Call Macy's customer service to cancel your card
The fastest way to cancel a Macy's credit card is to call the customer service number on the back of your card. A representative will confirm your identity, ask why you're closing the account, and process the cancellation on the call. The card stops working when ready, though the account remains open for a short period while any pending charges post.
You can also cancel online through your Macy's credit card account portal if you log in and find a "close account" or "cancel card" option, though not all account types offer this feature. If you don't see it online, phone is your most reliable route. Have your card number and a form of ID ready when you call.
Key Takeaways
- Call the number on the back of your Macy's card to cancel; the representative will process it when ready and confirm the closure in writing.
- Pay off your full balance before canceling to avoid interest charges on remaining debt after the card closes.
- Request written confirmation of the cancellation and keep it with your financial records for at least a year.
- Canceling a card may lower your credit score temporarily because it reduces your total available credit, but the effect usually fades within a few months.
- If you have a Macy's Star Rewards account linked to the card, check whether closing the card affects your rewards balance or membership status.
Settle your balance before you call
If your card has an outstanding balance, pay it down before canceling. Once the account closes, you'll still owe the remaining balance, but you won't be able to use the card to make new purchases. You'll receive a bill for what's left, and interest will continue to accrue on that amount if you don't pay it in full.
Paying the balance first also simplifies the cancellation call. The representative will confirm the account is at zero and close it cleanly. If you cancel with a balance still owed, the account stays technically open until the debt is paid, which can complicate your records.
What happens to your Macy's Star Rewards account
The Macy's credit card and the Macy's Star Rewards loyalty program are separate accounts. Closing the card does not automatically close your rewards account. However, you may lose the ability to earn new rewards points if the card was your primary way to earn them.
Before you cancel, log into your rewards account and check your points balance. Some cardholders have points that expire after a set period of inactivity. If you have a substantial balance, use the points before closing the card, or contact Macy's to ask whether your points will remain active after the card closes.
Understand the credit score impact
Closing a credit card typically lowers your credit score in the short term because it reduces your total available credit. If your Macy's card has a high credit limit, the effect may be more noticeable than if the limit is low. The score usually recovers within a few months as long as you continue paying other accounts on time.
The impact is usually smaller if you have multiple cards open. If this is your only card or one of very few, closing it will have a larger effect on your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your total credit limit that you're using. If you're concerned about timing, consider canceling after a major purchase or credit process, not before.
Request written confirmation of the cancellation
After the representative confirms the cancellation on the phone, ask them to send you written confirmation by mail or email. This confirmation should include the date the account was closed and a statement that the card is no longer active. Keep this document with your financial records for at least one year.
Written confirmation protects you if a charge appears on the card after you close it, or if there's a dispute about when the account was closed. It also serves as proof if you need to dispute something with a credit bureau later. If you don't receive confirmation within two weeks, call back and request it again.
Monitor your credit report after cancellation
Check your credit report 30 to 60 days after you cancel to confirm the account shows as closed. You can view your credit report free once per year at annualcreditreport.com, which is the official site run by the three major credit bureaus. Look for the Macy's account and verify that it shows a status of "closed by consumer" or similar language.
If the account still shows as open or active after two months, contact Macy's customer service again. Errors on your credit report can affect your ability to borrow money later, so it's worth checking. If you spot an error, you can dispute it directly with the credit bureau that reported it.
What to do if you want to keep the account open but stop using the card
If you're unsure about closing the account permanently, you have another option: stop using the card but leave the account open. This keeps your available credit intact and avoids the temporary score dip that comes with closing an account. You can straightforward cut up the card or set it aside.
Macy's may eventually close inactive accounts on their own, usually after 12 to 24 months of no activity, but this happens at their discretion and timing. If you want to preserve the account history and credit limit, keeping it open with zero balance is a middle ground between active use and cancellation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will canceling my Macy's card hurt my credit score?
Yes, but usually only temporarily. Your score may drop 5 to 10 points in the short term because closing the card reduces your available credit. The effect typically fades within three to six months if you keep other accounts in good standing and pay bills on time.
Can I cancel my Macy's card online?
Some cardholders can cancel through their online account portal, but not all account types offer this option. If you don't see a cancellation option when you log in, call the number on the back of your card. Phone cancellation is the most reliable method.
What if I have a balance when I cancel?
You can still cancel, but you'll owe the remaining balance. Interest will continue to accrue on that debt until you pay it off. It's simpler to pay the balance first, then cancel with a zero balance.
Do I lose my Macy's rewards points if I cancel the card?
Your rewards account is separate from your credit card account, so closing the card doesn't automatically delete your points. However, check your rewards balance before canceling and ask Macy's whether your points will expire if the card is closed and you stop earning new ones.
How long does it take for the cancellation to show on my credit report?
The account status usually updates within 30 to 60 days. Check your credit report at annualcreditreport.com to confirm it shows as closed. If it still shows as open after two months, contact Macy's to verify the cancellation went through.