Call Bank of America or cancel online through your account
You can cancel a Bank of America credit card by phone or through your online account. The fastest route is calling the customer service number on the back of your card — the representative can process the cancellation immediately and confirm it in writing. If you prefer not to call, log into your Bank of America account online, go to the credit card details, and look for a "close account" or "cancel card" option in the card settings menu.
Before you cancel, pay off any remaining balance on the card. Bank of America will not close the account while you owe money. If you have a promotional rate or an introductory offer still running, cancelling ends that offer immediately — any remaining balance will revert to the standard interest rate.
Key Takeaways
- Call the number on the back of your card or log into your online account to cancel; both methods process the cancellation the same day.
- You must pay off your full balance before Bank of America will close the account.
- Cancelling a card can lower your credit score temporarily because it reduces your total available credit and may raise your credit utilization ratio on remaining cards.
- Ask the representative to confirm the cancellation in writing or check your account within a few days to verify the card is closed.
- If you have rewards points or cash back pending, redeem them before you cancel because you may lose access after the account closes.
What happens to your credit when you cancel
Closing a credit card affects your credit score in two ways. First, it reduces your total available credit — if you had a $5,000 limit on this card, that $5,000 no longer counts toward your overall credit limit. Second, it can raise your credit utilization ratio on your remaining cards. If you carry a $2,000 balance on another card and that card has a $5,000 limit, your utilization is 40 percent. But if you cancel a card with a $5,000 limit and no balance, your total available credit drops, and the same $2,000 balance now represents a higher percentage of what you can borrow.
The impact is usually temporary — your score typically recovers within a few months if you pay your other cards on time. The damage is smaller if you cancel a newer card than if you cancel one you have held for many years, because credit history length also factors into your score.
If your credit score is important right now — you are applying for a mortgage, a car loan, or another credit product — consider waiting to cancel until after the application is approved and the new account is open.
Redeem rewards and cash back before cancelling
Bank of America credit cards often come with cash back, travel rewards, or points programs. Check your account for any pending rewards or cash back balance before you cancel. Once the account closes, you may lose access to unredeemed points or cash back, depending on the specific card and program.
Log into your account and look for a "rewards" or "cash back" section. If you have a balance, redeem it for a statement credit, a deposit to your Bank of America checking account, or a merchandise purchase — whichever option the card offers. Do this before you call to cancel, because the representative cannot reverse a cancellation to recover lost rewards.
Pay off your balance in full
Bank of America will not close a credit card account while you carry a balance. If you have an outstanding balance, make a payment large enough to bring the balance to zero. You can pay online through your account, by phone, by mail, or at a Bank of America branch.
If you are carrying a balance at a promotional rate — for example, 0 percent for 12 months — cancelling the card ends the promotion immediately. Any remaining balance will be charged the standard interest rate for that card, which is usually 15 to 25 percent depending on your creditworthiness. Pay off the balance before you cancel to avoid this jump in interest.
Confirm the cancellation in writing
After you cancel by phone or online, the representative or system will give you a confirmation number. Write down this number and the date and time of the cancellation. Check your account within three to five business days to confirm the card status shows as "closed" or "cancelled."
If you cancelled by phone, ask the representative to send you a written confirmation by mail or email. If the card does not show as closed after a week, call back and reference your confirmation number. Occasionally a cancellation does not process on the first attempt, and a follow-up call resolves it quickly.
What to do if you want to keep the card open but stop using it
You do not have to cancel a card to stop using it. You can simply stop charging purchases to it and leave the account open. This protects your credit score because your available credit remains the same, and your credit history on that card continues to build.
The downside is that Bank of America may close the account for inactivity if you do not use the card for a long period — typically 12 months or more, though the exact timeline varies. If inactivity is a concern, use the card for a small purchase every few months and pay it off immediately. This keeps the account active without carrying a balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will cancelling hurt my credit score?
Yes, but usually temporarily. Your score may drop 5 to 10 points in the short term because your available credit decreases and your utilization ratio on other cards may rise. The impact fades within a few months if you pay your other cards on time. Cancelling a newer card hurts less than cancelling one you have held for years.
Can I cancel a card with a balance on it?
No. Bank of America requires you to pay off the full balance before closing the account. If you cancel a card with a promotional rate and an outstanding balance, the remaining balance will be charged the standard interest rate immediately.
What happens to my rewards points after I cancel?
You may lose unredeemed rewards or cash back after the account closes, depending on the card program. Redeem all pending rewards before you cancel. Log into your account, find the rewards section, and convert points to cash back or a statement credit while the account is still open.
How long does it take to cancel a Bank of America credit card?
Cancellation is immediate when you call or use the online portal. The card status updates in your account within a few business days. Confirm the closure by checking your account after three to five days.
Can I reopen a cancelled Bank of America credit card?
Bank of America generally does not reopen closed accounts. If you change your mind, you would need to apply for a new card. The new application goes through the standard approval process, and you may not receive the same credit limit or terms as the original card.