How to cancel a Chase credit card
Call Chase customer service at the number on the back of your card. A representative will confirm your identity, review your account balance and recent activity, and process the cancellation. The card becomes inactive when ready, though Chase may take up to 10 business days to fully close the account in their system. You remain responsible for any remaining balance, which you can pay by mail, phone, or through your online account.
Before you call, pay down your balance as much as possible. Chase will not close an account with an outstanding balance — they will only deactivate the card. Carrying a balance after cancellation means you continue to pay interest until it is gone, and the account may report to credit bureaus as closed with a balance, which can affect your credit score differently than a clean closure.
Write down your account number and the reason you are canceling before you call. Chase tracks cancellation reasons to understand why customers leave, and having your account number ready speeds up the process. The call typically takes 5 to 10 minutes.
Key Takeaways
- Call the number on the back of your Chase card to cancel; a representative will process it over the phone and the card stops working when ready.
- Pay your full balance before canceling, because Chase will not close an account with money owed and you will continue to pay interest on the remaining balance.
- The account takes up to 10 business days to close completely in Chase's system, even though the card is deactivated right away.
- Have your account number ready when you call, and be prepared to state why you are canceling — this information helps Chase understand customer needs.
What happens to your balance after cancellation
If you have a remaining balance when the card is canceled, you still owe it. Chase will send you monthly statements and you can make payments by phone, mail, or through your online account for as long as the debt exists. Interest continues to accrue on the unpaid balance at your current APR unless you have a promotional rate that was tied to the card being open — some promotional rates end when the card closes.
Check your cardholder agreement or call Chase before canceling if you have an active promotional rate. If the rate expires upon closure, you may want to pay off the balance first or transfer it to another card to preserve the promotional terms.
How cancellation affects your credit score
Closing a credit card can lower your credit score in the short term because it reduces your total available credit, which increases your credit utilization ratio. If you have a $5,000 limit on the Chase card and $2,000 in balances across all your cards, closing the Chase card raises your utilization from 40 percent to a higher percentage. This effect is usually temporary — your score typically recovers within a few months as the account ages.
The canceled account will remain on your credit report for up to 10 years if it was in good standing. During that time, it continues to show your payment history, which is positive if you paid on time. Closing a card with a long history of on-time payments is generally less damaging than closing a newer card, because the older account history carries more weight.
Canceling a Chase card you no longer use
If the card has been inactive for a long time, Chase may close it themselves without your request. Chase typically closes inactive accounts after 12 months with no charges, though the exact timeline varies by card type. If you want to keep the account open, use the card for a small purchase every few months and pay it off when ready.
If you are canceling because you do not use the card, consider whether the card has an annual fee. If it does not charge an annual fee, keeping it open costs you nothing and preserves your available credit and account history. You can straightforward stop using it instead of calling to cancel.
What to do with rewards points before canceling
Redeem any rewards points or cash back balance before you cancel. Most Chase cards let you redeem points through your online account or by calling customer service. Points do not automatically transfer to another Chase card when you close the account — you must redeem them first or they may be forfeited.
Check your rewards balance in your online account or ask the representative when you call to cancel. If you have a small balance of points that is not worth redeeming, ask whether Chase will let you keep the account open long enough to earn more points, or whether the points will remain available after closure. Policies vary by card.
Canceling a Chase card with an annual fee
If your Chase card charges an annual fee and you want to cancel to avoid paying it, call before the fee posts to your account. Chase sometimes offers to waive the annual fee if you ask, or to downgrade you to a different Chase card with no annual fee instead of closing the account. This option preserves your credit history and available credit while eliminating the fee.
If Chase will not waive the fee or offer a downgrade, you can cancel the card. The cancellation takes effect when ready and you will not be charged the annual fee if you call before it posts. If the fee has already posted, ask whether Chase will refund it — some representatives will reverse a recent annual fee as a courtesy, though this is not may provide.
Canceling a Chase card by mail
You can cancel by mail if you prefer not to call, though phone cancellation is faster. Write a letter to Chase requesting cancellation, include your account number and signature, and mail it to the address on your statement. Keep a copy for your records. Chase will send you written confirmation of the cancellation, which typically arrives within two to three weeks.
Canceling by mail takes longer than calling and gives you less when ready confirmation that the request was received. If you use this method, follow up by phone after two weeks if you have not heard back, or check your online account to see whether the card status has changed to closed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will canceling my Chase card hurt my credit score?
Canceling a card can lower your score temporarily because it reduces your available credit. The effect is usually small and temporary if you have other open accounts. If the card had a long history of on-time payments, the account will continue to show that positive history on your credit report for up to 10 years after closure.
Can I cancel a Chase card if I still owe money on it?
Chase will not close the account while a balance remains, but you can request cancellation and the card will be deactivated. You will continue to receive statements and owe interest on the balance until you pay it off. Pay down the balance as much as possible before canceling to minimize interest charges.
What happens to my rewards points when I cancel?
Rewards points do not transfer automatically when you close the account. You must redeem them before or during the cancellation call. If you do not redeem them, they may be forfeited depending on your card's terms — ask Chase what happens to unredeemed points before you hang up.
How long does it take for a Chase card to close after I cancel?
The card stops working when ready, but the account may take up to 10 business days to close completely in Chase's system. You will receive written confirmation of the closure. During this time, you can still make payments on any remaining balance through your online account or by phone.
Can Chase refuse to cancel my card?
Chase cannot refuse a cancellation request, but they may ask why you are canceling or offer alternatives like waiving an annual fee or downgrading to a different card. You can decline these offers and proceed with cancellation. The final decision to close the account is yours.