Call your card issuer and request cancellation
The fastest way to cancel a credit card is to call the phone number on the back of your card and ask to speak with a representative about closing the account. Have your card number ready. The representative will confirm your identity, ask why you're cancelling (they may offer incentives to keep the card open), and then process the cancellation.
Some issuers also let you cancel online through your account portal, though calling gives you a record of the conversation and a chance to ask questions about what happens next. Write down the date, time, and the name of the representative you spoke with.
After you request cancellation, ask the representative three things: whether any remaining balance will be due when ready, what happens to rewards points or cash back you've already earned, and when the account will officially close. Most cards close within days, though it can take up to two weeks to appear as closed on your credit report.
Key Takeaways
- Call the number on the back of your card to cancel; the process takes about ten minutes and you'll get confirmation on the call.
- Cancelling a card you've had for years can lower your credit score slightly because it reduces your total available credit, but the effect usually fades within a few months.
- Pay off any remaining balance before or at the time of cancellation so you don't owe interest after the account closes.
- Request written confirmation of cancellation by mail or email, and check your credit report two months later to confirm the account shows as closed.
Pay off your balance before cancelling
If your card has a balance, you have two options: pay it off before you cancel, or cancel and continue making payments on the closed account. Paying it off first is simpler because once the account closes, you can no longer use the card, but you'll still owe the balance plus any interest that accrues.
If you can't pay the full balance when ready, cancel anyway and set up automatic monthly payments from your bank account. The card issuer will send you a statement each month showing what you owe. Interest will continue to accrue at your current rate until the balance reaches zero, so paying it off faster saves you money.
Do not let a balance sit unpaid after cancellation. A closed account with an unpaid balance will hurt your credit score more than a closed account with a zero balance.
Understand how cancellation affects your credit score
Closing a credit card can lower your credit score by a small amount, usually between 5 and 50 points depending on your overall credit profile. The drop happens because your total available credit shrinks — if you had a $5,000 limit on the card you're closing, you now have $5,000 less credit available to you. Credit scoring models reward people who use only a small portion of their available credit, so closing an account makes your other balances look larger by comparison.
The impact is temporary. Most people see their score recover within three to six months as long as they keep other accounts in good standing and don't miss any payments. If you're planning to explore for a mortgage or car loan soon, consider waiting to cancel until after you've been approved, since lenders check your credit score during the process process.
The longer you've had the card, the bigger the potential score dip, because closing an old account also shortens your average account age. If the card is relatively new (less than two years old), the impact will be smaller.
Request written confirmation and monitor your credit report
After you cancel by phone, ask the representative to email or mail you a written confirmation that the account has been closed at your request. This document protects you if there's ever a dispute about whether the account was actually closed. Keep it with your financial records.
Check your credit report two months after cancellation to confirm the account shows as closed. You can view your credit report for free once per year at annualcreditreport.com, which is the official site run by the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). If the account still shows as open after two months, contact the card issuer again and ask them to confirm the closure with the credit bureaus.
Occasionally an account will show as closed but with a remaining balance, which is normal if you didn't pay off the card before closing it. The account will eventually show a zero balance once you've paid it off.
Decide whether to keep the card open instead
Before you cancel, consider whether keeping the card open with a zero balance might serve you better. An open account with no balance costs you nothing and actually helps your credit score by keeping your available credit high and your average account age longer.
The only reasons to cancel are if the card has an annual fee you don't want to pay, if you're trying to reduce the temptation to overspend, or if you genuinely won't use it. If the card has no annual fee and you're not worried about overspending, leaving it open is the credit-score-friendly choice.
If you decide to keep the card open, ask the issuer if they can lower the credit limit or convert it to a no-annual-fee version. Some issuers will do this to keep your business.
Handle store cards and secured cards differently
Store credit cards (issued by retailers like Target or Macy's) cancel the same way as regular cards — call the number on the back and request closure. The credit impact is the same, though store cards typically have lower credit limits, so closing one may have a smaller effect on your score.
Secured credit cards, which require a cash deposit to open, work differently. When you cancel a secured card, the issuer will return your deposit to you, usually within one to two weeks. Call and confirm the deposit amount before you cancel so you know what to expect. Some issuers will convert a secured card to an unsecured card if your credit has improved, which lets you keep the account open and get your deposit back without closing anything.
What to do if you can't reach the issuer
If you've called multiple times and can't reach a representative, or if the issuer is unresponsive to cancellation requests, you can cancel in writing. Send a letter to the customer service address on your statement saying you want to close the account, include your account number, and request written confirmation. Send it certified mail with return receipt so you have proof the issuer received it.
Keep a copy of the letter and the return receipt. If the account doesn't close within 30 days of the issuer receiving your letter, contact your state's attorney general's office or file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will cancelling a credit card hurt my credit score?
Yes, but usually only slightly and temporarily. Your score may drop 5 to 50 points because closing the account reduces your total available credit. The effect typically fades within three to six months. If you're explore for a loan soon, wait until after approval to cancel.
Do I have to pay off my balance before cancelling?
No. You can cancel with a balance and continue making payments on the closed account. Interest will keep accruing until you pay it off, so paying it down faster saves money. Never let a balance sit unpaid after cancellation.
What happens to my rewards points when I cancel?
This varies by issuer. Some let you redeem points after cancellation, some require you to redeem before closing, and some let points sit in your account indefinitely. Ask the representative before you cancel so you don't lose points you've earned.
How long does it take for a cancelled card to stop showing on my credit report?
A closed account stays on your credit report for seven to ten years, but it stops affecting your score after about six months. It will show as "closed by consumer" or "closed at consumer's request," which is actually good — it shows you ended the relationship responsibly.
Can I reopen a card I cancelled?
Sometimes. If you cancelled recently, the issuer may reopen the account if you call and ask. If it's been more than a few months, you'll likely have to explore for a new card, which means a new hard inquiry on your credit report. Ask before you cancel if you think you might want the card back.