Can gift certificates expire under federal law?

In most cases they cannot expire quickly. Under the federal Credit CARD Act of 2009, funds on a gift certificate or gift card generally cannot expire sooner than five years from the date of purchase or the last time value was loaded.

• The five-year floor applies to paper certificates, plastic gift cards, and digital codes where money was exchanged.
• The clock resets each time the holder reloads value.
• Several states ban expiration dates entirely, so state law can push the protection even further.

This is general information, not legal advice, so confirm the current rules for your state before setting any terms.