The expiration date on a credit or debit card is printed on either the front or the back of the card, displayed in a two-digit month/year format like “11/27” (meaning November 2027). Most cards make it easy to spot, but newer minimalist designs and digital-only cards require a different approach. Here’s how to find it on any type of card you might have.
Standard Credit and Debit Cards
On a traditional card with raised or printed numbers, the expiration date sits near the card number, usually just below it and slightly to the right. It’s labeled “VALID THRU,” “GOOD THRU,” or “EXP” followed by the month and year. Some card issuers print it on the front alongside the card number, while others have moved it to the back near the signature strip or the three-digit security code.
If you see a date like 03/26, your card is good through the last day of March 2026. Cards remain valid for the entire month shown, not just through the first day.
Numberless and Minimalist Cards
Some newer cards, like the Apple Card and various Mastercard-branded “numberless” cards, don’t print any numbers on the physical surface at all. The card itself only displays your name. The card number, expiration date, and security code are stored in the chip and accessible through your bank’s mobile app.
To find the expiration date on a numberless card, open the issuing bank’s app, sign in, and navigate to your card details. You’ll typically need to pass a quick identity check (a fingerprint, face scan, or passcode) before the full card information appears. This is where you’ll find everything you need for online purchases.
Virtual Cards in Banking Apps
If you have a virtual card, meaning a card that exists only digitally with no physical plastic, the expiration date lives inside your banking app. On Capital One’s app, for example, you sign in, tap “Get Your Virtual Card” under your credit card balance, complete a security verification, and the app displays your virtual card number, expiration date, and three-digit security code. Most other major banks follow a similar process: look for a “card details,” “virtual card,” or “show card number” option within your account.
Gift and Prepaid Cards
Visa and Mastercard gift cards typically show a “Valid Through” date on the back of the card. This date works a bit differently than a regular credit card expiration. On prepaid gift cards like Vanilla Gift Cards, the “Valid Through” date is primarily a fraud-protection measure that lets you use the card for online and phone orders. The funds on the card don’t actually expire when that date passes. These dates can be set as far as 14 years into the future.
If you have an eGift card (a digital gift card delivered by email or text), the valid-through date is displayed in the email or on the digital card image itself, in the same month/year format.
What the Date Format Means
Expiration dates always follow the MM/YY pattern. The first two digits are the month (01 for January, 12 for December), and the last two are the year. A card stamped 09/28 expires at the end of September 2028. When you enter this date for an online purchase, most checkout forms split it into separate month and year dropdown menus, but some ask you to type it exactly as printed.
If your card’s expiration date has passed, the card will be declined for new transactions. Most issuers automatically mail a replacement card about a month before expiration. If yours hasn’t arrived, contact your bank to request one. Your account number usually stays the same, but the expiration date and security code on the new card will be different, so you’ll need to update any automatic payments or subscriptions tied to the old card.