Once your balance dwindles to odd change, you face a choice: discard the card, top it off, or cash it out. Under the federal Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act, closed-loop restaurant gift cards cannot expire for at least five years from their issuance date. Firehouse Subs policy goes a step further: corporate gift cards feature no expiration dates and carry zero administrative or dormancy fees, meaning that $3.12 balance will remain waiting indefinitely.
If you frequent the chain, you can reload Firehouse gift card amounts using the web portal or directly at the register. Recharging requires a credit card or cash deposit, typically starting at an entry threshold of $5 to $10. This practice preserves plastic and consolidates partial funds onto a single working card.
For diners who do not plan on returning, state cash-out statutes provide a practical exit. Roughly a dozen states mandate cash redemptions for low-balance store cards upon consumer request. California leads this consumer-protection threshold at $10 or less, while states like Massachusetts, Colorado, and Washington require cash refunds for balances under $5. Simply present the card to a manager at a participating location within those jurisdictions and request the cash value directly.
