The basic steps to close a Citi card
Call Citi's customer service number on the back of your card and tell them you want to close the account. They will ask why you're leaving and may offer you a retention offer — a lower interest rate, fee waiver, or bonus points — to keep the card open. You can accept or decline. If you decline, they will process the closure over the phone, and you'll receive written confirmation in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Before you call, pay off any balance on the card. Citi will not close an account with an outstanding balance, and you'll continue to owe interest on whatever remains. If you have a promotional rate that hasn't ended yet, paying off the balance first also prevents the regular interest rate from kicking in after closure.
After the account closes, keep the card itself for at least a month. If Citi needs to verify the closure or you need proof that you initiated it, having the physical card can help. You can shred it once you receive the written confirmation letter.
Key Takeaways
- Call the number on your Citi card, confirm you want to close it, and pay any balance before the closure is processed.
- Citi will offer you a retention deal on the call — you can take it or refuse and proceed with closure.
- Closing a card lowers your total available credit, which can raise your credit utilization ratio and temporarily dip your credit score.
- Your payment history on the card stays on your credit report for seven years, so closing it does not erase the record.
- If you have rewards points, redeem them before closure — they may be forfeited once the account is closed.
What happens to your credit score when you close a card
Your credit score will likely drop a small amount in the short term. The main reason is that closing the card reduces your total available credit. If you had a $5,000 limit on the Citi card and a $10,000 limit on another card, closing the Citi card drops your total available credit from $15,000 to $10,000. Your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your available credit you're actually using — goes up, and higher utilization hurts your score.
The drop is usually temporary. Within a few months, as you continue making on-time payments on your other cards, your score typically recovers. The payment history you built on the Citi card remains on your credit report for seven years, so closing the account does not erase that record or the positive impact of on-time payments you made.
If you want to minimize the damage, close the card with the lowest credit limit or the one you've had the shortest time, not your oldest card. Older accounts help your credit score more, so keeping them open — even unused — is better for your credit than closing them.
Redeem rewards before closure
Check your Citi account for any unused rewards points, miles, or cash back before you close the card. Once the account is closed, you may lose access to these rewards. Citi's policy varies by card type, so log into your account or call customer service to confirm what happens to your specific rewards.
If you have a Citi ThankYou card, you can usually transfer points to a travel partner or redeem them for cash back, gift cards, or statement credits. If you have a Citi Double Cash card, redeem your cash back as a statement credit or transfer it to another Citi account if you have one. Do this before you call to close the account, not after.
What to do with the card after closure
Once Citi confirms the closure in writing, you can destroy the card. Cut it in half or shred it to prevent someone from finding it and attempting to use it. The account will be closed and unusable, but physically destroying the card removes any risk of identity theft.
Do not straightforward throw the card away intact. Even a closed card with your name and number on it can be a target for fraud if someone retrieves it from the trash.
If Citi denies your closure request
Citi will not close an account that has an outstanding balance. If you have unpaid charges, interest, or fees on the card, you must pay them in full before closure can be processed. Once the balance is zero, call back and request closure again.
If you have a balance transfer with a promotional rate, Citi may require you to pay that off before closing as well. Ask the representative on the phone whether any specific charges are blocking closure and what you need to pay to clear them.
Alternatives to closing the card
If you're closing the card mainly because you don't use it, consider keeping it open instead. An open card with a zero balance helps your credit score by lowering your utilization ratio and keeping your average account age higher. The only cost is an annual fee if the card charges one.
If the annual fee is the reason you want to close it, call Citi and ask them to downgrade the card to a no-fee version instead. Many Citi cards have a no-annual-fee sibling — for example, the Citi Preferred can sometimes be downgraded to the Citi Diamond Preferred. Downgrading keeps the account open and preserves your credit history without the fee.
If you're closing because you want to reduce the number of cards you carry, you can straightforward stop using it and leave it open. There is no rule that says you have to actively use every card you own.
Timeline and what to expect after you call
The phone call itself takes 5 to 15 minutes. Citi will confirm your identity, ask why you're closing the account, present any retention offer, and process the closure if you confirm it. You'll receive a confirmation number on the call.
Written confirmation arrives in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. This letter shows the closure date and confirms that the account is closed. Keep this letter for your records in case you need proof of closure later — for example, if a debt collector calls about the card or if you need to dispute something on your credit report.
After closure, the account will no longer appear as "open" on your credit report, but it will still show your payment history. The closed account will remain visible on your credit report for seven years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reopen a Citi card after I close it?
Citi may reopen a recently closed account if you call within a short window — usually 30 to 60 days. After that, you would need to open a new account, which counts as a new process and triggers a hard inquiry on your credit. If you think you might want the card back, ask the representative how long you have to request reopening before you hang up.
What if I have an outstanding balance I can't pay right now?
You cannot close the account until the balance is paid. You can stop using the card, but it will remain open and you'll continue to owe interest. If you're struggling to pay, contact Citi's hardship department to discuss a payment plan or lower interest rate rather than closing the account while you still owe money.
Will closing my Citi card hurt my credit score permanently?
No. The short-term dip from closing the card usually recovers within a few months as you continue making on-time payments elsewhere. The payment history you built on the card stays on your report for seven years, so the account's positive history remains even after closure.
Do I lose my rewards points when I close the card?
Usually yes, but it depends on the card. Redeem all points, miles, or cash back before you close the account. Log into your Citi account or call customer service to confirm your card's specific policy on what happens to unused rewards after closure.
Can I close the card online instead of calling?
Citi does not offer online closure for most cards. You must call customer service at the number on the back of your card. Some banks allow online closure, but Citi's standard process is phone-based so they can offer you a retention deal and confirm your identity before processing the request.