The basic steps to close a Chase credit card
To cancel a Chase credit card, call the customer service number on the back of your card, confirm your identity, and ask to close the account. The representative will review your account, answer questions about why you're closing it, and process the cancellation. You'll receive written confirmation in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. The account closes when ready, but the card remains on your credit report for up to 10 years.
Before you call, pay off any remaining balance and make sure you don't have any pending transactions or rewards points you want to redeem. Chase won't let you close an account with an outstanding balance, so you'll need to settle that first. If you have a rewards balance, redeem those points before closing — they may be forfeited once the account is closed, depending on your card's terms.
You can also close your account through the Chase mobile app or website by going to your account settings, though phone contact is more reliable because the representative can confirm the closure on the spot and answer follow-up questions.
Key Takeaways
- Call the number on the back of your card to cancel; the representative will process it when ready and mail you written confirmation.
- Pay off your full balance before calling, because Chase will not close an account with money owed.
- Redeem any rewards points before closing, as they may be lost once the account is terminated.
- The closed account stays on your credit report for up to 10 years and will affect your credit utilization ratio and average account age.
- Closing a card with a long history or low utilization can lower your credit score, so consider keeping the account open if you're planning to borrow soon.
What happens to your credit when you close a card
Closing a credit card removes that available credit from your total credit limit, which raises your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of available credit you're using across all accounts. If you have balances on other cards, this change can lower your credit score by 10 to 50 points, depending on how much of your total limit you were using. The effect is temporary and usually recovers within a few months as you pay down other balances.
The closed account also stops contributing to your average account age, which is part of your credit score calculation. If the card you're closing is one of your oldest accounts, closing it can lower your average age and hurt your score. If it's a newer card, the impact is usually smaller. You can minimize damage by keeping the account open and unused rather than closing it, though this only works if the card has no annual fee.
The closed account itself remains visible on your credit report for up to 10 years, so it continues to show lenders your payment history with Chase. This is actually helpful — a long record of on-time payments stays on your report even after the account closes.
When to close a card versus keeping it open
Close the card if it has an annual fee you don't want to pay, if you're carrying a balance and want to stop using it, or if you have too many open accounts and want to simplify. Chase allows you to downgrade some cards to a no-annual-fee version instead of closing them — for example, you can convert a premium card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred to the Chase Sapphire Preferred Visa Signature (if available for your card type). Call customer service to ask whether a downgrade is an option before you close.
Keep the card open if you have no annual fee, if it's one of your oldest accounts, or if you're planning to explore for a mortgage, car loan, or other credit in the next 6 to 12 months. The temporary score drop from closing a card can affect your interest rate on a new loan. If you're keeping the card open but not using it, ask Chase whether they'll close it for inactivity — some card issuers do this after 12 to 24 months of no use, though Chase is generally lenient about dormant accounts.
What to do with the physical card after closing
After your account is closed, cut up the physical card or shred it to prevent fraud. Do not throw it in the trash intact. You don't need to wait for Chase to send you confirmation before destroying the card — you can do it as soon as you hang up with the representative.
If you have an authorized user card (a card issued to someone else on your account), that card will also stop working once the account closes. Let the authorized user know before you call to cancel, so they're not surprised when their card declines.
If Chase won't let you close the account
Chase will refuse to close an account if you have an outstanding balance. You must pay the full amount owed before the representative will process the cancellation. If you're unable to pay the full balance when ready, ask whether you can set up a payment plan, though Chase may require you to keep the account open while you pay it down.
If there's a dispute on your account or a pending fraud investigation, Chase may also delay closing until the issue is resolved. Ask the representative for details about what needs to happen before the account can close, and get a timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel my Chase card online or through the app?
You can initiate the process through the Chase app or website, but phone contact is more reliable. Calling the number on the back of your card ensures the representative confirms the closure when ready and can answer questions about your account or rewards balance before closing.
What happens to my rewards points when I close the card?
This depends on your specific card's terms. Some Chase cards let you keep and redeem points after closing; others forfeit them. Redeem your points before calling to cancel, or ask the representative what will happen to your balance before you authorize the closure.
Will closing my card hurt my credit score?
Yes, usually by 10 to 50 points temporarily, because it raises your credit utilization ratio and may lower your average account age. The impact is smaller if the card is newer or if you have other old accounts. The effect typically fades within a few months as you pay down other balances.
Can I reopen a Chase card after I close it?
You can explore for the same card again, but Chase will treat it as a new process. You'll go through the full approval process, and a hard inquiry will appear on your credit report. If you're unsure about closing, consider downgrading to a no-fee version instead.
How long does it take for the account to actually close?
The account closes when ready when the representative processes your request, but you'll receive written confirmation in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. The closed account appears on your credit report right away, so any credit impact happens when ready.