July 22, 2025 · 12 mins read
Santhosh Kumar
Generally, all credit cards come with an expiration date, just like a debit card. This date is printed on the front side of the credit card and is an important piece of information that is used for verification purposes. Therefore, it adds up to also acts as a security feature. An expiration date basically means that the credit card is not valid and can be used only up to the date printed on the respective card. All customers will have to renew their credit cards post their expiration date.
Three main reasons can be attributed to why credit cards come with expiration date. Longevity
A credit card is just a flimsy piece of plastic and cannot function forever, especially with such frequent use. You swipe or dip your card in PoS machines several times; cards also go in and out of your wallet so many times. This causes wear and tear on the face of the card. The magnetic strip also gets numerous scratches with every use, which can cause problems with the proper functioning of the card. To avoid such functional issues, banks often issue new credit cards every few years.
The credit card expiration date also acts as a protection against fraudulent usage. At the time of making payment in the absence of a physical card, such as online payment, the card expiration date acts as an additional checkpoint that the gateway uses to confirm that the entered details are valid. Card number, expiration date, and CVV need to be used in combination and correctly in order for a transaction to be approved. Even if a fraudulent user has your card number, without the correct CVV and credit card expiration date, he cannot make a successful payment.
Technology is playing quite an important role in the financial world nowadays. They keep rolling out upgrades on debit and credit cards every now and then. Expiration of the old card and issuance of a fresh card ensure that the upgraded technology reaches everyone. Sometimes, a mandatory upgrade might be launched, which requires banks to automatically upgrade your card and send a fresh card to your address, even if the old card has not expired. The recent EMV chip upgrade on debit cards is an example of this.
Sending a fresh credit card to their customers every few years also gives an opportunity to the bank to market itself or to promote a related product. Sometimes, banks or financial institutions might make a change in their brand name or brand logo. This change will also be made on the fresh card.
1: Some important credit card-related information is printed on the face of the card: This includes the 16-digit credit card number, the name of the holder, the issue year, and the expiry date.
2: The credit card expiry date is generally found to be printed below the 16-digit account number. For example, if the expiry date printed/embossed on the card is '06/22', this means that the card will expire in the month of June.
3: Most banks allow customers to use the credit card until the end of the month. This means that the credit card will be valid until June 30, 2023. The card can therefore not be used on July 1, 2023.
4: Generally, banks will send customers new/renewed credit cards well in advance.
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It is important to keep track of your credit card expiration dates to avoid accidentally using an expired card. There are some things to consider to avoid interruptions or incurring fees when your credit card expires.
Plan ahead
Set up a reminder on your phone or calendar to help you prepare for when your card is due to expire.
**Check your automatic payments. **
Go through your credit card statement for the past three months and note all the recurring and automatic payments. Update your new credit card details with each provider because the old card will stop working once it expires.
Make a list of each provider and when the next payment date falls. You should be able to easily log into the customer dashboard for each provider and update the payment details. Check your email regularly during this period, as these providers will reach out to you if you miss a payment.
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Remember to update your details if you loaded your credit card in a digital wallet such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay. You will have the same credit card number, so you just need to update the new expiration date, which shouldn't take long.
If you use your mobile to make everyday payments and you’re still waiting on your replacement card, call your bank and ask for the new expiration date. You can update it in your digital wallet before the physical card arrives.
1: Most banks keep a track of the credit card expiration dates and will ideally courier a new credit card with the same number to the customer well in advance.
2: On the other hand, some banks will ask the customer to apply for a credit card renewal. This is a simple process and can be done online or by visiting the home bank branch.
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1: Credit card accounts are still valid: Even after the credit card expires, the credit card account of the customer will still be active, unless he/she wish to close the same.
2: Date, a security feature: The expiry date embossed on a credit card serves as a security feature, helping to prevent all types of fraud. It acts as an additional protective layer, as most retailers and merchants verify this piece of information.
3: The card wears out over time: Another reason for an expiry date is that credit cards tend to wear out with regular use and often become unusable.
4: Upgrades: With new technological advancements, old cards can often become obsolete. This is why a credit card cannot be held for a lifetime and needs to be updated periodically with advancements in technology.
All Visa credit cards come with an expiry date, and this date cannot be changed. Cardholders will have to renew their cards and cannot use an expired card at any time.
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An expiration date on a credit card is simply the date on which the card itself will no longer work and must be replaced. For cardholders, it doesn’t mean the actual credit account will cease to exist; it simply means you’ll need a new piece of plastic from the bank. Card issuers often take it upon themselves to mail out a new card well before the expiration, though some cardholders may have to contact an issuer for a replacement.
After a credit card expires, it can no longer be used for purchases. The card will not work in stores or for online purchases, and it will return a "declined" notice from the bank.
Most credit card issuers automatically mail a replacement card to cardholders before the card's expiration date. The new card will have a new expiration date and a new card verification value (CVV) security code. Unless the account is upgraded or the product changed, the credit card number usually stays the same.
A credit card issuer might also send a letter asking the cardholder if they want to renew their card. The card issuer can then reevaluate an account before sending a new card. This might happen if the cardholder is in poor standing or has ceased using the account, in which case the issuer may decide to terminate the relationship and not send a new card.
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Every new card must be activated by calling the number noted on the card or by visiting the card's activation website. Activation requires the cardholder to provide accompanying documentation or log in to the associated online account to verify identity.
Review that the terms are what you were approved for by checking the card's APR, payment due dates, credit limit, and any associated fees. Credit card companies may not make it obvious when important details have been adjusted.
A cardholder must update automatic subscriptions or recurring payments tied to a credit card once the expiration date of the current card has passed and a new card is issued. Even if a credit card number remains the same, the cardholder will need to update their billing information using the new CVV code and expiration date. It may seem like a hassle, but credit card expiration dates help all parties involved ensure financial information remains secure.
Old credit cards should be destroyed or recycled. Some experts recommend shredding them to protect the credit card number from falling into the hands of nefarious individuals. Cutting the card into small bits before tossing it into the trash works as well. Recycling the special plastic used for credit cards with a recycler offers a helpful way to reduce waste.
Metal cards are harder to dispose of properly. Most can be returned to the issuing bank or company for secure recycling in a special envelope provided with the new card. (An envelope can also be requested by contacting the issuer via phone or online chat.) While experts say cutting up the card with tin snips is sometimes an acceptable solution, they recommend against feeding it through a home shredder. Cardholders should steer clear of third-party disposal services. The only place someone should mail an old card for disposal is where it came from.
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It may seem unusual to renew a credit card every few years, especially if it hasn't been heavily used. Card issuers have a few incentives to keep up with this practice:
1: Important parts of the card may wear out. The magnetic strip on the back of a credit card may wear off over time or become less effective, even if the card itself doesn't appear to be damaged. The card's plastic may also chip or fall apart. Receiving a new card every few years is a surefire way to prevent inconvenient purchase disruptions.
2: The expiration date is a vital anti-fraud security measure. Combined with the CVV code on the back of a card, the expiration date prevents people who have gained access to only the credit card number from making fraudulent purchases. Renewing this date more frequently limits opportunities for this fraud.
3: It’s an opportunity for credit card companies to renew inventory. New card technology, such as chips or tap-to-pay capabilities, benefits both the issuer and the customer. When cards are renewed, both parties can be assured that the cardholder is using the most up-to-date version, which offers maximum security and the latest technology.
4: It’s a marketing opportunity for the credit card company. Sometimes, the card issuer will take it upon itself to upsell the customer with an upgraded account. They may notify a customer of new deals, which could lead the customer to sign up for a new account, either in addition to or instead of their existing one. It's also an excuse for the issuer to remind an inactive customer of a forgotten card.
Credit card expiration dates can be a hassle, but they also offer some specific benefits. Not only do they provide a shiny new card in the mail, but they also help ensure a card is always in working order when you set out to use it and provide critical protection against fraud. Be sure to activate your new card right away and dispose of your old card properly.
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Yes, most banks track credit card expiration dates and will ideally courier a new credit card with the same number to the customer well in advance.
The expiry date embossed on a credit card serves as a security feature, helping to prevent all types of fraud. It acts as an additional protective layer, as most retailers and merchants verify this piece of information.
Most banks allow customers to use the credit card until the end of the month.
Even after the credit card expires, the customer's credit card account will still be active, unless they wish to close it.
Expiration dates appear on the front or back of a credit card in a two-digit month/year format. Credit cards expire at the end of the month written on the card.
Credit cards expire every two to five years, depending on the issuer. Banks set expiration dates based on a number of factors, including physical wear and tear on the card, security and encouraging consumers to reevaluate their credit card plans for upgrade.
Credit cards expire every two to five years, depending on the issuer. Banks set expiration dates based on a number of factors, including physical wear and tear on the card, security and encouraging consumers to reevaluate their credit card plans for upgrade.
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