You can cancel your Best Buy credit card by calling the card issuer directly or through your online account
The Best Buy credit card is issued by Citi, not by Best Buy itself. That means you contact Citi to cancel it, not Best Buy customer service. You have three ways to do this: call the phone number on the back of your card, log into your Citi account online and request cancellation through the account settings, or visit a Best Buy store and ask a manager to help you initiate the process. The fastest route is usually the phone call — you'll reach someone in minutes and have confirmation the same day.
Before you cancel, understand what happens next. Your card closes when ready, but the account stays on your credit report for up to seven years. That closed account still counts toward your total available credit, which can actually help your credit score in the short term. However, if you have a balance when you cancel, you'll still owe it and Citi will send you monthly statements until it's paid off.
Key Takeaways
- Call the number on the back of your Best Buy credit card to reach Citi, the actual card issuer, and request cancellation directly.
- You can also cancel online through your Citi account or ask a Best Buy store manager to help initiate the cancellation.
- Pay off any balance before you cancel, because you'll still owe the debt and Citi will continue charging interest if you don't.
- A closed credit card stays on your report for years and can actually help your credit score by keeping your available credit high.
- Canceling won't hurt your score as much as missing a payment would, but closing an old account can lower your score slightly in the short term.
What happens to your balance when you cancel
If you have money owed on the card when you cancel, that debt doesn't disappear. Citi will keep the account open for billing purposes and send you a statement each month showing what you owe, the interest rate, and the minimum payment due. You can pay online, by phone, or by mail using the payment instructions on your statement. Interest will continue to accrue on any unpaid balance at your current APR until the account is fully paid off.
The smartest move is to pay off the balance before you call to cancel. That way, when you close the account, there's nothing left to manage. If you can't pay it all at once, pay down as much as you can first, then cancel. You'll still have to pay the remaining balance, but at least you won't be carrying the card itself.
How canceling affects your credit score
Closing a credit card can lower your credit score slightly, but usually not by much — often just a few points. The main reason is that your total available credit shrinks. If you had a $2,000 limit on the Best Buy card and you were using $500 of it, your credit utilization ratio was 25 percent. Once you cancel, that $2,000 disappears from your available credit, which can push your utilization ratio up if you still carry balances on other cards.
The impact is temporary. Your score typically recovers within a few months as long as you keep paying other accounts on time. The closed account itself stays on your credit report and continues to help your score by showing a history of on-time payments — it just won't be active anymore. Missing a payment or letting the account go to collections would hurt far more than canceling it.
Rewards points and special financing offers
If you have accumulated rewards points on your Best Buy credit card, use them before you cancel. Once the account closes, you typically have a limited window — usually 60 to 90 days — to redeem any remaining points. After that, they may be forfeited. Log into your Citi account or call the number on your card to check your current balance and see what rewards are available to you.
If you have an active special financing offer — like 12 months interest-free on a purchase — canceling the card won't end that offer. You'll still owe the balance under the same terms. However, if you cancel before making a purchase you were planning to finance, you won't be able to use that offer anymore. Check your account for any active promotions before you decide to close it.
Steps to cancel over the phone
Call the number on the back of your Best Buy credit card. You'll reach Citi's customer service line. Have your card number and a form of ID ready. Tell the representative you want to cancel your account. They may ask why you're canceling or offer you a retention offer — a lower interest rate or bonus points to keep the card open. You can accept or decline.
Once you confirm the cancellation, ask the representative for a confirmation number and the date the account will close. Write this down. You should receive a written confirmation in the mail within a few days. If you don't receive it within two weeks, call back and reference your confirmation number to verify the cancellation went through.
Canceling through your online account
Log into your Citi account at citi.com using your username and password. Navigate to the account settings or account management section — the exact location varies depending on whether you're on desktop or mobile. Look for an option labeled "Close Account," "Cancel Card," or "Account Services." Click it and follow the prompts. You may be asked to confirm your identity and reason for canceling.
Online cancellation is convenient, but you won't have a live person to answer questions or provide a confirmation number on the spot. After you submit the request, wait for an email confirmation from Citi. If you don't receive one within 24 hours, call the number on your card to confirm the request was processed. Some people prefer the phone route specifically because they get when ready confirmation and can ask questions in real time.
What to do if you want to keep the card but stop using it
You don't have to cancel the card if you're just not using it anymore. You can straightforward stop using it and leave the account open. This is actually better for your credit score in many cases, because it keeps your available credit high and shows a long account history. Just make sure you don't have an annual fee — the Best Buy card does not currently charge an annual fee, but confirm this before you decide to keep it inactive.
If you're worried about fraud or identity theft, you can request that Citi freeze or lock the card so it can't be used, even if someone gets the number. This is different from canceling — the account stays open and active on your credit report, but the card itself is disabled. Call the number on your card and ask about a card lock or freeze option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will canceling hurt my credit score?
Canceling may lower your score by a few points in the short term because your available credit decreases. The impact is usually temporary and recovers within a few months. Keeping the account open but unused is better for your score, but canceling is far less damaging than missing a payment.
What if I have a balance when I cancel?
You'll still owe the balance and Citi will continue sending statements and charging interest until it's paid off. Pay down as much as you can before canceling, or pay off the full balance first. The account will stay open for billing purposes even after you request cancellation.
Can I cancel in person at Best Buy?
Best Buy employees can help you start the cancellation process, but the actual cancellation is handled by Citi. A manager can provide you with Citi's phone number or help you contact them, but you'll still need to speak with Citi directly to complete it.
How long does it take for the card to close?
The card is usually closed within one to two business days after you request cancellation. You should receive written confirmation in the mail within a few days. If you need proof of cancellation when ready, ask for a confirmation number when you call.
Can I reopen the card after I cancel it?
You can request to reopen the account by calling Citi, but they may decline depending on how long it's been closed and your account history. It's easier to keep the card open and unused than to cancel and try to reopen it later.