Close your Bank of America credit card by phone, online, or in person

You can close a Bank of America credit card through three routes: calling the customer service number on the back of your card, logging into your online account and requesting closure, or visiting a Bank of America branch in person. The fastest method is usually the phone call, which takes about 10 minutes. Before you close the account, pay off any remaining balance and check that no pending charges are still processing—the card will stop working when ready after closure, even if you have authorized recurring payments set up.

Bank of America will send you written confirmation of the closure within 7 to 10 business days. The account will show as "closed" on your credit report, but it will remain visible for up to 10 years. This matters because closing a credit card can temporarily lower your credit score if it was one of your older accounts or if it held a large portion of your available credit.

Key Takeaways

  • Call the number on the back of your card, have your account number ready, and confirm the representative has processed the closure request before hanging up.
  • Pay off your full balance before closing, and cancel any automatic payments linked to the card so they do not fail.
  • Your credit score may dip temporarily because closing an account reduces your total available credit and can affect your credit history length.
  • Bank of America sends written confirmation of closure within 7 to 10 business days, and the closed account remains on your credit report for up to 10 years.
  • If you want to keep the account open but stop using it, you can straightforward cut up the card and leave the account inactive instead of closing it.

Prepare your account before closing

Check your account balance and pay it in full before you request closure. If you have a balance remaining, Bank of America will not close the account until it is paid. You can pay online through your Bank of America account, by phone, by mail, or at a branch.

Review any recurring charges tied to the card—subscriptions, insurance payments, gym memberships, or utility bills. Contact each company and update your payment method to a different card or bank account. If you close the card while recurring charges are still scheduled, those payments will fail, and you may face late fees or service interruptions.

If you have rewards points or cash back pending, redeem them before closure. After the account closes, you may lose access to unredeemed rewards, depending on your specific card's terms.

Close the account by phone

Call the customer service number printed on the back of your Bank of America credit card. Have your account number and the last four digits of your Social Security number ready. Wait times are typically shorter early in the morning on weekdays.

Tell the representative you want to close the account. They will ask why you are closing it—this is optional to answer, but some representatives may offer retention deals if you say you are switching to another bank. If you want to close the account, say so clearly. The representative will confirm your identity, verify the account balance is zero, and process the closure request.

Before you hang up, ask the representative to provide a confirmation number and confirm that the account is marked for closure. Write down the confirmation number and the date and time of the call. This protects you if there is a dispute later about whether the closure was requested.

Close the account online or in person

To close your account online, log into your Bank of America account at bankofamerica.com. Navigate to your credit card account, look for account settings or account management options, and select the option to close the account. You may see a message asking you to confirm, and Bank of America may offer you a reason to keep the account open. Proceed with closure if you are certain.

If you prefer to close the account in person, visit any Bank of America branch with a photo ID and your account number. A banker can process the closure when ready and provide you with a receipt. This method works well if you have questions or want to discuss the closure with someone face-to-face.

What happens after you close the account

Your card will stop working when ready. Any pending transactions that have not yet posted may still go through, so monitor your account for the next 5 to 7 business days to catch any unexpected charges. If a charge posts after closure that you did not authorize, contact Bank of America right away to dispute it.

Bank of America will mail you written confirmation of the closure within 7 to 10 business days. Keep this letter in case you need proof that the account was closed on a specific date. The closed account will appear on your credit report as "closed by consumer" and will remain visible for up to 10 years, even though it is no longer active.

Understand the credit score impact

Closing a credit card typically lowers your credit score in the short term because it reduces your total available credit. If this card was one of your oldest accounts, the closure can also shorten your average account age, which factors into your credit score. The impact is usually temporary—your score typically recovers within a few months as long as you continue paying other accounts on time.

If you are concerned about the score impact, consider keeping the account open but inactive instead of closing it. You can cut up the card so you do not use it, and the account will still count toward your available credit and account history. There is no annual fee on most Bank of America credit cards, so keeping it open costs you nothing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reopen a Bank of America credit card after I close it?

Bank of America may reopen a recently closed account if you contact them within a short window, usually 30 to 60 days. After that, you would need to submit a new process. Contact customer service to ask whether your specific account can be reopened.

What if I have a pending balance transfer on my card?

You cannot close the account while a balance transfer is in progress. Wait until the transfer is complete and the balance is paid off, then request closure. If you close the account before the transfer posts, it may be rejected.

Will closing my card hurt my credit if I have other accounts?

The impact is smaller if you have multiple other credit cards or accounts. Your credit score may dip slightly, but the effect is usually temporary. If this is your only credit card, closing it will have a larger impact because your available credit drops to zero.

Do I need to do anything after I receive the confirmation letter?

Keep the confirmation letter for your records. You do not need to take any further action. If you see the account still appearing on your credit report after 30 days, contact Bank of America to verify the closure was processed correctly.

What if Bank of America will not let me close the account?

Bank of America will not close an account if you have an outstanding balance. Pay the balance in full first. If there is another issue preventing closure, ask the representative what the problem is and what you need to do to resolve it.