The steps to close a Chase card, in order
Call Chase customer service at the number on the back of your card. Tell them you want to close the account. They will ask why, offer you retention deals (lower rates, bonus points, annual fee waivers), and try to talk you out of it. You can say no to all of it.
If you decide to close the card, Chase will confirm the account number, verify your identity, and process the closure over the phone. The account closes immediately. You do not need to mail anything in or visit a branch. Ask the representative to note in your file that you requested the closure, so there is a record if a dispute arises later.
Pay off any remaining balance before or immediately after the call. If you have a balance when the account closes, you will still owe it — closing does not erase debt. Chase will continue to charge interest on the unpaid amount until it is gone. You can make payments by phone during the call, online through your Chase account, or by mail.
Request written confirmation of the closure. Chase will mail it to you within 7 to 10 business days, or you can ask the representative to email it. Keep this letter. It serves as proof the account is closed if a question comes up later with another lender or creditor.
Key Takeaways
- Call the number on your card, tell them you want to close it, and they will process the closure immediately over the phone — no forms or branch visit needed.
- Pay off any balance before closing, because the account closure does not erase what you owe and interest will continue to accrue.
- Ask for written confirmation of the closure and keep it in your records as proof.
- Closing a card lowers your available credit, which can raise your credit utilization ratio and temporarily lower your credit score.
- The impact on your score is usually smaller if you close an older card with a high limit, and larger if you close a newer card or one you use regularly.
Why closing a Chase card affects your credit score
Your credit score depends partly on your credit utilization ratio — the amount of credit you are using divided by the total credit available to you. When you close a card, your available credit shrinks. If you still carry balances on other cards, your utilization ratio goes up, and your score typically drops.
For example: if you have three cards with $5,000 limits each ($15,000 total available) and you carry a $3,000 balance, your utilization is 20 percent. If you close one card, your available credit drops to $10,000, and the same $3,000 balance now represents 30 percent utilization. That shift alone can lower your score by a few points.
The impact is usually temporary. As you pay down balances over the next few months, your utilization improves and your score recovers. The damage is smaller if you close a card you rarely use or one with a low limit, and larger if you close a card with a high limit that you use often.
When to close a Chase card before closing it
Close the card after you have paid off the balance, not before. Closing an account with an outstanding balance does not stop interest from accruing — you will still owe the full amount plus interest charges each month until it is paid.
If the card has an annual fee, you can close it anytime. The fee is usually charged on your account anniversary, so if you close the card a few weeks before that date, you may avoid the next year's fee. Check your most recent statement to see when your anniversary is.
If you have a 0 percent introductory rate on purchases or a balance transfer, closing the card does not end the promotional period — you keep the rate through the end date. However, you cannot make new purchases or transfers on a closed account, so you can only pay down the existing balance.
How closing a card affects other Chase products you own
Closing one Chase credit card does not affect your other Chase credit cards, checking accounts, or savings accounts. Each product is a separate account. You can close a Chase Sapphire Preferred and keep a Chase Freedom card open with no impact on either one.
If you have a Chase rewards account that pools points from multiple cards, closing one card does not close the rewards account or erase your points. The points stay in your account and you can still redeem them through the Chase website or mobile app.
What happens to your rewards points after closure
Your rewards points do not disappear when you close the card. They stay in your Chase rewards account (usually called Chase Ultimate Rewards) and you can redeem them anytime after closure. You can transfer them to a travel partner, use them for cash back, or move them to another Chase card you own.
The one exception: some Chase cards have category bonuses (like 5 percent back on groceries) that only apply while the card is open. Once you close the card, you stop earning those bonuses on new purchases. But points you already earned stay in your account.
Redeem your points before closing if you want to be certain they are converted to a reward. Redemption is instant and there is no risk of losing points you have already claimed.
Alternatives to closing a card if you want to stop using it
If you want to stop using a Chase card but are worried about the credit score impact, you can keep the account open and simply not use it. The account stays active, your available credit stays the same, and your utilization ratio does not change. You will still owe any annual fee unless you call and ask Chase to waive it.
This approach works well if the card has a high limit, no annual fee, or a rewards rate you might want to use again later. It costs you nothing to keep it open and gives you the option to use it without having to reopen a closed account.
If the card has an annual fee and you do not want to pay it, call Chase before the fee posts and ask them to waive it. Many customers can get one year waived by asking. If they refuse, that is a good time to close the account.
What to do if you close a card and regret it
If you close a Chase card and change your mind within 30 days, call Chase and ask them to reopen it. Most of the time they will, especially if you have been a customer for a while and have good payment history. The account reopens with the same account number and credit limit.
After 30 days, reopening becomes harder. Chase may reopen the account, but they may also treat it as a new application, which means a hard inquiry on your credit report and a new account on your credit history. If more than 60 days have passed, Chase usually will not reopen the account at all and you would have to apply for a new card.
If you closed the card and want to use Chase rewards again, you can open a different Chase card instead. There is no rule against having multiple Chase cards, and opening a new card gives you a fresh welcome bonus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay off my balance before closing the card?
You do not have to, but you should. Closing an account with a balance does not erase the debt — you still owe it and interest keeps accruing. Pay off the balance first, then close the account.
Will closing my Chase card hurt my credit score?
It usually does, but the damage is usually small and temporary. Your available credit drops, which raises your utilization ratio if you carry balances elsewhere. The impact is smaller if you close a card with a low limit or one you do not use, and larger if you close a high-limit card.
Can I reopen a Chase card after I close it?
Yes, if you call within 30 days. After 30 days, Chase may reopen it but might treat it as a new application. After 60 days, most Chase cards cannot be reopened and you would have to apply for a new card instead.
What happens to my rewards points when I close the card?
Your points stay in your Chase rewards account and you can redeem them anytime. You stop earning new points on the closed card, but points you already earned do not disappear.
Do I need to visit a Chase branch to close my card?
No. Call the number on the back of your card and tell them you want to close it. The closure happens over the phone and takes a few minutes. You do not need to mail anything or go to a branch.