Closing a Chase credit card takes a phone call, but the order of your steps matters — pay the balance first, then call to close, then watch for the final statement

Call Chase at the number on the back of your card and tell them you want to close the account. They will ask why, try to keep you as a customer, and then process the closure. The account closes when ready, but you remain responsible for any remaining balance. Chase will send a final statement showing what you owe, and you pay that like any other bill. The whole process takes one phone call, though the account may take 7 to 10 business days to fully close in their system.

The risk most people miss: closing the account does not erase the balance. If you have a balance when you call, you still owe it. If you close the account and then miss a payment, Chase reports it to credit bureaus just as they would on an open account. Pay off what you owe before you call, or have a plan to pay it when ready after.

Key Takeaways

  • Pay your full balance before calling Chase to close, because closing does not erase what you owe.
  • Call the number on the back of your card during business hours; Chase will process the closure over the phone with no forms to mail.
  • The account closes right away, but the final statement arrives in the mail within 7 to 10 business days showing any remaining balance.
  • Closing a card lowers your available credit, which can raise your credit utilization ratio and temporarily lower your credit score.
  • Chase may offer you a retention bonus or lower rate to keep the account open — decide in advance whether you want to hear the pitch.

What happens to your balance when you close

Closing the account does not pay off the balance. If you owe $500 when you call, you still owe $500 after the account closes. Chase will stop letting you charge new purchases, but the debt remains yours to pay.

Chase sends a final statement to your mailing address within 7 to 10 business days. This statement shows the exact balance due, the payment due date, and the address to send payment to. Pay this like any other bill — by check, online transfer, or phone payment. If you miss the due date, Chase reports the late payment to credit bureaus.

If you have an automatic payment set up on the card, contact Chase before you close to confirm whether the payment will still go through. Some automatic payments stop when the account closes; others continue. Ask during your closure call so you do not accidentally miss a payment.

The steps to close your Chase card by phone

Call the customer service number on the back of your card. This number routes you to Chase's account team, not a general line. Have your card in front of you when you call.

Tell the representative you want to close the account. They will ask why you are closing — common reasons are high fees, better rates elsewhere, or straightforward not using the card. Your answer does not affect whether they close it, but Chase uses this information to track why customers leave.

Chase will often offer you a reason to stay: a lower interest rate, a fee waiver, or a cash bonus. Decide before you call whether you want to hear these offers or whether you have already made up your mind. If you are certain you want to close, you can say so upfront and skip the retention pitch.

Once you confirm you want to close, the representative processes it when ready. They will give you a confirmation number. Write this down. The account closes right then, and you cannot use the card anymore.

How closing affects your credit score

Closing a credit card lowers your total available credit. If you have $10,000 in available credit across all cards and you close a card with a $3,000 limit, your available credit drops to $7,000. This raises your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your credit limit you are actually using — which can lower your score by 10 to 20 points in the short term.

The impact is temporary. As time passes and the closed account ages, the effect shrinks. After about six months, the score recovery usually begins. After seven years, the closed account falls off your credit report entirely.

The damage is smallest if you close a card with a low limit or if you have other cards with available credit. It is largest if the card you are closing is your oldest account or your only card with a high limit. If your credit score is important right now — you are explore for a mortgage or a car loan in the next few months — closing a card can cost you. If you have time before you need credit, the impact is minor.

What to do before you call Chase

Pay off the full balance. This is the single most important step. If you cannot pay it all at once, pay as much as you can before you call, then set up a payment plan for the rest. Closing with a balance does not hurt you more than closing with zero balance, but it leaves you with a debt to manage after the account is gone.

Check whether you have any pending charges or subscriptions on the card. Some subscriptions — streaming services, gym memberships, software — charge automatically. If the card is closed and the charge tries to go through, the payment fails and the service may suspend. Move any recurring charges to another card before you close.

Decide whether you want to keep the card itself. You do not have to destroy it, but many people do. Chase will not reactivate a closed account if you change your mind later, so keeping the card does not help you. Shredding it is safer than throwing it away.

What happens after you close the account

The account closes when ready when you hang up the phone. You cannot use the card for new purchases. Any pending transactions that have not yet posted may still go through — this can take a few days for some merchants.

Chase sends a final statement within 7 to 10 business days. This statement is your record of the closure and shows the final balance. Keep it for your records.

The closed account stays on your credit report for seven years. During this time, it shows as "closed by consumer" or "closed by cardholder," which is neutral to positive — it shows you closed it on purpose, not that Chase closed it due to missed payments. After seven years, it disappears from your report.

If you change your mind after closing

Chase does not reopen closed accounts. Once the account is closed, it is closed permanently. You cannot call back and ask them to reopen it.

If you want a Chase credit card again, you would have to open a new account. This new account would have a new account number, a new credit limit (based on your current credit), and a new annual fee if applicable. You would start with zero rewards or points balance — any rewards you earned on the old card are gone once the account closes.

Some people close a card and regret it weeks later. If you are unsure, consider whether you can straightforward stop using the card instead. Closing is permanent; not using it is reversible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to mail anything to Chase to close my card?

No. The entire closure happens over the phone. You do not need to mail forms, the card itself, or anything else. Chase processes it verbally and sends you a confirmation number. You can destroy the physical card after you close the account.

What if I have a balance and cannot pay it all at once?

You can still close the account. Chase will send you a final statement with the balance and a due date. You pay it on whatever schedule works for you — weekly, monthly, or in one lump sum. Missing a payment on a closed account is reported to credit bureaus the same way a missed payment on an open account is, so set up a payment plan you can actually stick to.

Will closing my card hurt my credit score?

It will likely lower your score by 10 to 20 points in the short term because it reduces your available credit and raises your utilization ratio. The impact is temporary and shrinks over time. If you are not explore for credit in the next few months, the effect is minor.

Can I close my Chase card online instead of calling?

Chase does not offer online account closure for most credit cards. You must call the number on the back of your card. The call takes about 10 minutes. Some business cards may have different closure options — ask during your call if you have a business account.

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

This depends on the specific Chase card. Some cards let you redeem points after closure; others expire them. Call Chase before you close and ask what happens to your current points balance. If you have points you want to use, redeem them before you close the account to avoid losing them.