Free Guide to Understanding Credit Card Expiration Dates

What Credit Card Expiration Dates Are and Why They Matter

Every credit card has an expiration date printed on its front surface. This date tells you when the card stops working for purchases. The expiration date typically appears in a format like "05/27," which means the card expires in May 2027. Understanding what this date means and why it exists helps you manage your card responsibly and avoid payment problems.

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Credit card expiration dates exist for several important reasons. First, they serve as a security measure. Cards can wear out over time—the magnetic stripe on the back can become damaged, and the numbers may fade. After a certain period, usually three to five years, the card may become unreliable. Second, expiration dates allow card issuers to update security features. Technology changes constantly, and newer cards include better fraud protection than older ones. Third, the expiration date provides a checkpoint for card companies to review your account. When your card is about to expire, the issuer checks whether your account is in good standing and whether you still meet their requirements to hold a card.

The expiration date is not the same as your account closing date. Your account can remain open and active even after your physical card expires. When your card expires, the card company will typically send you a replacement card with a new expiration date. This replacement usually arrives in the mail about two to three weeks before your current card expires. Your account number may stay the same, though some banks issue new account numbers with replacement cards.

Practical Takeaway: Check your credit card regularly to see when it expires. Mark the expiration date on your calendar so you know when to expect a replacement card. If you don't receive a replacement card within a few weeks before expiration, contact your card issuer to confirm they have your correct mailing address.

How to Read and Locate Expiration Dates

Finding your credit card's expiration date is straightforward. On most cards, the expiration date appears on the front of the card, usually in the bottom right corner. It's printed in a two-digit format: the first two digits represent the month, and the second two digits represent the year. For example, "12/25" means December 2025. Some older cards or certain specialty cards may have the expiration date on the back, though this is less common in the United States today.

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The month number always comes first in the expiration date format. Months are numbered one through twelve, so January is 01, February is 02, and so on. If you see "03/26," this means the card expires in March 2026. The card remains valid through the last day of that month. So a card expiring in "03/26" will work through March 31, 2026, but cannot be used starting April 1, 2026.

When you shop online or over the phone, you'll need to enter your expiration date exactly as it appears on your card. Entering the wrong expiration date will cause a transaction to fail, even if all other card information is correct. If you notice the expiration date on your card is difficult to read—perhaps the numbers have faded or worn away—you should not guess. Instead, contact your card issuer. They can tell you the correct expiration date by looking up your account. Many card issuers also display expiration dates in your online account portal or mobile app.

Digital wallet services like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay store your card information, including the expiration date. When you add a card to a digital wallet, the expiration date is automatically saved. The digital wallet will update when you receive a new card. You don't need to manually update the expiration date yourself in most cases—the services handle this when you add your replacement card information.

Practical Takeaway: Write down your card's expiration date in a safe location separate from your card itself. This way, if your card is lost or stolen, you can provide this information to your card issuer. Keep a photo of your card (front and back) in a secure digital location as well, which can speed up the process of reporting a lost card.

What Happens When Your Card Expires

When a credit card reaches its expiration date, you cannot use that physical card for any new transactions. Merchants' payment systems automatically reject expired cards. This applies whether you're using the card in person at a store, online, or over the phone. Attempting to use an expired card will result in a declined transaction, and you'll need to provide different payment information to complete the purchase.

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However, your credit card account does not close when the card expires. Your account balance remains the same, any existing payment arrangements continue, and you can still access your account through your bank's website or app. If you have automatic payments set up on that card—such as a subscription service or utility bill—those payments may fail once the card expires. It's important to update any recurring payment information before your card expires to avoid late fees or service interruptions.

Card issuers typically send a replacement card to your mailing address about two to three weeks before expiration. The replacement card will have a new expiration date, usually extending another three to five years into the future. In most cases, the replacement card has the same account number as your expired card, though some banks issue new numbers for security reasons. When you receive your replacement card, you should destroy the old expired card by cutting it in half or shredding it. This prevents anyone from finding it and potentially misusing the card number.

If you don't receive a replacement card before your current card expires, you should contact your card issuer. Possible reasons you might not receive a replacement include an incorrect address on file, mail delivery problems, or a hold placed on your account due to fraud concerns. Your card issuer can investigate the situation and reissue your replacement card or confirm your address and resend it.

Your credit score is not negatively affected by a card expiring. The expiration date itself does not impact your credit report or credit history. However, if an expired card causes you to miss payments on recurring bills, those missed payments could appear on your credit report and damage your score. This makes it important to update recurring payment information promptly when you receive your replacement card.

Practical Takeaway: Create a list of all services and payments that charge to your credit card each month. When you receive a replacement card, update each of these services with your new card number and expiration date before your old card expires. This prevents service interruptions and late fees.

Planning Ahead: What to Do Before Your Card Expires

Being proactive about your card's expiration date helps you avoid payment problems and disruptions to services you use regularly. The best time to start preparing is about two months before your card's expiration date. This gives you a buffer of time to handle any issues that arise and ensures you have your replacement card well before the expiration date.

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First, identify all the places where you use your card for automatic or recurring charges. Make a list that includes subscription services (streaming, software, memberships), utility companies, insurance payments, loan payments, and any other regular charges. Include the phone number or website for each service. When you receive your replacement card, you'll use this list to update your payment information with each company.

Next, check your credit card's online account portal or mobile app to see if these recurring charges are tracked there. Many card issuers now provide a feature that shows merchants charging your card on a regular basis. This can help you catch any subscriptions you forgot about or services you no longer use and want to cancel.

About three weeks before your card expires, verify that your mailing address is correct with your card issuer. You can do this through their website, mobile app, or by calling the customer service number on the back of your card. An incorrect address is the most common reason people don't receive replacement cards on time.

When your replacement card arrives, don't discard your old card immediately. Instead, take time to update your recurring payment information first. Use the list you created to contact each company or update your information through their website. Once you've confirmed that all recurring charges have been updated and processed successfully on your new card, then you can safely destroy the old card.

If you travel frequently or rely on your credit card for emergencies, consider requesting a replacement card extra early. Some card issuers allow you to request a new card up to six months before expiration. Having your replacement card earlier reduces the risk of being without a working card if the mail is delayed.

Practical Takeaway: Set a phone reminder in your calendar for two months