Call Amazon's customer service to close your card — they handle it by phone, not online

The fastest way to close an Amazon credit card is to call the card issuer directly. Amazon Visa cards are issued by either Chase or Synchrony, depending on which Amazon card you hold. The issuer's customer service team can close your account over the phone in a few minutes.

Before you call, have your card number ready. You do not need to cut up or return the physical card — the issuer will deactivate it once the account is closed. If you have a balance, you will still need to pay it off, either before closing or on a payment plan after closing.

The phone number is on the back of your card. If you no longer have the card, you can find the issuer's number on your billing statement or by logging into your online account.

Key Takeaways

  • Amazon Visa cards are issued by Chase or Synchrony, and you must call the issuer directly to close the account — there is no online closure option.
  • You can close the account even if you have a balance, but you will still owe the money and will continue to receive bills.
  • Closing a card can lower your credit score temporarily because it reduces your total available credit, but the impact usually fades within a few months.
  • If you want to keep the card open but stop using it, you do not have to close it — you can simply put it away and let the account sit inactive.

What happens to your balance when you close the card

Closing the account does not erase what you owe. If you have a balance at the time you close, that debt remains your responsibility. You will continue to receive monthly statements and will need to make payments until the balance reaches zero.

Some people close their card while carrying a balance because they plan to pay it off over time, or because they want to stop using the card but need to settle what they already charged. This is allowed, but the issuer will not forgive the debt or change the interest rate just because the account is closed.

If you want to avoid interest charges, pay off the full balance before you call to close. If you cannot pay it all at once, ask the issuer whether closing the account will change your interest rate or payment terms — some issuers will not change these terms, but it is worth asking.

How closing affects your credit score

Closing a credit card typically lowers your credit score in the short term. The main reason is that closing reduces your total available credit. Credit scoring models look at the ratio of credit you are using to credit available to you — this ratio is called your utilization rate. When you close a card, your available credit shrinks, which can push your utilization rate up even if you do not charge anything new.

The impact is usually temporary. Most people see their score recover within three to six months, especially if they keep making on-time payments on other accounts. The longer-term effect depends on your overall credit history — if this card was one of your oldest accounts, closing it may have a slightly larger impact because it shortens the average age of your accounts.

If your score is important right now — for example, you are about to apply for a mortgage or car loan — you might want to wait a few months before closing. If you are not planning to borrow soon, the temporary dip is usually not a reason to keep a card open.

Reasons to close versus reasons to keep the card open

Close the card if you are paying an annual fee and no longer want to pay it, if you are not using the card and want to simplify your wallet, or if you are trying to reduce the temptation to overspend. Closing also removes the card from your active accounts, which can make your credit report cleaner if you have many open cards.

Keep the card open if you want to preserve your available credit, if the card has no annual fee and you might use it again later, or if it is one of your oldest accounts and closing it would significantly shorten your credit history. You do not have to use a card to keep it open — you can charge one small purchase every few months and pay it off to keep the account active, or simply let it sit unused.

There is no penalty for keeping an unused card open as long as there is no annual fee. Amazon Visa cards typically have no annual fee, so keeping yours open costs you nothing if you decide not to close it.

What to do if you cannot reach customer service

If you call and reach a long wait time, try calling during off-peak hours — early morning or late evening often have shorter queues. You can also check your online account to see if there is a chat option or a callback request feature, though these may not handle account closure.

If you have already closed the account and want to reopen it, contact the issuer within a short window — usually 30 to 60 days. After that, reopening becomes difficult or impossible, and you may have to apply for a new card instead.

After you close: what to expect

Once you close the account, the card will stop working immediately. You will not be able to use it for new purchases. If you have any recurring charges set to this card — subscriptions, automatic payments, or anything else — those will fail. Before you close, go through your recent statements and move any recurring charges to a different payment method.

You will continue to receive statements as long as you have a balance. Once you pay off the balance completely, the statements will stop. The closed account will remain on your credit report for seven years, which is normal and does not hurt your score — closed accounts in good standing actually help your credit history by showing you paid what you owed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close my Amazon card online?

No. Amazon credit cards must be closed by phone. Call the number on the back of your card or on your statement. There is no online closure option through Amazon or the card issuer's website.

What if I have a balance — can I still close the card?

Yes. You can close the account even if you owe money. The balance does not disappear, and you will continue to receive bills and pay interest until it is paid off. Paying off the balance first is optional but recommended to avoid interest charges.

Will closing my card hurt my credit score?

It may lower your score temporarily because it reduces your available credit. Most people see the impact fade within three to six months. If you are not planning to borrow soon, this temporary dip is usually not a major concern.

Do I have to cut up my card after closing?

No. Once the account is closed, the card will not work, so cutting it up is optional. Some people cut it for peace of mind, but it is not required. You can throw it away or keep it — either way, it cannot be used.

What if I change my mind after closing?

Contact the issuer within 30 to 60 days and ask if they can reopen the account. After that window closes, reopening is usually not possible, and you would need to apply for a new card instead.