Call Bank of America or use their website to close the card
The fastest way to close a Bank of America credit card is to call their credit card customer service line at 1-800-732-9194. Have your card number ready. A representative will walk you through the closure, confirm your account balance, and ask whether you want to keep or close any linked accounts (like a checking account tied to the same card).
You can also close the card online through your Bank of America account. Log in, go to your credit card details, and look for a "Close Account" or "Account Services" option. The exact menu location varies depending on whether you use the mobile app or website, but the option exists in both. Online closure takes a few minutes and generates an immediate confirmation number.
Either method works. Phone closure gives you a chance to ask questions in real time. Online closure leaves you with a written record right away. Neither method is faster than the other — both are processed the same day.
Key Takeaways
- Pay your full balance before closing, or you will still owe the remaining amount after the account shuts down.
- Closing a credit card lowers your available credit and can temporarily lower your credit score, even if you pay on time.
- Bank of America will not reopen a closed account — if you change your mind, you will have to apply for a new card.
- After closure, keep statements and records for at least seven years in case of disputes or fraud claims.
- Check for any pending charges, subscriptions, or automatic payments linked to the card before you close it.
Settle any balance and pending charges first
Before you call or go online, make sure your card balance is zero. If you have an outstanding balance when you close the account, you still owe that money — closing the card does not erase the debt. Bank of America will send you bills for the remaining balance, and interest will continue to accrue if you do not pay it off.
Check your account for any pending transactions or recurring charges. If you have subscriptions, gym memberships, or automatic bill payments tied to this card, they will fail once the account closes. Log into your account a few days before closure and scan recent transactions to catch anything you might have forgotten about. Move those recurring charges to a different payment method now.
If you have a promotional 0% interest period still running, closing the card ends that promotion immediately. Any remaining balance will be subject to your regular interest rate. If you are carrying a balance to take advantage of a promotional rate, wait until that balance is paid off before closing.
Understand how closing affects your credit score
Closing a credit card typically lowers your credit score in the short term, even if you have never missed a payment. This happens because closing the account reduces your total available credit. If you had a $5,000 limit on this card and a $10,000 limit on another card, closing this one drops your available credit from $15,000 to $10,000. Credit scoring models view lower available credit as slightly riskier.
The impact is usually temporary — your score typically recovers within a few months as long as you keep paying other accounts on time. The damage is smaller if you are closing a newer card than if you are closing an old one. Closing an account you have held for many years can hurt more because it shortens your average account age, which is also part of your credit score.
If your credit score is important right now — you are applying for a mortgage, car loan, or another credit card soon — consider waiting to close the account until after that application is approved. The timing matters less if you are not borrowing money in the near future.
What happens after you close the account
Bank of America will send you a final statement showing your closure date and any remaining balance. This statement arrives within one to two billing cycles. Keep this statement and all previous statements for at least seven years. If a fraudulent charge appears on the card after closure, you will need those records to dispute it.
Your card will stop working immediately after closure, even if you have not physically destroyed it. You cannot use it for new purchases or cash advances. If you have automatic payments set up with this card, those will fail — the merchant will receive a decline notice and may charge you a late fee if it was a bill payment.
Bank of America does not reopen closed accounts. If you change your mind after closing, you cannot simply call back and reactivate it. You would have to apply for a new card, which means a new hard inquiry on your credit report and a new account age starting from zero. Think carefully before you close.
Destroy the physical card safely
Once the account is closed, destroy the card so it cannot be used or misused. Cut it into pieces or shred it — do not just throw it in the trash whole. If you have multiple cards, cut them in a way that makes each one clearly unusable (cutting through the chip and magnetic stripe is enough).
Some people prefer to keep one card in a safe place for a few months after closure, just in case they need the card number for a dispute or refund. That is fine — the card will not work for purchases, but the number itself may be needed. After six months or a year, destroy it.
Reasons to close versus reasons to keep the card open
Close the card if you are paying an annual fee and do not use the card enough to justify it, if the rewards program no longer matches your spending, or if you are trying to simplify your finances. Closing a card you never use does not hurt as much as closing one you use regularly, because the credit impact is smaller when the card is inactive anyway.
Keep the card open if it has no annual fee, even if you do not use it. An open unused account with a zero balance helps your credit score by keeping your available credit high and your average account age stable. The only downside is the small risk that fraud could occur on an account you are not monitoring — but you can check your Bank of America account online anytime to catch that.
If you are closing because of poor customer service or a dispute with Bank of America, that is a valid reason too. Just understand the credit score impact and plan accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close my Bank of America credit card if I still owe money on it?
Yes, you can close the account, but you still owe the balance. Bank of America will continue to bill you and charge interest until the debt is paid. Closing the account does not forgive the debt — it only stops you from making new charges. Pay the balance first if you can.
Will closing my credit card hurt my credit score?
It usually causes a small temporary drop because your available credit decreases. The impact is usually gone within a few months. Closing an old card hurts more than closing a new one because it shortens your average account age. If you are applying for a loan soon, wait until after approval to close.
What if I close my card and then need to dispute a charge?
You can still dispute charges after closure. Keep your statements for at least seven years. Contact Bank of America with the transaction details and your dispute reason. They will investigate even though the account is closed, though the process may take longer than a dispute on an active account.
Can Bank of America reopen a card I closed?
No. Once you close an account, Bank of America does not reopen it. If you change your mind, you have to apply for a new card. This means a new hard inquiry and a new account age. Think carefully before closing.
What should I do with subscriptions or automatic payments on this card?
Move them to a different card or payment method before you close the account. Log into your Bank of America account and review recent transactions to find recurring charges. Contact each merchant to update your payment method. If you close the card without doing this, those payments will fail and you may be charged late fees.