Action 9: Cash In Gift Cards Can Disappear

For Christmas two years ago, Megan Russell got a $50 gift card from Midtown Sundries Restaurant and Bar.

She forgot she had the card, but then recently went to Midtown at Mountain Island to use it to pay for lunchand was she surprised.

"I presented the card to pay and they just said it expired, it expired after a year," Russell said. "$50 just gone, where did it go, you know'

She was shocked she'd lost the money. But there's no way she would have ever known about the expiration, there's nothing on the card to indicate an expiration.

Russell pleaded her case with the restaurant's floor manager.

"He said it expires after a year, that he couldn't trace it, that he couldn't go back and look and see if there was any value to it or anything," she said.

Action 9 didn't want to see Russell lose the money, so we went with her to Midtown Sundries to talk to the general manager, who was eager to resolve the complaint.

Julia Auten said she had the authority to renew the gift card and did.

"It's good for one year and it's $50, and I apologize for the inconvenience," Auten said.

"Thank you for helping," Russell said.

Action 9 asked Auten if Midtown Sundries plans to add a disclaimer to their gift cards about the expiration so customers aren't confused

"Actually, I will address that with corporate," she said.

Russell left happy but warns others about gift card that may expire.

"They need to be aware that sometimes it's not printed on the back and maybe ask questions," she said.

Gift card recipients should also note some stores and restaurants charge maintenance fees for any balance left on the card after six months. A $25 gift card can get whittled down to nothing before you know it. That's why you should use the card promptly before you forget about it, otherwise it could disappear from your wallet.