Gift voucher: Popular gifts are subject to time limits

Redeem on time

Gift voucher: Popular gifts are subject to time limits

Anyone who received a voucher as a Christmas present should know that it can expire after a certain period of time. For vouchers for Christmas 2021, this applies to the end of the year.

Gift vouchers were once again the most popular presents for Christmas this year, according to the German Trade Association. However, it is not uncommon for the gift recipients to end up in a drawer before they can be used at some point. However, you shouldn’t take too long to do this in order to avoid an accident.

Unless otherwise agreed, the statutory limitation period of three years applies to vouchers from the end of the year in which a voucher was issued. The Berlin consumer advice center points this out. Such a Christmas present from this year must have been redeemed by the end of 2027 at the latest. The remaining vouchers from Christmas 2021 should be redeemed this year. Some providers only allow redemption even after the expiry date as a goodwill gesture.

However, in the small print, companies can also agree on shorter deadlines if special circumstances justify it. This can be the case, for example, if no monetary value is owed, but rather a specific service or product. The value of both can increase significantly over time. Therefore, some providers require an additional payment if there is a significant increase in value when redeemed. However, for pure cash vouchers, such a time limit is inappropriate and therefore ineffective.

The risk of insolvency of the issuing company is also not entirely insignificant when it comes to vouchers. If the company declares bankruptcy, the voucher is usually almost worthless, according to the consumer advice center.

By the way: It is almost never possible to pay out the voucher value for money. According to the European Consumer Center in Germany, an exchange is generally not possible if you don’t like the voucher. A solution could then be to transfer the voucher – where possible – to another person. What is easy with a cash voucher can be difficult with a voucher for a parachute flight. Asking the provider will provide clarity.