The fastest way to cancel is to call Chase directly

Call the customer service number on the back of your Southwest Airlines credit card. A representative will walk you through the cancellation process over the phone — this usually takes fewer than five minutes. Chase does not require you to cancel online or through mail, and calling gives you when ready confirmation that the card is closed.

Have your card number ready when you call. The representative may ask why you are cancelling and might offer you a retention offer (a statement credit or bonus points to keep the account open). You can accept or decline. Once you confirm cancellation, the account closes when ready, though it may take a few days for the change to show on your credit report.

If you prefer not to call, you can also cancel by mail. Write a letter to Chase requesting cancellation, include your card number and full name, and mail it to the address on your statement. This method is slower — it can take two to three weeks for Chase to process — and you won't have real-time confirmation.

Key Takeaways

  • Calling the number on the back of your card is the fastest cancellation method and takes about five minutes.
  • Chase may offer you a retention bonus to keep the account open, but you are not required to accept it.
  • Cancelling a credit card does not remove it from your credit history; the account will still appear as closed on your credit report for up to ten years.
  • If you have a balance on the card, you can still cancel, but you will need to pay off what you owe before or after closing.
  • Cancelling does not affect any Southwest rewards points you have already earned; those remain in your account.

What happens to your rewards points after cancellation

Your Southwest Rapid Rewards points do not disappear when you close the credit card. The points stay in your Rapid Rewards account as long as you have account activity at least once every 24 months. Account activity includes earning points through credit card purchases, flying Southwest, or transferring points in or out.

If your Rapid Rewards account becomes inactive for 24 months, Southwest will close it and you will lose any remaining points. To keep your account active after cancelling the card, you can fly Southwest, use a co-branded debit card if you have one, or transfer points to a partner airline. Even small activity counts.

Timing: when to cancel before or after an annual fee hits

Check your statement or account to see when your annual fee is due. If the fee is coming up within the next month or two, you have two options: cancel now to avoid it, or wait until after the fee posts and then request a refund.

Chase will sometimes refund the annual fee if you cancel within 30 days of it being charged. Call customer service and ask whether a refund is possible in your situation. If you cancel before the fee posts, you avoid the charge entirely. Either way, confirm the fee status with the representative when you call to cancel.

How cancellation affects your credit score

Closing a credit card can lower your credit score slightly, usually by a few points. This happens because closing an account reduces your total available credit, which changes your credit utilization ratio (the amount of credit you use compared to the amount available). The impact is typically temporary and small if you have other open accounts.

The closed account will remain on your credit report for up to ten years, which is actually helpful — it shows a history of responsible account management. The score impact is usually larger if this is your only credit card or if you have high balances on other cards. If protecting your score is a priority, consider keeping the card open but unused instead of cancelling.

Paying off a balance before you cancel

If you have an outstanding balance on the card, you can cancel the account, but you will still owe the debt. Chase will continue to charge interest on the balance until it is paid in full. You can pay the balance before cancelling, after cancelling, or in installments — the timing does not change what you owe.

Most people pay off the balance first, then cancel. This avoids confusion and ensures you know exactly what you are paying. If you cancel with a balance, make sure you have a way to access your account to make payments — some cardholders set up automatic payments before closing to avoid missed payments.

Alternatives to cancellation if you want to keep the card active

If you are cancelling mainly because of the annual fee, ask Chase about downgrading to a no-annual-fee Southwest card instead. Chase offers the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Checking Offer card with no annual fee. Downgrading moves your account to a different product without closing it, so your credit history and available credit remain unchanged.

Downgrading also preserves your account age, which helps your credit score. You keep your existing Rapid Rewards points and can continue earning them with the no-fee card. If you rarely use the card but want to keep it for the rewards program, downgrading is often better for your credit than cancelling.

What to do with the physical card after cancellation

After you cancel, destroy the physical card by cutting it in half or shredding it. Do not throw it away intact — this prevents someone from finding it and attempting to use it. Even though the account is closed and the card will not work, destroying it is a basic security step.

You do not need to return the card to Chase. Once the account is closed, the card is straightforward a piece of plastic with no value. If you have multiple cards (such as an authorized user card or a replacement card), cut all of them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will cancelling hurt my credit score?

Cancelling will lower your score slightly because it reduces your available credit. The impact is usually a few points and is temporary. The effect is smaller if you have other open accounts and larger if this is your only credit card.

Can I cancel over the phone without speaking to a representative?

No. Chase requires you to speak with a representative to cancel a credit card. You cannot cancel through the website or automated phone system. Calling the number on the back of your card is the standard method.

What if I have an authorized user on the account?

When you cancel the primary account, all authorized user cards close as well. If someone else is an authorized user, let them know before you call to cancel so they are not surprised when their card stops working.

Do I lose my Southwest Rapid Rewards points if I cancel the card?

No. Your points stay in your Rapid Rewards account as long as you have account activity within 24 months. Flying Southwest, using a co-branded debit card, or transferring points all count as activity.

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 through AnnualCreditReport.com to confirm the status.