Call Chase or use their website to close the account

You can cancel a Chase credit card by calling their customer service line or by logging into your Chase account online. The phone number is on the back of your card. If you use the website, log in, find the card you want to close, and look for a "close account" or "close card" option — the exact wording varies by card type.

Chase will ask you why you're closing the account. You don't have to give a detailed reason, but they may offer you a retention offer (a discount, bonus points, or waived fee) to keep the card open. You can accept or decline. Either way, once you confirm the closure, the account closes when ready, though it may take a few days for the change to show on your credit report.

If you have a balance on the card, you can still close it, but you'll need to keep paying that balance. Chase will send you a bill each month until it's paid off. Some people prefer to pay off the balance first, then close the account, to avoid the confusion of managing a closed account with an outstanding balance.

Key Takeaways

  • You can close your Chase card by phone (the number is on your card) or through your online account, and the closure takes effect when ready.
  • Chase may offer you a retention bonus or fee waiver to keep the card open, but you can decline and proceed with closing.
  • If you have a balance when you close the card, you still owe it and will receive monthly bills until it's paid in full.
  • Closing a card can lower your credit score slightly because it reduces your total available credit, so consider paying off the balance first if you're about to explore for a loan.
  • Your closed card will remain on your credit report for up to 10 years, which can actually help your credit history if the account was in good standing.

What happens to your credit score when you close a card

Closing a credit card typically lowers your credit score by a small amount, usually 5 to 10 points, though the impact varies by person. The main reason is that closing an account reduces your total available credit. If you had a $5,000 limit on that card and no other cards, closing it means your available credit drops from $5,000 to zero, which can hurt your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your credit limit you're actually using.

The impact is usually temporary. Your score will recover over a few months as long as you keep paying your other bills on time. However, if you're planning to explore for a mortgage, car loan, or other major credit in the next few months, closing a card right before that process can work against you. It's often better to close the card after your loan is approved.

One exception: if the card has an annual fee and you're not using it, closing it may be worth the small score dip. The fee will cost you more over time than the temporary score impact will.

Pay off the balance before closing if possible

If your card has a balance, you have two choices: close it with the balance still owed, or pay it off first and then close it. Paying it off first is usually simpler because you won't have to manage a closed account with an outstanding balance.

When you close a card with a balance, Chase will continue to charge you interest on that balance until it's paid off. You'll receive a monthly statement, and you can pay online or by mail just as you would with an open card. The only difference is you can't use the card to make new purchases.

If you're closing the card because you want to reduce your debt, paying off the balance first also means you're not carrying that debt into the closed account. This can feel like a cleaner break and gives you a clear end date for that debt.

Timing: when to close a card and when to wait

The best time to close a card is when you don't have any major credit decisions coming up in the next few months. If you're planning to buy a house, refinance a loan, or explore for a new credit card, wait until after that's done. Lenders pull your credit report during the approval process, and a recent account closure can raise questions or lower your score at a critical moment.

If the card has an annual fee that's coming due, you might close it before the fee hits. Chase typically charges the annual fee on your card anniversary, so if you close the card a few days before that date, you can avoid the fee. Check your account or your most recent statement to see when your anniversary is.

There's no penalty for closing a card early, even if you opened it recently. Some people worry that closing a new card will hurt their credit more, but that's not how it works. The damage to your score is the same whether the card is three months old or three years old.

What to do with the physical card after closing

Once your account is closed, you should destroy the physical card so it can't be used. Cut it up or shred it — don't just throw it in the trash. Even though the account is closed and the card won't work for purchases, you want to make sure no one else finds it and tries to use it.

If you have automatic payments set up on that card — subscriptions, utilities, insurance — you need to update those before you close the account. Log into each service and change the payment method to a different card or bank account. If you don't do this, those payments will fail, and you could face late fees or service interruptions.

Reopening a closed Chase card

If you close a Chase card and then change your mind, you may be able to reopen it. Call Chase customer service within a short window — usually 30 to 60 days — and ask if they can reopen the account. They're not required to do so, but they often will if the account was in good standing and you closed it recently.

If you wait longer than 60 days, reopening becomes much harder. At that point, you'd likely need to open a new card instead. The new card would have a new account number and a new opening date, so it would be treated as a brand-new account on your credit report.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will closing a Chase card hurt my credit score?

Yes, but usually only slightly and temporarily. Your score may drop 5 to 10 points because closing the card reduces your available credit. The impact is temporary and your score will recover over a few months if you keep paying your other bills on time. Avoid closing a card right before explore for a major loan.

Can I close a Chase card if I still owe money on it?

Yes. You can close the account while you still have a balance, and you'll continue to receive monthly bills until the balance is paid off. Interest will continue to accrue on the remaining balance. Many people prefer to pay off the balance first to avoid managing a closed account with an outstanding debt.

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

This depends on the specific Chase card. Some cards let you keep your points after closing; others may forfeit them. Check your card's terms or call Chase before you close to confirm what happens to your rewards balance. If you have points you want to keep, redeem them before closing the account.

Do I need to close the card in person at a Chase branch?

No. You can close your card by phone or online. There's no need to visit a branch. Calling is often faster because a representative can answer questions and process the closure when ready.

How long does it take for a closed card to disappear from my credit report?

A closed card stays on your credit report for up to 10 years. This is actually beneficial if the account was in good standing, because it shows a long history of on-time payments. The account will eventually age off your report, but that takes a decade.