Do Steam, PSN and Xbox Gift Cards Expire? (2026 Rules)

Found an old gaming gift card in a drawer, or wondering if your wallet money will disappear? The short answer is that money already in your Steam, PlayStation or Xbox wallet almost never expires. What can expire is an unredeemed code, or credit that came from a promotion.

The key difference: code vs balance

• An unredeemed code is a card or email code you haven't entered yet. Some carry an expiry or "redeem by" date, depending on the seller and your country.
• A redeemed balance is money already added to your account. On all three platforms, this normally stays until you spend it.

So the safest habit is simple: redeem codes as soon as you get them.

Steam

• Wallet funds don't expire for most countries. Once a Steam Wallet code is redeemed, the money stays in your account.
• Unredeemed cards generally don't have an expiry, but read the back of the card or the seller's terms to be sure.
• Exception: Japan. A 2026 update to Steam's Subscriber Agreement deals with wallet funds expiring for Japanese users, in line with local law. If your account is in Japan, check the expiry dates in your account settings.
• No cash-out. Wallet money can't be withdrawn. Our guide on checking your Steam Wallet balance shows where to see it.

PlayStation (PSN)

• Wallet funds generally don't expire once added to your PlayStation account.
• Store gift cards sold in the US don't expire, thanks to US consumer law. Other countries have their own rules, so check the card.
• Promotional codes (free trials, giveaway vouchers, discount codes) often do expire. The date is usually in the email or on the voucher.
• Wallet limit. If your wallet is full, a new card may not redeem until you spend some.

Xbox and Microsoft

Microsoft's official gift card terms say:

• Non-promotional balance doesn't expire. Money from a gift card that you've redeemed stays in your Microsoft account.
• Promotional balance can expire, according to the terms of the promotion. Microsoft spends promotional credit first, starting with whatever expires soonest.
• No fees are charged for keeping a balance.
• Microsoft Rewards points are different. They expire if you don't earn any for 18 months. That's points, not gift card money.

If a balance looks lower than it should, it was probably promotional credit that ran out, not your own money.

Gift cards from shops in other countries

Expiry rules for unredeemed cards depend on local law. Many countries ban expiry dates on gift cards, and some allow them. If a card was bought abroad, the bigger problem is usually the region lock. See our guides on PSN cards from another country and Xbox cards from another country.

Old card that won't redeem?

If an older card doesn't work, it's more often never activated at the till, mistyped, or the wrong region than actually expired. Our gift card code troubleshooting guide walks through each one.

Quick answers

Can I get a refund for an unused balance? Generally no. Wallet money stays on the platform.

Does closing my account lose the balance? Yes. Closing or deleting an account means losing any balance in it.

Do XPReward points expire? Not at the moment. You can see your point history in your wallet any time.

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