Call Chase customer service to cancel your Southwest card
The fastest way to cancel your Southwest Airlines Credit Card from Chase is to call their customer service line at 1-800-955-9060. Have your card number ready. A representative will confirm your identity, ask why you're canceling, and process the cancellation on the call. The card stops working when ready, though you remain responsible for any outstanding balance.
You can also cancel online through your Chase account, though the phone route is more direct. Log into Chase.com, go to your account settings, find the card you want to close, and look for a "close account" or "cancel card" option. The exact menu path varies depending on whether you're using the website or mobile app, but the option is typically under card management or account services.
Before you call or log in, make sure your card balance is paid off. Chase will not cancel a card with an outstanding balance — you'll need to pay what you owe first. If you have pending charges that haven't posted yet, wait for them to clear before canceling.
Key Takeaways
- Call 1-800-955-9060 to speak with a Chase representative who can cancel your card when ready over the phone.
- Pay off your full card balance before canceling, as Chase will not close an account with money owed.
- Your card stops working right away, but you remain liable for any charges made before cancellation.
- Canceling a card may lower your credit score temporarily because it reduces your available credit and changes your credit history length.
- If you want to keep the card open but stop using it, you can straightforward put it away instead of canceling — this avoids the credit score impact.
What happens to your Southwest rewards points when you cancel
Your Southwest Rapid Rewards points do not disappear when you cancel the credit card. The points stay in your Rapid Rewards account as long as you have account activity at least once every 24 months. Account activity includes earning points, redeeming points, or flying Southwest — even one flight every two years keeps your account active.
If your Rapid Rewards account becomes inactive for 24 months with no activity, Southwest will close the account and you'll lose your points. To keep your points safe after canceling the card, make sure you have some other way to earn or use points within that window. This could be a Southwest flight, a co-branded card from another bank, or even a small purchase through the Rapid Rewards shopping portal.
You do not need to keep the credit card open to maintain your points balance. Many people cancel the card and keep their Rapid Rewards account active by flying occasionally or using a different rewards earning method.
Timing: when to cancel before your annual fee hits
The Southwest Airlines Credit Card from Chase charges an annual fee, which varies depending on which version of the card you hold. The fee typically posts on your card anniversary — the date you opened the account, not the calendar year. If you want to avoid paying the fee, cancel before that anniversary date arrives.
Check your most recent statement or log into Chase to find your card anniversary date. If the date is coming up within the next few weeks, you can cancel now and avoid the charge. If you just paid the annual fee and want to cancel, call Chase anyway — some cardholders report that Chase will refund the fee if you cancel within 30 days of it posting, though this is not may provide and depends on the representative you speak with.
If you're on the fence about keeping the card, canceling before the anniversary is the natural decision point. After that date passes and the fee posts, the cost of canceling goes up.
How cancellation affects your credit score
Canceling a credit card typically lowers your credit score in the short term, usually by 5 to 10 points, though the exact impact varies by person. The score drop happens because closing an account reduces your total available credit, which changes your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your total credit limit that you're using. If you have other cards with balances, your utilization goes up when you remove available credit, and higher utilization hurts your score.
The second impact is on your credit history length. Closed accounts stay on your credit report for up to 10 years, so the account itself doesn't disappear when ready. However, once it falls off your report entirely, your average account age drops, which can lower your score slightly.
The score impact is usually temporary. Most people see their score recover within a few months as long as they keep other accounts in good standing and don't miss any payments. If you're planning to explore for a mortgage, car loan, or other credit in the next few months, you might want to wait until after that process to cancel.
What to do with the physical card after cancellation
After your cancellation is processed, destroy the physical card so it cannot be used or stolen. Cut it up or shred it — do not straightforward throw it in the trash. Some people prefer to cut the card in half and dispose of the pieces in separate trash bags to make reassembly harder.
If you have multiple cards or authorized user cards linked to this account, each one needs to be destroyed. If someone else is an authorized user on your account, let them know the card is being canceled so they don't try to use it.
You do not need to return the card to Chase. There is no return address or process — just destroy it yourself and move on.
If you want to keep the card but stop using it
You don't have to cancel the card if you want to stop using it. Many people keep old credit cards open and straightforward stop charging to them. This avoids the credit score impact of closing an account and keeps your available credit intact, which helps your credit utilization ratio.
The downside is that you'll still owe the annual fee each year unless you call Chase and ask them to waive it. Some cardholders have success negotiating a fee waiver by calling customer service and mentioning they're considering cancellation. Chase sometimes waives the fee to keep a customer, though there's no may provide.
If you decide to keep the card open but unused, put it somewhere safe so you don't accidentally use it or lose it. You can also ask Chase to lower your credit limit on the card, which reduces the risk if the card is compromised.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Chase try to talk me out of canceling?
Yes, the representative may ask why you're canceling and might offer to waive your annual fee or reduce your interest rate to keep you as a customer. You're under no obligation to accept. If you've decided to cancel, you can straightforward say no and ask them to proceed with the cancellation.
Can I cancel the card if I still have a balance?
No. You must pay off the full balance first. Once the balance is zero, you can cancel. If you have pending charges that haven't posted yet, wait for them to clear and then pay them before canceling.
How long does it take for the cancellation to show up on my credit report?
The cancellation typically shows up within 30 to 60 days. You can check your credit report through AnnualCreditReport.com, which is free and does not hurt your score. The account will show as "closed" on your report.
What if I change my mind after canceling?
You can call Chase and ask to reopen the card, though they may not agree. If they do reopen it, you'll likely have to pay the annual fee again. It's easier to keep the card open if you're unsure, or to cancel and explore for a new card later if you decide you want it back.
Do I lose my Southwest elite status when I cancel the card?
No. Your elite status is tied to your Rapid Rewards account and your flying activity, not to the credit card. Canceling the card does not affect your elite status or your ability to earn elite may have access to points through flights.