Call Bank of America to close your card, not the website
Bank of America requires you to close a credit card by phone, not online. Call the customer service number on the back of your card or 1-800-432-1000. Have your card number ready. A representative will confirm your identity, ask why you're closing the account, and process the closure on the call.
Closing by phone matters because it creates a record of your request and lets you confirm the card is actually closed before you hang up. If you try to close online through your Bank of America account, you won't find a closure option — the system doesn't offer it. Sending a letter works but takes weeks and leaves room for miscommunication.
The entire call usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. The representative may offer you a retention offer (a lower interest rate, a bonus, or a fee waiver) to keep the card open. You can accept or decline. Either way, once you say you want to close it, they will process it.
Key Takeaways
- Call 1-800-432-1000 or the number on your card to close your Bank of America credit card — the website does not have a closure option.
- Pay off your full balance before closing, or your remaining balance will still be owed and you'll receive monthly statements until it's paid.
- Closing a card lowers your total available credit, which can raise your credit utilization ratio and temporarily lower your credit score.
- After closure, keep your final statement and monitor your credit report to confirm the card shows as closed.
What to do before you call
Pay your balance to zero before closing. If you have a balance when you close the account, you still owe that money. Bank of America will continue to charge interest on it and send you monthly statements. You'll have to keep making payments on a closed card, which is more hassle than paying it off first.
Check your recent statements for any recurring charges tied to this card — subscriptions, insurance payments, gym memberships, or automatic bill payments. Move those to another card or payment method before you close. If you forget, those payments will fail and you may face late fees or service interruptions.
Write down your card number, the last four digits, and today's date. After you close the card, you'll want to reference this information if there are any questions later.
What happens to your credit when you close the card
Closing a credit card affects your credit score in two ways. First, it lowers your total available credit. If you had a $5,000 limit and you close that card, your available credit drops by $5,000. This raises your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your total credit limit that you're using across all cards. A higher utilization ratio can lower your score by 10 to 50 points, depending on how much credit you have left.
Second, closing a card removes it from your active account history. If this card was one of your oldest accounts, closing it shortens your average account age, which can also lower your score slightly. The impact is usually temporary — your score typically recovers within a few months as the closure ages.
If you're concerned about the score impact, you can wait to close the card until after a major credit event (like a mortgage or car loan application) is complete. But if you're paying an annual fee or the card no longer serves you, the long-term benefit of closing it usually outweighs the short-term score dip.
What to expect after the call
Bank of America will send you a confirmation letter within 7 to 10 business days. Keep this letter. It's your proof that you requested closure and the date you closed the account. If there's ever a dispute about whether the card was closed, this letter is your documentation.
Your final statement will arrive within 30 to 45 days. This statement shows your last balance, any final interest charges, and the closure date. Keep this as well. If you had a balance when you closed, you'll continue to receive statements each month until the balance is paid in full.
Check your credit report 30 to 60 days after closure to confirm the card shows as "closed by consumer" or "closed at consumer's request." You can view your credit report free once per year at annualcreditreport.com. If the card still shows as open after two months, call Bank of America again to confirm the closure went through.
If you want to reopen the card later
Bank of America may reopen a closed card if you ask within a short window — usually 30 to 60 days, though this varies. Call the same number and explain that you'd like to reopen the account. They'll review your request and may approve it without a new application.
After that window closes, reopening becomes harder. Bank of America may treat a reopen request as a new application, which means a hard inquiry on your credit report and a new account in your history. If you think you might want the card back, ask the representative during your closure call how long you have to request a reopen.
Alternatives if you want to keep the card but stop using it
You don't have to close a card to stop using it. You can simply put it away and use other cards instead. The account stays open, your credit limit stays available, and your utilization ratio stays lower. Bank of America may eventually close the account for inactivity (usually after 12 months with no charges), but you control the timeline.
The downside is that you'll still pay an annual fee if the card has one. If the card has no annual fee, there's no cost to keeping it open. If it does charge a fee and you don't want to pay it, closing is the right move.
If you're closing because of a high interest rate or poor rewards, but the card has no annual fee, consider keeping it open instead. The credit score benefit of keeping your available credit high usually outweighs the cost of an unused card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing my card hurt my credit score?
Yes, temporarily. Your score may drop 10 to 50 points because your available credit decreases and your utilization ratio rises. The impact is usually largest in the first month and recovers within three to six months. If you're planning a major credit application, close the card after, not before.
What if I have a balance when I close?
You still owe the money. Bank of America will continue to charge interest and send statements until the balance is paid. Pay it off first to avoid months of interest charges and statements on a closed account.
Can I close the card online?
No. Bank of America does not offer online closure. You must call 1-800-432-1000 or the number on your card. Closing by phone creates a record and confirms the closure immediately.
How long does it take for the card to actually close?
The closure is processed during your call, but it may take a few business days to show in your account. Your confirmation letter will arrive within 7 to 10 days. Check your credit report 30 to 60 days later to confirm it shows as closed.
What if Bank of America offers me a deal to keep the card open?
Listen to the offer, but only accept if it actually changes your situation. A lower interest rate helps only if you carry a balance. A bonus helps only if you'll use the card. If you've decided the card doesn't work for you, decline and proceed with closure.