Call Amazon's card issuer to close your account
To cancel an Amazon credit card, you call the phone number on the back of your card and ask to close the account. The card is issued by either Chase Bank or Synchrony Financial, depending on which Amazon card you hold — the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card and Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card are issued by Chase, while the Amazon Store Card is issued by Synchrony. The customer service representative will walk you through the cancellation, answer questions about your balance, and confirm the closure in writing.
You do not need to visit a website, mail anything in, or visit a branch. The entire process happens over the phone and takes about 10 minutes. Have your card in front of you when you call so you can provide your account number.
Key Takeaways
- Call the number on the back of your Amazon credit card to reach Chase or Synchrony, whichever issued your card.
- Pay off your full balance before closing the account, or you will still owe the remaining balance after cancellation.
- Closing the card will lower your available credit and may affect your credit score temporarily.
- Request written confirmation of the closure and keep it for your records.
Pay your balance before you call
If you have a balance on your Amazon card, pay it down to zero before you request cancellation. Closing the account does not erase what you owe — you will still be responsible for the remaining balance, and the issuer will continue to charge you interest on it until it is paid off.
Log into your Amazon credit card account online or call the issuer to see your current balance. If you have a large balance, you can pay it over time after closing the card, but you will not earn any more rewards on new purchases once the account is closed. Paying it off first means you avoid interest charges and start fresh.
Understand what happens to your credit when you close the card
Closing a credit card affects your credit score in two ways. First, your available credit shrinks — if you had a $5,000 limit and no other cards, closing it means your total available credit drops to zero. This can raise your credit utilization ratio (the amount you owe divided by the amount you can borrow), which may lower your score temporarily.
Second, the closed account stays on your credit report for up to 10 years, but it no longer counts as an active account. If this is one of your older cards, closing it can also lower the average age of your accounts, which factors into your score. The impact is usually temporary — your score typically recovers within a few months if you keep other accounts in good standing.
What to do if you want to keep the card open but stop using it
If you want to avoid the credit score impact of closing the account, you can straightforward stop using the card instead. Leave it open with a zero balance. This keeps your available credit intact and preserves the account history on your credit report.
The downside is that the issuer may close the account for inactivity after 12 to 24 months of no purchases. If that happens, the effect on your credit is the same as if you had closed it yourself. You can prevent this by making a small purchase every few months — many people set up a recurring subscription and pay it off automatically.
Request written confirmation of the closure
When the representative confirms that your account is closed, ask them to mail or email you a written confirmation. This document shows the date the account was closed and your final balance. Keep it in your records in case there is a dispute later or if you need proof that the account is closed.
After closure, check your credit report within 30 days to make sure the account shows as closed on your end. You can view your credit report for free once per year at AnnualCreditReport.com. If the account does not show as closed after 60 days, call the issuer again and ask them to investigate.
What happens to your Amazon Prime rewards after cancellation
If you close an Amazon Prime Rewards card, any rewards points you have already earned stay in your Amazon account and do not disappear. You can use them to make purchases on Amazon.com even after the card is closed. However, you will not earn new rewards on future purchases because the card no longer exists.
If you want to keep earning rewards on Amazon purchases, you can open a different rewards card later. There is no waiting period — you can open a new card when ready after closing the old one, though opening multiple cards in a short time can temporarily lower your credit score.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel my Amazon card online?
No, you must call the issuer to close the account. Amazon does not offer online cancellation for their credit cards. The phone number is on the back of your card, and the call usually takes 10 minutes.
What if I have a balance when I close the account?
You can still close the account, but you will owe the remaining balance. The issuer will send you a bill each month until it is paid off, and you will continue to pay interest. It is better to pay the balance first.
Will closing the card hurt my credit score?
Yes, temporarily. Your available credit decreases and your credit utilization ratio may rise, which can lower your score by 5 to 50 points depending on your overall credit profile. The impact usually fades within a few months.
Do I lose my rewards points if I close the card?
No, rewards you have already earned stay in your Amazon account. You can use them to buy things on Amazon.com after the card is closed. You just will not earn new rewards on future purchases.
How long does it take for the card to actually close?
The account closes when ready when you call, but it may take 7 to 10 business days for the closure to show up on your credit report. Continue to monitor your account to make sure no new charges appear after the closure date.