In the United States, Costco has announced the recall of certain restaurant gift cards after the third-party seller, Synergy World, declared bankruptcy. The decision affects customers who purchased Synergy Restaurant Gift Cards between October 27, 2025, and January 26, 2026. In a communication issued to members, Costco detailed that Synergy World would cease operations on January 31, 2026, leaving customers with worthless cards. Customers are advised to return their unusable gift cards to any local Costco location for a refund, an exception to Costco's usual gift card policy. This recall primarily impacts the Synergy Gift Card Network's program, but Costco clarified that other gift cards, like Domino's, are not included in this issue. The company expressed deep regret over the inconvenience caused to their customers and stated that the closing of the Synergy Restaurant Gift Card Program was a difficult decision for Synergy World. There is currently no definitive list of affected restaurants available, and both Costco and Synergy World have been approached for further details on this incident. The entire situation has raised concerns about the reliability of gift card programs, particularly those operated by third-party vendors, highlighting the potential risks faced by consumers when relying on these products.