Call Chase or use their website to close your account
The fastest way to close a Chase credit card is to call the number on the back of your card and ask to speak with an account services representative. They will confirm your identity, ask why you want to close the account, and process the closure over the phone. The call usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. You can also close the account online through your Chase account dashboard under "Account Services" or "Manage Your Account," though some cardholders report the online option is not always visible depending on the card type.
Before you call or log in, pay off any remaining balance on the card. Chase will not close an account with an outstanding balance, and you will continue to owe interest on that balance even after closure. If you have pending transactions that have not yet posted, wait for them to clear first — closing the account while transactions are in flight can cause processing problems.
Key Takeaways
- Pay your full balance before closing; Chase will not close an account with money owed.
- Call the number on your card or use your online Chase account to request closure; the phone route is usually faster.
- Ask for written confirmation of the closure and keep it for your records.
- Closing a card can lower your credit score temporarily because it reduces your total available credit and may raise your credit utilization ratio.
- If you have rewards points, redeem them before closing — points may be forfeited after the account closes.
What happens to your rewards points and cash back
Chase handles rewards differently depending on the card. With most Chase cards, you can redeem your points or cash back before closing, and the redemption will post to your account. Some cards allow you to transfer points to a travel partner or another Chase card you own. Check your rewards balance in your Chase account and redeem what you have before you call to close.
If you close the account before redeeming, you risk losing your points. Chase's terms state that rewards may be forfeited upon account closure, though some cardholders have had points honored after calling back. Do not count on this. Redeem first, close second.
How closing affects your credit score
Closing a credit card typically lowers your credit score in the short term, usually by 5 to 50 points depending on your overall credit profile. This happens for two reasons: your total available credit shrinks, which can raise your credit utilization ratio (the percentage of your total credit limit you are using), and the account closure is recorded on your credit report.
The impact is usually temporary. Your score will recover over time as the closure ages on your report and as you continue to pay other accounts on time. If you are planning to apply for a mortgage, auto loan, or other major credit in the next few months, closing a card right before that application can work against you. If you are not borrowing soon, the timing matters less.
Keeping the account open without using it
If you want to preserve your credit score but do not want to use the card, you can keep it open and simply not charge anything to it. There is no penalty for an inactive card as long as it has no annual fee. Chase will not close an account just because you are not using it, though they may close it after a very long period of inactivity — typically two to three years with no activity at all.
If your Chase card does have an annual fee, you will be charged that fee every year even if you do not use the card. In that case, closing makes more financial sense than paying to keep it open. Check your card's terms to see whether an annual fee applies.
What to do after you close the account
After Chase confirms the closure, request written confirmation by email or mail. Keep this confirmation in your records. Your card will stop working immediately, though the account will remain on your credit report for seven to ten years (longer for negative marks like late payments). This is normal and does not mean the account is still active.
If you see charges on the closed account after closure, contact Chase immediately. Fraudulent charges can still occur on closed accounts, and you have the right to dispute them. Check your credit report a few weeks after closure to make sure it reflects the account as closed. You can order a free credit report from each of the three major bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — once per year at annualcreditreport.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Chase let me close the account over the phone without talking to a representative?
No. Chase requires you to speak with a representative or use their online portal to close an account. They do this to confirm your identity and reduce fraud. The phone call is brief, and you can request closure without answering detailed questions about why you want to close it.
What if I have a zero balance but still owe interest?
If you have paid the full statement balance but interest has accrued on previous balances, you still owe that interest. Pay it before closing. Interest will continue to accrue on any remaining balance even after the account is closed.
Can I reopen a Chase credit card after I close it?
You can apply for the same card again, but Chase will treat it as a new application. You will go through the full approval process, and there is no may provide you will be approved. Closing and reopening also generates a new hard inquiry on your credit report, which can lower your score slightly.
What if I have an authorized user on the account?
When you close the account, the authorized user's card will stop working. Notify them before you close so they are not surprised when their card is declined. The account closure will appear on their credit report as well if they are a co-owner, but not if they are only an authorized user.
Do I need to destroy the physical card after closing?
Yes. Cut the card in half or shred it so it cannot be used. The card will not work after closure, but destroying it prevents someone from finding it and attempting to use it.