Cancel Your Chase Card by Phone or Online

You can cancel a Chase credit card in two ways: by calling Chase customer service or by using the Chase mobile app or website. Calling is faster and gives you a chance to ask about retention offers before the card closes. If you use the app or website, you will navigate to your account settings and request closure there, though you won't hear counteroffers in real time.

Before you cancel, pay off any remaining balance. Chase will close the account whether or not you have a balance, but you'll still owe what you charged. After cancellation, you can't make new purchases on that card, though you can continue paying down any debt.

The cancellation itself takes effect when ready, but it may take a few business days for Chase to process the request and send you written confirmation. Keep that confirmation for your records.

Key Takeaways

  • Call Chase at the number on the back of your card to cancel, or use the Chase app or website to request closure through your account settings.
  • Pay off your balance before you cancel, because closing the account does not erase what you owe.
  • Canceling a card may lower your credit score temporarily because it reduces your total available credit and can raise your credit utilization ratio.
  • Chase may offer you a retention bonus or lower interest rate to keep the card open—ask before you confirm the cancellation.
  • Request written confirmation of the cancellation and keep it with your records.

Call Chase Customer Service to Cancel

The fastest way to cancel is to call the number on the back of your Chase card. You will reach a representative who can process the cancellation when ready. Have your card number and account PIN ready when you call.

Before you confirm the cancellation, ask the representative if Chase can offer you a retention bonus, a lower interest rate, or waived annual fee to keep the card open. These offers are not automatic, and the representative has some discretion to make them. If you don't ask, you won't hear them.

Once you confirm the cancellation, the representative will give you a confirmation number. Write it down and ask for the spelling of the representative's name as well. This information protects you if there's a dispute later about whether the card was actually closed.

Cancel Through the Chase App or Website

Log into your Chase account on the app or at chase.com. Navigate to your account settings or card details page—the exact path varies depending on whether you use the app or the website, but both have a "Manage Account" or "Account Settings" section.

Look for an option to close the account or request cancellation. Chase will ask you to confirm your request and may show you a retention offer at this stage. If you proceed, the system will process the closure and show you a confirmation number on screen.

Screenshot or write down the confirmation number and the date. Chase will send you written confirmation by mail within a few business days. If you don't receive it within two weeks, call customer service to verify the cancellation went through.

What Happens to Your Credit After Cancellation

Closing a credit card affects your credit score in two ways. First, it reduces your total available credit, which can raise your credit utilization ratio—the percentage of your credit limit you're using across all cards. A higher utilization ratio can lower your score. Second, the account closure itself may cause a small dip, though this usually recovers within a few months.

The impact is usually temporary and smaller if you have other cards open and a low balance on them. If you're planning to explore for a loan or mortgage soon, canceling a card in the weeks before you explore can work against you. If you're not explore for credit in the near term, the effect is minor.

The closed account will stay on your credit report for up to 10 years, which is actually helpful—it shows a history of responsible credit use. You don't need to do anything about this; it happens automatically.

Pay Off Your Balance Before You Cancel

If you have a balance on the card, pay it off before you request the cancellation. Closing the account does not erase the debt—you will still owe Chase whatever you charged, and they will still charge you interest on it.

After the account closes, you can continue making payments on the remaining balance through your Chase account online or by phone. The card itself won't work for new purchases, but the debt remains active until you pay it off.

If you have a large balance and want to move it to another card with a lower interest rate, do that before you cancel. Once the account is closed, you can't transfer the balance out.

What to Do With the Physical Card

After you cancel, destroy the physical card by cutting it in half or shredding it. Don't throw it away intact, because someone could find it and attempt to use the number.

You don't need to return the card to Chase—they don't require it. Destroying it yourself is the safest option. If the card is already expired or damaged, you can straightforward discard it after cutting it up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will canceling my Chase card hurt my credit score?

Yes, but usually only temporarily. Your score may drop a few points because closing the account reduces your available credit and can raise your credit utilization ratio. The impact is smaller if you have other cards open with low balances. The dip typically recovers within a few months.

Can I cancel a Chase card with an annual fee?

Yes. If you're canceling because of the annual fee, call first and ask if Chase will waive it or lower it. If they won't, you can cancel without penalty. You won't be charged a fee for closing the account.

What if I have a balance when I cancel?

You can still cancel, but you will owe the balance. Chase will continue to charge you interest on it until you pay it off. Pay the balance before you cancel if you can, or transfer it to another card with a lower rate first.

How long does it take for Chase to close my account?

The cancellation takes effect when ready when you request it, but it may take a few business days for Chase to process it fully and send you written confirmation. Check your account online after a few days to confirm the status shows as closed.

Can I reopen a Chase card after I cancel it?

It depends on how long ago you canceled and the specific card. Some Chase cards can be reopened within a certain window if you call and request it. Call Chase customer service to ask whether your card can be reopened and what the requirements are.