Play your gift cards right this Christmas!
December 8, 2023
With Christmas just around the corner, you may be thinking about buying your nearest and dearest a gift voucher. It’s a great option especially if you’re unsure what to buy for that special someone.
The good news is that gift vouchers come with their own consumer rights, but the level of protection depends on the type of voucher. It’s important to choose wisely and avoid any confusion that can arise! Let’s take a look at the main questions you may have.
When will my gift card expire?
Under gift voucher legislation introduced in 2019, the expiry date must be no less than 5 years from the date you buy it. Where a business does apply an end date, it must last a minimum of 5 years. The expiry date does not have to be printed on the gift card/voucher itself. The business should notify you about it either by email or in writing.
Do I need to spend it all in one go?
You do not have to spend the entire gift voucher in one transaction. If you spend some of it and have a remaining balance of more than €1, businesses must refund you the rest of it if you wish. They can refund you by cash, electronic transfer or a new gift voucher.
Does the legislation cover all gift vouchers?
There are many different vouchers and cards available to buy but not all of them are covered. Store vouchers and shopping centre gift cards are the only two kinds covered. If you buy a prepaid debit card or e-money voucher (for example, one-for-all), an online deal voucher or loyalty vouchers, you’re not covered. You can find more information about the protection for each type of voucher in our consumer shopping hub.
What if I misplace my voucher?
A gift voucher is like cash that you give in exchange for goods and services. If you lose it, the business you bought it from is not obliged to replace it. They may offer you a replacement at their discretion. Misplacing your voucher is the same as losing cash. Make sure you keep it somewhere safe and don’t forget about it!
Top Tip
Use your debit/credit card to buy a gift voucher. If the company goes out of business, your voucher may not be honoured but you may be able to get chargeback through your bank card provider.
