How to deactivate a credit card
To deactivate your credit card, call the phone number on the back of the card and tell the representative you want to close the account. Most card issuers will process this over the phone in a few minutes. You can also log into your online account and look for a "close account" or "manage card" option, though calling is faster and creates a record of your request.
Before you call, pay off any remaining balance on the card. The card issuer will not close an account with an outstanding balance — they will either keep it open to collect the debt or send it to collections. If you have pending charges that have not posted yet, wait a few days for them to clear before closing.
After the account closes, the card issuer will send you a written confirmation. Keep this letter. It proves the account is closed in your name, which matters if a fraudster later tries to use the card number or if a debt collector contacts you about old charges.
Key Takeaways
- Call the number on the back of your card and ask to close the account — this is the fastest and most documented way to deactivate it.
- Pay off the full balance before closing, because most issuers will not close an account with money still owed.
- Wait for pending charges to post before you close, so you do not accidentally close the account while a transaction is still processing.
- Keep the written confirmation the issuer sends you, because it proves the account is closed if questions arise later.
- Closing a card can lower your credit score temporarily because it reduces your total available credit, but the effect usually fades within a few months.
Why your balance must be paid before closing
Card issuers have a legal obligation to collect money you owe them. If you try to close an account with an unpaid balance, the issuer will refuse and keep the account open. This means you will continue to receive statements and pay interest on the remaining balance until it is gone.
If you ignore the account after closing is refused, the issuer may eventually charge off the debt — meaning they write it off as a loss and sell it to a debt collector. A charge-off stays on your credit report for seven years and damages your credit score significantly. Paying the balance in full before closing avoids this entirely.
What happens to pending charges when you close
A pending charge is a transaction that has been authorized but has not yet posted to your account. Common examples are hotel reservations, rental cars, and online purchases that have not shipped. These charges can take anywhere from one day to two weeks to post, depending on the merchant.
If you close your card while a charge is still pending, the transaction may still post after the account is closed. When this happens, the issuer will either reject the charge (and the merchant will contact you for a different payment method) or post it to a closed account, which can create confusion about whether you actually owe the money. To avoid this, wait until all pending charges have posted and cleared before you call to close.
How closing a card affects your credit score
Closing a credit card typically lowers your credit score in the short term, usually by 10 to 50 points depending on your overall credit profile. The score drop happens because closing the card reduces your total available credit — the amount of money all your card issuers have offered you combined. Credit scoring models reward people who use only a small portion of their available credit, so losing available credit makes you look riskier on paper.
The effect is temporary. Most people see their score recover within three to six months as the closed account ages and other factors in their credit history become more prominent. The long-term impact is much smaller than the when ready dip, especially if you have other cards open and a history of on-time payments.
If your credit score is already low or you are planning to explore for a loan soon, closing a card right before that process can hurt your chances of approval or your interest rate. In those cases, it may be worth waiting a few months to close the card.
Deactivating versus closing — what the difference means
Deactivating usually means the issuer temporarily stops the card from working — you cannot use it, but the account stays open and you still owe any balance. Closing means you are ending the account relationship entirely. When you call to close, you are asking for a permanent closure, not a temporary freeze.
If you straightforward want to stop using a card without closing the account, you can ask the issuer to deactivate it instead. This keeps the account open, which means it continues to help your available credit and your credit history length. Deactivation is useful if you want to keep the card as a backup or if you are not sure whether you will need it again.
However, most people who call to close a card actually want it closed permanently. Be clear about which one you want, because the issuer will ask you to confirm before processing the request.
What to do with the physical card after closing
Once the account is closed, cut up the card or shred it so the card number cannot be used if someone finds it. Do not throw it in the trash whole — a fraudster can retrieve it and use the number for online purchases.
If the card is still active when you close the account, the issuer may send you a new card in the mail as a replacement. If this happens, cut that up too. Some issuers will not send a replacement if you explicitly ask them not to during the closing call, so you can mention this when you call.
Closing a card with a rewards balance or sign-up bonus
If your card has an unspent rewards balance, use those points or cash back before you close the account. Once the account is closed, most issuers will not let you redeem rewards that are still sitting in your account. Some will forfeit the balance entirely, while others may hold it for a limited time — usually 30 to 90 days — before deleting it.
If you recently earned a sign-up bonus and are closing the card within the first year, the issuer may claw back the bonus. Many card agreements state that if you close the account within 12 months of opening it, the issuer can reverse the bonus points or cash back. Check your card agreement or ask the representative when you call to close, so you know whether this applies to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close a credit card over email or through the website instead of calling?
Some issuers allow you to close an account through their website or mobile app, but calling is more reliable because you get when ready confirmation and a record of the request. If you do close online, take a screenshot of the confirmation page. Email is the slowest option — responses can take weeks, and there is no real-time confirmation that your request was received.
What if I have a balance transfer or 0% promotional rate on the card?
You can still close the card, but the balance will no longer may have access to for the promotional rate. The issuer will convert any remaining balance to the regular interest rate, which is usually much higher. If you have a large balance transfer with a 0% rate, it is usually better to wait until the balance is paid off before closing, so you do not lose the promotional terms.
Will closing a card hurt my ability to get approved for other credit?
Closing one card will lower your score slightly, which can affect approval odds for a few months. If you are planning to explore for a mortgage, car loan, or another major credit product, it is better to wait until after you have been approved before closing cards. If you have already closed a card and are worried about an upcoming process, you can explain the timing to the lender.
What happens if I close a card and then want to reopen it later?
Some issuers will reopen a closed account if you call within a certain window — usually 30 to 60 days. After that, reopening is not possible, and you would have to explore for a new account from scratch. If you think you might want the card back, ask the issuer about their reactivation policy before you close.
Do I need to close all my credit cards to improve my credit score?
No. Closing all your cards at once would actually hurt your score more than closing one or two. If you have multiple cards you do not use, closing one or two while keeping the others open is a better approach. Keeping at least one card open with a zero balance helps your available credit and shows active credit history.