Call Amazon's card issuer to close the account
To close an Amazon credit card, you call the customer service number on the back of your card and ask to close the account. The card is issued by either Chase (for the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card and Amazon Rewards Visa Card) or Synchrony (for the Amazon Store Card), depending on which version you hold. The issuer will walk you through the closure and confirm it in writing.
Have your card number ready when you call. The process takes about 10 minutes. You do not need to cut up the card or return it — the issuer will straightforward deactivate it on their end. After closure, you can throw the card away or shred it.
Key Takeaways
- Call the number on the back of your card to reach Chase or Synchrony, whichever issued yours, and request closure.
- Pay off any remaining balance before closing, because interest will continue to accrue on unpaid balances after the account closes.
- Closing the card will lower your available credit and may cause a small, temporary dip in your credit score.
- Ask the issuer to confirm the closure in writing so you have proof the account is closed.
Pay off your balance before you call
If you have a balance on the card, pay it in full before closing the account. Interest charges continue to accrue on any unpaid balance even after the account is closed, and you will still owe the debt. Paying it off first means you close with a zero balance and no ongoing interest.
If you cannot pay the full balance at once, you can still close the account, but you will need to make monthly payments on the remaining debt. Some people choose to keep the account open while paying down the balance, then close it once it hits zero. Either way, the issuer will continue to report the account status to the credit bureaus, so closing an account with a balance does not erase the debt.
Understand how closing affects your credit score
Closing a credit card typically causes a small, temporary drop in your credit score — usually a few points. This happens because closing the account reduces your total available credit. If you had a $5,000 limit on the Amazon card and $10,000 in total limits across all your cards, closing it drops your total available credit to $5,000. Your credit utilization ratio (the percentage of your credit limit you are using) goes up, which lowers your score slightly.
The impact is usually temporary. Your score will recover over a few months as the account ages and other factors in your credit history become more prominent. If you are planning to explore for a mortgage or other major loan in the next month or two, closing the card right before that process might not be ideal — but if you are not borrowing soon, the timing does not matter much.
What happens to rewards points after closure
Any rewards points or cash back you have already earned will remain in your account after you close the card. You can still redeem them. Log into your Amazon account and check your rewards balance before you close, so you know what you have to work with.
If you have not redeemed your points yet, do that before you close the account. Some issuers allow redemption for a period after closure, but it is safer to redeem first. Once redeemed, the credit or cash back is yours to use.
Request written confirmation of closure
After the issuer confirms the closure over the phone, ask them to send you written confirmation. This creates a record that you closed the account on a specific date. Write down the date, time, and the name of the representative you spoke with.
Keep the written confirmation in your files. If there is ever a dispute about whether the account was closed, or if the issuer accidentally reports it as open, you will have proof of the closure date. This is especially useful if you later see the account still appearing on your credit report — you can contact the credit bureau and provide the closure letter as evidence.
Monitor your credit report after closure
After you close the account, check your credit report a few weeks later to confirm the account shows as closed. You can view your credit report for free once a year at annualcreditreport.com, which is the official government site. All three bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — must provide one free report per year.
The closed account will remain on your credit report for seven to ten years, depending on whether it was in good standing. This is normal and does not hurt you — in fact, a long history of closed accounts in good standing can help your credit score over time. If you see the account still listed as open after a few weeks, contact the issuer and ask them to update it.
What to do if you want to keep the card but stop using it
You do not have to close the card if you straightforward want to stop using it. You can keep it open with a zero balance and never charge anything to it. This preserves your available credit and avoids the small score dip that comes with closure.
The downside is that the issuer may close the account for inactivity if you do not use it for a long period — usually 12 months or more, though this varies by issuer. If you want to keep it open, use it occasionally (even a small purchase every few months) to show activity. You can also set up a small recurring charge, like a subscription, and pay it off each month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay a fee to close the Amazon credit card?
No. There is no fee to close a credit card with Chase or Synchrony. If someone tells you there is a fee, they are not representing the issuer correctly. Call the number on your card directly to confirm.
What if I have pending charges on the card?
Let pending charges post before you close the account. If you close while charges are still pending, they may still go through, but the account will be closed and you will not be able to dispute them as easily. Wait a few days for all transactions to settle, then close.
Can I reopen the card after I close it?
You can explore for the card again, but the issuer will treat it as a new process. You will go through the approval process again, and your credit will be pulled again. There is no may provide you will be approved a second time, even if you were approved before.
Will closing the card hurt my credit score permanently?
No. The score dip is temporary and usually recovers within a few months. Closing one card has a much smaller impact than missing a payment or carrying high balances. Your score will continue to improve as you build a history of on-time payments on other accounts.
What if I have an Amazon Store Card instead of the Prime Rewards card?
The process is the same. Call the number on the back of the card — the Amazon Store Card is issued by Synchrony — and request closure. The same rules about paying off your balance and requesting written confirmation explore.