• No expiration date within the first two years.
• No fees for two years. Any fees after two year period must be printed clearly on front
• or back of card in at least 10 point font.
• Covers gift cards useable at single store or chain.
• Does not cover cards linked to bank accounts usable with multiple unaffiliated merchants or prepaid calling cards.

• No expiration dates and no fees, with one exception.
• Permits a $1 per month fee only when the card has a balance of $5 or less, the card has been unused for 24 months, and the card is reloadable.
• Covers gift cards at a single store or chain. Multiple-use gift cards are not covered.

• No expiration dates.
• No fees.

• No expiration dates.
• No fees.
• Does not cover cards linked to bank accounts usable with multiple unaffiliated merchants.

• No expiration for two years.
• No fees.
• Covers any electronic card with a banked dollar value.

• No fees unless there is a contract.

• No expiration for five years.
• No fees for one year.
• Does not cover prepaid bank cards.

• No expiration within first year.
• No fees.
• Does not include prepaid calling cards or cards linked to bank accounts usable with multiple unaffiliated merchants or ATMs.

• No expiration dates for five years.
• No service fees, except for a one-time handling fee of $1.
• Covers cards issued to be redeemed in goods or services provided by the card seller.

• No expiration dates.
• No fees except for transaction fee for initial issuance or for adding value to existing card which must be disclosed in separate writing before purchase.
• Does not cover prefunded bank cards.

• No expiration dates for four years.
• No fees for four years.
• Any terms and conditions must be printed clearly in 10 point type on the card, on a sticker affixed to the card or in an envelope containing the card.
• Does not cover prepaid calling cards or prepaid bank cards.

• No expiration dates for 7 years.

• No expiration dates.
• No fees.
• Does not include debit cards or other legal access devices used to access a deposit account, prepaid calling cards, cards linked to bank accounts usable with multiple unaffiliated merchants.

• No expiration dates.
• No fees.
• If original value of gift card was more than $5, and remaining value is less than $5, can redeem for cash.
• Does not cover prepaid telecommunications or technology cards or gift certificates usable with multiple sellers.

• Expiration or fees allowed only if properly disclosed.
• No fees within first year and no fees that exceed $1 per month.
• Covers only single retailers.
• Does not cover prepaid telecommunications or technology cards.

• No expiration for cards of $100 or less.
• No expiration earlier than date funds escheat to state for cards over $100.
• No fees.

• No expiration for two years.
• No dormancy fee for two years from date of sale or two years from most recent activity or transaction.
• No dormancy fee can be more than $2.
• Expiration date and/or dormancy fee must be printed on card, package or sales receipt and include a toll free number to call for information.
• Does not include prepaid calling or technology card, or prepaid bank cards.

• No expiration for five years.
• No fees.
• Covers cards with single retailer or affiliated merchants.
• Does not cover prepaid calling cards or cards associated with a deposit, checking, savings or similar account at a bank for debiting such account.

New York:

• Expiration or fees, or other terms and conditions to be clearly and conspicuously stated on the card, package, or accompanying printed document with toll free number.
• No dormancy fee before 13th month of inactivity.
• Covers cards with single retailer or affiliated merchants.
• Does not cover prepaid calling cards, flexible spending cards, and cards linked to bank accounts.

North Carolina:

• Fees to be conspicuously disclosed on card at time of purchase.
• No fees for first year.
• Covers prepaid calling cards.
• Does not cover bank cards usable at multiple unaffiliated merchants.

• No expiration for six years.
• No fees.
• Covers prepaid calling cards.
• Does not cover cards useable at multiple, unaffiliated merchants or cards linked to bank accounts.

• No expiration for two years
• No fees for two years.
• Does not cover prepaid calling cards or cards usable with multiple unaffiliated merchants.

• No expiration and no fees for five years, with one exception.
• Permits a $1 per month fee only when the card has a balance of $5 or less, the card has been unused for 24 months, the card is reloadable and the fee is properly disclosed.
• Covers cards with single retailer or affiliated merchants.
• Does not cover prepaid calling cards or any prepaid service.

• Expires after 2 years if unredeemed or after 5 years from date of purchase if no redemption period specified.
• Covers cards with single retailer or affiliated merchants.
• “Qualified gift certificates” do not expire and do not have fees.
• Does not cover flexible spending accounts or bank cards usable with multiple affiliated merchants or ATMs.

• No expiration dates.
• No fees.
• Covers prepaid long distance telephone service cards.
• Does not cover prepaid wireless telephone service cards.

• No expiration dates for first year, unless expiration date is on front of card in capitalized letters in 10 point font.
• Fees permitted but must be disclosed on certificate, envelope, covering or receipt.

• No expiration dates for two years.
• No fees for two years.
• Does not cover prepaid calling cards or cards usable with multiple, unaffiliated merchants.

• No fees for first year.
• Expiration or fees and other terms must be clearly and conspicuously disclosed at time of purchase. The expiration date and fees must be legibly printed on the card.
• Does not cover prepaid calling cars or stored value cards issued by a federally insured financial institution.

• No fees for three years.
• No fees, except a licensed money transmitter, financial institution or credit union may charge a one-time issuance fee of either $10 or 10%, whichever is smaller.
• Does not cover access device such as a debit card or other access means to a consumer’s account regularly maintained at a bank to access funds or to initiate an electronic funds transfer from the account.

• Permits a $1 per month fee only when the card has a balance of $5 or less, the card has been unused for 24 months, the card is reloadable, and is disclosed on card in at least 6 point font.
• Covers gift cards at a single store or chain.
• Does not cover multiple-use gift cards, or cards usable with multiple unaffiliated merchants.

• Expiration and fees allowed only if they are made clearly visible to consumer before purchase.
• Covers all cards except prepaid calling cards, debit cards linked to bank accounts or electronic funds transfer cards.

• Expiration and fees allowed only if they are conspicuously printed on the card or have a sticker affixed to the card at the time of purchase.
• Covers general use gift cards, gift certificates or store gift cards.

• Discourages expiration dates and service fees by exempting funds for cards without expiration and fees from escheat.

• Expiration or fees allowed only when statement appears on front or back of card or in location visible to purchaser at the time of purchase.

• Expiration and fees must be printed in readable manner on instrument, packaging or record.

• Expiration or fees must be clearly and permanently imprinted on card with a telephone number or Internet address to obtain information.

*This is a summary of key features of many state gift card laws. Consumers Union does not give legal advice. Please consult the laws of your state for more information.

Prepared by:
Consumers Union Financial Services Team
Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.
West Coast Office
1535 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
Updated: September 14, 2007