The basic steps to close a Chase card
To close a Chase credit card, call the customer service number on the back of your card or log into your Chase online account and request cancellation. Chase will confirm your request, ask why you're closing the account (though you don't have to give a detailed reason), and process the closure. The account will be marked as closed on your credit report, but the card issuer will keep your account history on file for seven years.
Before you call, pay off any remaining balance. Chase will not close an account with an outstanding balance, and you'll continue to owe interest until it's paid. If you have a rewards balance or pending points, redeem them before closure — once the account closes, you typically have a limited window (usually 30 to 90 days, depending on the card) to use remaining rewards.
The entire process usually takes a few minutes on the phone or through your online account. You'll receive written confirmation by mail within one to two weeks. Keep this confirmation letter for your records.
Key Takeaways
- Pay your full balance before calling Chase to close the account, since the issuer will not process closure with an outstanding balance.
- Redeem any remaining rewards points or cash back before closure, as you'll have only 30 to 90 days to use them after the account closes.
- Call the number on the back of your card or use your Chase online account to request closure; the process takes a few minutes.
- Your closed account will remain on your credit report for seven years, which can affect your credit score in the short term due to reduced available credit.
Why your credit score may drop when you close a card
Closing a credit card reduces your total available credit, which raises your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your credit limit you're using across all cards. Even if you pay off the card before closing it, the loss of that available credit can cause your score to dip temporarily. The larger the credit limit on the card you're closing, the bigger the potential impact.
The closed account itself stays on your credit report and counts toward your credit history length, so closing a card doesn't erase your payment history with that issuer. However, it does remove an active account from your profile, which can lower your score slightly in the short term. Most people see the impact fade within a few months as other factors in their credit profile stabilize.
What happens to your rewards and cash back
Chase rewards points and cash back do not expire while your account is open and active. Once you close the account, you typically have 30 to 90 days to redeem any remaining balance, depending on the specific card. After that window closes, any unredeemed rewards are forfeited and cannot be recovered.
Check your account balance before you call to close. Log into your Chase account and look at your rewards or cash back total, then decide how you want to use it — you can redeem for a statement credit, transfer to a travel partner, or request a check. Complete this redemption before you request closure to avoid losing the balance.
Timing: when to close before an annual fee hits
If your Chase card has an annual fee, the timing of closure matters. Annual fees typically post on your account anniversary — the date you opened the card. If you close the account before the fee posts, you won't owe it. If you close after the fee has already posted, you can sometimes call and ask Chase to refund it, though this is not may provide.
Check your account statement or your Chase online account to see when your annual fee is scheduled to post. If it's coming up within the next few weeks, you can close the account before that date to avoid the charge. If the fee has already posted, call customer service and explain that you're closing the account; some cardholders report success in getting a one-time refund, but Chase is not obligated to grant it.
Whether to downgrade to a no-fee card instead
Before you close a card with an annual fee, ask Chase whether you can downgrade to a different card in their product line that has no annual fee. Downgrading keeps the account open and preserves your credit history and available credit, which is gentler on your credit score than closure. You'll keep the same account number and the same opening date, so your credit profile stays intact.
Not all Chase cards have a no-fee alternative. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve has no downgrade option, so closure is your only choice if you don't want to pay the annual fee. Call the number on the back of your card and ask whether a downgrade is available for your specific card. If it is, the process takes a few minutes and you'll receive a new physical card in the mail within one to two weeks.
What to do with the physical card after closure
Once your account is closed, you should destroy the physical card to prevent unauthorized use. Cut it into pieces or shred it — do not straightforward throw it in the trash. If you have multiple cards or authorized user cards on the account, destroy all of them.
You don't need to return the card to Chase. The account closure itself prevents anyone from using the card, even if they have the physical card in hand. However, destroying it removes any risk of accidental or fraudulent use and is a standard security practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing a Chase card hurt my credit score?
Yes, but usually only temporarily. Your score may drop by a few points in the short term because closing the account reduces your available credit and lowers your credit history length. Most people see the impact fade within a few months. The long-term effect is minimal because the closed account stays on your credit report for seven years.
Can I close my Chase card if I still have a balance?
No. You must pay off the entire balance before Chase will process the closure. You can continue to make payments on the card after closure, but the account must be at zero before you request it. Interest will continue to accrue on any unpaid balance until it's paid in full.
What happens to my rewards points after I close the account?
You have 30 to 90 days after closure to redeem any remaining rewards points or cash back. After that window, any unredeemed balance is forfeited. Redeem your rewards before you call to close the account to avoid losing them.
Can I reopen a Chase card after I close it?
Chase does not reopen closed accounts. If you change your mind, you would need to open a new account, which means a new account number and opening date. This resets your credit history length with that card, so it's better to downgrade to a no-fee card if you think you might want to keep the account active.
Do I need to call Chase to close my card, or can I do it online?
You can close your account either way. Log into your Chase online account and look for a "close account" or "account services" option, or call the number on the back of your card. Both methods take a few minutes, and you'll receive written confirmation by mail within one to two weeks.