Call your card issuer and ask to close the account
The fastest way to close a credit card is to call the customer service number on the back of your card. Tell them you want to close the account. They will ask why, but you do not have to give a detailed reason — "I'm not using it anymore" is enough. Write down the date, time, and the name of the representative you spoke with.
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 money. After the call, ask the representative to send you written confirmation that the account is closed. This confirmation protects you if a dispute arises later.
If you prefer not to call, you can often close an account through your online banking portal or mobile app. Look for account settings or account management options. Some issuers also accept closure requests by mail — send a letter to the address on your statement requesting closure, and keep a copy for your records.
Key Takeaways
- Pay off your full balance before closing the account, because most issuers will not process a closure request if you owe money.
- Call the customer service number on your card, confirm the closure with the representative, and request written confirmation in the mail.
- Closing a card lowers your available credit and can temporarily lower your credit score, especially if you have balances on other cards.
- If you have rewards points or cash back pending, redeem them before closing, because you may lose them once the account is shut down.
- Check your credit report a few weeks after closure to confirm the account shows as closed and to watch for any errors.
Redeem rewards and cash back before you close
If your card earns rewards points, cash back, or travel miles, use them before you close the account. Once the account is closed, you may no longer be able to redeem those rewards, and some issuers will cancel unused points entirely. Log into your account online or call customer service to see what you have accumulated and how to redeem it.
If you have a large balance of rewards that you are not sure how to use, contact the issuer before closing and ask what happens to your points after closure. Some issuers let you transfer points to a travel partner or convert them to a statement credit even after the account closes, but policies vary. Getting this in writing before you close protects you.
Understand how closing a card affects your credit score
Closing a credit card can lower your credit score, usually by a small amount in the short term. The main reason is that it reduces your total available credit. If you have balances on other cards, closing one card makes your overall credit utilization ratio higher — meaning you are using a larger percentage of the credit available to you. Credit scoring models penalize high utilization.
The impact is usually temporary. Your score typically recovers within a few months as long as you keep other accounts in good standing and pay bills on time. However, if you are planning to apply for a mortgage, car loan, or other major credit within the next few months, closing a card right before that application could work against you.
Closing a card also removes that account from your credit history, which can affect the average age of your accounts. If the card you are closing is one of your oldest accounts, the impact may be slightly larger. If it is a newer card, the effect is usually minimal.
Cancel any automatic payments linked to the card
Before closing the account, go through your subscriptions and recurring charges to see what is being billed to that card. This includes streaming services, gym memberships, insurance payments, utilities, or any other monthly or annual charges. Update each one to use a different payment method or cancel the service entirely.
If you forget to update a payment and a charge tries to post after the account closes, the transaction will be declined. The merchant may then try to collect the payment another way, or your service may be interrupted. Checking this list ahead of time prevents that headache.
Request written confirmation and monitor your credit report
After you close the account, the issuer should send you written confirmation within one to two weeks. Keep this letter in your files. It serves as proof that you requested the closure and protects you if the account somehow reappears on your credit report or if the issuer claims you still owe money.
Check your credit report about four to six weeks after closure to confirm the account shows as closed. You can get a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — once per year at annualcreditreport.com. If the account does not show as closed or if there are errors, contact the bureau and the issuer to correct it.
Some closed accounts remain on your credit report for up to ten years, which is normal. Having a closed account on your report does not hurt your score — it actually shows that you managed the account responsibly and paid it off.
Consider keeping the account open if you have no other cards
If this is your only credit card or one of very few, closing it may not be worth the temporary score impact. Keeping the account open and simply not using it preserves your available credit and maintains the age of your credit history. The card issuer may eventually close it due to inactivity, but that takes longer than an active closure request.
If you are worried about fraud or overspending, you can ask the issuer to freeze the card or set a very low credit limit instead of closing it entirely. This keeps the account active without the risk of accidental charges.
What to do if the issuer refuses to close your account
Occasionally an issuer will resist closing an account, especially if you have been a long-standing customer or if the card has a high credit limit. If this happens, ask the representative why they are declining your request. Some issuers have policies that require a waiting period or that prevent closure of certain premium cards.
If you still want to close the account, ask to speak with a supervisor or escalate your request. You have the right to close any account you hold. If the issuer continues to refuse, send a written closure request by certified mail to the address on your statement. Keep a copy and the delivery receipt. If the account remains open after that, contact your state's banking regulator or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to file a complaint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing a credit card hurt my credit score?
Closing a card typically lowers your score slightly in the short term because it reduces your available credit and can raise your utilization ratio on other cards. The impact is usually temporary and recovers within a few months if you pay other bills on time. The effect is smaller if the card is newer or if you have other cards with low balances.
What happens to my rewards points when I close the account?
Most issuers let you redeem rewards before closure, but policies vary. Some cancel unused points after closure, while others let you redeem them for a limited time afterward. Redeem your points before you close to be safe. Call customer service to ask about your specific card's policy.
Can I close a credit card if I still owe money on it?
Most issuers will not close an account with an outstanding balance. You must pay off the full amount first. After closure, you can still be billed for any remaining balance, so closing does not erase what you owe.
How long does it take to close a credit card?
Closure is usually immediate when you call or submit a request online. However, it can take one to two weeks for the closure to appear on your credit report and for the issuer to send written confirmation. The account may remain visible on your report for years after closure, which is normal.
Should I close old credit cards or keep them open?
Keeping old cards open is usually better for your credit score because it preserves your available credit and the age of your credit history. If you are not using the card, simply leave it open and unused. Close it only if you have multiple cards, want to reduce the number of accounts you manage, or have concerns about fraud.