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You can find endless guides on why a credit card is a must for you.

Of course, it’s understandable as cards provide endless convenience and benefits for your financial life.

But what if you have to drop every advantage just because your credit card expires?

What if you would have gotten many more financial benefits only if you knew what to do when your credit card expires?

Like, deciding on whether to continue with the same line of credit or choose a new one isn’t an easy task.

Now, it can be! With the help of this comprehensive guide. Here you go!

What Happens After Your Credit Card Expires?

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When your credit card expires, it becomes useless for you as you can’t make any purchase through it online or offline in any store.

In fact, it will show a declined status whenever you try to use the expired card and your transaction will be rejected.

Now, the question arises:

Does your credit card stop working the month it expires?

Almost all the credit cards work just fine till the last date of their expiry month.

For instance, if the expiry date of your card is 12/25 (December 2022), you can continue using its services till 31st December.

So,

Does your bank send you a new card automatically?

Will your secured credit card provider renew your card before the expiry date?

Well, it depends.

Your bank or credit card company might send you a new card automatically before the expiry.

Or, you might get a call from the provider informing you about the renewal.

So, if nothing, you can always contact the lender regarding the procedure.

Can you use your card online after expiry?

As we explained earlier, the simple answer is no!

An expired card is similar to an inactive credit card because it can no longer perform transaction activities.

So, what will happen to your credit account after the card expiry?

Well, the account remains open and active however, your card becomes deactivated.

Will your expired credit card work at an ATM?

No, the card won't function financially past the expiry date on your card.

In fact, it won't be accepted anywhere for any transactional activity.

For instance, using an expired debit or credit card won’t allow you to withdraw, deposit, or transfer any cash online or offline.

Now, the main question is:

Why Does Your Credit Card Actually Expire?

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There could be endless reasons for the expiry dates at the front of your card!

• The card number might tear off,
• Your card may be cracked,
• The printing might wear off,

And, so many more.

Usually, the credit card companies use expiry dates as a way to renew your card to make it look fresh and new.

The reason is to make you use the card for a long time without getting bothered by its expiry dates.

First thing you should understand is, the card expiry date entirely applies to the card only.

Yes, it won’t impact your credit account active status.

But, is the case the same with your credit score? This takes to our next section which is:

Does an expired card affect credit score?

The simple answer is: No, it won’t!

Yep, your credit card expiry date won’t affect your Equifax credit score in any way.

That also implies that it won’t impact your credit report as there won’t be any inquiry when the credit card expires.

As explained in the previous section, the credit card expiry isn’t related to credit account status.

So, your card account still remains open and you still have to clear your outstanding balance.

What’s the reason for the expiration date of the credit card?

Mainly, the purpose is to allow the consumer to continue using the credit card service.

On the other hand, it also allows one to create a sense of financial security as the new card comes with a new security code and expiry date.

So, you automatically have to update all your information regarding the card for any financial activity.

Bonus: Click to read how to Protect Your Money Online!

What To Do When Credit Cards Expire?

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Firstly, check your email or mail to see whether you received any notification or letter from your bank or card company regarding the card expiry.

If you haven’t received any call or email, you must contact your service provider and ask for the renewal.

Here’s what to do when you renew your expired credit card:

1.  Compare The Terms

Renewing the card is similar to applying for a new card. The only difference is it won’t result in any credit card inquiry.

So, the renewal period is the prime time for the company to market their new services, products, and promotions.

As you’ll be getting a new card anyway so might as well update the service.

However, don’t get swayed by their marketing tactics!

• You must compare the offer for the renewal like you would do to any other card you buy for the first time.
• Weigh the financial advantages the new card will provide you as compared to the other cards.
• Look for the monthly or annual fee and see if it’s worth paying for the fee card.

The key is to think through everything and compare the packages on a deep level to weigh the pros and cons.

2.  Activate Your New Card

Now that you have decided to get the same card or even update the services, it’s time to activate the new card you received.

Check the email or the letter in which your new card came through for the number you need to call on.

The operator will probably ask for your confirmation and personal details to set up a new pin for the activation.

So, do you have to activate your credit card? Or,

What happens if you don’t activate your card?

Well, the account will remain open and active but you won’t be able to use it for the transactions until you activate your new card.

Also, your old card won’t be of any help as it’s already expired!

So, in simple words, you’ll have the account but no credit activity.

3.  Check The Updated Conditions

It’s safer to be sure than getting any surprising penalties or paying any additional fees.

So, recheck your card’s terms and conditions and get a confirmation from the service provider.

4.  Destroy Your Old Card

Lastly, the final step is to discard your previous credit card!

Yes, right when you have activated the card and checked the terms, you must destroy your old credit card.

Here’s how to destroy your old credit card securely:

• Cut the card with scissors,
• Damage the card chip and security code
• Shred your card
• Or, lit it on fire.

Literally, do whatever you have to do to completely make it useless for any hacker or scammer to use.

Do credit card numbers change on renewal?

No!

You have basically asked for a new version of the same credit card. So, no, the numbers won’t change.

Yes, the service you have been using might be updated but it’s all on the same card.

Note: The same applies to your CVV!

Bottom Line

Your credit card might be stolen or might be too chipped and cracked for your liking.

Whatever the reason, in such situations, getting a new credit card becomes evident.

So, how to do that? Will it affect your credit score or credit report? Will your credit card number or CVV change after the renewal?

And, what to do when your credit card expires? How to activate it?

Find everything you need to know in this one guide!