How to close your Best Buy credit card
You can close your Best Buy credit card by calling the customer service number on the back of your card or by logging into your online account and requesting closure through the portal. Best Buy's credit card is issued by Citi, so you are working with Citi's closure process, not Best Buy directly. The call takes about five minutes, and you should have written confirmation within a few days.
Before you close the account, check your current balance, review any pending rewards, and understand how closure affects your credit score. Closing a credit card reduces your available credit and can lower your score temporarily, especially if you carry balances on other cards. If you have a zero balance and no urgent reason to close it, leaving the account open costs nothing and preserves your credit history.
Key Takeaways
- Call the number on the back of your Best Buy credit card or log into your Citi account online to request closure.
- Pay off any remaining balance before closing, because you will still owe it after the account shuts down.
- Closing a credit card can lower your credit score by reducing your total available credit, even if you have no balance.
- Redeem any accumulated rewards before closure, because some rewards may expire or become unusable after the account closes.
- Request written confirmation of closure and keep it for your records.
Steps to close the account by phone
Call the customer service number printed on the back of your Best Buy credit card. You will reach Citi's customer service team. Have your card number and a form of identification ready.
Tell the representative you want to close the account. They will ask why you are closing it — this is optional to answer, but some representatives may offer retention incentives like a statement credit or waived annual fee if one applies. If you want to close it regardless, say so clearly.
Confirm your current balance. If you have an outstanding balance, you must pay it before or after closure — the account does not disappear, and interest continues to accrue on unpaid balances. Ask the representative for a payoff amount if you want to settle it in full during the call.
Request written confirmation of the closure. The representative will mail it to you, or you may receive it by email depending on your account settings. Keep this confirmation for your records.
Closing your account online
Log into your Citi account at citi.com or through the Citi mobile app. Navigate to your Best Buy credit card account and look for account settings or account management options.
Some Citi accounts allow you to request closure directly through the online portal under a "Close Account" or "Account Services" section. If you see this option, select it and follow the prompts. You will be asked to confirm your request and may see a summary of your balance and rewards.
If the online portal does not offer a closure option, you will need to call. Not all Citi accounts expose the closure tool online, so calling remains the most reliable method.
What happens to your rewards and balance
Any rewards you have earned remain in your account until you redeem them or until they expire. Check your rewards balance before closing and redeem points for statement credits, gift cards, or other rewards while the account is still active. After closure, redemption options may become limited or unavailable.
If you have a remaining balance on the card, you must pay it. Closing the account does not erase the debt. You can pay by mail, phone, or online through your Citi account. Interest continues to accrue on the unpaid balance at your current APR until it is paid in full.
If you have pending transactions or credits that have not posted yet, wait for them to settle before closing. This prevents confusion about what you owe.
How account closure affects your credit
Closing a credit card lowers your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your available credit that you are using. If you close your Best Buy card and carry balances on other cards, your total available credit shrinks, which can raise your utilization ratio and lower your credit score by 10 to 50 points depending on your situation.
The impact is temporary. Your score typically recovers within a few months as long as you continue paying other accounts on time and do not open new accounts when ready after closure.
Closing the account also removes that card's payment history from your active accounts, though the closed account remains on your credit report for seven to ten years. This means the account still contributes to your credit history length, but it no longer helps your current payment record.
If your Best Buy card is your oldest account or your only account with a long payment history, closing it can have a larger impact. In that case, consider leaving it open even if you do not use it.
What to do if you want to keep the card but stop using it
You do not have to close the account to stop using the card. You can straightforward stop charging to it and leave the account open with a zero balance. This preserves your available credit, maintains your credit history, and avoids the temporary score dip that closure causes.
If you are worried about fraud or accidental charges, you can request that Citi freeze the card or remove it from your digital wallet. You can also ask the representative to note your account so that no new charges are authorized.
Leaving the account open costs nothing as long as there is no annual fee. The Best Buy credit card does not have an annual fee, so there is no financial reason to close it if you want to preserve your credit profile.
Confirming the closure and next steps
After you close the account, you should receive written confirmation from Citi within 7 to 10 business days. This confirmation will state the closure date and your final balance if any.
Keep this confirmation in your records. If you dispute the closure later or need proof that the account was closed on a specific date, you will have documentation.
Check your credit report 30 days after closure to confirm the account shows as closed. You can view your credit report for free once per year at annualcreditreport.com. The closed account will remain on your report but will be marked as closed by consumer.
If you still see charges or activity on the account after closure, contact Citi when ready. Accounts should show no new transactions after the closure date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing my Best Buy credit card hurt my credit score?
Yes, temporarily. Closing the card reduces your available credit, which can raise your credit utilization ratio and lower your score by 10 to 50 points. The impact is usually temporary and recovers within a few months if you pay other accounts on time. If the card is your oldest account, the impact may be larger.
Can I close my account if I still have a balance?
Yes, you can request closure even with a balance. However, you must still pay what you owe. The account does not disappear, and interest continues to accrue until the balance is paid in full. Pay the balance before or after closure — either way, you are responsible for it.
What happens to my rewards points after I close the card?
Rewards you have already earned stay in your account for a limited time and can usually be redeemed after closure, though options may be limited. Redeem your points before closing to may support you do not lose them. Check your rewards balance and redemption options before you request closure.
Do I have to call to close my account, or can I do it online?
Some Citi accounts allow closure through the online portal, but calling is the most reliable method. Log into your account and look for an account closure option under settings. If you do not see one, call the number on the back of your card and request closure over the phone.
How long does it take for my account to close?
The closure request is processed when ready, but you will receive written confirmation within 7 to 10 business days. The account will stop accepting new charges right away, but it may take a few weeks for the closure to appear on your credit report.