I attempted to use a gift card, given to me 2 or 3...

I attempted to use a gift card, given to me 2 or 3 years ago as a birthday gift by my niece, which I promptly mislaid and found again this week - it turns out they apparently expire after two years. I have bought many gift cards from JLP over the years and have never been told this, so I will no longer be using John Lewis and will caution friends and family to do the same!