How long does a Waterstones Gift Card last?

There is no single expiry period for every type of Waterstones Gift Card. Waterstones issues two types of gift cards based on currency. Pound sterling gift cards from Waterstones UK and euro gift cards from Waterstones Ireland. They look much the same, but they have different validity periods.

The easiest way to tell them apart is the currency. A gift card loaded in pounds sterling can only be spent in Waterstones shops across the UK, the Isle of Man, and Jersey as well as online on the official Waterstones website. A card loaded in euros can only be spent in Waterstones stores in the Republic of Ireland, it cannot be used to shop on the official Waterstones website.

Although the validity periods differ, both gift cards share similar terms and conditions. The expiry date for any Waterstones gift card is not fixed from the date of purchase alone. The Waterstones gift card terms and conditions state that a gift card expires after a set period without being used. This means that a Waterstones Gift Card expiry period begins from the date the gift card was purchased, but resets from the date of the last transaction gift card was used. Every purchase made using the gift card resets the validity period.

Sterling Waterstones Gift Card

A Waterstones Gift Card bought in pound sterling has an expiry window of 2 years. If a sterling Waterstones gift card is not used for 2 years after it was bought, or for 2 years after its last transaction, it expires automatically. The Waterstones Gift Card that we sell on Giftcards.co.uk is a sterling card, so this is the rule that applies to it.

Why 2 years? In the UK there is no law that sets a minimum validity for gift cards, so each retailer decides its own term. Waterstones UK has decided on a 2-year validity period, which gives plenty of time for picking out a new read whether it's the latest thriller, a new cookbook for the kitchen, or the next book in a favourite series. A National Book Tokens Gift Card is another option that can be used to shop at different bookshops, and stays valid for 8 years.

Euro Waterstones Gift Card

A Waterstones Gift Card bought in euros has a validity period of 5 years, again counted from the date of purchase or the last transaction.

The difference comes down to the laws in each country. Euro gift cards issued by Waterstones Ireland, and Irish law requires any gift cards sold in the country must be valid for a minimum of 5 years. The UK has no such law, only a stipulation that states that gift card validity periods should be ‘reasonable’. Pound sterling gift cards have a 2-year validity period that is set by Waterstones UK itself.

Keep in mind that a euro gift card can only be spent in Waterstones stores in Ireland, so the longer expiry window only helps if your recipient plans to buy their books in Ireland.

Unfortunately, there is not much you can do once a Waterstones Gift Card has expired. When the card passes its expiry date, Waterstones deducts the remaining balance automatically without refund. The gift card can no longer be used in shops or online, and any remaining balance left on it is lost for good.

A gift card cannot be swapped for cash either, so there is no way to take the money out before that happens. The only way to avoid the gift card’s balance from going to waste is to spend the total balance without letting the card expire.

A few simple habits can help prevent a Waterstones Gift Card from quietly running out before you’ve spent its full balance.

• Set a reminder. Put a note in your phone calendar a few months before the 2 years are up, so there is still time for a proper browse. Reset the reminder every time you make a purchase using the gift card.
• Keep it where you will see it. A gift card in your wallet or tucked inside the book you are reading gets used more often than a gift card hidden at the back of the kitchen drawer. On Giftcards.co.uk, we sell the digital version of the Waterstones Gift Card which is sent as an email. You can always print off the e-gift card email for a visual reminder. 
• Save the email. Pin, star, flag, or create a custom tag so you can make the e-gift email more visible or noticeable in your inbox. People often forget about a digital voucher id the delivery email gets buried in the inbox under newer emails.
  Write down the dates. Make a physical note of when the gift card was bought and when you last used it, because the expiry window is counted from whichever date is later.
• Use it little and often. You do not have to spend all of your gift card’s balance in one go. The Waterstones Gift Card can be used over multiple transactions, so a paperback now and then keeps the card active and restarts the clock.
• Remember it works online. The pound sterling Waterstones Gift Card can also be spent online on the official Waterstones website. That comes in handy if you want to look for a specific book online without needing to head out for a shopping trip.

If you are buying for a book lover, our ideas for the best gifts for a bookworm are a good place to start. And if you are in need of a gift that offers the most flexibility, the All in One Choice Gift Card lets your recipient pick from over 350 top UK brands.