The basic steps to cancel a Chase card
Call Chase customer service at the number on the back of your card. Tell them you want to close the account. They will ask why you're leaving and may offer you a retention offer — a lower interest rate, a fee waiver, or bonus points — to keep the card open. You can accept or decline. If you decline, they will process the cancellation over the phone, and you'll receive written confirmation in the mail within 7 to 10 days.
You can also cancel online through your Chase account dashboard under "Account Services" or "Manage Your Account," though calling is faster because you can address retention offers and confirm the closure when ready. Do not straightforward stop using the card and assume it closes on its own — inactive accounts can stay open for years, which affects your credit profile.
Before you call, pay off any remaining balance. Chase will not close an account with an outstanding balance, and you'll continue to owe interest until it's paid. If you have a promotional 0% APR period, paying off the balance early ends that period, but the account still closes.
Key Takeaways
- Call the number on your card or log into your Chase account online to request closure; the process takes minutes but confirmation arrives by mail.
- Pay your full balance before canceling, because Chase will not close an account with money owed and interest will continue to accrue.
- Closing a card reduces your available credit and can lower your credit score temporarily, especially if you carry balances on other cards.
- Chase may offer you a retention bonus or rate reduction to keep the card open — you can accept or decline without penalty.
- After cancellation, keep your account statements for at least a year and monitor your credit report to confirm the card shows as closed.
How closing a Chase card affects your credit score
Closing a credit card lowers your credit score in two ways. First, it reduces your total available credit, which increases your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your credit limit you're actually using. If you have $5,000 in balances across all cards and your total credit limit drops from $20,000 to $15,000, your utilization jumps from 25% to 33%. Credit scoring models penalize high utilization, so your score drops.
Second, closing an account can shorten your average account age if the card you're closing is older than your other cards. Older accounts help your score, so losing one can hurt. The damage is usually temporary — your score typically recovers within a few months if you keep other accounts in good standing and don't miss payments.
The impact is smaller if you're closing a newer card or if you have other cards with low balances. If you're planning to explore for a mortgage, car loan, or other credit in the next few months, consider waiting to close the card until after you've been approved, because the score dip could affect your interest rate.
When to keep a Chase card open instead of closing it
If the card has no annual fee, there's usually no reason to close it. Keeping it open preserves your available credit and your account history, both of which help your score. You can straightforward stop using it — the account stays active as long as you don't carry a balance and don't let it go dormant for years.
If the card has an annual fee, you have three options: pay the fee and keep it open (useful if you earn rewards that exceed the fee), call Chase and ask them to downgrade it to a no-fee version of the same card, or close it. Downgrading is often available and avoids the credit score impact of closure.
Chase sometimes closes accounts for inactivity after 12 to 24 months of no charges, though this is rare. If you want to keep an old card open for its age and credit history, charge something small to it every few months — a subscription or a single purchase — and pay it off when ready.
What happens to rewards points when you close a card
Chase's policy varies by card. Most Chase cards let you keep your rewards points after closure, and you can redeem them for cash back, travel, or merchandise for a period of time — usually at least 90 days, sometimes longer. Check your card's terms or call Chase before you close to confirm the redemption window.
Some cards require you to redeem points before closure. If you have a large points balance, redeem them first, then close the account. If you forget and the points expire, Chase generally will not restore them, so this step matters.
Canceling a Chase card with a balance or pending charges
Chase will not close an account if you have an outstanding balance. You must pay it in full first. If you have pending charges that haven't posted yet, wait for them to appear on your statement, then pay them before calling to close.
If you have a promotional 0% APR offer on the card, closing it ends the promotion when ready, and any remaining balance will start accruing interest at your regular rate. If you have a large balance, consider paying it down before closing, or keep the card open until the balance is gone.
After you close the account, you can still make payments on it if a charge posts after closure. Chase will send you statements and accept payments until the balance reaches zero. You won't be able to make new charges, but the account remains open for payment purposes.
Confirming your card is actually closed
After you close the account, Chase will send you written confirmation within 7 to 10 business days. Keep this letter. Log into your Chase account online and verify that the card no longer appears in your active accounts list — it may show under "Closed Accounts" for a period of time.
Check your credit report 30 to 60 days after closure to confirm the card shows as closed. You can view your credit report free once per year at annualcreditreport.com. The closed account will remain on your report for up to 10 years, which is normal and doesn't hurt your score — it actually helps because it shows a history of responsible credit use.
If the card still shows as open after 60 days, call Chase again and ask them to confirm the closure status. Errors are rare, but if one occurs, you want it corrected quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing my Chase card hurt my credit score?
Yes, but usually temporarily. Your score drops because your available credit decreases and your utilization ratio increases. The impact is smaller if the card is new or if you have other cards with low balances. Your score typically recovers within a few months if you pay your other bills on time.
Can I cancel a Chase card online?
You can request closure through your Chase account dashboard, but calling the number on your card is faster. Calling lets you hear retention offers when ready and confirm the closure in real time, rather than waiting for confirmation by mail.
What happens to my rewards points after I close the card?
Most Chase cards let you keep and redeem your points after closure, usually for at least 90 days. Check your card's terms or call Chase before closing to confirm the redemption window and make sure you don't lose points you've earned.
Do I have to pay off my balance before closing a Chase card?
Yes. Chase will not close an account with an outstanding balance. You must pay it in full first. After closure, you can still make payments if charges post later, but you cannot make new purchases.
How long does it take to close a Chase credit card?
The process takes minutes when you call or request closure online. Written confirmation arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. The account shows as closed in your Chase dashboard when ready, though it may take 30 to 60 days to appear as closed on your credit report.