Call Chase directly to close your account, but do it only after you've paid the balance and handled a few other details first

Closing a Chase credit card means calling Chase, confirming you want to close the account, and having them process the closure. The call takes about ten minutes. But the order matters — if you close before paying what you owe, you'll still owe it, and if you close without thinking through the timing, you might damage your credit score more than necessary.

Chase has no online closure option. You must call the number on the back of your card or reach Chase customer service at 1-800-935-9935. Have your card number ready. The representative will confirm your identity, ask why you're closing (they may offer incentives to keep the account open), and then process the closure if you confirm.

Key Takeaways

  • Pay your full balance before calling Chase to close the account, because closing doesn't erase what you owe.
  • Check your recent statements for any pending charges or subscriptions linked to the card, and cancel or move them first.
  • Closing a card reduces your available credit, which can lower your credit score temporarily, so close older cards rather than newer ones if you have a choice.
  • After closure, keep the account open in your records for at least a year in case a charge appears later or a dispute arises.
  • Request written confirmation of the closure from Chase, either by asking them to mail it or by checking your online account after a few days.

Pay off the balance completely before you call

Closing an account does not forgive the debt. If you have a balance when you call Chase, you will still owe that money after the account closes. Chase will continue to charge interest on the remaining balance until it's paid in full, and the account will show as closed with a balance on your credit report.

Log into your Chase account online or call to confirm the exact balance, including any pending transactions that haven't posted yet. Pay the full amount through your Chase online account, by phone, or by mail. Wait one or two business days for the payment to post, then verify the balance is zero before calling to close.

Cancel subscriptions and recurring charges first

If you have any subscriptions, memberships, or automatic payments tied to this card — streaming services, gym memberships, insurance premiums, utility bills — those charges will fail after the card closes. The merchant will try to charge the card, get a rejection, and may suspend your service or charge you a late fee.

Go through your last three months of Chase statements and identify every recurring charge. Update each one with a different payment method before you close the card. This takes longer than the closure call itself, but it prevents service interruptions and overdraft fees on other accounts.

Understand how closing affects your credit score

Closing a credit card lowers your credit score, usually by 10 to 50 points, because it reduces your total available credit. If you have a $5,000 limit on this card and a $10,000 limit on another card, closing this one drops your available credit from $15,000 to $10,000. This change is temporary — the impact fades over several months — but it happens immediately.

The damage is smaller if you close an older card than a newer one. Older accounts help your credit history length, so closing a newer card is less harmful. If you have multiple cards you want to close, close the newest ones first and wait a few months between closures.

What to do if the card has a rewards balance or sign-up bonus

If you have unspent rewards points or cash back on the card, redeem them before closing. Most Chase cards let you redeem rewards through your online account — convert them to a statement credit, a deposit to a linked bank account, or a check. Once the account closes, you typically cannot redeem rewards that remain.

If you earned a sign-up bonus and are closing the card within a year, Chase may claw back the bonus. Check your card's terms to see if there's a time requirement. If you're within that window and the bonus was substantial, consider keeping the card open a few more months or paying an annual fee if one applies.

Make the closure call and get confirmation

Call the number on the back of your card or 1-800-935-9935. Have your card number and the last four digits of your Social Security number ready. Tell the representative you want to close the account. They will ask why and may offer you a lower interest rate, a credit, or other incentives to keep it open. You can decline and proceed with closure.

Ask the representative for a confirmation number and request that they mail you written confirmation of the closure. Write down the date, time, and representative's name. After you hang up, log into your Chase account and verify the card status shows as closed within a few days.

Keep records after the account closes

Do not throw away statements or close your online account access immediately. Keep the closed account in your records for at least one year. Merchants sometimes process charges weeks after you close an account, and you'll need proof of closure to dispute them. Your credit report will show the account as closed for seven to ten years, which is normal.

If you notice any charges to the closed card after closure, contact Chase immediately with the charge details and your closure confirmation number. Chase can investigate and reverse fraudulent charges even after an account is closed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close my Chase card online?

No. Chase requires you to call to close a credit card. You cannot close it through the mobile app or website. Call the number on the back of your card or 1-800-935-9935.

What happens to my credit score if I close a Chase card?

Your score typically drops 10 to 50 points because closing reduces your available credit. The impact is temporary and fades over several months. The damage is smaller if you close a newer card rather than an older one.

Do I have to pay my balance before closing?

You don't have to, but you should. Closing the account doesn't erase the debt. Chase will continue charging interest on any remaining balance until it's paid off, and the account will show as closed with a balance on your credit report.

What if I have a pending charge that hasn't posted yet?

Wait for pending charges to post and be paid before closing. If you close with pending charges, those transactions may still process and fail, or they may post after closure and create a balance on a closed account. Check your statements for a few days after closure to catch any stragglers.

Can I reopen a Chase card after I close it?

Reopening a closed card is difficult and not may provide. If you close it and change your mind within 30 days, call Chase immediately and ask if they can reopen it. After 30 days, reopening is unlikely. If you think you might need the card later, consider keeping it open instead.