Gift cards are a multi-billion dollar part of the American economy, yet most people don't know their basic rights as cardholders. We built this site to fix that.
We're not a gift card issuer. We're not affiliated with any retailer, bank, or payment network. We don't sell anything. This site exists entirely to help consumers understand how prepaid gift cards work and what rights they have under federal law.
The Credit CARD Act of 2009 created meaningful protections for gift card holders, but those protections only help people who know about them. That's the gap we're trying to close.
We update our content whenever regulations change. We write in plain language. We don't have a financial interest in what you do with your card.
The Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act included a specific section on gift cards. Here's what it actually says, in plain terms.
Gift card funds cannot expire within five years of the date the card was purchased or the date value was last loaded onto the card. This applies to both open-loop and closed-loop gift cards sold in the US.
Note: The card itself may have an expiration date, but the funds must remain accessible. Issuers are required to provide a replacement card at no charge if the card expires while funds remain.
An inactivity fee (also called a dormancy fee or service fee) can only be charged after the card has not been used for at least 12 consecutive months. Once that threshold is met, only one fee per month is permitted.
The fee amount must be reasonable and must be clearly disclosed on the card, its packaging, or in accompanying materials before the point of purchase.
Any fees associated with a gift card must be disclosed before the consumer purchases the card. This includes purchase fees, reload fees, ATM fees (for open-loop cards), and inactivity fees.
If you were charged a fee that was not disclosed at the time of purchase, that may constitute a violation of the CARD Act.
If your gift card expires while it still has a remaining balance, the issuer is required to provide a replacement card with the remaining balance transferred at no charge to you.
You may need to contact the issuer directly to request this. Keep your original receipt as proof of purchase date and original card number.
The method depends on the type of card you have. Here are the four main approaches.
Visit the card issuer's website and enter your card number and security code. Most major retailers and all open-loop network cards offer this. Look for a "check balance" link in the footer or customer service section.
Call the toll-free number printed on the back of the card. You'll typically enter the card number and PIN using your keypad. This works even when websites are down and doesn't require internet access.
For closed-loop retail gift cards, a cashier can usually check your balance at the register. Some stores also have self-service kiosks near customer service desks that can read card balances.
Many retailers print your remaining gift card balance at the bottom of your receipt after each transaction. This is the quickest way to track your balance if you use the card regularly in physical stores.
Open-loop and closed-loop cards have different rules, different fees, and different redemption processes.
