5 Min Read | September 15, 2022
Wondering if your credit card expires at the beginning or end of the designated month? Learn what happens at expiration and what to do when a new card arrives.
This article contains general information and is not intended to provide information that is specific to American Express products and services. Similar products and services offered by different companies will have different features and you should always read about product details before acquiring any financial product.
At-A-Glance
When a credit card expires, the card account remains open and active.
Purchases charged to an expired credit card usually get declined.
After activating a new credit card, be sure to update automated bill payments charged to that card to prevent declined payments.
You’re out to dinner with friends and you offer up your credit card to cover the bill. You look at your card and realize that it expires this month. Uh-oh. Now what?
Take a breath and relax. The credit card expires on the last day of the month, not the first. No need to worry about your card getting declined and having to sit through that ignominy, even if you are surrounded by friends.
That credit cards even include expiration dates may seem a bit strange, but there are solid reasons for it, including managing wear and tear and upgrading outdated security technology. As your credit card expiration date nears, there are some actionable steps to take and some things you should know.
What Happens When Your Credit Card Expires?
When your credit card eclipses its expiration date, any charges you attempt to make will be declined because all the data points don’t match up properly. Your name and card number may be accurate, for example, but the expiration date no longer is.
However, well before the expiration date on your credit card arrives on the calendar, a new card with a new expiration date will likely have already arrived in your mailbox.
This new card will have the same account number, of course, but it will bear a new expiration date – usually about three to five years down the road – and a new card verification value, or CVV. (That’s the three- or four-digit security code found on the back or front of the card, depending on the issuer.)
When you receive the new card with the updated expiration date, you’ll want to activate the new card by following the instructions provided by your card issuer. After activation, update any autopay bills that are charged to this particular card. Otherwise, your payments might be declined.
Then destroy the old credit card, so no one else can access the card number. Assuming it’s a plastic card, you can cut it up with scissors or a shredder and discard the pieces – in separate trash bags for extra security.
How to Get Rid of a Metal Credit Card
Part of the allure of metal credit cards is the cachet they carry and the feeling of exclusivity they evoke. But destroying such cards when they expire takes a little more work than scissors and shredders. Scissors won’t cut a metal credit card, and shredders could get ruined. Instead, your card issuer might offer you a return or recycling option by sending you a prepaid envelope to securely mail your metal card back.
Alternatively, you can use tin snips or similar handheld tool designed to cut sheet metal. If your card issuer has a brick-and-mortar branch nearby, they may be able to securely take it off your hands.
What If I Try to Use an Expired Credit Card?
An expired credit card is exactly that – expired. Or, as the dictionary says, “ceases to be valid.”
Even though the account number on the new card is the same as the one on the old card, charges to an expired card likely will get declined. Credit card expiration dates and CVV numbers serve as additional data points and security checkmarks. When they don’t match up, charges won’t go through.
This is another reason why updating any autopay bills on the account is important. Forgetting to do so could cause you to miss a payment, which can lead to late fees. Missed payments might also cause you to lose any promotional benefits based on autopay. For example, some cellphone and cable/internet providers offer small discounts on monthly bills if you set up autopay. If that automatic payment doesn’t go automatically, you risk losing that discount for that month and perhaps longer.
The Takeaway
In short, you can’t use an expired credit card. The good news is that cards expire at the end of the expiration month, not the beginning. When a credit card expires, you’ll get a replacement in the mail, but you’ll have to activate it before you can use it. Once the new card is active, discard the old card properly – and be sure to update any automated bill payments that rely on that card account. Otherwise, your payments might be declined.
Michael Grace is a personal finance and technology freelance writer based in New York.
All Credit Intelcontent is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express.
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As an expert in personal finance and credit matters, I can confidently provide insight into the concepts discussed in the article titled "If My Credit Card Expires This Month, Can I Still Use It?" published on September 15, 2022. My expertise in the field is evident through my deep understanding of credit card mechanics, expiration processes, and associated considerations.
The article addresses several key concepts related to credit cards, including:
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Credit Card Expiration Dates:
- Credit cards have expiration dates to manage wear and tear and upgrade security technology.
- The expiration date is the last day of the designated month, not the first.
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Impact of Expiration on Card Usage:
- When a credit card expires, any attempted charges are declined due to mismatched data points.
- The article emphasizes the importance of updating automated bill payments associated with the card after receiving a new one.
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Handling Expired Credit Cards:
- A new credit card with the same account number but a new expiration date and CVV is typically sent a few months before the old card expires.
- Cardholders should activate the new card and destroy the old one to prevent unauthorized access.
- For metal credit cards, special instructions are provided for destruction, as scissors and shredders may not be effective.
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Consequences of Using an Expired Credit Card:
- An expired credit card is no longer valid, and charges will be declined.
- Failure to update autopay bills may result in missed payments, leading to late fees and potential loss of promotional benefits.
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Proper Disposal of Old Credit Cards:
- Plastic cards can be cut with scissors or shredded for disposal.
- Metal cards may require special tools or return/recycling options provided by the card issuer.
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Automatic Payments and Account Updates:
- It is crucial to update any autopay bills associated with the credit card to prevent declined payments and potential penalties.
The information presented in this article is valuable for individuals who want to understand the implications of credit card expiration and the necessary steps to take when receiving a new card. As an enthusiast in the field, I am well-versed in providing accurate and actionable advice on credit-related matters.
