Can a gift certificate or gift card contain an expiration date?
A. No. However, this general rule is subject to the following exceptions: A gift card that can be used with multiple unaffiliated sellers of goods or services may contain an expiration date.7 If so, the expiration date must be printed on the card. An issuer may accept funds toward the purchase of a gift certificate from one or more contributors as a gift for another person (the “recipient”), and may require a date by which the recipient must redeem the funds. This exception is applicable only provided that each contributor is given a full refund of the amount paid where: the funds are contributed for the purpose of being redeemed by the recipient by purchasing a gift certificate; the time in which the recipient may redeem the funds is clearly disclosed in writing to the contributors and the recipient; and the recipient does not redeem the funds within the time disclosed.8 Certain gift certificates or gift cards9 sold after January 1, 1998, are not subject to any of the rules discussed
A. No. However, this general rule is subject to the following exceptions: A gift card that can be used with multiple unaffiliated sellers of goods or services may contain an expiration date.9 If so, the expiration date must be printed on the card. An issuer may accept funds toward the purchase of a gift certificate from one or more contributors as a gift for another person (the “recipient”), and may require a date by which the recipient must redeem the funds. This exception is applicable only provided that each contributor is given a full refund of the amount paid where: the funds are contributed for the purpose of being redeemed by the recipient by purchasing a gift certificate; the time in which the recipient may redeem the funds is clearly disclosed in writing to the contributors and the recipient; and the recipient does not redeem the funds within the time disclosed.10The distinction here is that the contributor(s) do not purchase the gift card themselves, they contribute money to
