Set Store Credit Issuance Method and Expiry for Returns
Updated Oct 15, 2026
This article explains how to control who issues store credit when a customer resolves a return with store credit, and how long that credit stays valid. These settings apply only when you offer store credit as a return resolution.
Before you begin
The Store Credit Issuance section only appears after you enable the Refund with store credit resolution option. Go to Returns Portal > Customer Options > Resolution Options and make sure that resolution is shown. Offering store credit refunds requires the Standard plan or higher.
Once Refund with store credit is enabled, the Store Credit Issuance section becomes visible under Returns Portal > Customer Options > Store Credit Issuance.
Choose how store credit is issued
The Store credit issuance selector controls who actually creates the credit:
- Default (Exchange It issues store credit) — Exchange It issues the store credit itself as a gift card or native store credit. This is the default behavior.
- Custom (via Zapier) — Exchange It processes the return but does not issue the credit. Instead it defers to your connected Zapier integration so your own provider (for example a loyalty or store-credit app) issues it.
If you pick Custom (via Zapier), make sure your Zapier integration is connected and configured to receive the return event and issue credit on your behalf. With this method, the expiry values below are passed to your provider as advisory data only — your provider decides how to apply them.
Set the store credit expiry
The Store credit expiry selector determines how long issued credit remains usable. It applies to both gift cards and native store credit when Exchange It issues the credit directly.
- Choose Never expires to store the credit with no expiry.
- Choose a months option — 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, or 60 months — to set a fixed lifetime. The chosen number of months is stored alongside the credit.
By default, no expiry is applied (Never expires). Switching back to Never expires resets the numeric months value to zero.
Some regions legally require an expiry period. For example, Australia enforces a minimum 36-month gift-card life, so choose a compliant months option if this applies to you.
Troubleshooting
- I can't see the Store Credit Issuance section. It only renders when Refund with store credit is enabled under Resolution Options. Enable that resolution first, then return to Customer Options.
- My issuance method choice didn't save. Save and reload the page, then confirm the selection persisted. Ensure you completed the save after making the change.
- Credit isn't being issued with Custom (via Zapier). With this method Exchange It intentionally does not issue credit — your Zapier integration and provider must handle issuance. Verify the Zapier connection is active and your provider receives the return data.
Plan requirements
Offering store credit as a resolution, and therefore these issuance and expiry settings, requires the Standard plan or higher.