Your gift cards have more protection than you think.
Under U.S. federal law, the funds on a store gift card generally can't expire for at least five years from when it was bought or last loaded. Many retailers drop expiration dates entirely.
The plastic may show an expiration date, but the money is protected: funds can't expire for at least five years, and if the card expires with a balance you can usually get a replacement at no cost.
A card you got free as a reward or promotion can expire in a year or less, as long as the expiration is clearly disclosed.
An issuer can only charge an inactivity fee after the card has gone unused for at least 12 months, and the fee has to be clearly disclosed on the card or its packaging.
Some states extend these rules or ban gift-card expiration entirely (for example, California). State law can be stronger than the federal floor, never weaker.
How CardCue helps: it tracks each card's expiration and any dormancy-fee terms you enter, and reminds you before a balance is at risk, so these protections actually turn into money you don't lose. Those reminders can even land on your lock screen when you're near the store, even with the app closed.
This is general information, not legal advice. Rules vary by card type and by state. Check consumer.ftc.gov and your state's consumer-protection office for the current rules.