John Lewis gift card validity

SQM100

This is my first posting so hope I don't mess up....
I was quite angry the other day after I found an old John Lewis gift voucher whilst having a paperwork sort-out, and when I tried to find out the value of it on their website, the card number wasn't recognised, so after a few emails I was given a phone number of the gift card team to call - so I did just that (19th Dec 2025), and I gave them the card number, and was told that the gift card had 'expired' in December 2019, and that as they only have a 2 year validity, it had actually dated back to December 2017, and I was also told it was worth (or had been worth) around £105..... I asked if there was anything that could be done to reclaim the money, but was told it just tough luck !!
I was also told that the gift card had been a refund for a returned item, which I don't recall, and it's not normally something I would accept for a return, but there we go....
My gripe is that, I suppose, why is there a time limit on the gift card, especially for one used as a refund for a returned item?
For you info, in a fit of pique I threw the card away, but I still have photos of it with the number of the card that was used for JL gift card team to tell me it was useless.... should I take this further, and if yes, any advice on my best course of action?
Thanks in advance, Stuart

eschaton

You are onto plums. 

eskbanker

It's not unusual (or unlawful) for gift cards to have finite validity - sometimes retailers may be persuaded to extend these in exceptional circumstances, but forgetting about it for eight years wouldn't seem to be a likely reason.

ShazzaDazza

SQM100 said:

This is my first posting so hope I don't mess up....
I was quite angry the other day after I found an old John Lewis gift voucher whilst having a paperwork sort-out, and when I tried to find out the value of it on their website, the card number wasn't recognised, so after a few emails I was given a phone number of the gift card team to call - so I did just that (19th Dec 2025), and I gave them the card number, and was told that the gift card had 'expired' in December 2019, and that as they only have a 2 year validity, it had actually dated back to December 2017, and I was also told it was worth (or had been worth) around £105..... I asked if there was anything that could be done to reclaim the money, but was told it just tough luck !!
I was also told that the gift card had been a refund for a returned item, which I don't recall, and it's not normally something I would accept for a return, but there we go....
My gripe is that, I suppose, why is there a time limit on the gift card, especially for one used as a refund for a returned item?
For you info, in a fit of pique I threw the card away, but I still have photos of it with the number of the card that was used for JL gift card team to tell me it was useless.... should I take this further, and if yes, any advice on my best course of action?
Thanks in advance, Stuart

Hi Stuart. Expiry limits on gift cards are quite normal Im afraid. but you could appeal to the discretion of the JL Customer Services team (ie it was an honest mistake!) They will have a record of your first request to reinstate it, so you could have another ask . good luck! 

Brie

Welcome to the forum Stuart.

Unfortunately this seems to be the way many gift cards or return vouchers work. Even if it was a card you had bought or were given I swear they count on making money by people forgetting about them.

I have one from B&Q which clearing states on the T&Cs that it can be used at any time (so no expiry date) but the bar code must be clearly visible for it to be scanned.  And guess what?  The printing of the T&Cs don't wear off but the other side where the bar code is does!!  I'm certain that isn't just an accident.  I plan on trying it out ones of these days just to see if I can talk my way around it but I'm guessing I'll also be told "tough luck".  Fortunately it's only for a tenth of what your card is.

But maybe someone else here will have a better idea for you!

user1977

SQM100 said:

My gripe is that, I suppose, why is there a time limit on the gift card, especially for one used as a refund for a returned item?

So that they can have some certainty in their accounts about such liabilities, rather than have to make provision for gift cards/vouchers from decades ago. After over six years you're past normal time limits for prescription of debts anyway.

Ms_Chocaholic

I bought an item from JL a year or 2 ago, it was still boxed at the point I saw that it was reduced by a significant amount.  I could have returned and re-purchased at the cheaper rate but I contacted JL to see if they would offer a refund, it took several attempts until I got a sensible customer service advisor via Twitter who said it would be madness to return and re-purchase and sorted the refund for me.

Moral of the story ..... keep trying until you get someone who may help.

screech_78

It won’t be replaced, regardless of when it expired but with it being 2019, I can assure you there is no chance and won’t matter who you speak to you. 

I’ve heard some really sad stories of why people haven’t been able to their gift card and I can’t replace it as the decision has come from the very top that it’s a no, no matter the circumstances. 

Aylesbury_Duck

It's not something to get angry about because I'm afraid it's your oversight to have put it in a load of paperwork and there's nothing to say that vouchers or gift cards must be valid forever and nor is it practical for a business to hold them open for years on end.

A charm offensive would have been your best chance of a goodwill gesture, but it sounds like that ship's sailed.

As soon as I get a voucher for anything, it's pinned on the fridge to remind me or someone in my household to use it, and I spend them as soon as I can find something to buy, even if it's buying something I know I'll need to buy in future, like batteries, towels, etc.  JL vouchers can be spent on food in Waitrose as well, I believe.

Brie

Aylesbury_Duck said:

It's not something to get angry about because I'm afraid it's your oversight to have put it in a load of paperwork and there's nothing to say that vouchers or gift cards must be valid forever and nor is it practical for a business to hold them open for years on end.

A charm offensive would have been your best chance of a goodwill gesture, but it sounds like that ship's sailed.

As soon as I get a voucher for anything, it's pinned on the fridge to remind me or someone in my household to use it, and I spend them as soon as I can find something to buy, even if it's buying something I know I'll need to buy in future, like batteries, towels, etc.  JL vouchers can be spent on food in Waitrose as well, I believe.

good idea.  I got a gift card for M&S for £60 so I wrote on it "M&S £60" because it didn't look like anything of significance.  OH keeps looking at it and asking "what's this for?"

Aylesbury_Duck

Brie said:

Aylesbury_Duck said:

It's not something to get angry about because I'm afraid it's your oversight to have put it in a load of paperwork and there's nothing to say that vouchers or gift cards must be valid forever and nor is it practical for a business to hold them open for years on end.

A charm offensive would have been your best chance of a goodwill gesture, but it sounds like that ship's sailed.

As soon as I get a voucher for anything, it's pinned on the fridge to remind me or someone in my household to use it, and I spend them as soon as I can find something to buy, even if it's buying something I know I'll need to buy in future, like batteries, towels, etc.  JL vouchers can be spent on food in Waitrose as well, I believe.

good idea.  I got a gift card for M&S for £60 so I wrote on it "M&S £60" because it didn't look like anything of significance.  OH keeps looking at it and asking "what's this for?"

Socks and pants.  Easy 😀