Call Chase and tell them you want to close the account
The fastest way to close a Chase credit card is to call the customer service number on the back of your card. Have your account number ready. Tell the representative you want to close the account, and they will walk you through the process on that call. The account closes when ready, though the card itself remains valid for a few days while the system updates.
Before you call, make sure your balance is paid in full. Chase will not close an account with an outstanding balance — you will have to pay it first. If you have pending transactions that have not posted yet, ask the representative to confirm the exact balance before you authorize the closure.
Key Takeaways
- Pay your full balance before calling Chase, because the company will not close an account with money owed.
- Closing a credit card lowers your available credit, which can raise your credit utilization ratio and temporarily lower your credit score.
- Your payment history on the closed account stays on your credit report for seven years, so closing it does not erase past late payments.
- If you want to keep the account open but stop using it, you can straightforward cut up the card and leave the account inactive instead.
Why closing a card affects your credit score
Closing a credit card removes that card's credit limit from your total available credit. If you had a $5,000 limit and $2,000 in balances on other cards, your credit utilization ratio jumps from 40 percent to 67 percent. Credit scoring models treat high utilization as a sign of financial strain, so your score typically drops when you close an account.
The drop is usually temporary — your score recovers as you pay down other balances or as time passes. But if you are planning to explore for a mortgage, car loan, or another form of credit within the next few months, closing a card right before that process can work against you. If you do not need the card, leaving it open and unused is often the better choice.
What happens to your payment history after closure
Closing the account does not erase your history with that card. The account stays on your credit report for seven years from the date you close it, and all your on-time payments remain visible to lenders. If you made late payments on this card, those late marks stay too — closing the account does not remove them.
This is actually one reason you might want to keep an old card open even if you do not use it. A long history of on-time payments helps your credit score, and closing the account does not add to that history — it just stops adding to it. The older the account, the more valuable it is to leave open.
Redeeming rewards points before you close
If your Chase card earns rewards points or cash back, use them before you close the account. Most Chase cards let you redeem points for cash, travel, or merchandise through the Chase website or app. Once the account is closed, you typically have a limited window — often 30 to 60 days — to redeem remaining points. After that window, unused points usually expire.
Log into your Chase account and check your rewards balance before you call to close. The representative can also tell you how many points you have and what your redemption important date will be. It takes only a few minutes to redeem, and it is money you have already earned.
Closing the account online versus by phone
Chase does not offer a way to close a credit card through their website or mobile app. You must call customer service at the number on the back of your card. Some banks allow online closure, but Chase requires a phone call so a representative can confirm your identity and ask a few questions about why you are closing the account.
The call usually takes fewer than five minutes. Have your account number ready, confirm your full balance is paid, and be prepared to give a reason for closure — though your answer does not affect whether they will close it. The representative will confirm the closure date and may offer you a retention offer (a discount or bonus) to keep the account open, but you are under no obligation to accept.
What to do with the physical card after closure
After the account closes, cut up the card or shred it so it cannot be used. Even though the account is closed, the card number is still printed on the plastic, and you do not want it lying around. Some people keep one card in a safe place for reference, but most destroy them when ready.
The card will stop working within a few days of closure, even if you do not physically destroy it. But destroying it removes any risk of someone finding it and attempting to use the number. If you are worried about identity theft, you can also request a new card before closing and destroy that one instead, leaving yourself with no physical card to worry about.
Alternatives to closing: keeping the account open but inactive
If you are closing the card mainly because you do not use it, consider leaving it open instead. An inactive account costs you nothing — there is no annual fee (unless your card charges one, in which case you would want to close it or switch to a no-fee version). The account sits there building your credit history and keeping your available credit high.
Some banks will close inactive accounts after a long period of non-use, but Chase typically does not. You can use the card once or twice a year to keep it active, or straightforward leave it alone. This approach protects your credit score while keeping the option to use the card later if you need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does closing a Chase credit card hurt my credit score?
Yes, usually temporarily. Closing the account lowers your available credit, which raises your credit utilization ratio. Your score typically drops by a small amount and recovers over a few months as you pay down other balances. The impact is smaller if you have multiple cards or if the closed card had a low limit.
Can I reopen a Chase credit card after I close it?
Chase may reopen a recently closed account if you call within a short period, but there is no may provide. If you think you might want the card back, leaving it open and unused is safer. If you do close it and later want it back, you can explore for the same card again, but you will go through a new process and approval process.
What if I have a balance I cannot pay right now?
Chase will not close the account until the balance is paid in full. You can keep making payments on the card after you close it — the account will remain open until the balance reaches zero. Once paid off, you can call back to close it, or you can leave it open with a zero balance.
Will closing my oldest credit card hurt my score more than closing a newer one?
Yes, typically. Older accounts help your credit score because they show a long history of responsible credit use. Closing an old account removes that benefit. If you have multiple cards, closing a newer one has less impact on your score than closing an account you have held for many years.
Do I need to do anything after the account closes?
No. Once closed, the account requires no action from you. Your payment history stays on your credit report automatically. If the card had an annual fee, that will stop. If you had autopay set up on this card, make sure you update any recurring payments to a different card so they do not fail.