Gift Card Expiry Value Calculator
Calculate the remaining value and expiry status of gift cards.
Track multiple cards, inactivity fee impact, and which cards to use first to avoid losing value.
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:
- Gift cards cannot expire for at least 5 years from the date of purchase or the last date the card was loaded with funds.
- Inactivity (dormancy) fees can only be charged after the card has been inactive for 12 consecutive months.
- Only one fee per month may be charged, and the fee must be clearly disclosed.
Note: These rules apply to general-purpose prepaid cards and gift certificates. Store-specific gift cards may have additional protections under individual state laws.
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:
- Cards with inactivity fees AND a low balance (drain fastest)
- Cards expiring soonest
- Cards with inactivity fees but higher balance
- Cards with no fees and no expiry (use last)
Unclaimed Property / Escheatment
In most US states, if a gift card balance goes unclaimed for 3–7 years, the value must be reported as unclaimed property to the state. The issuer does not get to keep it. In principle you can claim it back through your state office years later.
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)
How we build and check this calculator
This calculator runs entirely in your browser, so the numbers you enter stay on your device. The math behind it is written by hand and tested against worked examples and standard references before the page goes live.
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