A couple of months ago, I tried using a Ticketmaster gift card I'd been sent for my birthday, only to find it had expired. I checked the terms and conditions and was surprised to find the gift card had to be used within 12 months. This short expiry period seemed stingy and reminded me of the pitfalls of sending vouchers as birthday or Christmas gifts.
While a gift card might seem ideal for those hard-to-buy-for relatives, they often come with hidden risks and unexpected T&Cs that could catch you out. Here, we uncover four things to watch out for if you receive a gift card this Christmas. Be more money savvy free newsletter Get a firmer grip on your finances with the expert tips in our Money newsletter – it's free weekly.
First name (required) Last name (required) Email address (required) Postcode (optional) Get the newsletter Expiry dates are one of the biggest traps when it comes to gift cards. In some countries, there are rules around unfair expiry periods. Gift cards in Ireland, for example, must be valid for at least five years (or not expire at all).
But in the UK, there are no such regulations, leaving you at the mercy of individual retailer policies. Our snapshot investigation looked at terms and conditions across a range of high street retailers, including coffee shops, supermarkets, entertainment venues and fashion and home stores. We found that most retailers offer at least two years before a card expires.
However, some impose much tighter deadlines. Retailers wit.
