Call Southwest's card issuer to cancel, not Southwest Airlines itself
To cancel a Southwest credit card, you call the phone number on the back of your card — not Southwest Airlines customer service. The card is issued by Chase, so you're calling Chase's customer service line. They handle the cancellation, not the airline.
The process takes about five minutes. Have your card in front of you when you call. A representative will confirm your identity, ask why you're canceling (they may offer retention deals), and then close the account. You'll receive written confirmation in the mail within a few days.
Before you call, pay off any remaining balance on the card. You can still use the card after cancellation until the balance is paid, but closing an account with an outstanding balance can complicate things and may affect your credit score more than closing a paid-off account.
Key Takeaways
- Call the number on the back of your Southwest card to reach Chase customer service, where the actual cancellation happens.
- Pay off your full balance before canceling so the account closes cleanly and your credit report reflects a zero balance.
- Canceling a card you've had for years will lower your average account age, which may temporarily dip your credit score.
- If you have Southwest Rapid Rewards points, redeem or transfer them before canceling, because closing the account may affect your ability to use them later.
What happens to your rewards points when you cancel
Your Southwest Rapid Rewards points stay in your account after you cancel the card — the card and the rewards account are separate. You can still redeem points for flights, seat upgrades, or other rewards through your Southwest Rapid Rewards account online.
However, some rewards programs have rules about inactive accounts. If you don't use your Rapid Rewards account for a long period, Southwest may close it and forfeit your points. To be safe, redeem your points before canceling the card, or log into your Rapid Rewards account every few months after cancellation to keep it active.
The credit score impact of canceling
Closing a credit card affects your credit score in two ways. First, it reduces your total available credit, which raises your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your credit limit you're using across all cards. A higher utilization ratio can lower your score by a few points.
Second, closing an account you've had for years removes that account's age from your average account age calculation. Older accounts help your score, so closing one can cause a small dip. The impact is usually temporary and recovers within a few months if you keep other accounts in good standing.
If your score is important right now — you're applying for a mortgage or car loan soon — consider waiting a few months after cancellation before you apply. If you're not applying for credit soon, the impact is minor enough not to worry about.
Timing your cancellation around annual fees
Southwest credit cards typically charge an annual fee, usually between $69 and $99 depending on the card version. If you've already paid the annual fee for the current year, you can cancel immediately and won't get a refund.
If your annual fee is coming up in the next month or two, you have a choice: cancel now and avoid the fee, or wait until after the fee posts and then cancel. Some people call a few days before the fee is due and ask Chase to waive it as a retention offer. If they refuse, you can cancel right after the fee posts and dispute the charge if you feel it was unfair, though this rarely succeeds.
Check your account online or your most recent statement to see when your annual fee is scheduled to post. This small bit of timing can save you $70 or more.
What to do with the physical card after cancellation
After Chase confirms the cancellation, cut up the card or shred it so it can't be used. You don't need to return it to Chase — destroying it yourself is standard practice. If you're worried about fraud, you can also call Chase back and ask them to deactivate the card number immediately, though it will be deactivated automatically once the account closes.
If you have an authorized user card (a second card linked to your account for someone else), that card will also stop working once you cancel. Let the authorized user know before you call so they're not surprised when their card declines.
If you want to keep the rewards account but close the card
You can keep your Southwest Rapid Rewards account open even after you cancel the credit card. The rewards account and the credit card are two separate things. Once you cancel the card, you simply won't earn new points from credit card purchases, but you can still redeem existing points and earn them through flights booked directly with Southwest.
This is useful if you have a balance of points you want to use later but don't want to pay the annual fee on the card anymore. Just make sure you log into your Rapid Rewards account periodically to keep it active, or Southwest may close it due to inactivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will canceling hurt my credit score?
Yes, but usually only slightly and temporarily. Your score may drop a few points because your available credit decreases and your average account age changes. The impact typically recovers within a few months if you keep other accounts in good standing and don't miss any payments.
Can I cancel over the phone or do I have to go to a branch?
You can cancel entirely over the phone by calling the number on the back of your card. You do not need to visit a Chase branch or do anything in person. Phone cancellation is the standard method.
What if Chase offers me a deal to keep the card?
When you call to cancel, the representative may offer to waive the annual fee for a year or give you bonus points to stay. You can accept or decline. If you've decided you don't want the card, declining is fine — there's no penalty for saying no.
Do I need to pay off my balance before I cancel?
You don't have to, but you should. Canceling with an outstanding balance can complicate your credit report and may hurt your score more than canceling a paid-off account. Pay the balance first, then cancel.
What happens to my points if I don't use them before canceling?
Your points stay in your Rapid Rewards account and don't disappear just because you canceled the card. However, if your Rapid Rewards account becomes inactive for a long time, Southwest may close it and forfeit your points. Redeem your points before canceling, or log in to your account every few months to keep it active.