Shinsegae, Starbucks, and Others Remove Expiration Dates on Gift Cards and Prepaid Balances

Shinsegae Gift Certificates Without Expiration Date to Be Sold from July... Existing Certificates Also Usable Indefinitely
System Improved to Reflect Actual Conditions for Customer Convenience, Protect Consumer Rights, and Enhance Shopping Convenience
Starbucks Prepaid Recharge Cards and SSG.com SSG Money Also Undergoing Terms Change to Remove Expiration Dates

[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Kim] The validity periods for Shinsegae gift certificates and Starbucks·SSG.com prepaid recharge funds will be eliminated.

Shinsegae Group announced on the 21st that it will completely remove the previously stated 5-year validity period on gift certificates and officially allow indefinite use of gift certificates. This applies to all gift certificates issued by Shinsegae and E-Mart, the issuers of Shinsegae gift certificates.

Shinsegae Group plans to sell new gift certificates without validity periods at gift certificate sales locations such as Shinsegae Department Store and E-Mart starting in July. Previously issued gift certificates with specified validity periods can also be used without any time limit. Although the usage period for Shinsegae gift certificates was set at 5 years, the company has effectively allowed their use even after the expiration date. Shinsegae Group intends to improve the system in line with actual usage trends to protect consumer rights and enhance shopping convenience.

Starbucks and SSG.com will abolish the validity period for prepaid recharge funds. The company stated, "Even amounts on Starbucks Cards, which are prepaid recharge cards, that have not been used for over 5 years from the last usage date have been effectively preserved permanently by issuing new cards upon customer refund requests, and this has been proactively communicated through the Starbucks application (app) and website." They added, "By changing the terms to abolish the validity period of Starbucks Cards, customer convenience for Starbucks Card users will be further enhanced."

SSG.com will also abolish the validity period for cash-type SSG Money recharged directly by customers. Although there was currently a 5-year validity period, the terms will be changed to allow indefinite use. However, accumulated-type SSG Money is excluded.

A Shinsegae Group official said, "We decided to eliminate the usage period for gift certificates and prepaid recharge funds to protect consumer rights and promote customer shopping convenience," adding, "We will continue to improve the system to minimize customer inconvenience."