system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Why do credit cards expire?
gpt
There are a few reasons:

1.  The expiration date is yet another dimension of security.  You've got to provide number AND date AND code-on-back for full authorization.  Very specifically, the Visa and MasterCard license agreement requires this of credit card issuers that do so under the Visa name and system.

2. It provides (yet another) logical window where the creditor can check in on you, raise your rates, change fees, or turn you away as a customer.

3. they do wear out, new technologies (as well as changes to issuer brand) get included and this provides them a mechanism to ensure that the newer "model" is in your hands, rather than you holding on to an old one for eons.