Call Chase customer service or use your online account to cancel
You can cancel a Chase credit card by phone or through your Chase online account. The phone route is faster if you want to speak to someone about your balance or rewards, but the online method works if you just want to close the account without conversation. Chase customer service is available at the number on the back of your card, typically 24 hours a day.
Before you cancel, make sure your account balance is paid in full. Chase will not close an account with an outstanding balance. If you have pending transactions or rewards points you want to use, handle those first — once the card is closed, you cannot make new charges, though you can still pay down any remaining balance.
Key Takeaways
- You must pay your full balance before Chase will close your account; they will not cancel a card with money owed.
- Calling the number on the back of your card reaches a representative who can process the cancellation when ready and answer questions about your account.
- Closing a credit card can lower your credit score because it reduces your total available credit and may shorten your average account age.
- Chase may offer you a retention bonus or lower interest rate to keep the card open, especially if you have been a long-term customer.
- After cancellation, keep your card for at least a month in case a charge posts that you did not expect, then destroy it by cutting through the chip and magnetic stripe.
Canceling by phone with a Chase representative
Call the customer service number on the back of your card. A representative will ask you to verify your identity using your card number, Social Security number, or account PIN. Have your card in front of you when you call.
Tell the representative you want to close the account. They may ask why you are canceling or offer you a reason to stay — a lower interest rate, a waived annual fee, or bonus points. You can accept the offer or decline and proceed with cancellation. If you decline, the representative will confirm your request and close the account on the spot. Ask them to send you written confirmation by mail or email.
Before you hang up, ask whether any pending transactions are still processing. If charges are in flight, the representative can tell you when they will post and whether they will affect your closed account. Most pending charges will still go through after cancellation, so you may need to make a payment after the card is closed.
Canceling through your Chase online account
Log into your Chase account on the Chase website or mobile app. Go to the account settings or account details section — the exact location varies by card type, but it is usually under "Account" or "Settings" in the main menu.
Look for an option to close or cancel the account. Chase may label this as "Close Account," "Cancel Card," or "Account Services." Click that option and follow the prompts. You will be asked to confirm that your balance is paid and that you want to proceed. After you confirm, the account will close.
Online cancellation does not give you the chance to speak with a representative, so you will not hear retention offers or be able to ask about pending charges. If you have questions about your account before closing it, call customer service first, then cancel online afterward.
What happens to your credit after you cancel
Closing a credit card affects your credit score in two ways. First, it reduces your total available credit. If you had a $5,000 limit on the Chase card and $10,000 in total limits across all cards, closing it drops your total to $5,000. This raises your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your available credit you are actually using — which can lower your score.
Second, closing an account may shorten your average account age. Credit scoring models reward long account history, so closing an older card hurts more than closing a newer one. The impact is temporary; your score usually recovers within a few months as the closed account ages and other factors become more important.
If you want to minimize the damage, keep the card open but unused. You do not have to carry a balance or make charges. Some people keep old cards in a drawer just to maintain the available credit and account history. If you do this, check the card once a year to make sure it is still active and that no fraudulent charges have posted.
Handling a card with an annual fee
If your Chase card has an annual fee and you are being charged it soon, you have two options: cancel before the fee posts, or call and ask Chase to waive it. Many cardholders call a few weeks before the annual fee date and ask for a waiver. Chase sometimes agrees, especially if you have been a customer for years or if you threaten to close the account.
If you want to cancel to avoid the fee, do it before the fee posts to your account. Once the fee appears, you will need to pay it before closing. If Chase has already charged the fee and you cancel, you can call back and ask for a refund, but there is no may provide they will grant it.
If you are canceling a premium card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Chase Sapphire Preferred, check whether you have unused travel credits or other benefits. Some cards offer statement credits for travel or dining that reset each year. Use those before you cancel if you can.
What to do with your rewards points before canceling
Check your rewards balance before you cancel. Log into your Chase account and look at your points or cash back total. You can usually redeem points for cash back, travel, or merchandise through the Chase rewards portal.
The rules vary by card. Some Chase cards let you redeem points after the account is closed, while others require you to redeem before cancellation. Call customer service to ask about your specific card. If you have a large balance of points, redeem them before you cancel to avoid losing them.
If you have a small balance of points that is not worth redeeming, you can leave them in the account. Chase will keep them for a period of time after closure, though the exact window depends on the card. Check your cardholder agreement or ask a representative how long they will hold points after the account closes.
After your card is canceled
Do not destroy your card when ready. Keep it for at least 30 days after cancellation. Merchants sometimes process charges days or even weeks after you make a purchase, and those charges may still post to a closed account. If a charge appears that you did not authorize, you will need the card number to dispute it.
After 30 days, destroy the card by cutting through the chip and magnetic stripe. Do not just throw it in the trash. Cutting it up makes it harder for someone to retrieve and misuse the card number.
Monitor your credit report for the next few months. You should see the closed account appear on your report within 30 to 60 days. Check that it shows as "closed by consumer" rather than "closed by creditor" — the first is better for your credit. You can get a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major bureaus once a year at annualcreditreport.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will canceling a Chase card hurt my credit score?
Yes, but usually not for long. Your score may drop because closing the card lowers your available credit and may shorten your average account age. The impact is typically temporary — most people see their score recover within a few months. The damage is smaller if you are closing a newer card rather than an old one.
Can I cancel a Chase card if I still owe money on it?
No. Chase will not close an account with an outstanding balance. You must pay the full amount owed first. After the balance reaches zero, you can cancel. If you have pending charges that have not posted yet, wait for them to appear and pay those too.
What happens to my rewards points when I cancel?
It depends on the card. Some Chase cards let you redeem points after the account closes, while others require you to redeem before cancellation. Call the number on your card and ask about your specific card's policy. If you have a large balance, redeem the points before you cancel to be safe.
Do I have to call, or can I cancel online?
You can do either. Calling lets you speak to a representative who may offer you a reason to stay, and you can ask about pending charges. Canceling online is faster if you just want to close the account without talking to anyone. Both methods close the account permanently.
How long does it take for a Chase card to close after I cancel?
The account closes when ready when you cancel by phone or online. However, it may take 30 to 60 days for the closed account to appear on your credit report. During that time, you can still make payments if charges post after the cancellation date.