When do credit cards expire

Although Chip-and-PIN credit cards typically last a lot long than credit cards with magnetic strips, they still wear out eventually. If you always pay your balance on time, your issuer may reward you with a higher credit limit.

Like any large company, credit card companies are always updating their image. Every time you pull out your card or hand it to someone for a purchase, that is an opportunity to show off the company logo. Over time, credit card images change and the issuers want to be sure their image remains nice and shiny.

But perhaps most of all, a shiny new credit card could encourage you to keep spending. As a security measure, your issuer will send you another replacement card. If your old card will expire before the new card arrives, check with your issuer to see what they can offer to keep your card service from being interrupted. In the event that you have to wait it out, be sure to make arrangements with any service providers that will be expecting an automatic payment from your credit card.

If you use your old card after the expiration date, the transaction will likely be declined. You usually have until the last calendar day of the expiration month before your service will be completely deactivated.

And if not, find out why and what will happen with your service moving forward. Whether you have a working card or not, you are still responsible for the terms of your credit card account. This means that you will still be responsible for making monthly payments on any balances you carry, even if your card service is interrupted. How We Make Money. Raychelle Heath. Written by. Share this page. Bankrate Logo Why you can trust Bankrate. With this combination of expertise and perspectives, we keep close tabs on the credit card industry year-round to: Meet you wherever you are in your credit card journey to guide your information search and help you understand your options.

Consistently provide up-to-date, reliable market information so you're well-equipped to make confident decisions. Reduce industry jargon so you get the clearest form of information possible, so you can make the right decision for you.

Bankrate Logo Editorial Integrity. Key Principles We value your trust. Bankrate Logo Insurance Disclosure. Why do cards have expiration dates? Nothing lasts forever—especially not credit cards. Credit cards expire at the end of the month written on the card. After a credit card expires, it will no longer be possible to use it to make purchases—either in-store or online.

The new card will have a new expiration date and new CVV security code. Unless the account is upgraded or product changed, the credit card number usually stays the same. The card issuer has the right to reevaluate an account before they send out a new card.

This might happen if the cardholder is in poor standing, in which case the issuer may decide to terminate the relationship and not send a new card as a result. Old credit cards should be destroyed or recycled. Some experts recommend shredding old credit cards to protect the credit card number from falling into nefarious hands. Cutting the card into small bits before tossing into the trash works just as well.

Recycling the special plastic used for credit cards called PVC with a recycler like Earthworks System offers a great way to help keep waste down. Metal cards should be sent back to the bank for recycling in the special envelope that is provided when the new card arrives.

You can also request an envelope via phone or online chat. Every new card must be activated by calling a number noted by sticker on the card, by accompanying documentation or by logging in to the associated online account. Ensuring the terms come as expected is important—terms may have been updated since they were last reviewed. Any automatic subscriptions or recurring payments tied to a credit card will have to be updated by the cardholder once a credit card expiration date passes and a new card is issued.

Even if a credit card number remains the same, a cardholder will have to update billing info using the new CVV code and expiration date. It may seem like a useless hassle, but credit card expiration dates help all parties involved keep up with the times and ensure financial information remains secure.

Card expirations give you not only a shiny new card in the mail, they give you protection against hassle and fraud. Balance Transfer Cards.

Credit Cards. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for Investopedia. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data.

We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. I Accept Show Purposes. Your Money. Personal Finance. Your Practice. Popular Courses. Part Of. Understanding How Credit Cards Work.

Credit Card Specifics. Applying for a Credit Card. How to Use a Credit Card. How Credit Card Payments Work. Personal Finance Credit Cards.