Arizona generally follows the federal CARD Act baseline. The state has historically taken a less prescriptive approach to gift card specific consumer protection, though unclaimed property rules apply.
Federal context
Under the federal Credit CARD Act of 2009 and its implementing Regulation E (12 CFR 1005.20), gift certificates and most general-use and store gift cards sold in the United States must remain valid for at least five years from the date of issuance or last load. Federal law also restricts dormancy, inactivity, and service fees: a fee can generally be charged only if the card has been inactive for at least 12 months, the fee is disclosed, and no more than one fee is charged per month. State laws may add stronger consumer protections on top of this federal floor.
For a deeper federal explainer, see our CARD Act overview.
Expiration rules in Arizona
Arizona has not enacted a state-specific gift certificate expiration statute that overrides the federal minimum. Gift certificates sold in Arizona must therefore remain redeemable for at least five years from issuance or last load.
Operators in tourism and hospitality (Phoenix, Sedona, Tucson) often select no-expiration policies to simplify out-of-state visitor experience.
Dormancy and service fees in Arizona
Arizona does not impose state-specific fee restrictions beyond the federal one-fee-per-month and 12-month dormancy threshold.
Cash redemption for small balances
Arizona does not require cash redemption of small remaining balances on gift certificates. Merchants may set their own redemption policy with appropriate disclosure.
Disclosure requirements
Federal Regulation E sets the baseline: clear and conspicuous disclosure of expiration, fees, and contact information on the certificate or its packaging.
Unclaimed property and escheatment
Arizona's Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act may govern reporting of unredeemed gift card balances. Single-merchant gift cards typically qualify for the exemption, while bank-issued or open-loop gift cards may be reportable.
Enforcement and penalties
Consumer protection enforcement in Arizona is led by the Attorney General's Office. Federal CARD Act enforcement is shared by the CFPB and FTC.
Recent updates
No material state-level gift card statute changes in the last 24 months.
Last reviewed: May 24, 2026. Statutes change. Verify the current text of the cited statute before acting on this summary.
Arizona compliance checklist
A short operational checklist for selling gift certificates in Arizona. Adapt with counsel before publishing your final policy.
- Set expiration to at least five years or eliminate expiration entirely.
- Disclose any fees and expiration terms clearly on the certificate.
- Maintain redemption logs for unclaimed property purposes.
- Confirm exemption applicability with counsel if you operate multi-state.
Frequently asked questions about Arizona gift card law
Does Arizona require a specific font size for gift certificate disclosures?
Arizona does not impose a specific font size, but federal 'clear and conspicuous' standards apply — disclosures must be readable and not buried in fine print.
Can a Phoenix restaurant set a 90-day expiration to manage liability?
No. Federal law preempts short expiration periods. Liability management is achieved through accounting reserves, not artificial short expirations.
Related legal basics
- Do Gift Certificates Expire? — A practical overview of federal and state rules on gift certificate expiration, written in plain English.
- Can You Charge Fees on Gift Certificates? — Federal and state rules on inactivity, dormancy, and service fees for gift cards.