expired gift card that she had given a grand child. They misplaced it and found it after the expiration date. She took it to the store where she had bought it and demanded a refund. When they said no, she demanded some more and louder. People were beginning to stare and she asked for a manager. They called him, told him of the situation and he approved the refund for the full amount.

To expire, it has to be written on the card, date etc., right?

Ol' Joyful,
Our gift cards cannot have expiry dates, as well.
They also can't charge a "fee" that eats away at the value of the card.

Thanks jasdip - fount of useful information.

Have any of you found that some purveyors charge a transaction fee each time that you use some of them?

o j

I had one a couple years ago or more. I forget the retailer.
When I went to use it, it had less money on it.....some kind of a fee because I wasn't using it. Go figure.

They can't do such a thing now, anymore to the best of my knowledge.

They did it again...please do not ever buy a Walmart money card....got another one from on of the kids...used part of it and when we tried to use it again it failed to go thru...reason given...they charge you 3 dollars every month you have it...balance was used up for charges...Mary

Well, that is just terrible......does the card have any info on that? DOesn't seem even legal, to me.

We sell for less ...

... but we hang on to some of your money on the way through, and give nothing for it, on occasion, it seems.

Nice people.

ole joyful

I've lost money on gift cards both ways-bought them to give as gifts and also received some and let them expire. Now if I get any gift certs, I file them in my wallet and make a point to usem up. Right now I've got 2 free cups of coffee coming from Dunkin donuts.