Call Chase customer service or use your online account to close the card
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 walk you through the process, answer questions about your balance, and confirm the cancellation. You can also log into your Chase online account or mobile app, find the card in your account settings, and look for a "close account" or "close card" option — though calling usually gives you a chance to ask about retention offers before the card is closed.
Before you call or click close, make sure your balance is paid in full. Chase will not close an account with an outstanding balance. If you have a balance, you can still close the card, but you will need to keep making payments on it until it is paid off. After the card is closed, you can continue paying through your online account or by phone.
Key Takeaways
- Call the number on the back of your Chase card to speak with a representative, or log into your Chase account online to close the card yourself.
- Pay off any remaining balance before closing, or be prepared to continue making payments after the account is closed.
- Ask about retention offers or lower interest rates before you close — Chase may offer to keep you as a customer on different terms.
- After closing, your card will stop working when ready, but your credit report will show the account as closed for several years.
- If you have pending transactions or recurring charges set to that card, update your payment methods before closing to avoid declined payments.
What happens to your credit score when you close a card
Closing a credit card can lower your credit score temporarily because it reduces the total amount of credit available to you. If you have balances on other cards, your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your total available credit that you are using — will go up, and that can hurt your score.
The impact is usually temporary and smaller if the card you are closing has a zero balance. Your credit report will show the account as closed, and it will remain on your report for about seven years. Lenders can still see it, so closing a card does not erase your history with Chase.
Cancel recurring charges before you close the card
If you have subscriptions, automatic payments, or recurring charges set to the card you are closing, those payments will be declined once the card is closed. Check your email for subscription confirmations and log into any accounts where you use that card — streaming services, insurance, utilities, software, or anything else that charges you monthly.
Update those accounts with a different payment method — another credit card, a debit card, or a bank account — before you close the Chase card. If you forget and a payment is declined, the merchant will usually send you a notice, but you do not want to risk a service interruption or a late fee. Spend five minutes updating your payment methods first.
Ask about retention offers before you hang up
When you call to close your card, Chase may offer you a reason to stay — a lower interest rate, a waived annual fee, bonus points, or a statement credit. These are called retention offers, and they are real. If you are closing because of an annual fee or high interest rate, it is worth asking whether the bank can help.
You do not have to accept an offer on the spot. You can ask for time to think about it, or you can decline and proceed with closing. But if you are on the fence about closing the card, a retention offer might make the decision easier. The worst that happens is they say no.
What to do if you cannot reach Chase or want written confirmation
If you prefer not to call, you can close your card through your Chase online account or app. Log in, find the card you want to close, and look for account settings or a menu option that says "close account" or "manage card." The process is usually quick, and you will get a confirmation number on screen.
If you want a written record of the closure, take a screenshot of the confirmation or print it. You can also call Chase after closing online and ask them to send you a written confirmation letter. Keep this for your records in case there is ever a dispute about whether the account was closed.
What to do with the physical card after closing
Once the account is closed, the card will not work, but you should still destroy it. Cut it up or shred it so that the card number and your name are not readable. Do not just throw it in the trash — identity theft can happen if someone finds a card with your information on it.
You do not need to return the card to Chase. Closing the account is final, and the card will be rejected at any merchant. Destroying it is just a safety step to protect yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing my Chase card hurt my credit score?
Closing a card can lower your score temporarily because it reduces your available credit and may increase your credit utilization ratio on other cards. The impact is usually small and temporary, especially if the card has a zero balance. Your credit report will show the account as closed for about seven years.
Can I close my Chase card if I still have a balance?
Yes, you can close the card even with a balance. Chase will not prevent you from closing, but you will need to keep making payments until the balance is paid off. You can continue paying through your online account or by phone after the card is closed.
What if I change my mind after closing the card?
If you close the card and then change your mind within a short time, call Chase and ask if they can reopen it. They may be able to do this, but there is no may provide. The sooner you call after closing, the better your chances. After a longer period, reopening becomes harder or impossible.
Do I need to return the physical card to Chase?
No, you do not need to return the card. Once the account is closed, the card will not work. You should destroy it by cutting or shredding it so that your card number and name are not readable.
Can I close my card online, or do I have to call?
You can close your card through your Chase online account or mobile app without calling. Log in, find the card, and look for a "close account" option in the settings. You will get a confirmation number on screen. Calling is optional but can be useful if you want to discuss retention offers first.