Call Chase directly to close the account
The fastest way to cancel a Chase credit card is to call the number on the back of your card and ask to close the account. A representative will confirm your identity, answer questions about why you're closing it, and process the cancellation on the call. The account closes when ready, though it may take a few days for the closure to show on your credit report.
You can also close the account online through your Chase account dashboard under "Account Services" or "Manage Your Account," though phone closure is more reliable because you get confirmation in real time and can ask about any balance transfers or retention offers before the line closes.
Key Takeaways
- Call the number on your card to close it, or use your Chase online account — both methods are free and take less than 10 minutes.
- Pay off any remaining balance before you call, because closing an account with a balance doesn't erase what you owe.
- Closing a card lowers your available credit and can temporarily lower your credit score, especially if you carry balances on other cards.
- Chase will not reopen a closed account, so make sure you want to close it before you call — downgrading to a different card is often a better option.
- Keep records of the closure confirmation, including the date and representative name, in case Chase later reports the account incorrectly.
Pay off your balance first
If your card has an outstanding balance, you must pay it before or during the closure process. Closing the account does not forgive the debt — you will still owe whatever you charged, and Chase will continue to report the balance to credit bureaus.
If you cannot pay the full balance when ready, ask the representative whether you can set up a payment plan or whether closing the account triggers any early payoff penalties. Most Chase cards do not charge a penalty for early closure, but some older cards or business cards may have terms worth checking before you hang up.
Understand how closure affects your credit score
Closing a credit card typically lowers your credit score in the short term, usually by 5 to 15 points, though the impact varies based on your overall credit profile. The damage comes from two factors: your available credit shrinks (if you close a card with a $5,000 limit and carry a $2,000 balance on another card, your utilization ratio just jumped), and the account history stops building positive payment records.
The score hit is usually temporary. After six months to a year, the closure's impact fades as long as you keep other accounts in good standing and pay on time. However, if you carry balances on remaining cards, the utilization damage can last longer. If your credit score is a concern, consider downgrading to a no-annual-fee version of the same card instead of closing it entirely — you keep the account history and available credit without paying an annual fee.
Know what happens to rewards points and sign-up bonuses
Chase allows you to use your rewards points before closing the account, and those points do not disappear when the account closes. You can redeem them for cash back, travel, or other options up until the moment you close the account. After closure, you cannot earn new points, but existing points remain in your account for a limited time — check your specific card's terms for how long Chase holds closed-account points.
If you received a sign-up bonus when you opened the card, closing the account does not force you to return it. However, Chase's terms state that you must keep the account open for a certain period (usually 30 days to one year, depending on the card) to keep the bonus. If you close the account before that window closes, Chase may claw back the bonus points or cash equivalent. Check your card's terms before closing if you opened it recently.
Request a downgrade instead of closing if you want to keep the account
If you want to stop paying an annual fee but keep the account open, ask the representative whether you can downgrade to a different Chase card with no annual fee. Downgrading keeps your account history, available credit, and credit score intact while eliminating the fee. Chase often approves downgrades when ready on the phone.
Downgrading is particularly useful if you have had the card for several years, because closing it would erase that account history from your credit report. The longer your account history, the better for your credit score, so keeping the account open under a different product is usually the smarter move than closing it entirely.
What happens after you close the account
Once closed, your Chase card stops working when ready. You cannot use it for new purchases, and you cannot add it to digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay. Any recurring charges set to that card will fail, so update your payment methods for subscriptions, utilities, or other automatic payments before you close the account.
Chase will continue to send you statements if you have a remaining balance, and the account will appear on your credit report as "closed by consumer" for seven years. This notation does not harm your credit — it straightforward shows that you ended the relationship. After seven years, the closed account falls off your credit report entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reopen a Chase credit card after I close it?
No. Chase does not reopen closed accounts. If you change your mind, you would need to explore for the card again as a new customer, which means a hard inquiry on your credit report and a new account history starting from zero. This is why it is important to be certain before you call to close.
Will closing my card hurt my credit score?
Yes, but usually temporarily. Your score typically drops 5 to 15 points in the short term because your available credit decreases and your credit utilization ratio may increase. The impact fades over six months to a year if you keep other accounts in good standing. If you carry balances on other cards, the damage can last longer.
What if I have a pending transaction when I close the account?
Pending transactions will still post to the closed account, and you will still owe the amount. Close the account only after pending transactions have fully posted, or wait until you know no more charges are coming. Check your recent activity before you call.
Do I lose my rewards points when I close the account?
No. Your existing rewards points stay in your account after closure and you can redeem them. However, you cannot earn new points after the account closes, and Chase may hold closed-account points for a limited time before they expire — check your card's terms for the exact window.
Should I close the card or downgrade it?
Downgrade if you want to avoid an annual fee but keep the account history and available credit. Close only if you truly do not want the card anymore. Downgrading is almost always better for your credit score because it preserves your account age and available credit while eliminating the fee.