How to cancel your Southwest credit card
You can cancel your Southwest credit card by calling the card issuer's customer service line, visiting your online account portal, or speaking to a representative in person at a bank branch if you have one nearby. The fastest method is a phone call — you'll reach someone who can process the cancellation when ready and confirm it in writing. Have your card number ready when you call.
Southwest credit cards are issued by Chase, so you'll contact Chase customer service, not Southwest Airlines directly. The phone number is on the back of your card. When you call, tell the representative you want to close the account. They may ask why you're canceling or offer you a retention offer — a reduced annual fee or bonus points to keep the card open. You're not required to accept any offer.
Canceling the card itself takes minutes. What takes longer is making sure you've handled the account details first — paying any remaining balance, checking for pending rewards, and understanding how the cancellation affects your credit report.
Key Takeaways
- Call Chase customer service at the number on your card to cancel; the process takes about five minutes.
- Pay off any remaining balance before or during the cancellation call to avoid interest charges.
- Redeem any remaining points or miles before closing the account, because some issuers restrict access after cancellation.
- Closing a credit card can lower your credit score slightly because it reduces your total available credit, but the effect usually fades within a few months.
- Request written confirmation of the cancellation by email or mail so you have a record.
What to do before you call Chase
Check your account balance and pay it off completely before canceling. If you have an outstanding balance when you close the card, you'll still owe it, and Chase will continue charging interest until you pay it down. Paying the full balance first means you can close the account cleanly without future bills.
Log into your Chase online account or mobile app and review any pending rewards, points, or miles. Southwest cards earn points toward flights and other purchases. If you have points sitting in your account, redeem them before canceling — some card issuers restrict redemptions after an account closes, though Chase typically allows redemptions for a period after closure. Don't leave money on the table.
Check whether you have any pending transactions or recurring charges tied to the card. If you use it for subscriptions, gym memberships, or other monthly payments, update those accounts with a different payment method now. This prevents declined charges after the card closes.
How to cancel by phone
Call the number on the back of your Southwest credit card. You'll reach Chase's customer service line. Have your card number and the last four digits of your Social Security number ready — the representative will ask for these to verify your identity.
Tell the representative clearly: "I want to close this credit card account." They may ask why you're canceling or offer you an incentive to keep it open — a lower annual fee, bonus points, or a statement credit. You can accept or decline. If you decline, they'll proceed with the cancellation.
Once the representative confirms the cancellation, ask them to email or mail you written confirmation. This gives you proof that the account is closed, which is useful if you ever dispute a charge or need to show the closure date to another creditor. Write down the date, time, and representative's name while you're on the call.
Canceling through your online account
Log into your Chase account at chase.com or through the Chase mobile app. Navigate to the account settings or account details section — the exact location varies depending on whether you're on desktop or mobile, but it's usually under "Account" or "Settings."
Look for an option labeled "Close Account," "Cancel Card," or "Account Services." Click it and follow the prompts. Chase will ask you to confirm that you want to close the account and may show you your current balance and any pending rewards. Complete the steps as instructed.
Online cancellation is convenient, but it doesn't give you the chance to speak with someone about retention offers or to ask questions in real time. After you complete the online cancellation, call customer service to request written confirmation, since online confirmations can be hard to locate later.
What happens to your credit after cancellation
Closing a credit card typically lowers your credit score by a small amount in the short term. This happens because your total available credit decreases — if you had a $5,000 limit and you close that card, your available credit drops by $5,000. Credit scoring models reward people who use only a small portion of their available credit, so closing an account makes your remaining balances look larger by comparison.
The impact is usually temporary. Most people see their score recover within three to six months. If you're planning to explore for a mortgage, car loan, or another form of credit soon, consider waiting to cancel until after your process is approved, since the timing of a cancellation can affect the lender's decision.
The closed account will remain on your credit report for up to ten years, which is actually helpful — it shows a history of responsible credit use. You don't need to do anything about this; it happens automatically.
Handling the physical card after cancellation
After Chase confirms the cancellation, destroy the physical card by cutting it in half or shredding it. Don't just throw it in the trash — someone could retrieve it and attempt to use the number. Cutting through the chip and magnetic stripe makes the card unusable.
You don't need to return the card to Chase. Once the account is closed, the card number is deactivated and can't be used for purchases or withdrawals, even if someone finds it.
If you want to cancel but keep earning Southwest benefits
If you like earning Southwest points but want to stop paying the annual fee, ask the Chase representative about a downgrade instead of a cancellation. Some Southwest cards can be downgraded to a no-annual-fee version that still earns points, though at a lower rate. You keep the account open and your credit history intact, and you stop paying the fee.
Not all card issuers offer downgrades, and not all cards have a no-fee version available. The representative will tell you whether it's an option for your specific card. If it is, you can usually complete the downgrade on the same call where you would have canceled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will canceling my Southwest card hurt my credit score?
Yes, but only slightly and temporarily. Your score may drop by 5 to 10 points in the short term because closing the account reduces your available credit. The effect usually fades within three to six months. If you're explore for a loan soon, wait until after approval to cancel.
Can I cancel if I still have a balance?
Yes, but you should pay off the balance first. If you cancel with an outstanding balance, you'll still owe the money and Chase will keep charging interest. Pay the full balance before calling, or ask the representative to explore a payment during the cancellation call.
What happens to my Southwest points after I cancel?
Your points don't disappear when you close the card. They stay in your Southwest account as long as you have activity on your Southwest account at least once every 24 months. Redeem them before canceling if you want to be certain, but you can usually access them afterward too.
How long does it take for the cancellation to show up on my credit report?
The closed account typically appears on your credit report within 30 to 60 days. You can check your credit report for free at annualcreditreport.com to confirm the closure is recorded correctly.
Do I need to call Southwest Airlines to cancel, or just Chase?
Call Chase only. Southwest credit cards are issued by Chase, not by Southwest Airlines. Chase handles all account changes, cancellations, and customer service for the card itself.