Call Bank of America and confirm your account is paid in full before closing
The fastest way to close a Bank of America credit card is to call their customer service line at 1-800-432-1000. Have your card number ready. A representative will confirm your current balance, process the closure, and send you written confirmation by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Before you call, make sure your account balance is zero. If you have a balance remaining, the card will stay open until it is paid off — closing does not erase what you owe. Pay any outstanding balance in full first, either online through your Bank of America account, by phone during the same call, or by mailing a check to the address on your statement.
You can also close the card in person at any Bank of America branch if you prefer to do it face-to-face. Bring your card and a photo ID. The branch representative will process the closure the same way the phone line does, though you will still receive written confirmation by mail.
Key Takeaways
- Call 1-800-432-1000 to close your card, or visit a Bank of America branch in person with your card and ID.
- Your account balance must be zero before the card closes; any remaining balance keeps the account open until it is paid.
- Written confirmation of closure arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days after you request it.
- Closing a card may lower your credit score temporarily because it reduces your total available credit and changes your credit utilization ratio.
- Keep your card until you receive written confirmation that the account is closed, in case there are any disputes or pending transactions.
What happens to pending transactions and recurring charges
If you have recurring charges set to that card — subscriptions, automatic bill payments, gym memberships — those will fail after the card closes. Before you call to close the account, log into your Bank of America online account or check your recent statements to find all recurring charges. Update each one to a different payment method at least a few days before you request closure.
Pending transactions that have not yet posted to your account may still go through for a short time after closure. Bank of America typically processes pending transactions for up to 30 days after a card closes, depending on the merchant. If a charge posts after closure and you did not authorize it, contact Bank of America's fraud department to dispute it.
How closing affects your credit score
Closing a credit card usually lowers your credit score in the short term, typically by 5 to 15 points, though the exact impact varies by person and by credit bureau. The score drop happens because closing the card reduces your total available credit, which increases your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your total credit limit that you are using across all accounts.
If you have other cards with balances, closing one card makes those balances represent a larger percentage of your remaining credit limit. For example, if you have $5,000 in balances across $20,000 in total credit, your utilization is 25 percent. If you close a card with a $5,000 limit, your total credit drops to $15,000, and your utilization jumps to 33 percent — even though you did not spend any additional money.
The score impact is usually temporary. Most credit scoring models recover within 3 to 6 months if you keep your remaining accounts in good standing and do not open new cards. If you are planning to explore for a mortgage, auto loan, or other major credit product within the next few months, consider waiting to close the card until after your process is approved.
Keeping your account open after closure
Once Bank of America closes your card, you cannot reopen that exact account. However, you can request a new card from Bank of America at any time in the future. The new card will have a different account number and will be treated as a new account on your credit report.
If you want to keep the account open but stop using the card, you can do that instead of closing it. straightforward put the card away and do not charge anything to it. Bank of America will not close an inactive account when ready — they typically allow accounts to sit unused for 12 months or longer before taking action. Keeping the account open preserves your available credit and prevents the utilization ratio increase that comes with closure.
Confirming closure and handling follow-up issues
After you receive written confirmation that your account is closed, keep that letter for your records. It serves as proof of closure if Bank of America ever disputes whether the account was closed, or if a charge appears on the account after the closure date.
If you notice charges appearing after the closure date, or if Bank of America sends you a bill after you closed the account, contact them when ready at 1-800-432-1000 with your confirmation letter in hand. Disputes are usually resolved within 30 to 60 days, though Bank of America may ask you to provide the written confirmation as evidence of the closure request.
Closing a joint account or authorized user card
If the card is a joint account — meaning another person is equally responsible for it — both account holders must agree to close it. Contact Bank of America and ask whether both signatures are required, or whether one account holder can request closure on behalf of both. Policies vary depending on the card type and your account history.
If you are an authorized user on someone else's card, you cannot close the account yourself. Only the primary account holder can request closure. You can ask the primary holder to close it, or you can request that Bank of America remove you as an authorized user while keeping the account open. Removal as an authorized user takes effect when ready and does not affect the primary holder's account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing my Bank of America card hurt my credit?
Yes, but usually only temporarily. Your score may drop 5 to 15 points because closing the card reduces your available credit and increases your credit utilization ratio. The impact is typically temporary and recovers within 3 to 6 months if you keep other accounts in good standing. If you are explore for a loan soon, wait until after approval to close the card.
Can I close my card online or through the mobile app?
Bank of America does not offer online or app-based card closure. You must call 1-800-432-1000 or visit a branch in person. This policy exists to prevent accidental closures and to allow the bank to confirm your identity and account status before processing the request.
What if I have a balance when I try to close the account?
Bank of America will not close the account until the balance is paid in full. You can pay the balance during the same phone call, online through your account, or by mailing a check. Once the balance reaches zero, the closure takes effect and you will receive written confirmation within 7 to 10 business days.
How long does it take for the card to stop working after I close it?
The card stops working when ready after you request closure, though written confirmation arrives within 7 to 10 business days. Pending transactions may still process for up to 30 days after closure depending on the merchant. Destroy the physical card once you receive closure confirmation to prevent accidental use.
Can I reopen the same card after closing it?
No, once Bank of America closes a card account, that specific account cannot be reopened. You can request a new card from Bank of America at any time, but it will have a different account number and will be treated as a new account on your credit report.