Call your card issuer and ask to close the account
The fastest way to cancel a credit card is to call the customer service number on the back of your card. Have your account number ready. Tell the representative you want to close the account, and they will walk you through their process — some issuers require written confirmation by mail, others do not.
Before you call, pay off any remaining balance. Most issuers will not close an account with an outstanding balance, and if they do, you will still owe the debt plus interest. If you have a promotional rate or 0% offer running, closing the account may end that offer and trigger interest on the remaining balance retroactively.
Ask the representative to confirm the account is closed and to note in your file that you requested the closure. Request written confirmation by mail or email. This creates a record if a dispute arises later — for instance, if the card issuer reports the account as closed by them rather than by you, or if a fraudster tries to reopen it.
Key Takeaways
- Pay your full balance before calling to close the account, because most issuers will not process a closure with money owed.
- Call the number on the back of your card, not a general customer service line, because the card department can close the account immediately.
- Request written confirmation of the closure and ask the issuer to note that you initiated it, not that they closed it for inactivity or other reasons.
- Closing a card lowers your total available credit, which can raise your credit utilization ratio and temporarily lower your credit score.
- Closed accounts stay on your credit report for seven years if they were in good standing, which protects your credit history length.
What happens to your credit when you close a card
Closing a credit card affects your credit score in two ways. First, your total available credit shrinks. If you had a $5,000 limit and you close that card, your available credit drops by $5,000. If you carry balances on other cards, your credit utilization ratio — the amount you owe divided by your total available credit — goes up. A higher utilization ratio can lower your score by 10 to 50 points, depending on how much you owe on your remaining cards.
Second, closing a card can shorten the average age of your credit accounts. Credit bureaus factor in how long you have held accounts open. If the card you are closing is your oldest account, closing it may lower your score. If it is newer than your other cards, the impact is usually smaller.
The good news: a closed account in good standing stays on your credit report for seven years. During that time, it still counts toward your credit history length, so the damage is temporary. Your score will recover as you pay down balances on remaining cards and as time passes.
Timing: when to close a card to minimize damage
Close a card when your other accounts are in good standing and your balances are low. If you are about to apply for a mortgage, car loan, or another form of credit, wait until after you have been approved. A hard inquiry and a new account will already lower your score; closing a card at the same time compounds the damage.
If you have multiple cards and want to close one, close the newest one first. Keeping your oldest account open preserves your credit history length. If the card you want to close is your oldest, consider keeping it open but unused instead — the account will continue to age and help your score.
Avoid closing all your cards at once. Closing multiple accounts in a short period signals financial distress to credit bureaus and can drop your score significantly. If you have several cards you want to close, space them out by three to six months.
What to do with the physical card after closure
Once the account is closed, cut up the card or shred it to prevent someone from finding it and attempting to use it. Do not throw it away intact. Even though the account is closed and the card will not work, a fraudster might try to reactivate it or use the account number for unauthorized transactions.
Some people prefer to keep the card for their records until they receive written confirmation of closure. If you do, store it in a secure place and destroy it once you have the confirmation letter.
Canceling a card you no longer use versus one with an annual fee
If you want to close a card simply because you do not use it, consider keeping it open instead. An unused card with no annual fee costs you nothing and helps your credit score by keeping your available credit high and your account history long. Set up a small recurring charge on it — a streaming service or gas — and pay it off monthly. This keeps the account active without requiring you to carry a balance.
If the card has an annual fee and you do not use it, cancellation makes sense. Before you call, ask the representative whether the issuer will waive the fee. Many issuers will waive an annual fee for a loyal customer, especially if you have held the card for several years. If they refuse and you do not want to pay, proceed with closure.
Handling rewards points and cash back before closure
Check your account for any unredeemed rewards points or cash back. Some issuers let you redeem points up until the moment of closure; others require you to redeem before the account is officially closed. Ask the representative what your options are and redeem any balance before you hang up.
If you have a large rewards balance and the issuer will not let you redeem it after closure, ask them to process the redemption as part of the closure. Get the confirmation number. If points disappear after closure, you will have documentation that you requested the redemption.
What to do if the issuer will not close your account
Rarely, an issuer will refuse to close an account if you owe money or if the account is flagged for fraud or other issues. If this happens, ask the representative why and what you need to do to resolve it. If you owe money, pay it. If there is a fraud flag, work with the issuer to clear it.
If the issuer still refuses and you believe the refusal is unjustified, file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov. The CFPB investigates complaints against credit card issuers and can compel them to act. Include copies of your call records, confirmation numbers, and any written correspondence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing a credit card hurt my credit score?
Yes, but usually only temporarily. Your score may drop 10 to 50 points because your available credit shrinks and your utilization ratio rises. The impact is smaller if the card is newer or if you have other cards with low balances. The closed account stays on your report for seven years, so your score will recover over time.
Can I reopen a credit card after I close it?
It depends on the issuer. Some will reopen a recently closed account if you call within 30 to 60 days. Others treat a closure as permanent. If you think you might want the card back, ask the representative before you close whether reopening is possible and how long you have to request it.
Do I have to pay off my balance before closing?
Most issuers will not close an account with an outstanding balance. Even if they do, you will still owe the debt plus interest. Pay the balance in full before calling to close, or the closure will not go through.
What happens to my rewards points when I close the card?
This varies by issuer. Some let you redeem points after closure; others require redemption before the account closes. Ask the representative what your options are and redeem any balance before you hang up the phone.
Should I close old cards or new cards first?
Close newer cards first. Keeping your oldest account open preserves your credit history length, which helps your score. If you must close your oldest card, consider keeping it open but unused instead — it will continue to age and support your credit profile.