How long do vouchers normally last?

Asked by: Ramiro Conroy  |  Last update: June 1, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (1 votes)

Vouchers typically last between 12 months and 5 years, depending on the type, location, and specific retailer policies. In the US, federal law generally requires gift cards to remain valid for at least 5 years, while in the UK, 12-24 months is common. Experience vouchers often last 12 months, though some regulations extend this.

How long can a voucher be valid for?

That's because laws passed in 2019 mean gift cards have to be valid for three years after the day they were supplied or bought.

How long are vouchers usually valid?

Most businesses should use a 12-24 month expiry for peace of mind. State all terms clearly on the voucher, your website, and at the point of purchase. If in doubt, a written terms and conditions policy and professional legal review is your best protection.

Do vouchers have an expiration date?

Federal and State Laws on Expiration. The CARD Act protects consumers by setting a minimum expiration timeline of five years for gift cards while also limiting inactivity fees. However, many states have additional protections, banning expiration entirely in some cases.

How long does it take for a voucher to expire?

In addition, in terms of the Consumer Protection Act (SA), coupons (Section 63: prepaid certificates, credits, vouchers) cannot expire before 3 years from date of issue, and if the certificate, credit or voucher was purchased it NEVER expires until it has been exchanged for the goods or services for which it was ...

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29 related questions found

Can a voucher go out of date?

The expiry date does not have to be printed on the gift voucher itself. The business must inform you of it by email or in writing. It should be at least five years from the date you bought it.

How long is a 1 voucher valid?

1 Voucher is the digital payment solution for cash customers in South Africa. Get your cash online, make payments and top-up wallets. We use Industry-leading tech to make every sale, payment and redemption safe and secure. 1 Voucher expires 3 years from the date of purchase.

Can you exchange a gift voucher for cash?

A gift card is a great gift for those who are difficult to shop for. Sometimes, however, cash is much preferred over a gift card. Luckily, there are several things you can do to turn your card into cash. You can sell your gift card, trade it in for cash, or use your gift card to gain points that will save you money.

Can you get a refund on a voucher?

Once you have redeemed a voucher with a merchant you have entered into a legally binding contract with that merchant. Therefore, once you have redeemed a voucher, you would need to cancel the merchant contract with the merchant in order to receive a full refund of the price paid for the voucher products from them.

How long do you choose vouchers to last?

YouChoose Gift Cards and YouChoose Gaming Cards are valid for 12 months in the UK and 5 years in Ireland (as required by Irish legislation).

What does "voucher expired" mean?

Coupon expiration dates define the exact date and time a discount offer is no longer valid.

What happens if your gift voucher expires?

The harsh truth is that retailers are not legally obliged to accept expired gift vouchers. However, some retailers will accept them as a goodwill gesture. The chances of this happening largely depends on the retailer's customer service policy and your approach.

How long is a new look voucher valid?

Yes they do.

New Look gift cards & digital e-gift cards are valid for either 12 or 24 months. If you don't use it within the expiry, any remaining balance will be cancelled. - If you purchase a gift card, this is valid for 24 months.

How long do size vouchers last?

Gift cards will expire after 12 months from the date of purchase of the Gift Card if not used and size? will not refund any remaining balance. This 12-month period will renew for a further 12 months after each purchase using the gift card.

What gift cards cannot be converted to cash?

Most major brands like Amazon, Walmart, or Visa do not allow you to convert gift cards into cash at face value.

What to do with unwanted gift cards?

You can sell unwanted gift cards on exchange sites like Raise or CardCash or to friends/family, trade them for more useful ones, use them to buy items to resell, donate them to charities for those in need (like food banks), or use them strategically for essentials or as gifts for others. Selling usually means accepting less than face value, but it's better than letting them expire unused. 

Can I redeem a gift voucher for cash?

How gift cards work. A gift card or voucher is a card loaded with an amount of cash that lets you, or the person you give it to, pay for goods and services. Gift cards usually can't be exchanged for cash.

Do vouchers expire?

Consumer Protection (Gift Vouchers) Act 2019: Information Note, FAQs and Post-Enactment Report. The Consumer Protection (Gift Vouchers) Act 2019 is effective as and from 2 December 2019. One of its main benefits is that gift vouchers will have a minimum expiry date of five years.

How long does a voucher last?

Loss, expiry and damage

The time it takes for a gift voucher to expire is decided by the vendor – our advice is to check the expiry date as soon as you receive it. There aren't any specific laws that say how long a gift voucher or card should last, meaning they could last anywhere from a few months to a few years.

What year did gift cards stop expiring?

Under a federal law that went into effect in 2010, a gift card can't expire for five years from the time it was purchased or from the last time someone added money to it. Some state laws require an even longer period.

What is the difference between a voucher and a gift card?

Gift cards can be issued for a number of reasons and have a 3 year expiry whereas voucher codes usually apply to limited time offers and promotions.

Are all vouchers valid for 5 years?

Consumer rights related to gift vouchers are set down in law and include a five year minimum expiry date. Not all vouchers are covered by the legislation so it is important to check what kind of voucher you have and what rights apply.

What happens when a voucher expires?

Has the voucher expired, or can you still “cash it in?” According to section 63 of the Consumer Protection Act, vouchers expire after a period of 3 years after the date on which they are issued. This can, however, be extended at the discretion of the retailer / supplier.