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Honored Contributor
Posts: 9,110
Registered: ‎03-14-2010

Gift cards expiring

[ Edited ]

I was reading about Synergy World going bankrupt. So it's gift cards are now worthless.

So I dug out my pile of gift cards.

And saw that my Visa gift cards were all expired. I should have paid attention. When I retired I was given several Visa gift cards as a bonus. I find cashing them can be a pain at times. So I just threw them in a desk drawer and forgot about them.

 

Please do not make my mistake. Check your gift cards.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,900
Registered: ‎12-02-2013

@drizzellla 

 

Sorry that you had learned an expensive lesson.  Thanks for giving others a heads up !

 

I write the expiration date even on my coupons !  Either DH or I use them and of course at this age (80's) we need glasses which he forgets to carry with him.  Then I put each coupon in a see through holder that was made for photos.

We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.
Sir Winston Churchill
Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,108
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

That's really a shame. I love gift cards lol - I always use them immediately.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,988
Registered: ‎06-19-2010

@drizzellla wrote:

I was reading about Synergy World going bankrupt. So it's gift cards are now worthless.

So I dug out my pile of gift cards.

And saw that my Visa gift cards were all expired. I should have paid attention. When I retired I was given several Visa gift cards as a bonus. I find cashing them can be a pain at times. So I just threw them in a desk drawer and forgot about them.

 

Please do not make my mistake. Check your gift cards.


If you bought the Synergy cards at Costco you can get your money back. I took 22 cards in on Sunday and got my money.

Valued Contributor
Posts: 775
Registered: ‎07-09-2012

Re: Git cards expiring

[ Edited ]

@drizzellla wrote:

I was reading about Synergy World going bankrupt. So it's gift cards are now worthless.

So I dug out my pile of gift cards.

And saw that my Visa gift cards were all expired. I should have paid attention. When I retired I was given several Visa gift cards as a bonus. I find cashing them can be a pain at times. So I just threw them in a desk drawer and forgot about them.

 

Please do not make my mistake. Check your gift cards.


 

Expired Visa gift cards still hold their balance because the funds don't expire. Contact the issuer directly (phone number on the back) to request a replacement card for the remaining balance.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,969
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

I once gave gift cards to people until I realized some let them expire or lost them.  

 

I never let my gifted gift cards expire.  I was quick to use them.

 

Have never trusted gift cards.  

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,038
Registered: ‎07-13-2021

@FranandZoe wrote:

... I love gift cards lol - I always use them immediately.


 

Me too!

 

I look at them like cash, and can always find something to buy with them.

 

...And if I can't use them, I'll regift them to someone who can. Smiley Wink

Honored Contributor
Posts: 14,594
Registered: ‎03-11-2010

If I receive a gift card I carry it in my wallet and use it immediately.

I keep on dancin'
Honored Contributor
Posts: 22,265
Registered: ‎10-25-2010

Yep, that's the reason I don't like gift cards.  MILLIONS of dollars go unused because they are lost, forgotten about or they're used, but a small amount of money is still left on them.  Who wants to use a gift card with 2.37 left on it?

I have had VISA gift cards expire, especially the ones with a larger original starting amount.  Many of those cards will start issusing  fees once you use it.  The balances will start being reduced little by little every month until nothing is left on it.  Checkout the small print.

 

By federal law, cards must be able to be used for up five years.

 

I personally had hundreds of dollars in resturant gift cards lost because in one case, the resturant burned down and others went out of business.

 

I never buy gift cards and ask people not to give any to me.  I hate them! They are big money makers for those who issue them.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,038
Registered: ‎07-13-2021

@Carmie wrote:

...  Who wants to use a gift card with $2.37 left on it?

*Raises hand* - Me! Smiley LOL

 

Guess I'm the Queen of Frugal, because I'll couple the remaining few dollars left with cash or a card, and use every dime that's left. Smiley Wink