Your credit card expiration date tells you when the physical card stops working, but the account itself may stay open
The expiration date printed on your credit card — usually shown as two digits for month and year, like 03/26 — is the last month your card issuer guarantees the card will function. After that date passes, the magnetic stripe and chip on the card become invalid, and merchants' machines will decline it. The account behind the card does not automatically close. Your issuer will typically mail you a replacement card with a new expiration date weeks before the old one expires.
The expiration date exists because physical cards wear out, security features degrade, and card networks need a way to force periodic reissuance for fraud prevention. It is not a sign that your credit line is ending or that you need to reapply for the card. It is a routine maintenance cycle built into how credit cards work.
Key Takeaways
- Your card stops working on the expiration date, but your account and credit line remain open unless your issuer closes them separately.
- Most issuers mail a replacement card 30 to 60 days before expiration, so you should receive it without having to request one.
- Recurring charges tied to your old card number will fail after expiration unless you update the card number with merchants before that date.
- The expiration date is printed on the front of the card and appears on your monthly statement and online account portal.
- Expired cards do not hurt your credit score, but failing to update card numbers for subscriptions or automatic payments can cause missed payments that do.
When your card stops working and what happens next
Your card becomes unusable on the last day of the month shown on the expiration date. If your card expires 03/26, it stops working on March 31, 2026. Merchants will not accept it in stores, online, or over the phone after that date. Automated payment systems will also reject it.
Your issuer typically mails a replacement card 30 to 60 days before expiration. If you do not receive it within two weeks of your expiration date, contact your card issuer directly — do not wait. The replacement card will have the same account number (usually), a new expiration date, and a new security code on the back. You can start using the replacement card as soon as it arrives, even if your old card has not yet expired.
If your card is lost or stolen before expiration, call your issuer when ready to report it. They will cancel that card and mail you a replacement. This does not affect your account or credit line.
Updating recurring charges before your card expires
Any subscription, automatic bill payment, or recurring charge tied to your old card number will fail after expiration. This includes streaming services, gym memberships, insurance payments, loan payments, and utility bills. When a charge fails, the merchant may charge you a late fee, suspend your service, or report the missed payment to credit bureaus — even though you have the funds and the account is active.
Start updating your card information 2 to 3 weeks before expiration. Log into each merchant's website or app and update your payment method. For automatic bill payments through your bank, you may need to update the card there instead. If you are unsure where a charge comes from, check your credit card statement for the merchant name and look for a customer portal or billing section.
Some merchants will automatically update your card information if your issuer sends them the new number — this is called automatic account updater (AAU) — but do not rely on it. Updating manually ensures the charge goes through and protects you from service interruptions or late fees.
How expiration dates affect your credit score
An expired card by itself does not lower your credit score. Your score is based on payment history, credit utilization, length of credit history, credit mix, and new credit inquiries — not on whether your physical card is current. The account remains open and active even after the card expires.
What does hurt your score is missing payments because your card expired and you did not update recurring charges. If a subscription or automatic payment fails and you do not catch it, the merchant may report it as a late payment. Late payments stay on your credit report for seven years and can lower your score by 100 points or more, depending on how late the payment is.
To protect your score, update all recurring charges before expiration and check your credit card statement in the weeks after your new card arrives to confirm all charges went through.
What to do if you receive a new card but do not want it
If your issuer sends you a replacement card and you want to close the account instead, you can call and request account closure. The issuer will close the account and you can destroy the new card. Be aware that closing a credit account can lower your score slightly because it reduces your total available credit and may shorten your average account age if it is one of your older cards.
If you straightforward do not want to use the card anymore but want to keep the account open, you can destroy the new card and do nothing. The account will remain open with an active credit line, even if you never use the physical card. This is useful if you want to keep the account for credit history length or to maintain a low credit utilization ratio.
Replacement cards and security features
Each time your card is reissued, it receives a new security code (the three-digit number on the back for Visa and Mastercard, or the four-digit number on the front for American Express). Merchants that store your security code on file will need the updated number. This is another reason to update recurring charges manually rather than waiting for automatic updates.
Newer replacement cards often include updated security features, such as improved chip technology or enhanced fraud monitoring. Your issuer may also use reissuance as an opportunity to upgrade your card if you are may be able to access — for example, moving you to a rewards version or a card with better benefits. Check the materials that come with your new card to see if anything has changed.
What to do if your card expires while you are traveling
If you are away from home when your card expires, your replacement card will not reach you. Before traveling, request expedited shipping from your issuer if your card will expire while you are gone. Some issuers offer rush delivery for a fee, or they may do it for free if you call and explain the situation.
Alternatively, bring a second card from a different issuer, or ask your issuer if they can issue a temporary card number or digital wallet version you can use on your phone. Many issuers now offer cards through Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay, which use a temporary token instead of your actual card number and do not expire as quickly as the physical card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my credit card account close when the card expires?
No. The physical card expires, but your account and credit line stay open. Your issuer will mail you a replacement card automatically. The account only closes if your issuer closes it or if you request closure.
What is the difference between the expiration date and the card number?
The card number identifies your account and does not change when the card expires. The expiration date is printed on the physical card and changes each time you receive a replacement. The security code also changes with each new card.
Can I use my card after the expiration date if the issuer has not sent a replacement?
No. Once the expiration date passes, merchants' systems will decline the card. If you have not received a replacement within two weeks of expiration, contact your issuer to request one or to confirm your mailing address is correct.
Will my credit score drop if my card expires?
The expiration itself does not affect your score. However, if you miss payments on recurring charges because you did not update your card number, those missed payments will lower your score. Updating your card information before expiration prevents this.
Do I need to set up my replacement card?
Most replacement cards do not require set up — you can use them as soon as they arrive. Some issuers include set up instructions in the card materials or send a text or email with a link. Check the materials that come with your card or log into your online account to see if set up is needed.