Call Bank of America's customer service line to cancel your card
The fastest way to close a Bank of America credit card is to call their customer service number on the back of your card. A representative will walk you through the cancellation, confirm your identity, and process the closure on the spot. The call usually takes five to ten minutes.
You can also cancel online through your Bank of America account if you log in and navigate to the card settings, though phone cancellation is more straightforward because the representative can answer questions about what happens to your balance or rewards points before you finalize the decision.
Have your card number ready when you call. If you're canceling because of fraud or a compromised card, mention that — the representative may expedite the process or issue a replacement card for your other accounts.
Key Takeaways
- Call the number on the back of your card to speak with a representative who can cancel immediately and answer questions about your balance or rewards.
- Pay off any remaining balance before you cancel, because closing an account with a balance doesn't erase what you owe.
- Redeem any rewards points before cancellation, since most programs close when the card is closed.
- Request written confirmation of the cancellation by email or mail so you have a record that the account is closed.
- Check your credit report a few weeks later to confirm the card shows as closed, in case the closure didn't process correctly.
Pay off your balance before canceling
Closing a credit card does not erase money you owe on it. If you have a balance when you cancel, you will still be responsible for paying it back, and Bank of America will continue to charge interest until the balance reaches zero.
The best practice is to pay the full balance before you call to cancel. If you cannot pay it all at once, pay as much as you can, then call to cancel. The account will close, but you can still make payments on the remaining balance by mail, phone, or through your online account.
If you cancel with an outstanding balance and then lose track of the account, the debt does not disappear — it can be reported to credit bureaus and eventually sent to a collection agency.
Redeem your rewards before the account closes
Bank of America credit cards often come with rewards programs — cash back, travel points, or other benefits. Most of these programs close when you cancel the card, so any points or cash back you have not yet redeemed will be lost.
Before you call to cancel, log into your account and check your rewards balance. Redeem what you have accumulated. The process varies by card type: some let you transfer points to a travel partner, others let you deposit cash back directly to a linked bank account, and some let you use points to pay down your balance.
If you are unsure how to redeem, call Bank of America before you cancel and ask a representative to walk you through it. Once the card is closed, you cannot recover unused rewards.
What happens to your credit score when you cancel
Closing a credit card can lower your credit score, usually by a small amount. This happens because closing an account reduces your total available credit, which changes your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your total credit limit that you are using across all cards.
For example, if you have two cards with $5,000 limits each and a $3,000 balance, your utilization is 30 percent. If you cancel one card, your total available credit drops to $5,000, and your utilization jumps to 60 percent. Credit scoring models view higher utilization as riskier, so your score may drop.
The impact is usually temporary. Your score will recover over time as you continue to pay bills on time and keep other accounts in good standing. If you are planning to apply for a loan or mortgage soon, consider waiting a few months after cancellation before you apply.
Request written confirmation of the cancellation
After the representative confirms that your card is closed, ask them to send you written confirmation by email or mail. This gives you a record that the account was officially closed on a specific date, which is useful if there are any disputes later.
Write down the date, time, and the representative's name during the call. If you received confirmation by email, save it. If Bank of America sends a letter, keep it with your financial records.
Some people do not receive confirmation in the mail, so email confirmation is often faster and easier to access later if you need it.
Check your credit report after cancellation
A few weeks after you cancel, check your credit report to confirm that the card shows as closed. You can view your credit report for free once per year at AnnualCreditReport.com, which is the official site run by the three major credit bureaus.
The closed account should appear on your report with a status of "closed" or "account closed by consumer." If it still shows as open after three or four weeks, contact Bank of America again to confirm the closure went through.
Occasionally a cancellation does not process correctly in the bank's system, and catching it early prevents confusion later if the account is accidentally reactivated or if a fraudulent charge appears on a card you thought was closed.
What to do if you want to keep the account open but stop using it
If you are not sure whether you want to cancel permanently, you have another option: keep the account open but stop using the card. This preserves your available credit and keeps the account history on your credit report, both of which can help your credit score.
The downside is that Bank of America may close the account for inactivity after a period of time — usually 12 to 24 months with no charges. If you want to keep it open, use the card occasionally for a small purchase and pay it off immediately.
This approach works well if you are canceling because you do not like the card's features or rewards, but you want to maintain the account history and credit limit for future use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel a Bank of America credit card online without calling?
You can initiate cancellation through your online account, but calling is faster and lets you ask questions before the account closes. If you choose to cancel online, log in, find the card settings, and look for a "close account" or "cancel card" option. You will still need to confirm your identity and may receive a call from Bank of America to verify.
What happens to my credit limit after I cancel?
Your credit limit for that specific card disappears, which lowers your total available credit. This can raise your credit utilization ratio if you carry balances on other cards. The closed account will remain on your credit report for seven to ten years, so the limit's history still counts toward your credit profile during that time.
Will I still owe money if I cancel with a balance?
Yes. Canceling the card does not erase the debt. You remain responsible for paying the balance, and Bank of America will continue to charge interest until it is paid off. You can make payments by phone, mail, or through your online account even after the card is closed.
How long does it take for the cancellation to show up on my credit report?
It usually takes two to four weeks for the closed account to appear on your credit report. During that time, the account may still show as open in the bank's system. If it has not updated after a month, contact Bank of America to confirm the closure processed correctly.
Can I reopen a Bank of America credit card after I cancel it?
Bank of America may let you reopen a recently closed account, but policies vary. Call customer service and ask whether your specific card can be reopened. If too much time has passed, you may need to apply for a new card instead, which will trigger a hard inquiry on your credit report.