Cancelling a Chase credit card takes about 10 minutes on the phone, but the timing and method matter for your credit score and rewards balance
You can cancel a Chase credit card by calling the number on the back of your card, through the Chase mobile app, or online through your Chase account. The fastest route is a phone call to the customer service number printed on your card — they will confirm your identity, process the cancellation when ready, and send written confirmation by mail. If you have a rewards balance, Chase will let you redeem it before or after cancellation, though the timing affects whether you keep those points.
Before you call, check your card for an outstanding balance. Chase will not cancel a card with a balance owed; you must pay it in full first. If you have an annual fee, cancelling before the anniversary date saves you money, though Chase sometimes offers a courtesy waiver if you call and ask. Cancelling also affects your credit score temporarily because it reduces your total available credit, so consider whether you have other cards open and how much you are currently using them.
Key Takeaways
- Call the customer service number on the back of your Chase card to cancel when ready; online and app cancellations take longer to process.
- You must pay any outstanding balance in full before Chase will cancel the card.
- Redeem your rewards points before cancelling, because some Chase cards stop earning rewards once the cancellation request is submitted.
- Cancelling reduces your available credit and may lower your credit score by a small amount for a few months.
- If an annual fee is coming due, call and ask for a waiver before requesting cancellation — Chase sometimes grants one to keep the account open.
Cancelling by phone: the fastest method
Call the customer service number on the back of your Chase card. Have your card number and the last four digits of your Social Security number ready. The representative will ask why you are cancelling — this is optional to answer, but Chase uses the feedback to improve their products. Tell them you want to cancel the card.
The representative will confirm your current balance, any pending transactions, and your rewards balance. If you have points or cash back, they will explain your options: redeem now, redeem after cancellation, or let them sit in your account. Once you confirm, they will process the cancellation and give you a confirmation number. Write it down. Chase will mail a written confirmation within 7 to 10 business days.
The entire call usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. If the representative offers you a retention bonus — a statement credit or points offer to keep the card open — you can accept or decline. These offers are real and negotiable; if the offer is small, you can ask if they can do better.
Cancelling through the Chase app or website
Log into your Chase account on the mobile app or at chase.com. Go to your card details, look for a "Close Account" or "Cancel Card" option, and follow the prompts. The exact location varies by card type and app version, but it is usually in the card settings or account management section.
Online and app cancellations take longer to process than phone cancellations — typically 7 to 14 business days instead of when ready. You will not speak to a representative, so you cannot negotiate a retention offer or ask questions about your rewards. Chase will send confirmation by mail once the cancellation is complete.
What happens to your rewards and points
Chase handles rewards differently depending on the card. On most Chase credit cards, you can redeem rewards anytime before or after cancellation. On some cards, rewards expire if the account is closed for a certain period, so check your card's terms before you cancel.
If you have Chase Ultimate Rewards points (the points system used across many Chase cards), they stay in your account even after the card is cancelled, as long as you have at least one other Chase card or a Chase checking account open. If this is your only Chase card and you close your checking account too, your points may be forfeited after a set period — usually 12 months of inactivity. Redeem before cancelling if you are unsure.
How cancellation affects your credit score
Closing a credit card lowers your credit score by a small amount, usually 5 to 10 points, because it reduces your total available credit. This affects your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your total credit limit that you are currently using. If you have other cards open and are using them, your utilization goes up when you close one card, which can lower your score further.
The impact is temporary. Your score typically recovers within 3 to 6 months as long as you pay your other cards on time. If you are planning to explore for a mortgage, car loan, or other credit in the next few months, consider waiting to cancel until after you have been approved.
Closing the card does not remove it from your credit history. It will stay on your report for up to 10 years, showing that you had the account and closed it in good standing — which is actually positive for your long-term credit profile.
Avoiding common mistakes when you cancel
Do not cancel a card with an outstanding balance. Pay it off completely first, then call to cancel. If you try to cancel with a balance, Chase will refuse and you will have to call back.
Do not forget to redeem your rewards before cancelling if you are unsure about the card's rewards policy after closure. Once the card is closed, some rewards become harder to access or may expire faster. Redeeming first removes the risk.
Do not cancel all your credit cards at once. Closing multiple cards in a short period damages your credit score more than closing one. If you are cleaning up old accounts, space the cancellations out by a few months.
Do not assume the card is cancelled when ready after you hang up the phone. It takes a few days for the cancellation to process fully. Do not use the card during this time, and do not assume it is closed just because the representative said so — wait for written confirmation.
What to do if you want to keep the card but lower the annual fee
If your Chase card has an annual fee and you want to keep it, call before the fee posts and ask for a waiver or a downgrade to a no-fee version of the card. Chase sometimes grants a one-time waiver if you have been a customer for a while and have a good payment history. If they refuse, ask whether you can downgrade to a different Chase card with no annual fee instead of cancelling entirely.
Downgrading keeps your account open and preserves your credit history on that card, which is better for your credit score than cancelling. Your rewards may change depending on which card you downgrade to, so ask the representative what the new rewards rate will be before you agree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel a Chase card if I still owe money on it?
No. You must pay the full balance before Chase will cancel the card. If you call with an outstanding balance, the representative will tell you to pay it first and call back. Pay online, by phone, or by mail, then contact Chase again to cancel.
Will cancelling hurt my credit score?
Yes, but only slightly and temporarily. Closing a card reduces your available credit, which may lower your score by 5 to 10 points. The impact usually fades within 3 to 6 months. If you are explore for a loan soon, wait until after approval to cancel.
What happens to my rewards points after I cancel?
On most Chase cards, rewards stay in your account after cancellation as long as you have another Chase card or checking account open. Redeem them before or after cancelling — either way works. If this is your only Chase account, redeem before closing to avoid losing points.
Can I cancel online instead of calling?
Yes, you can cancel through the Chase app or website, but it takes longer — usually 7 to 14 days instead of when ready. You also cannot negotiate a retention offer or ask questions. Phone cancellation is faster and gives you more options.
What if I change my mind after cancelling?
Call Chase within a few days of cancellation and ask them to reopen the account. If the cancellation has not fully processed, they can usually reverse it. Once it is complete, you may have to reapply for the card, which counts as a new process and triggers a hard inquiry on your credit.