Call Chase customer service to cancel your card

The fastest way to cancel a Chase credit card is to call the number on the back of your card and ask to speak with a representative. Have your card number ready. The representative will ask why you're canceling and may offer you a retention offer — a reduced annual fee, bonus points, or a statement credit — to keep the account open. You can accept or decline.

If you decline the offer, the representative will process the cancellation immediately. They'll confirm your card number, the effective date (usually the same day), and whether you have an outstanding balance. If you do owe money, you'll need to pay it before or after cancellation — the account doesn't close until the balance is zero.

Chase customer service is available seven days a week. Call times vary by card type, but most lines open at 7 a.m. Eastern time. If you're calling during peak hours (weekday mornings), expect to wait 10 to 20 minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • Call the number on your Chase card to cancel; a representative can process it in one call and will often offer you a reason to stay.
  • You must pay any remaining balance on the card before or after cancellation, but the account won't fully close until it reaches zero.
  • Canceling a card can lower your credit score temporarily because it reduces your total available credit and may raise your credit utilization ratio.
  • If you want to keep the account open but stop using the card, you can ask the representative to close it to new charges instead of canceling it entirely.
  • After cancellation, keep the card for 30 days in case Chase needs to verify the closure, then cut it up or shred it.

Understand what happens to your credit when you cancel

Canceling a credit card affects your credit score in two ways. First, it reduces your total available credit. If you had a $5,000 limit on that card and a $10,000 limit on another card, your total available credit drops from $15,000 to $10,000. Second, if you carry a balance on your other cards, your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of available credit you're using — goes up. Both changes can lower your score by 10 to 50 points, depending on how much credit you have in use.

The impact is usually temporary. Your score typically recovers within three to six months as long as you keep other accounts in good standing and don't miss payments. If you're planning to apply for a mortgage or car loan soon, consider waiting to cancel until after you've been approved, since lenders check your credit score during the application process.

Canceling an older card can also hurt your score more than canceling a newer one, because the age of your accounts matters. If the Chase card is one of your oldest accounts, closing it shortens your average account age, which can lower your score further.

Pay off your balance before or after cancellation

If you have a balance on the card when you cancel, you'll need to pay it off. Chase will not close the account until the balance reaches zero. You can pay the balance before you call to cancel, or you can cancel first and then pay the remaining amount.

If you pay after cancellation, Chase will send you a final bill showing the remaining balance and a due date. You can pay online through your Chase account, by phone, by mail, or in person at a Chase branch. Interest will continue to accrue on the remaining balance until it's paid in full, so paying before you cancel saves you interest charges.

If you have a promotional interest rate (0% APR for 12 months, for example), that rate may end when you cancel the card. Check your cardholder agreement or ask the representative what happens to your rate before you hang up.

Decide whether to close the card or stop using it

Before you call to cancel, consider whether you actually want to close the account or simply stop using the card. Closing the account has a bigger impact on your credit score because it removes available credit from your total. Stopping using the card but keeping the account open preserves that available credit and is gentler on your score.

If you want to keep the account open, tell the representative you'd like to close it to new charges but keep it active. Chase will freeze the card so you can't make new purchases, but the account stays open and the available credit counts toward your credit limit. You can reopen it to new charges later if you change your mind.

Keeping old accounts open also helps your credit score because it maintains your average account age. If the Chase card is one of your oldest accounts, keeping it open — even if you never use it — is better for your score than closing it.

Handle the card after cancellation

After the representative confirms the cancellation, keep the physical card for at least 30 days. Chase may need to verify the closure or contact you about the account, and having the card number available makes that faster. After 30 days, cut the card in half or shred it so the card number is no longer readable.

If you have automatic payments set up on the card — subscriptions, utilities, insurance — you'll need to update those before you cancel. Log into your Chase account and check for recurring charges. Move them to another card or payment method at least a week before you call to cancel. If you forget and a charge tries to post after cancellation, it will be declined and the merchant may charge you a late fee.

Check your credit report two to three months after cancellation to make sure Chase reported the closure correctly. You can view your credit report for free at annualcreditreport.com. If Chase didn't report it, contact them to correct it.

What to do if Chase offers you a retention deal

When you call to cancel, the representative will often offer you something to keep the card open — usually a statement credit, bonus points, or a waived annual fee for the next year. Whether to accept depends on whether you'll actually use the card and whether the offer is worth more than the annual fee.

If the card has a $95 annual fee and they offer you a $100 statement credit, that's a net gain of $5 and you should consider accepting, especially if you can use the card for a category where you earn bonus points (groceries, gas, travel). If they offer you 10,000 bonus points and the card's annual fee is $95, calculate whether those points are worth at least $95 to you. Most credit card points are worth 1 cent each, so 10,000 points equals roughly $100 in value.

If you genuinely don't want the card and the offer doesn't change that, decline politely and ask them to proceed with cancellation. You're not obligated to keep an account open just because they offered you something.

Cancel online or by mail if you prefer not to call

Chase does not offer cancellation through their website or mobile app. You must call or send a written request by mail. If you prefer not to call, you can write a letter to Chase requesting cancellation. Include your full name, card number, date of birth, and a clear statement that you want to cancel the account.

Mail the letter to the address on your statement or the back of your card. Send it via certified mail with return receipt so you have proof Chase received it. Cancellation by mail takes longer — usually two to three weeks — because Chase has to process the letter manually. You won't get a retention offer this way, and you won't know the cancellation is complete until you receive written confirmation.

Some people use this method if they want to avoid a sales pitch or if they're uncomfortable on the phone. It's a valid option, but calling is faster and gives you immediate confirmation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will canceling my Chase card hurt my credit score?

Yes, but usually temporarily. Your score may drop 10 to 50 points because canceling reduces your available credit and may raise your credit utilization ratio. The impact is typically worst in the first month and recovers within three to six months if you keep other accounts in good standing.

Can I cancel a Chase card if I still owe money on it?

Yes. Chase will process the cancellation even if you have a balance. The account won't fully close until the balance is paid, but the card itself is canceled immediately and you can't make new charges. Interest continues to accrue on the remaining balance.

What happens to my rewards points when I cancel?

Your rewards points don't disappear when you cancel the card. You can redeem them before or after cancellation through your Chase account online. If you don't redeem them, they stay in your account indefinitely, though some cards have terms that say points expire if the account is inactive for a long time.

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

The card itself is canceled immediately when you call, but the account may take 30 to 60 days to fully close, especially if you have a remaining balance. Chase will send you written confirmation of the closure. You should see the account disappear from your credit report within two to three months.

Can I reopen a Chase card after I cancel it?

It depends on how long ago you canceled it. If you canceled recently, Chase may reopen the account if you call and ask. If it's been more than a few months, Chase will likely treat a new request as a new application, which means a hard inquiry on your credit report and a new account age.