The basic steps to close a Chase credit card
To close a Chase credit card, call the customer service number on the back of your card, tell the representative you want to close the account, and they will process it over the phone. The entire call usually takes fewer than five minutes. Before you call, pay off any remaining balance — Chase will not close an account with an outstanding balance, and you will continue to owe interest on it until it is paid.
After you hang up, the account closes when ready, but the card itself remains valid for a few days while the system updates. You can throw away the physical card or cut it up. Chase will send you a written confirmation of the closure within one to two weeks, and the account will stop appearing on your credit report after seven years.
If you prefer not to call, you can also close the account through the Chase mobile app or website by going to your account settings, though phone closure is faster and gives you a confirmation number on the spot.
Key Takeaways
- You must pay off the full balance before Chase will close your account; they will not process a closure if you owe money.
- Call the number on the back of your card, confirm your identity, and tell the representative you want to close the account — no reason is required.
- The account closes when ready, but you will receive written confirmation in the mail within one to two weeks.
- A closed account stays on your credit report for seven years and may temporarily lower your credit score because it reduces your total available credit.
What happens to your credit score when you close a Chase card
Closing a credit card typically lowers your credit score in the short term because it reduces your total available credit. If you had a $5,000 limit and closed that card, your available credit drops by $5,000, which can raise your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your total credit limit that you are currently using. A higher utilization ratio signals more risk to lenders and can cause your score to dip by 10 to 50 points, depending on how much credit you have available elsewhere.
The impact is usually temporary. Your score will begin to recover within a few months as the closed account ages and other factors in your credit history become more prominent. However, the account itself will remain on your credit report for seven years, which means it will continue to count toward your credit history length — a factor that helps your score over time.
If you want to minimize the damage, close the card with the lowest credit limit or the one you have had the shortest time, and keep your other cards open. Closing your oldest card or your card with the highest limit will have a larger impact on your score.
Paying off the balance before closure
You cannot close a Chase account while you carry a balance. Before you call to close, log into your Chase account online or through the app, check your current balance, and make a payment to bring it to zero. If you have pending transactions that have not posted yet, wait a day or two for them to appear, then pay those as well.
If you have a promotional 0% interest period that is still active, closing the account will end the promotion when ready, and any remaining balance will start accruing interest at the regular rate. For this reason, it is better to wait until the promotional period ends or the balance is paid off before you close.
Once your balance shows zero in your account, you are ready to call. The representative will confirm the balance one more time during the call, and if it is truly zero, they will process the closure.
What to do with recurring charges and autopay
Before you close the account, go through your recent statements and identify any subscriptions or recurring charges that are set to charge this card. Common examples are streaming services, gym memberships, insurance payments, and utility bills. Contact each company and update your payment method to a different card or bank account, or cancel the service if you no longer want it.
If you forget to update a recurring charge and it tries to post after the account is closed, the transaction will be declined. The merchant may then contact you for a new payment method, or the service may be suspended. Checking your statements for the past two to three months is the fastest way to catch these.
Also check whether you have set up autopay for any bills using this card. Log into your Chase account, go to the autopay or bill pay section, and remove this card from any automatic payments before you close.
Timing: when to close versus when to keep the card open
If you are closing the card because you want to reduce the number of accounts you manage, closing it is straightforward. However, if you are closing it because you are unhappy with the card's rewards or benefits, consider whether keeping it open costs you anything. Many Chase cards have no annual fee, which means there is no cost to leaving it open and unused.
Keeping an old card open, even if you never use it, helps your credit score because it preserves your available credit and lengthens your average account age. If the card has an annual fee and you do not use the rewards, closing it makes sense. If it has no annual fee, the score impact of closing it usually outweighs any benefit.
If you are planning to explore for a mortgage, auto loan, or another large loan in the next few months, closing a card right before you explore will temporarily lower your score and may affect your loan terms. It is better to close the card after you have been approved and the loan has closed.
After the account closes: what to expect
Once the account is closed, you will no longer be able to use the card for purchases, and you cannot reopen the same account. If you change your mind, you would have to explore for a new Chase card, which would be treated as a new account with a new credit limit and a new approval process.
Chase will mail you a written confirmation of the closure to the address on file. Keep this letter in case you ever need proof that the account was closed in good standing. If you dispute a charge that appears on this card after closure, you can still contact Chase to investigate it — closed accounts remain subject to dispute procedures for a limited time.
The closed account will continue to appear on your credit report for seven years from the date of closure. During this time, it will show as "closed by consumer" or "closed by cardholder," which is a neutral or slightly positive notation. After seven years, the account will fall off your credit report entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close a Chase credit card with a balance on it?
No. Chase requires the balance to be zero before they will process a closure. If you try to close with an outstanding balance, the representative will tell you to pay it first. You can pay over the phone during the same call if you want, then call back to close once the payment posts.
Will closing my Chase card hurt my credit score?
It may lower your score temporarily because it reduces your available credit. The impact is usually 10 to 50 points and depends on how much other credit you have. The effect typically fades within a few months, and the account will help your credit history for seven years after closure.
What if I have a rewards balance I haven't redeemed?
Redeem your rewards before you close the account. Log into your Chase account, go to the rewards section, and convert your points or cash back to a statement credit or transfer. Once the account is closed, you may lose access to unredeemed rewards, depending on the card's terms.
Can I reopen a Chase credit card after I close it?
You cannot reopen the exact same account. If you change your mind, you would have to explore for a new Chase card. The new process would be a fresh approval, and you would receive a new account number and credit limit.
How long does it take for the account to close?
The account closes when ready when the representative processes it over the phone. You will receive written confirmation in the mail within one to two weeks. The account may take a few days to stop appearing in your online account list as you navigate the Chase website.