Expiration Date

A credit card expiration date is the month/year the card becomes unusable. Depending on the issuer, cards will typically expire every 3 to 5 years. Most cardholders will automatically receive a replacement card in the mail 30-60 days before the expiration date.

An expired card doesn’t mean an  account is closed, only that the card itself is no longer working; attempts to use it will likely be declined. As long as the account is in good standing, however, it is still considered active and can be used as soon as the cardholder receives and activates the replacement card.

Card associations use expiration dates to replace cards that may be damaged through normal wear and tear, and to keep built-in fraud prevention technology up-to-date.