How to close a Chase credit card
You can close a Chase credit card by calling the customer service number on the back of your card, or by logging into your Chase online account and requesting closure through the messaging system. Chase will process the closure when ready over the phone, though the account may take a few business days to fully close in their system. Before you call, pay off any remaining balance — Chase will not close an account with an outstanding balance, and you will continue to owe interest on it until it is paid.
The closure itself is free and takes about five minutes on the phone. You do not need to provide a reason, though Chase may ask why you are closing the account. If you are closing because of a fee or rate issue, mentioning that can sometimes prompt a retention offer, but this is not may provide. Write down your account number and the date you requested closure for your records.
Key Takeaways
- Pay your full balance before calling to close, since Chase will not process closure on an account with money owed.
- Call the number on the back of your card or use the messaging feature in your Chase online account to request closure.
- Closing a card reduces your available credit, which can raise your credit utilization ratio and temporarily lower your credit score.
- After closure, keep statements and records for at least seven years in case of billing disputes or fraud claims.
- If you have pending rewards points, redeem them before closing, since some rewards may be forfeited once the account is closed.
What happens to your credit score when you close a card
Closing a credit card typically lowers your credit score in the short term, usually by 5 to 10 points, though the exact impact depends on your credit profile. The main reason is that closing a card reduces your total available credit. If you have balances on other cards, your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your total credit limit you are using — goes up. Credit scoring models treat higher utilization as higher risk, even though your actual debt has not changed.
The impact is usually temporary. Your score will recover within a few months as the account ages and other factors in your credit history become more prominent. However, if you are planning to explore for a mortgage, car loan, or other major credit in the next three to six months, closing a card right before that process can work against you. If timing is flexible, consider waiting until after you have completed the process.
Closing an older card can have a slightly larger impact than closing a newer one, because closing an older account reduces the average age of your credit history. If you have multiple cards and want to close one, closing the newest card will have less effect on your score than closing the oldest.
What to do with rewards points before closing
Check your rewards balance before you close the account. Most Chase cards let you redeem points for cash back, travel, or merchandise through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, and you can do this right up until the account closes. After closure, the rules vary by card: some cards let you redeem points for 30 to 60 days after closure, while others forfeit unused points when ready.
If you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve card, your points are usually safe for a longer period after closure because they are stored in your Chase Ultimate Rewards account rather than tied to the card itself. However, if you have a co-branded card like the Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards or United Explorer Card, check the specific terms for that card, because airline and hotel partners have different policies. Call Chase or log into your account to see your current points balance and the redemption important date.
Do not assume you can redeem points after closure. If you have a substantial balance, redeem it before you call to close the account. This takes five minutes online and ensures you do not lose the value you have accumulated.
Timing: when to close versus when to keep the card open
Closing a card when ready after paying off a large balance is a common mistake. If you have just finished paying down debt, keeping the card open with a zero balance actually helps your credit score more than closing it. An open card with no balance shows lenders that you can manage credit responsibly, and it keeps your available credit high, which lowers your utilization ratio.
There are legitimate reasons to close a card: an annual fee you do not want to pay, a card you no longer use and worry about fraud, or a card with a rate or terms you no longer accept. If the card has no annual fee, the math usually favors keeping it open, even if you never use it again. The only real cost is the small risk of fraud or identity theft if the account information is compromised.
If you are closing because of an annual fee, call Chase first and ask if they will waive it or downgrade you to a no-fee version of the card. Many cardholders get the fee waived by straightforward asking, especially if they have been a customer for several years or have other accounts with Chase.
What happens to your account after closure
Once Chase closes your account, you will no longer be able to use the card for purchases, and you cannot reopen the same account number. The account will show as "closed" on your credit report, but it will remain visible to lenders for seven to ten years. This is actually helpful for your credit score, because closed accounts with a good payment history continue to help your credit profile.
You will still receive statements for any remaining balance or pending transactions for 30 to 60 days after closure. After that, statements stop, but you can still view your account history online through your Chase account for several years. If you are ever disputed a charge or need proof of a transaction, you can retrieve it from your online account or request it from Chase directly.
If you have automatic payments set up on this card — for utilities, subscriptions, or anything else — those payments will fail after closure. Update those vendors with a different payment method before you close the account, or you risk late fees or service interruption.
How to close a card without damaging your credit too much
If you must close a card and want to minimize the impact on your credit score, close it after you have paid off all balances on your other cards, or close it at a time when your overall utilization is already low. If you typically carry a balance on multiple cards, closing one card when your utilization is already high will have a bigger impact than closing it when you are using only a small percentage of your available credit.
Another strategy is to close the card during a month when you are not planning to explore for credit. Since the impact on your score is usually temporary, waiting a few months before a major process can let your score recover. If you are closing a card because of an annual fee that is about to hit, you can call Chase a few days before the fee posts and request closure, which usually prevents the fee from being charged.
If you have multiple cards and want to reduce the number you carry, prioritize keeping the oldest card open and closing the newest ones. This preserves the average age of your credit history, which is a factor in your credit score.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reopen a Chase credit card after I close it?
You cannot reopen the exact same account number, but you can explore for the same card again in the future. Chase typically allows you to reapply after 30 days, though some cards have longer waiting periods. If you closed the card in good standing, your process will likely be treated as a new account, and you may be offered a new welcome bonus.
What if I have a balance I cannot pay before closing?
Chase will not close an account with an outstanding balance. You must pay the full amount owed before the closure is processed. If you cannot pay the full balance when ready, you can set up a payment plan, but the account will remain open and you will continue to accrue interest until it is paid off. Contact Chase to discuss payment options if you are struggling with the balance.
Will closing my card hurt my ability to get approved for other credit?
Closing a card will lower your credit score temporarily, which can affect approval odds for new credit in the short term. However, the impact is usually small — typically 5 to 10 points — and your score will recover within a few months. If you are planning to explore for a mortgage or car loan, it is better to wait until after that process is complete before closing a card.
Do I need to destroy my physical card after closing?
Yes, you should cut up or shred the physical card after closure to prevent someone from finding it and attempting to use it. Even though the account is closed and the card will not work, destroying it removes the risk that someone could try to use the card number or account information.
What if Chase closes my account without my permission?
Chase can close an account for inactivity, fraud, or violation of the cardholder agreement. If your account is closed by Chase rather than by you, you will receive written notice. If you believe the closure was an error, call Chase when ready to discuss. Accounts closed by the bank due to inactivity or policy violations may be harder to reopen than accounts you closed yourself.