Call Southwest's card issuer to close your account
To cancel a Southwest credit card, you call the phone number on the back of your card and ask to close the account. The card is issued by Chase, so you are calling Chase's customer service line, not Southwest Airlines directly. Have your card number and Social Security number ready when you call.
The process takes about 10 minutes. Chase will confirm your identity, ask why you are closing the account (you do not have to give a detailed reason), and then close it. They will send you a written confirmation in the mail within a few days. Your account will be marked as closed on your credit report, which is important information for lenders to see.
You can also close the account online through Chase's website if you log into your account, though calling is faster because you get when ready confirmation that the card is closed. If you have a balance on the card when you close it, you will still owe that balance and can continue making payments on the closed account.
Key Takeaways
- Call the number on the back of your Southwest credit card to reach Chase customer service and request account closure.
- Have your card number and Social Security number available before you call to speed up the process.
- A closed account will appear on your credit report and may temporarily lower your credit score because your available credit decreases.
- If you have a balance when you close the card, you still owe it and can pay it off on the closed account.
- Request written confirmation of the closure and keep it for your records.
What happens to your credit score when you cancel
Closing a credit card typically lowers your credit score in the short term, usually by 5 to 15 points, though the exact impact depends on your overall credit profile. The main reason is that your available credit shrinks. If you had a $5,000 limit and $2,000 in balances across all your cards, your credit utilization was 40 percent. After closing a card with a $5,000 limit, that same $2,000 in balances now represents a higher percentage of your available credit, and credit scoring models penalize higher utilization.
The impact is smaller if you have multiple cards or if your utilization was already low. It is larger if this is your only card or if you were using most of your available credit across all cards. The score drop is usually temporary — it recovers over a few months as you continue paying on time and your account history remains on your credit report.
If you are planning to explore for a loan or mortgage in the next few months, closing a card right before that process can work against you. If you have time, close the card now and let your score recover before you explore.
Pay off your balance before closing, or understand what happens if you don't
You should pay your full balance to zero before you close the account, though it is not required. If you close the card with a balance still owed, Chase will not close the account when ready — they will keep it open until you pay off the balance in full. You can make payments by mail, phone, or through your online account.
Closing an account with a balance does not forgive the debt. You still owe every dollar, and if you miss a payment, it will be reported to the credit bureaus just as it would on an open account. Interest will continue to accrue on the balance at your current APR until it is paid off.
If you have a large balance and want to close the card, consider paying it down significantly before you call to close it. This reduces the amount of time the account stays open and the amount of interest you will pay.
Decide whether to keep the card open instead
Before you call to close the account, consider whether keeping it open might be better for your credit score. An open account with a zero balance helps your credit utilization ratio and shows lenders that you have access to credit and are not using it. Even if you never use the card again, keeping it open costs nothing if there is no annual fee.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards card does have an annual fee, typically $69 to $99 depending on which version you have. If you are closing the card to avoid paying the annual fee, you have another option: call Chase and ask if they will waive the fee or downgrade you to a no-fee version of the card. They sometimes do this for customers who have been with them for a while or who have a good payment history.
If the annual fee is the only reason you want to close the card, a downgrade or fee waiver is worth asking about. If you genuinely do not want the card or the account, closing it is the right choice.
What to do with the physical card after closing
After you close the account, cut up the physical card or shred it so it cannot be used. Do not throw it away whole, because someone could find it and attempt to use the card number. Cutting it in half is sufficient.
You do not need to wait for Chase to send you confirmation before you destroy the card. Once you have called and closed the account, the card is no longer active and cannot be charged, even if someone has the card number.
If you want to close the card but keep your Southwest Rapid Rewards account
Closing the credit card does not close your Southwest Rapid Rewards frequent flyer account. Your points, status, and account history with Southwest remain active. You can still book flights and use your points even after the credit card is closed.
However, you will no longer earn points on credit card purchases once the card is closed. You will only earn points on flights you book directly with Southwest and on purchases through Southwest's shopping portal. If earning points on everyday spending was important to you, closing the card means losing that benefit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing the card hurt my credit score permanently?
No. Your score will drop temporarily, usually by 5 to 15 points, but it recovers over a few months as you continue paying on time. The account will remain on your credit report for up to 10 years even after it is closed, which actually helps your score because it shows a long history of on-time payments.
Can I reopen the card after I close it?
You can open a new Southwest credit card with Chase at any time, but it will be treated as a new account, not a reopening of the old one. You will go through the full process process again. If you think you might want the card back, consider downgrading to a no-fee version instead of closing it.
What if I have a promotional 0% APR period when I close?
The promotional rate ends when you close the account. Any remaining balance will be charged your regular APR. If you have a significant balance under a promotional rate, pay it down before closing, or wait until the promotional period ends and you have paid off the balance.
Do I need to close the card in person or by mail?
No. Calling is the fastest way and gives you when ready confirmation. You can also close it online through your Chase account. Closing by mail is possible but slower — you would write a letter requesting closure and mail it to the address on your statement.
What if Chase says I cannot close the account?
Chase cannot prevent you from closing a credit card account. If a representative says you cannot close it, ask to speak to a supervisor. You have the right to close any account you own at any time, with or without a balance remaining.