Call Synchrony customer service to request cancellation

To cancel a Synchrony credit card, call the customer service number on the back of your card. Have your card number and account information ready. The representative will confirm your identity, ask why you're closing the account, and process the cancellation on the call. The card is closed immediately, though any pending transactions may still post.

Synchrony operates multiple store-branded cards (Amazon, Target, Lowe's, Best Buy, and others) and a few co-branded cards. Each has the same cancellation process, but the customer service number varies by card. The number on your card's back connects you to the right department for your specific card.

You do not need to visit a store or submit written requests. Phone cancellation is the standard method and takes about five minutes. Ask the representative to confirm the cancellation in writing if you want documentation, though most will note it in your account immediately.

Key Takeaways

  • Call the customer service number on your card's back to cancel; the representative will process it immediately over the phone.
  • Pay any remaining balance before or during the call, as closing an account with an outstanding balance does not erase the debt.
  • Request written confirmation of the cancellation if you want a record, though the representative will document it in your account.
  • Your credit report will show the account as closed, which may temporarily lower your credit score if this card represented a large portion of your available credit.
  • Pending transactions may still post after cancellation, so check your account for a few days to confirm all charges have cleared.

Pay your balance before canceling

If your card has a balance, you must pay it before or during the cancellation call. Closing an account does not forgive the debt. You can pay over the phone with a bank account or another card, or you can pay online through your Synchrony account before calling.

If you have a promotional 0% interest period, closing the card does not end it—you will still owe the balance at 0% until the promotion expires. After that, interest accrues on any remaining balance at the card's regular APR. Paying the full balance before cancellation avoids this entirely.

If you cannot pay the full balance, you can still cancel the card. The account closes, but you remain responsible for the debt. Synchrony will send you monthly statements and accept payments on the closed account until the balance reaches zero.

What happens to pending charges and recurring payments

Transactions you authorized before cancellation may still post after the card closes. This is normal. Merchants have a window of time to submit charges, and the card network processes them even after the account is closed. Check your account for three to five days after cancellation to confirm all charges have cleared.

If you have recurring payments set to this card—subscriptions, insurance premiums, utility bills—they will fail after cancellation. Update those merchants with a new payment method before you cancel, or contact them immediately after to prevent service interruptions or late fees. Synchrony will not process new charges on a closed account.

If a charge posts after cancellation that you did not authorize, you can dispute it. Contact Synchrony within 60 days of the charge appearing on your statement. The dispute process is the same for closed accounts as for open ones.

How cancellation affects your credit score

Closing a credit card can lower your credit score, usually by 5 to 10 points, though the impact varies by your overall credit profile. The main reason is the change in your credit utilization ratio—the percentage of your total available credit that you are using. If the Synchrony card represented a large portion of your available credit, closing it reduces your total available credit and raises your utilization percentage, which lowers your score.

The impact is temporary. Your score typically recovers within a few months as long as you pay other accounts on time. If you have other cards with low balances, the effect is usually minimal.

Your credit report will show the account as "closed by consumer" or "closed by cardholder," which is neutral information. It does not harm your score beyond the utilization change. The account will remain on your report for seven to ten years, even after it is closed.

Canceling a store card versus a general-purpose Synchrony card

Synchrony issues cards under many store brands—Amazon, Target, Lowe's, Best Buy, Walmart, and others—as well as a few standalone cards like the Synchrony High Yield Savings Card. The cancellation process is identical regardless of which card you hold, but the customer service number on your card connects you to the right department.

Store-branded cards often offer in-store discounts or financing promotions. Closing the card does not end any active promotional financing you have on purchases made before cancellation. You still owe the balance at the promotional rate until the promotion expires. However, you cannot use the card for new purchases or new financing offers once it is closed.

If you have a store loyalty account separate from the credit card, closing the card does not close your loyalty account. You can still earn points or rewards through the store's loyalty program using a different payment method.

What to do if you want to keep the account open but stop using it

If you are unsure about canceling, you can simply stop using the card instead. Close it in a drawer and leave the account open. This preserves your available credit and keeps the account history on your credit report, both of which help your credit score.

Synchrony may close inactive accounts on their own after 12 to 24 months of no activity, though this varies by card type. If you want to keep the account open indefinitely, use it occasionally—a small purchase every few months is enough. You can pay it off immediately to avoid interest.

If the card has an annual fee, you will continue to be charged even if you do not use it. In that case, cancellation is usually the better choice unless the card's benefits justify the fee.

Confirming the cancellation and next steps

After you hang up, log into your Synchrony account online or through the mobile app to confirm the cancellation. The account should show as closed. If it still appears open after 24 hours, call back to verify the cancellation was processed.

You will receive a final statement in the mail showing the account as closed. This typically arrives within 30 days. Keep this statement for your records. If you have a remaining balance, you will continue to receive statements until it is paid in full.

Destroy the physical card once you confirm the cancellation. Cut it in half or shred it to prevent accidental use or fraud. You do not need to return it to Synchrony.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel a Synchrony card online?

No. Synchrony requires phone cancellation. You cannot close the account through the website or mobile app. Call the number on your card's back to speak with a representative. Some cards may offer a chat option on the website, but phone is the standard and fastest method.

Will canceling hurt my credit score?

It may lower your score slightly, usually by 5 to 10 points, because closing the card reduces your available credit and raises your utilization ratio. The impact is temporary and typically recovers within a few months if you pay other accounts on time. The effect is smaller if you have other cards with low balances.

What if I have a balance I can't pay right now?

You can still cancel the card. The account closes, but you remain responsible for the debt. Synchrony will continue to send statements and accept payments on the closed account. Interest will accrue on the balance at the card's regular APR unless you are in a promotional 0% period, which continues even after cancellation.

Do I need to pay off the card before canceling?

You should pay the balance if you can, but it is not required to process the cancellation. If you have a balance, closing the account does not erase it. You will still owe the money and will be charged interest unless you are in a promotional period. Paying the full balance before cancellation is the cleanest option.

What happens to my rewards or points when I cancel?

Rewards or points you have already earned are usually forfeited when you close the account, depending on the card's terms. Check your card's rewards program rules before canceling. Some cards allow you to redeem points before closing; others do not. Call Synchrony to ask about your specific card's policy before you cancel.