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. Tell them you want to close the account. They will ask why you're leaving — you can answer or decline — and then confirm your request. Write down the date, time, and the name of the person you spoke with.

Some issuers let you close an account online through your account portal, but calling is safer because you get a confirmation on the spot and a record of who processed it. If you use the website method, follow up with a call anyway to verify the account is actually closed.

Before you call, pay off any remaining balance. Most issuers will not close an account with an outstanding balance, and even if they do, you'll still owe the money. If you have a promotional rate or 0% offer running, closing the account may end that offer and move your balance to a higher rate.

Key Takeaways

  • Call the number on the back of your card and tell them you want to close the account; write down the date, time, and representative's name.
  • Pay off your full balance before closing, because outstanding debt will remain your responsibility even after the account closes.
  • Closing a card reduces your available credit, which can raise your credit utilization ratio and temporarily lower your credit score.
  • Wait for a written confirmation in the mail or your online account before assuming the card is closed.
  • If you want to keep the card open but stop using it, you can straightforward cut it up and leave the account active instead.

Why closing a card affects your credit score

Closing a credit card changes two things that credit scoring models measure: your credit utilization ratio and your average age of accounts.

Credit utilization is the percentage of your total available credit that you're currently using. If you have three cards with $5,000 limits each ($15,000 total) and you carry a $3,000 balance, your utilization is 20%. If you close one of the $5,000 cards, your total available credit drops to $10,000, and the same $3,000 balance now represents 30% utilization. This change alone can lower your score by a few points.

The second effect is slower but longer-lasting. Credit scoring models reward older accounts because they show a stable payment history. When you close a card, it stops aging and eventually falls off your credit report entirely after seven to ten years. If that card was your oldest account, your average account age drops, which can lower your score further.

These effects are usually temporary — your score typically recovers within a few months if you keep your remaining balances low and make on-time payments. But if you're planning to explore for a mortgage or car loan soon, closing a card right before that process can hurt your chances of getting the best rate.

What happens to rewards points and cash back

Rewards points and cash back balances are usually forfeited when you close a card, so redeem them before you call to cancel. Log into your account and check your rewards balance. Most cards let you redeem points for statement credits, gift cards, or cash back directly to your bank account.

Some premium cards offer the option to transfer points to a partner program (airline miles, hotel points) even after closing. Check your card's terms or ask the representative when you call — they can tell you what options are available before the account closes.

If you have a large rewards balance you're not sure how to use, close the account after redeeming, not before. Once the account is closed, you lose access to the rewards portal and cannot redeem anything remaining.

Confirming the account is actually closed

After you call, the issuer should send you a written confirmation letter within one to two weeks. Check your mail and your online account to make sure it arrived. The letter should state the account is closed and show a zero balance.

If you don't receive confirmation within three weeks, call back and ask for a written statement. Keep this letter in your records — it's proof the account was closed on a specific date, which matters if a debt collector later tries to collect on a balance you thought was paid off.

Check your credit report a few weeks after closing to confirm the account shows as closed. You can view your credit report free once per year at AnnualCreditReport.com. The account will remain on your report for seven to ten years after closing, but it should be marked as "closed by consumer" rather than "closed by issuer" (the latter can look worse to lenders).

Stopping use without closing the account

If you want to reduce the number of active cards but don't want the credit score hit from closing, you can straightforward stop using the card and leave the account open. Cut up the physical card so you don't accidentally use it, but keep the account active.

The downside is that some issuers close inactive accounts after 12 to 24 months of no activity. If that happens, the account closes anyway — but this time the issuer initiated it, which may show differently on your credit report. To prevent this, use the card once or twice a year for a small purchase you'd make anyway, then pay it off when ready.

Keeping an old card open also means you're responsible for monitoring it for fraud and paying any annual fees if the card has them. If the card charges an annual fee and you're not using it, closing is the better choice.

What to do if the issuer won't close your account

Most issuers will close an account on request, but some may push back if you have a promotional offer running or if the account is relatively new. If they refuse, ask to speak with a supervisor. Be clear and direct: "I want to close this account." You don't need a reason, and they cannot force you to keep it open.

If the issuer still refuses after you've asked a supervisor, send a written request by certified mail to the address on your statement. Include your account number, your name, and a clear statement that you want the account closed. Keep a copy for your records. This creates a paper trail and often prompts faster action than a phone call.

If you're closing the account because of poor customer service or a billing dispute, consider filing a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at ConsumerFinance.gov. This doesn't force the issuer to close the account, but it creates an official record and may speed up resolution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will closing a credit card hurt my credit score?

Yes, usually by a small amount in the short term. Closing a card reduces your available credit, which can raise your utilization ratio. The effect is typically temporary — your score usually recovers within a few months if you keep other balances low and pay on time. The longer-term effect is smaller if the card you're closing is not your oldest account.

Can I close a credit card with a balance on it?

Most issuers require you to pay off the balance before closing. Even if they allow you to close with a balance, you still owe the money and will continue to be charged interest. Pay the balance first, then close the account.

What happens to my rewards points when I close a card?

Rewards points are usually forfeited when you close the account, so redeem them before you call to cancel. Check your card's terms or ask the representative what redemption options are available — some cards let you transfer points to partner programs even after closing.

How long does it take to close a credit card?

The account closes when ready when you call, but the issuer typically sends written confirmation within one to two weeks. The account may remain on your credit report for seven to ten years after closing, but it will be marked as closed.

Should I close old credit cards or keep them open?

Keeping old cards open helps your credit score because they increase your available credit and preserve your average account age. If the card has no annual fee, keeping it open costs nothing. If it has an annual fee and you're not using it, closing is the better choice.