How long does a Costa Gift Card last?

The Costa Gift Card is valid for 1 year from the date of purchase. This is a standard validity period, but it's worth being aware of the exact expiry date from the moment you receive or buy the card.

The one-year validity is a decision made by Costa as the card issuer, and it reflects common practice among food and drink brands where gift cards tend to have shorter validity periods than retail or experience cards. While UK consumer protection regulations require that expiry terms are clearly communicated at the point of sale, there is no law that sets a minimum validity period for gift cards. 

This means retailers are free to set their own terms and in Costa's case, that window is 12 months from the date of purchase.

There are a number of easy ways to find the validity information for your Costa Gift Card:

On the Giftcard.co.uk product page. The Costa Gift Card product page on giftcard.co.uk includes key details about the card, including the validity period.

On the official Costa website. Costa's own website includes gift card terms and conditions, where you'll find the full details about the validity period and any other rules that apply to your card.

On the card or confirmation email. If you have a physical Costa Gift Card, the specific expiry date may be printed on the card itself or on any packaging it came with. For digital gift vouchers, check the delivery email you received when the gift card was purchased.

Once your Costa Gift Card has expired, unfortunately there is very little that you can do. When the card reaches its expiry date, the remaining balance on it is no longer accessible and it cannot be spent or refunded. Any balance that is left on the card at the tim,e of expiry is effectively lost, which makes it all the more important to spend your gift card’s balance before the 12 month validity period is up.

12 months is plenty of time to spend the balance, however it can be easier than you think to let a gift card expire. Don't forget about a thoughtful gift and let it go to waste. Even if there's no pressing reason to visit Costa everyday, using the card little by little throughout the year is a great way to make sure you get the most out of it.

With a one-year validity, a little bit of organisation makes all the difference. Here are some practical tips to help you get the most value from your Costa Gift Card before expiry:

Note the expiry date straight away. As soon as you receive the card, find the expiry date and write it down or save it somewhere, such as your phone's notes app, a calendar, or even a sticky note on the fridge.

Set a reminder on your phone. Add a calendar alert for a month before the card expires. That gives you enough time to use the remaining balance without the need for a stressful last-minute rush.

Keep the card in your wallet. If the card is with you whenever you're out and about, you're more likely to use it. As the saying goes, out of sight really does mean out of mind when it comes to gift cards.

Use it for your regular coffee runs. Rather than saving the card for a special occasion, simply use it the next time you pop into Costa for your usual order. Spending a little at a time means the balance works itself down naturally over the course of the year.

Share it with someone who visits Costa regularly. Even if you don't go to Costa Coffee very often, you can lend the gift card to friends, family members, or colleagues who can make the most of it before it expires. Don’t let your gift card’s value go to waste!