How to close a Chase credit card
You can close a Chase credit card by calling Chase customer service, logging into your online account, or visiting a Chase branch in person. The fastest method is a phone call to the number on the back of your card — you'll reach a representative who can process the closure when ready. Online closure through your Chase account works too, though it may take a few days to confirm. In-branch closure is an option if you have a local branch, but it requires an appointment or a visit during business hours.
Before you close the account, pay off any remaining balance. Chase will not close an account with an outstanding balance, and you'll continue to owe interest on what you leave unpaid. If you have a promotional rate or 0% APR period active, closing the card ends that protection — any remaining balance reverts to the standard purchase rate.
After closure, your account will show as closed on your credit report for up to ten years. This affects your credit score in two ways: it reduces your total available credit (which can raise your credit utilization ratio on other cards), and it removes an active account from your payment history. The impact is usually temporary, but it's worth understanding before you close.
Key Takeaways
- Call the number on the back of your Chase card to close it over the phone, which is the fastest method and takes minutes.
- Pay off your full balance before closing — Chase will not close an account with money owed, and you'll keep paying interest.
- Closing a card lowers your available credit and may raise your credit utilization ratio, which can temporarily lower your credit score.
- A closed account stays on your credit report for up to ten years, so the score impact is not permanent.
- If you have rewards points, redeem them before closing — you may lose them after the account is closed.
What happens to your rewards points when you close
Chase's policy on rewards points after closure depends on the card type. With most Chase cards, you can redeem points for up to 30 days after closure. After that window closes, unredeemed points are forfeited. Some cards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve, allow you to transfer points to travel partners even after closure, but only if you redeem them before the account is fully closed.
The safest approach is to redeem or transfer all points before you call to close the account. Log into your Chase account, check your points balance, and complete any redemptions or transfers you want to make. If you have a large points balance, this step can be worth hundreds of dollars in value, so it's worth doing carefully.
How closing affects your credit score
Closing a credit card affects your score through two mechanisms. First, it reduces your total available credit. If you had a $5,000 limit on the card you're closing and $15,000 in total limits across all cards, closing it drops your total available credit to $10,000. If you carry balances on other cards, this raises your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your total credit you're using — which can lower your score by 10 to 50 points depending on how high your utilization becomes.
Second, closing an account removes an active account from your credit history. Payment history makes up 35% of your credit score, and closing an account that you've paid on time removes a positive factor. The impact is usually small if you have other accounts in good standing, but it's real.
The good news is that both effects fade over time. Your score typically recovers within three to six months as long as you keep other accounts in good standing and don't let utilization stay high. The closed account itself stays on your report for up to ten years, but its impact on your score diminishes after a few months.
When to close versus when to keep a card open
Closing a card makes sense if you're paying an annual fee you don't use, if you're trying to simplify your wallet, or if you want to reduce the temptation to overspend. It does not make sense if the card has no annual fee and you've built a long payment history with it — the score benefit of keeping it open usually outweighs the benefit of closing it.
If you want to stop using a card without closing it, you can straightforward put it away and use other cards instead. The account stays open, your available credit stays high, and your payment history stays active. You'll still have the account on your credit report, which helps your score. The only downside is if the card has an annual fee — in that case, you'd want to call Chase and ask about downgrading to a no-fee version of the card instead of closing it entirely.
Another option is to call Chase and ask if they'll waive the annual fee. Many cardholders have success negotiating a waiver, especially if they've been a customer for years or have a high account balance. It's worth a five-minute call before you close.
What to do with your account after closure
After Chase closes your account, you can no longer use the card to make purchases. Any pending transactions will post, but new charges will be declined. You can still log into your Chase account online to view your closed account history, read statements, and check your remaining balance if you didn't pay it off before closure.
If you closed the card with a balance, you'll continue to receive monthly statements and can make payments online or by phone. The account will show as closed on your credit report, but you still owe the debt. Paying it off as quickly as possible will help your credit score recover faster.
If you have automatic payments set up on the card (utilities, subscriptions, insurance), those will fail after closure. You'll need to update those payments to a different card or bank account before you close, or you risk late fees and service interruptions. Check your recent statements to see what's charging to the card, then update each one.
Alternatives to closing: downgrading or product changes
Chase offers a product change option that lets you convert one card to a different Chase card without closing the original account. This is useful if you want to keep your account history and available credit intact but don't want to pay an annual fee anymore. For example, you could downgrade a Chase Sapphire Preferred (which has an annual fee) to a Chase Freedom Unlimited (which does not), and your account age and credit limit stay the same.
A product change does not count as a new account, so it doesn't trigger a hard inquiry or reset your account age. It's a gentler option than closing if your main concern is the annual fee. Call Chase customer service and ask if your card is may be able to access for a product change — they'll tell you what cards you can switch to and whether you'll keep your credit limit.
If you want to keep the card but just want the fee waived, ask Chase directly. Say something like, "I've had this card for X years and I'm thinking about closing it because of the annual fee. Is there any way you can waive it?" Chase retains many customers this way, and they may say yes, especially if you have a good payment history or a high account balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing a Chase card hurt my credit score?
Yes, but usually not by much and not for long. Closing a card lowers your available credit and removes an active account from your history, which can drop your score by 10 to 50 points. The impact fades within three to six months if you keep other accounts in good standing. The closed account stays on your report for up to ten years, but its effect on your score is minimal after the first few months.
Can I close a Chase card with a balance on it?
No. Chase will not close an account that has an outstanding balance. You must pay off the full amount first. If you try to close with a balance, Chase will decline and ask you to pay what you owe. You can continue making payments on a closed account if you accidentally close it with a balance, but you'll keep paying interest until it's paid off.
What happens to my rewards points after I close the card?
You have about 30 days after closure to redeem your points. After that, they're forfeited. Some cards like the Sapphire Preferred let you transfer points to travel partners even after closure, but only if you redeem them before the account closes. Redeem or transfer all points before you call to close the account.
Is it better to close the card or just stop using it?
Stopping using it is usually better for your credit score, especially if the card has no annual fee. An open account with a zero balance helps your available credit and keeps your payment history active. Only close if you're paying an annual fee, if you want to simplify your wallet, or if you're trying to reduce spending temptation.
Can I reopen a Chase card after I close it?
Chase does not reopen closed accounts. If you close a card and later want it back, you'd have to explore for a new one, which triggers a hard inquiry and counts as a new account. The old account stays on your report, but the new one starts from zero. If you're unsure about closing, consider downgrading to a no-fee version instead.