The fastest way to close your Bank of America credit card
You can close a Bank of America credit card by calling their customer service line at 1-800-432-1000, speaking to a representative in a branch, or using the mobile app. The phone call is fastest — you'll reach someone within minutes and the card will be closed before you hang up. Have your card number ready when you call.
Before you close the account, pay off any remaining balance. Bank of America will not close an account with an outstanding balance, and they will continue to charge interest on what you owe. If you have pending transactions or recurring charges set to that card, cancel or update those first — otherwise your payments will fail.
After the card closes, the account will show as closed on your credit report for up to ten years. This affects your credit score in two ways: you lose the available credit (which lowers your total credit limit), and the account stops building positive payment history. If you're closing the card because you're unhappy with the terms or rewards, switching to a different card instead of closing might protect your score better.
Key Takeaways
- Call 1-800-432-1000 to close your card over the phone, or visit a branch in person — both take less than 15 minutes.
- Pay off your full balance before closing; Bank of America will not close an account with money owed.
- Cancel any recurring charges or automatic payments linked to the card before you close it, or those payments will fail.
- A closed credit card account stays on your credit report for up to ten years and lowers your available credit, which can temporarily hurt your credit score.
- If you're closing because of rewards or fees, opening a different Bank of America card and keeping the old one open may protect your score.
What happens to your balance and pending charges
Bank of America will not process a closure request if you have an outstanding balance. If you owe money, you must pay it in full first — either online through your account, over the phone, by mail, or in a branch. Once the balance hits zero, you can proceed with closing.
Any recurring charges tied to the card — subscriptions, insurance payments, gym memberships, utility bills — will fail after closure. Before you close, log into your Bank of America account and review your recent transactions to find anything set to auto-pay. Update each one to a different payment method at least a week before you close the card. If you miss one, the merchant will send the charge back and may charge you a failed-payment fee.
Pending transactions (charges you made but haven't cleared yet) will still post to the closed account. You'll still owe the money, and interest will continue to accrue if you don't pay it. The card itself won't work, but the account remains open in the background until the balance is paid.
Closing the card by phone, in person, or through the app
By phone: Call 1-800-432-1000 and tell the representative you want to close your credit card account. Have your card number and the last four digits of your Social Security number ready. They'll confirm your identity, review your account, and close it immediately. Ask them to send you written confirmation by mail — this creates a record in case of a dispute later.
In a Bank of America branch: Bring your card and a photo ID to any branch. A representative can close the account on the spot. This is useful if you want to discuss your reasons for closing (they may offer you a retention offer or a different card) or if you prefer to handle it face-to-face. Bring a pen and ask for written confirmation.
Through the mobile app: Open the Bank of America app, go to your credit card account, and look for "Account Services" or "Manage Account." Some cards allow you to request closure through the app, but not all do. If the option isn't available, you'll need to call or visit a branch. The app will tell you whether closure is an option for your specific card.
How closing affects your credit score and credit report
Closing a credit card lowers your credit score in the short term because it reduces your total available credit. If you had a $5,000 limit and no other cards, closing it means your available credit drops to zero. Credit scoring models look at your credit utilization ratio — the amount you owe divided by the amount available to you. A lower available credit makes that ratio worse, even if you owe nothing.
The closed account will appear on your credit report for up to ten years. During that time, it shows as "closed by consumer" (or "closed by issuer" if Bank of America closed it). The account stops building new payment history, so you lose the benefit of on-time payments going forward. However, the account's entire history — all your on-time payments while it was open — stays on your report and continues to help your score.
The damage is usually temporary. Your score typically recovers within a few months as other accounts build positive history and your utilization ratio improves. If you're planning to apply for a mortgage, car loan, or other credit in the next few months, closing a card right before that application can hurt your chances of approval or a good rate.
What to do if you want to keep the card open but stop using it
If you're closing the card because of an annual fee or rewards you don't use, consider calling Bank of America first to ask if they'll waive the fee or switch you to a no-fee version of the card. Representatives have some flexibility here, especially if you've been a customer for years or have a good payment history. It takes one phone call and costs you nothing to ask.
Keeping the card open but unused is often better for your credit score than closing it. The account continues to show available credit (which helps your utilization ratio) and the positive payment history stays active. Set one small recurring charge to the card — a streaming service or a monthly subscription — and pay it off automatically each month. This keeps the account active without requiring you to think about it.
If you're worried about fraud or identity theft, you can freeze the card through your Bank of America account instead of closing it. This prevents new charges but keeps the account open and the credit limit available. You can unfreeze it anytime if you need to use it again.
What happens after the card is closed
Once Bank of America closes your account, you'll receive written confirmation by mail within 7 to 10 business days. The physical card will no longer work immediately, but the account itself may take a few days to fully close in their system. During that time, any pending transactions will still post.
Check your credit report 30 to 60 days after closure to confirm the account shows as closed. You can view your credit report free once per year at annualcreditreport.com. If Bank of America reports the closure incorrectly (for example, as "closed by issuer" instead of "closed by consumer"), contact them to correct it — this distinction matters for your credit score.
If you ever need to reopen the account, Bank of America may allow you to do so within a certain window (usually 30 to 60 days), but this varies. After that, you would need to open a new card. Reopening an old account is faster than applying for a new one, so if you're unsure, ask the representative before you close whether you can reopen it later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing my credit card hurt my credit score?
Yes, temporarily. Your score drops because you lose available credit, which worsens your utilization ratio. The damage is usually small and temporary — most people see their score recover within a few months. The bigger hit comes if you close the card right before applying for a loan or mortgage.
What if I have a balance I can't pay off right now?
Bank of America will not close the account until the balance is zero. You can keep making payments on the closed account after closure, but interest will continue to accrue. It's better to pay off the balance before closing, or to keep the account open while you pay it down.
Can I close the card if I have pending charges?
Yes, but pending charges will still post to the closed account. You'll still owe the money. Make sure all pending transactions have cleared before you close, or be prepared to pay them after closure.
How long does it take to close a Bank of America credit card?
The closure itself is instant — the representative closes it during your call or visit. The physical card stops working immediately. Written confirmation arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days, and the account fully closes in their system within a few days.
Can I reopen my credit card after I close it?
You may be able to reopen it within 30 to 60 days of closure, but this varies by card type and Bank of America's policies. Ask the representative before you close whether reopening is an option. After that window, you would need to open a new card instead.