My answer to your question is I don't know, but Gift Checks aren't that good a deal IMO. I know the UK, Euro, Florida, and Hawaii samplers all expire each year but identical new samplers show up every year. My GUESS is the Gift Check may work the same. I haven't paid attention because it is such a bad deal it is not something on my radar. And no matter how you spell Check/Cheque, it is still a bad deal - don't you love marketing.

135,000 points for a $1000 Gift Check = 0.7¢ per point. A 7-night stay at Vail Marriott during ski season for 130,000 points that would have cost over $3500 (2.7¢/pt); or Paris, London, Rome, or Moscow for 150,000 that could easily cost well over $5500 (3.7¢/pt). The best use of points is always for hotel stays, or Hotel + Air Travel Packages IMO. Points use in Major US cities, and resorts are also a much better deal than Gift Checks. Do the math against properties where you would like to use points for stays and make your own judgement.