Do Credit Cards Renew Automatically?

All credit cards have an expiration date.

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All credit cards expire. When the expiration date passes, the card is no longer valid. Credit cards do not automatically renew. Your credit card issuer will send you a new card, but you must accept and activate the card before you can use it. Although it might not seem necessary for a piece of plastic to have an expiration date, there are several key reasons credit cards have expiration dates.

Renewal Process

About a month before a credit card expires, companies will generally send out a new card. Along with the new card, you will also receive the updated terms and conditions. Carefully read the conditions before accepting the card. Depending on the company, you may need to complete an application and pay a fee. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, if a credit card company charges customers an annual renewal fee, they must be given an opportunity to cancel if they do not wish to pay. If you accept the terms of use, contact the credit card company to activate the card.

Wear and Tear

Over the years, credit cards become damaged and need to be replaced. The life expectancy of a credit card is only several years. If you use the credit card often enough, the magnetic strip becomes unreadable. According to Bankrate.com, the magnetic strip disintegrates within three to four years. The painted name and numbers on the face of the card also begin to deteriorate. Credit card companies strive to issue you a new card before the current card wears out.

Customer Interaction

Credit card companies also utilize the expiration date as an opportunity to connect with customers. You may receive a reminder letter before your credit card expires to ensure you do not accidentally ignore or discard the new card. Since credit cards require activation prior to use, the issuer will have the chance to communicate and discuss other products and service. The credit card company may request feedback and evaluate your overall satisfaction.

Fraud Protection

Card cards also expire to help protect against identity fraud. To process electronic transactions, you need the credit card number and expiration date. If fraudsters are able to gain access to your name and credit card number, they cannot counterfeit a credit card without having a valid expiration date. Under the federal Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, merchants cannot reveal your credit card expiration date on a receipt.