Call Bank of America to request closure, then confirm the card is marked closed on your account
To close a Bank of America credit card, call the customer service number on the back of your card or contact Bank of America directly at 1-800-432-1000. Tell the representative you want to close the account. They will confirm your identity, review your account balance, and process the closure request. The card will be flagged as closed in their system immediately, though the account may take a few business days to fully close on your end.
Before you call, pay off any remaining balance on the card. Bank of America will not close an account with an outstanding balance — you must either pay it in full or set up a payment plan. If you have pending transactions or recurring charges tied to the card, cancel those first so nothing posts after closure.
After the call, log into your Bank of America online account or mobile app within a few days to confirm the card status shows as closed. If it still shows open after five business days, call again to verify the closure went through.
Key Takeaways
- You must pay your full balance before Bank of America will close the account; they will not close an account with money owed.
- Call 1-800-432-1000 or the number on your card to request closure, and the representative will process it immediately over the phone.
- Cancel any recurring charges or subscriptions tied to the card before calling, so nothing attempts to charge after closure.
- Check your online account a few days later to confirm the card status changed to closed; if it did not, call back to follow up.
- Your credit report will show the account as closed, which may temporarily lower your credit score because it reduces your available credit.
Pay your balance before calling
Bank of America will not close an account that carries a balance. If you owe money, you have two options: pay the full amount before you call, or ask the representative during the closure call whether you can keep the account open long enough to pay it off in installments.
Most representatives will allow you to close the account even with a small balance if you commit to a payment schedule, but the account will remain technically open until the balance reaches zero. Once the balance is paid, the account will close automatically or you can call back to finalize closure.
If you have a large balance and cannot pay it immediately, closing the account will not erase the debt — you will still owe it, and Bank of America will still charge interest on the unpaid amount. The interest rate may change after closure, so ask the representative what rate applies to the remaining balance.
Cancel recurring charges before closure
Check your card statement for any subscriptions, memberships, or automatic payments linked to the card. Common examples are streaming services, gym memberships, insurance premiums, and utility bills. Contact each merchant directly to update their payment method or cancel the service before you close the card.
If a charge posts after the card is closed, Bank of America will decline it and the merchant will be notified. This can result in service interruption, late fees from the merchant, or a failed payment that damages your credit. Taking five minutes to cancel or update these charges before closure prevents that problem.
Log into your Bank of America account and review the last three months of statements to catch charges you may have forgotten about. Look for small monthly amounts that are easy to overlook.
What happens to your credit after closure
Closing a credit card reduces your total available credit, which can lower your credit score in the short term. The effect is usually small if you have other open accounts, but it can be noticeable if this is one of your only cards or if you carry balances on other accounts.
The closed account will remain on your credit report for seven to ten years, showing a zero balance and closed status. This is normal and does not hurt your score — closed accounts in good standing actually help your credit history by showing you managed the account responsibly.
If you closed the card because of high interest rates or fees, consider keeping at least one credit card open and using it occasionally to maintain your available credit and keep your credit mix active.
Confirm closure in writing if you need documentation
Bank of America will send a confirmation letter to the address on file within one to two weeks of closure. If you need written proof of closure sooner — for example, to show a creditor or for your records — you can request it during the phone call. Ask the representative to email or mail a closure confirmation, or ask if you can print a confirmation from your online account immediately after the call.
Keep this documentation in case there is a dispute later. If Bank of America continues to report the account as open on your credit report after 30 days, or if you are charged a fee after closure, you will have proof of the closure date to reference.
What to do if the account does not close
If your account still shows as open five to seven business days after your closure request, call Bank of America again. Occasionally a closure request does not process correctly, or a pending transaction delays the closure. The representative can check the status and resubmit the request if needed.
If the account remains open after a second call and you have confirmed there is no balance and no pending charges, ask to speak with a supervisor. Request that they manually close the account and provide a reference number for the closure request.
If Bank of America continues to report the account as open on your credit report after 60 days, you can file a dispute with the credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to correct the status. Include your closure confirmation letter with the dispute.
Closing a card with a balance or rewards points
If you have a balance on the card, you cannot close it until the balance is zero. However, you can request closure and keep the account open in a closed status while you pay off the remaining amount. This prevents new charges but allows the balance to be paid down. Ask the representative whether they can mark the account as "closed to new purchases" while you finish paying.
If you have unused rewards points, redeem them before closure. After the account closes, you may lose the ability to redeem points, depending on Bank of America's policy. Check your rewards balance in your online account and convert points to cash back, statement credits, or travel rewards before you call to close.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close my Bank of America credit card online?
No, Bank of America requires you to close a credit card by phone. You cannot close it through the mobile app or website. Call 1-800-432-1000 or the number on your card to speak with a representative who can process the closure.
Will closing my card hurt my credit score?
Closing a card may lower your score temporarily because it reduces your available credit. The effect is usually small and fades over time. The closed account will remain on your credit report in good standing, which helps your credit history long-term.
What happens to my rewards points when I close the card?
Redeem your rewards points before closure. After the account closes, you may lose access to your points depending on Bank of America's policy. Log into your account and convert points to cash back or statement credits before you call to close.
How long does it take for Bank of America to close my card?
The account is flagged as closed immediately when you call, but it may take three to five business days to fully close in their system. Check your online account after a few days to confirm the status changed to closed.
Can I reopen a Bank of America credit card after I close it?
You can request to reopen the account within a short window after closure, usually 30 to 60 days. Call customer service and ask whether the account can be reopened. After that window, you would need to apply for a new card, which is treated as a new account.