Call Chase customer service to close your account
The fastest way to close a Chase credit card is to call the phone number on the back of your card and ask to speak with a representative about closing the account. Chase does not let you close a card through their website or mobile app — you have to call. Have your card number ready when you call.
When you reach a representative, tell them you want to close the account. They may ask why you're closing it or offer you a lower interest rate or annual fee waiver to keep the card open. You can accept their offer or decline and proceed with closing. Either way, the representative will confirm the closure and give you a reference number.
The best time to call is early in the business day on a weekday, when wait times are shortest. Chase customer service is available seven days a week, but weekday mornings typically have faster connections.
Key Takeaways
- You must call Chase customer service at the number on your card to close an account — there is no online or app option.
- Pay off your full balance before closing, or your remaining balance will still be due and will accrue interest if you don't pay it immediately.
- After closing, your card will stop working, but Chase will continue to report the account status to credit bureaus for up to ten years.
- Closing a card can lower your credit score temporarily because it reduces your total available credit, so close cards you use least often first.
Pay off your balance before you call
Do not close a card that still has a balance on it. If you close an account with an outstanding balance, you will still owe that money, and Chase will continue to charge interest on it until you pay it off. The card simply stops working — the debt does not disappear.
Log into your Chase account online or through the mobile app and check your current balance. If you have a balance, pay it in full before calling to close the account. You can make a payment through your Chase account, by phone, or by mail. Once the balance shows zero, you are ready to call and close the card.
If you have pending transactions that have not yet posted to your account, wait a few days for them to clear before closing. This prevents surprises after you've closed the account.
Understand what happens to your credit after closing
Closing a credit card affects your credit score, usually by lowering it temporarily. This happens because closing an account reduces your total available credit. If you had a $5,000 limit on the card you're closing and a $10,000 limit on another card, your available credit drops from $15,000 to $10,000. Credit scoring models view this as higher risk.
The impact is usually temporary and smaller if you have other cards open and low balances on them. If this is one of your only cards or your oldest card, the impact may be larger. The closed account will remain on your credit report for up to ten years, so it will continue to show in your credit history even after it's closed.
If you're concerned about the score impact, close cards you use least often first, and keep your oldest card open as long as possible. Older accounts help your credit score, so closing a newer card causes less damage than closing an old one.
What to do if Chase tries to keep you from closing
Chase may offer you incentives to keep the card open, such as a lower interest rate, waived annual fee, or bonus points. You are not required to accept any offer. If you want to close the account, you can simply say no and ask the representative to proceed with the closure.
Some representatives may ask multiple times or transfer you to a retention specialist whose job is to convince you to keep the card. This is normal business practice. You can politely but firmly repeat that you want to close the account. You have the right to close any card you own at any time, and Chase cannot force you to keep it open.
If a representative refuses to close your account or becomes difficult, ask to speak with a supervisor. Supervisors have authority to close accounts without further negotiation.
Confirm the closure and keep your reference number
Before you hang up, ask the representative to confirm that your account is closed and give you a reference number for the closure. Write down this number and the date you called. Ask the representative to send you written confirmation by mail or email.
After you hang up, log into your Chase account online to verify that the card no longer appears in your active accounts list. It may take a few hours or a day for the system to update. If the card still shows as active after 24 hours, call back and reference your closure confirmation number.
Keep the reference number and any written confirmation for your records. If Chase ever claims you still owe money on the account or tries to collect on it, you will have proof that you closed it and paid the balance.
What happens to rewards points and pending transactions
Any rewards points you have earned on the card will remain in your Chase account after you close the card, as long as you have another active Chase card. If this is your only Chase card, you may lose the points when you close it — ask the representative about this before you close. Some Chase cards let you transfer points to a travel partner or redeem them before closing.
Transactions that have not yet posted to your account will still post after you close the card. You will receive a final statement showing these transactions and any remaining balance. Make sure you pay this final statement in full to avoid interest charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close my Chase card online or through the app?
No. Chase requires you to close credit cards by phone only. Call the number on the back of your card and speak with a representative. There is no online or app option for closing an account.
What if I have a balance I can't pay right now?
Do not close the account yet. Keep the card open and make payments toward the balance. Once it reaches zero, then call to close. If you close with a balance, you will still owe the money and will pay interest on it, and the card will simply stop working.
Will closing my card hurt my credit score?
Yes, usually by a small to moderate amount. Closing a card reduces your available credit, which can lower your score temporarily. The impact is smaller if you have other cards open and low balances. The closed account stays on your credit report for up to ten years.
How long does it take for Chase to close my account?
Your account is closed immediately when the representative confirms it on the phone. The card stops working right away. It may take a few hours for the closure to show in your online account, but the account is closed from the moment you hang up.
Can Chase refuse to close my account?
No. You have the right to close any credit card you own. Chase may try to convince you to keep it open by offering incentives, but they cannot refuse to close it. If a representative will not close your account, ask for a supervisor.