Call Chase to cancel, but do it after you've paid the balance and moved any rewards
To cancel a Chase credit card, you call the number on the back of your card and ask to close the account. Chase will confirm your identity, ask why you're closing it, and process the cancellation on the call. The account closes when ready, though it stays on your credit report for years. Before you call, pay off any remaining balance, transfer or redeem any rewards points you've accumulated, and make sure you won't need the card for upcoming charges.
The cancellation itself takes five minutes. What takes longer is deciding whether to cancel at all — closing a card can lower your credit score in the short term because it reduces the total credit available to you. If you're canceling because of an annual fee or because you don't use the card, there are sometimes better moves first.
Key Takeaways
- Call the customer service number on the back of your Chase card and tell them you want to close the account; they will process it when ready.
- Pay off your full balance before calling, because you cannot carry a balance on a closed account.
- Redeem or transfer any rewards points first, since some rewards may be forfeited when the account closes.
- Closing a card lowers your available credit and may temporarily reduce your credit score, so consider downgrading to a no-annual-fee version first if that's your only reason.
- The closed account will remain on your credit report for up to ten years, which actually helps your score over time because it shows a history of responsible use.
What happens to your balance when you close the account
You must pay your full balance before Chase will close the account. If you have a remaining balance when you call, the representative will tell you to pay it first, and you can call back once it's paid. You cannot keep a balance on a closed account — Chase will not let you carry interest charges on a card that no longer exists.
If you have pending charges that haven't posted yet, they will still post to the account after it closes. Make sure you know what's still coming through. Check your recent transactions and wait a few days if you're expecting a charge, then call once everything has cleared.
Redeem your rewards before the account closes
Chase handles rewards differently depending on which card you have. On most Chase cards, your points or cash back stay in your account even after you close it, and you can redeem them later through the Chase website. On some cards, particularly older versions, rewards may be forfeited when the account closes.
Call Chase before you cancel and ask specifically what happens to your rewards on that card. If there's any chance they'll be lost, redeem them first. You can usually redeem points for cash back, travel, or gift cards directly from your Chase account online, or by calling the rewards line on the back of your card.
Consider downgrading instead of canceling if there's an annual fee
If your only reason for canceling is an annual fee, ask Chase whether you can downgrade to a different Chase card with no annual fee instead. Downgrading keeps the account open, which means your credit score takes less of a hit. The account age and credit history stay intact, and you keep the available credit.
Chase offers no-annual-fee versions of many of its popular cards. For example, if you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred (which has an annual fee), you can sometimes downgrade to the Chase Sapphire Preferred for Students or another no-fee card in the same family. Ask the representative what options are available for your specific card.
What to expect from the cancellation call
When you call the number on the back of your card, you'll reach a representative who will verify your identity using your card number and personal information. They'll ask why you're closing the account — this is optional information, but Chase uses it for feedback. Common reasons are "I don't use the card," "annual fee," or "consolidating accounts."
The representative may offer you a retention offer — a bonus, fee waiver, or reduced rate to keep the account open. You can accept or decline. If you decline, they'll process the closure. The account closes when ready, and you'll receive a confirmation letter in the mail within a few days.
How closing the card affects your credit score
Closing a credit card typically lowers your credit score in the short term because it reduces your total available credit. If you had a $5,000 limit on that card and $2,000 in limits on other cards, closing it drops your total available credit from $7,000 to $2,000. This increases your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your available credit you're using — which is a factor in your score.
The impact is usually temporary and smaller if you're not carrying balances on other cards. The closed account itself stays on your credit report for up to ten years, and during that time it actually helps your score because it shows a long history of on-time payments. The damage is mainly in the first few months after closing.
What happens to the account after it closes
Once the account is closed, you cannot use the card for new charges. Any pending transactions will still post, but no new charges are allowed. The card itself remains valid for a few days while pending charges clear, then you should destroy it by cutting it up or shredding it.
The closed account appears on your credit report with a status of "closed by consumer" or "closed at consumer's request." This distinction matters — it shows you chose to close it, rather than the bank closing it due to inactivity or missed payments. The account will remain visible on your report for seven to ten years, depending on whether it was in good standing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel a Chase card online or through the app?
No, Chase requires you to call to cancel. You cannot close an account through the website or mobile app. Call the number on the back of your card and speak to a representative. This is standard across most credit card companies.
What if I have a pending balance transfer or promotional rate?
You can still close the account, but you must pay off the balance transfer before closing. If you close with an active balance transfer, you lose the promotional rate and will be charged the regular interest rate on the remaining balance. Pay it off first, then call to cancel.
Will closing the card hurt my credit score permanently?
No. The short-term drop in your score is usually 5 to 10 points and recovers within a few months as you build new credit history. The closed account stays on your report for years and actually helps your score over time by showing responsible payment history.
Can I reopen a Chase card after I close it?
You can explore for the same card again, but Chase will treat it as a new process. You'll go through the full approval process, and the new account will have a different account number. If you're unsure, downgrading to a no-fee version is safer than closing.
What if I have an authorized user on the account?
When you close the account, the authorized user's card also stops working. Let them know before you call. If the authorized user is a family member or spouse who also uses the card, discuss it with them first.