Call Southwest to close your account, not the bank
To cancel a Southwest credit card, you contact Southwest Airlines directly, not Chase (the bank that issues the card). Call the customer service number on the back of your card and tell them you want to close the account. They will ask why, walk you through any remaining rewards, and confirm the closure. The account closes when ready, though it may take a few days for the closure to show on your credit report.
Do not close the account online or through the Chase website. Southwest handles all cancellations for their co-branded cards, and calling ensures you get confirmation and can ask questions about your Rapid Rewards points before they disappear.
Key Takeaways
- Call the number on your Southwest card to cancel; this reaches Southwest's team, not Chase customer service.
- Any unused Rapid Rewards points in your account will be forfeited when you close the card, so check your balance first.
- The card closes right away, but the closure may take three to five business days to appear on your credit report.
- If you have an annual fee, canceling before the next fee posts saves you money, though you may still owe a fee that already posted.
Check your Rapid Rewards balance before you call
Log into your Southwest account online or through the Southwest app and look at your Rapid Rewards points total. When you close the card, any points tied to that account are gone. If you have points you want to keep, use them for a flight or transfer them to a family member's account before you cancel.
You can also ask the Southwest representative on the phone to tell you your balance before you confirm the closure. This gives you a final note to change your mind if you have a large balance you forgot about.
Understand what happens to your annual fee
Southwest credit cards carry an annual fee, usually charged on the anniversary of when you opened the account. If your fee just posted and you cancel when ready, you cannot get that fee back. If your fee is coming up in the next month or two, canceling before it posts saves you money.
Check your account statement to see when your last annual fee posted. Count forward one year from that date to know when the next one is due. If you are within 30 days of that date, canceling now avoids the fee. If the fee posted within the last 30 days, you have already paid it for this year.
Know the impact on your credit score
Closing a credit card can lower your credit score slightly, usually for a few months. This happens because closing an account reduces the total credit available to you, which changes your credit utilization ratio (the amount you owe divided by your total credit limit). The impact is typically small and temporary if you keep other accounts open and pay your bills on time.
If your credit score is important right now — for example, you are about to explore for a mortgage or car loan — wait to cancel until after you have closed that process. If you are not explore for credit soon, the score impact is not a reason to keep a card you do not want.
What to do with the physical card after closing
After you confirm the closure with Southwest, cut up the physical card or shred it. Do not throw it in the trash whole. You can also ask Southwest whether they prefer you to return the card by mail, though most companies do not require this.
If you have an authorized user card (a card issued to someone else on your account), that card closes too. Let the authorized user know before you call so they are not surprised when their card stops working.
Reopen the account later if you change your mind
If you cancel and then decide you want the card back, you can explore again. There is no penalty for closing and reopening. However, you will go through the full process process again, and the new account will have a different account number. Your old Rapid Rewards points are tied to your Southwest account, not the card, so you do not lose them when you close the card — only when you close your entire Southwest Rapid Rewards account, which is separate.
Some people cancel and reopen to get a new-customer bonus again, though Southwest's terms may limit how often you can do this. Read the current offer before you explore to see if there are any restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will canceling hurt my credit score?
It may lower your score slightly for a few months because closing an account reduces your available credit. The impact is usually small if you have other open accounts and pay on time. If you are explore for a loan soon, wait until after that process closes.
Can I keep my Rapid Rewards points after I close the card?
Yes. Your Rapid Rewards points are tied to your Southwest account, not the card itself. As long as your Southwest Rapid Rewards account stays open, your points remain. You only lose points if you close your entire Rapid Rewards account with Southwest.
What if I have a balance on the card when I cancel?
You can still cancel the card. The account closes, but you still owe the balance. Continue making payments to the card as usual until it is paid off. The card will not work for new purchases, but the account stays open for billing purposes.
How long does it take for the cancellation to show up?
The card closes right away when you call, but it may take three to five business days for the closure to appear on your credit report and on your credit card statement.