Call Best Buy's card issuer to close the account
Best Buy's credit card is issued by Citi, not by Best Buy itself. To close the account, you call Citi's customer service number on the back of your card or contact them at 1-800-950-5114. Have your card number ready. The representative will confirm your identity, ask why you're closing the account, and process the closure on the call.
Closing happens when ready, though the account may show as "closed" or "inactive" on your credit report for several months. Any pending transactions will still post, and you'll continue to receive statements until the balance reaches zero.
Key Takeaways
- Contact Citi at 1-800-950-5114 (the number on your card) to close the account; Best Buy does not handle closures directly.
- Pay off any balance before closing, or the account will remain open until you do.
- Request written confirmation of the closure in case there are disputes later.
- The closed account will remain on your credit report for up to seven years, which can affect your credit score temporarily.
- Closing a card reduces your available credit, which may lower your credit score in the short term.
Pay your balance before you call
If your card has an outstanding balance, Citi will not close the account until it's paid. You can pay online through your Citi account, by phone during the same call, or by mail. If you ask to close the account while carrying a balance, the representative will tell you the account cannot close until the balance reaches zero.
Even after closure, interest will continue to accrue on any remaining balance at the card's regular APR. Paying the full amount before closing avoids this.
What happens to your credit score
Closing a credit card affects your credit score in two ways. First, your available credit decreases, which raises your credit utilization ratio (the percentage of your total credit limit you're using). A higher utilization ratio can lower your score by a few points in the short term. Second, the closed account remains on your credit report for seven years, and older accounts with good payment history help your score. Closing a card with a long history of on-time payments removes that benefit.
The impact is usually temporary. Most people see their score recover within a few months if they continue paying other accounts on time and keep utilization low on remaining cards.
Request written confirmation
After the representative confirms the closure, ask them to email or mail you a written confirmation that includes the account number, closure date, and final balance. This protects you if the account is later reopened by mistake or if a dispute arises about whether the account was actually closed.
Keep this confirmation with your financial records. If you don't receive it within a week, call back and request it again.
Check your credit report after closure
After closing, check your credit report at annualcreditreport.com (the free site run by the three major bureaus) to confirm the account shows as closed. The report should update within 30 to 60 days. If the account still shows as open after that time, call Citi again and ask them to verify the closure with the credit bureaus.
Errors on your credit report can affect your ability to borrow money later, so catching and correcting them early matters.
Consider keeping the card open instead
Closing a card is permanent for that specific account. If you're closing because you don't use it, consider keeping it open instead. An unused card with a zero balance doesn't hurt your credit and actually helps it by keeping your available credit high and your utilization low. The only reason to close is if you want to eliminate the account entirely or if the card charges an annual fee.
The Best Buy card has no annual fee, so there's no cost to leaving it open if you might use it again later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close the card online or through the Best Buy website?
No. Best Buy does not handle closures. You must call Citi directly at 1-800-950-5114. Some card issuers allow online closure through their website or app, but Citi requires a phone call for the Best Buy card.
What if I have a balance I can't pay right now?
The account will remain open until the balance is paid. You can still close it later once the balance reaches zero. In the meantime, keep making at least the minimum payment to avoid late fees and damage to your credit score.
Will closing the card hurt my credit score?
Yes, but usually only temporarily. Your score may drop a few points because your available credit decreases and your utilization ratio rises. The effect typically fades within a few months if you keep other accounts in good standing.
How long does it take for the card to show as closed on my credit report?
The account should show as closed within 30 to 60 days. Check your credit report at annualcreditreport.com to verify. If it still shows as open after 60 days, contact Citi to confirm they reported the closure to the credit bureaus.
Can I reopen the card after I close it?
Once closed, that specific account cannot be reopened. You could explore for a new Best Buy card later, but it would be a different account with a different credit history. Closing is a permanent action for that account.