Expired Credit Card Guide: What To Do Before And After The Expiry Date

You can find your credit card expiration date printed directly on your card, and most companies will send you a new card well in advance. Just make sure your mailing address is up to date so your card is sent to the right place.

Your credit card expires on the last day of the listed month. So if your card expires in January, you can keep using it until January 31.

But credit card expiration dates can still sneak up on you, and you may be wondering what to do with your new and old cards. This article is your complete guide to credit card expiry. Learn what to do with your old physical card, how to activate your new card, why credit cards expire, and more.

Why do credit cards expire?

If your credit card never expired, we imagine it would be in pretty rough shape, plastic peeling or numbers wearing off. Not to mention it might not have state-of-the-art security features that can prevent credit card fraud.

Credit card issuers typically phase out older cards every 3 to 5 years in order to issue fresh cards with updated technology.

Remember when all you had to do was swipe and sign? Now, cards feature tap-to-pay or chip-and-PIN technology that can prevent unauthorized use of your card.

What to do when your credit card expires

When your credit card is expiring soon, your card issuer should send a replacement card. You’ll typically receive this card about a month before the expiration date.

If you don’t receive your new card, make sure your address is up to date and reach out to your issuer to request a replacement.

When you get your new card, activate it, destroy or return the old card, and update all your recurring bills or subscription accounts with the new card details. This way, you won’t miss payments, which could damage your credit score.

What to do with your expired or expiring credit card

Your old credit card still has valuable information. Remember, even though it's an old credit card, it will have the same credit card number on the front, so you don’t want that falling into the wrong hands.

In most cases, you’ll need to destroy your old credit card. However, if you have a metal credit card, you may need to return it to the issuer instead.

How to dispose of an expired card

You have a few options for destroying and disposing of your old credit card:

• Cut up the card and throw it away: Use scissors or a metal cutter (if you’ve got a fancy metal credit card) and cut the card into several small pieces. If it’s got a chip, make sure to cut through that. We recommend throwing the pieces away in separate garbage cans.
• Return it to your bank: Banks gladly accept and dispose of old credit cards, so you know your information is secure.
• Mail the card back to the issuer: If you don’t have a brick-and-morter bank, contact your card issuer and ask where you can mail the card back. They may even give you a postage-paid envelope for returning the card.

Tip: Don't bother trying to put your old card through a paper shredder – you'll just end up with an expensive mistake.

What happens if you try to use an expired credit card

Simple answer? Your transaction will be declined.

If your card is expiring soon, you can keep using it until the last day of the expiration month. For instance, if your card has an expiration date of 12/25, you can use it until the last day of December, 2025.

But once the last day of the month passes, your credit card won’t work anymore.

How to activate your new credit card

Let’s start with a pro tip: As soon as you get the replacement card in the mail, activate it. Card issuers make it easier than ever to get your new card up and running.

Usually, the new card has a sticker on it that lists your activation options. Here’s what you can usually expect:

1. Call customer service: Call the number printed on the sticker and you’ll be walked through a series of automated prompts. You’ll have to enter the card number and provide some personal information, but this option only takes a minute.
2. Use your online account: Log into your credit card account and you might immediately see a pop-up or notification that you can activate your new card. If you don’t see it, look for an activation URL on your sticker, or check the section of the site for account or card management.
3. Activate the card on the mobile app: Most card issuers let you jump on the app and follow a basic prompt (like entering the new card details) to get your new card up and running.

Regardless of which activation method you choose, you’ll have to give the new card’s card verification value (CVV), the 3-digit number on the back of the card. Note that American Express credit cards have a 4-digit CVV on the front of the card.

If your card issuer is also updating the card’s terms and conditions, read through the document to learn about any changes to your card.

What happens if you don't activate a new card

If you don’t activate your new card, you won’t be able to use it. And, after your old card expires, you won’t be able to use that either. Transactions can’t go through on an expired or unactivated card.

Don’t worry: getting declined for using an expired or unactivated card won’t damage your credit score. The only consequence is inconvenience – and maybe an awkward interaction with a cashier.

Plus, it’s not too late to activate your new card. Your account will remain open, and you can still activate your new card after your old card expires.

However, if you wait too long, you may need to request a new card to activate, or your issuer may even close your account. If your account closes, this could damage your credit score, since your amount of available credit will drop.

FAQ

Do credit cards expire at the end of the month?

Yes, your credit card expires at the end of the expiry month, so you can keep using it until the last day of that month. You can find the expiry date printed on your card.

What happens if a credit card expires?

When a credit card expires, it stops working, so if you try to use it, your transaction will be declined. You’ve got to activate the replacement card to keep using your credit.

Will I automatically get a new credit card when it expires?

You should, unless your account is in poor standing and your credit card issuer decides to close your account. It’s rare that this happens, but unfortunately, it is possible. If you don’t get a new card, double-check the address listed on your account and reach out to your issuer.

Do they automatically send you a new card when it expires?

You should receive a new credit card in the mail at least a month before your current credit card expires. If you have not received one, reach out to your issuer, and they should be able to help sort it out.

Is it better to cancel a credit card or let it expire?

We’re assuming you don’t want to keep this card. If that’s the case, find out if there are any fees for inactivity before you just let the card expire. If so, you’ll want to cancel the card. Otherwise, keeping the account open might help your credit score.

Can I just throw away expired credit cards?

Once your new card is activated, be sure to destroy your old credit card to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands. Cut it up with scissors or return it to your bank or issuer, and they will securely dispose of it.

How long can I keep an unused credit card?

If you don’t use the account, your card issuer will most likely close it after a set period of inactivity. Although it varies, card issuers usually close accounts that haven’t been used in several months or a year.