Call Bank of America to close the card, pay off the balance first, and confirm the closure in writing
The fastest way to close a Bank of America credit card is to call their customer service line at 1-800-432-1000. Have your card number ready. Tell them you want to close the account. They will confirm your identity, check for any remaining balance, and process the closure over the phone. The account closes immediately, but the card itself remains valid for a few days while the system updates.
Before you call, pay off any balance on the card. Bank of America will not close an account with an outstanding balance. If you have a balance, make a payment first through your online account, by phone, or by mail. Once the balance reaches zero, call back to close it.
After the call ends, send a written request to Bank of America asking them to confirm the closure. This creates a paper record. Mail it to the address on your statement or the back of your card. Include your account number, the date you called, and the name of the representative who helped you. Keep a copy for your records.
Key Takeaways
- Pay off any remaining balance on the card before calling to close it, since Bank of America will not close an account with debt.
- Call 1-800-432-1000 during business hours with your card number ready and ask to close the account.
- Send a follow-up letter to Bank of America requesting written confirmation of the closure and keep a copy yourself.
- The card stops working for new charges immediately, but old transactions may still post for a few days.
- Closing a credit card can lower your credit score temporarily because it reduces your available credit and changes your credit history length.
What happens to pending transactions after you close the card
Charges you made before closing the account will still post to the card for several days. Recurring charges—subscriptions, gym memberships, insurance payments—will be declined if they are set to charge the closed card. You must update those payments to a different card or payment method before closing, or they will fail and may trigger late fees on those accounts.
If a charge appears on the card after you close it, contact Bank of America immediately. Fraudulent charges can still be reported within 60 days of the statement date. Legitimate charges that posted after closure are your responsibility to dispute with the merchant, not the bank.
How closing a card affects your credit score
Closing a credit card usually lowers your credit score in the short term. The score drops because closing an account reduces the total amount of credit available to you. Credit bureaus use this ratio—called your credit utilization—to calculate part of your score. If you close a card with a $5,000 limit and carry balances on other cards, your utilization percentage goes up, and your score falls.
The impact is temporary. Your score typically recovers within a few months as the account ages and other factors in your credit history become more prominent. However, closing an old card can have a longer-lasting effect because it shortens your average account age, which also factors into your score.
If you want to keep the card open without using it, you can ask Bank of America to convert it to a no-annual-fee card instead of closing it. This preserves your credit history and available credit without costing you anything.
Alternatives to closing: downgrading to a no-fee card
Bank of America offers several no-annual-fee credit cards. If you are closing because of an annual fee, call 1-800-432-1000 and ask whether you can downgrade to a different card instead. You keep the same account number and credit history, but the card type changes and the fee disappears.
Downgrading is better for your credit score than closing because your account stays open and your credit history remains intact. The bank may ask why you want to downgrade, but they usually approve the request without much pushback. If they refuse, you can then proceed with closing.
What to do if the card has a balance you cannot pay immediately
Bank of America will not close an account with an outstanding balance. If you cannot pay the full amount right now, you have two options: set up a payment plan or keep the account open until you pay it off.
If you set up automatic payments, you can close the account after the final payment clears. Call the bank and ask them to note your account that you intend to close it once the balance reaches zero. This does not commit you legally, but it creates a record of your intent. Once the balance is paid, call back to complete the closure.
If you want to close the account immediately despite the balance, you cannot. The bank will require you to pay the full amount before processing the closure request. You can make a large payment now and smaller payments later, but the account must reach zero before it closes.
Removing the card from your wallet and online accounts
After Bank of America confirms the closure, remove the card number from any online accounts where it is saved as a payment method. Check your email for receipts from retailers, subscription services, and other merchants where you may have stored this card. Update those accounts to use a different card or payment method.
You can physically destroy the card by cutting it up or shredding it. Do not throw it in the trash intact. If you prefer to keep it as a record, write "CLOSED" across the front and store it safely.
Check your credit report a few weeks after closure to confirm the account shows as closed. You can view your credit report for free once per year at annualcreditreport.com. The account will remain on your report for seven years after closure, which is normal and does not harm your score.
Timeline and what to expect after closure
The account closes the moment you hang up the phone with Bank of America. You will receive a confirmation letter in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. The card stops accepting new charges immediately, but old transactions may still appear on your statement for a few days as they process through the payment system.
Your final statement will arrive within 30 days. Review it to make sure no unauthorized charges appear after the closure date. If you see charges you did not make, contact Bank of America within 60 days of the statement date to dispute them.
The closed account will appear on your credit report as "closed by consumer" or "closed by cardholder." This notation stays on your report for seven years but does not prevent you from opening new accounts or getting approved for credit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close a Bank of America credit card online?
No. Bank of America requires you to close a credit card by phone or mail. Call 1-800-432-1000 to close over the phone, or send a written request to the address on your statement. Phone closure is faster and gives you immediate confirmation.
What happens to my rewards points when I close the card?
Rewards points are usually forfeited when you close the card, depending on your specific card and rewards program. Check your card agreement or call Bank of America before closing to find out whether your points will be lost. If you have points, redeem them before you close the account.
Will closing the card hurt my credit score permanently?
No. Your score will drop temporarily, usually recovering within a few months. The account remains on your credit report for seven years, but this does not prevent you from getting approved for new credit. The impact is smallest if you close a newer card rather than an old one.
Can I reopen a Bank of America credit card after I close it?
You can apply for a new Bank of America card after closure, but the bank treats it as a new account, not a reopening of the old one. Your new card will have a different account number and a new credit history. The old account will remain on your credit report for seven years.
What if Bank of America refuses to close my account?
Bank of America will close any account you request, as long as the balance is zero. If they refuse, ask to speak with a supervisor and request the closure in writing. If they still refuse, file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at consumerfinance.gov.