Call Bank of America to cancel, or use their online portal
The fastest way to cancel a Bank of America credit card is to call their customer service line at 1-800-432-1000. Have your card number ready. A representative will confirm your identity, ask why you're canceling, and process the cancellation on the call. The card is closed immediately, though you remain responsible for any remaining balance.
If you prefer not to call, you can also cancel through the Bank of America website or mobile app. Log in to your account, navigate to the card details, and look for a "Close Account" or "Cancel Card" option. The exact menu path varies depending on whether you're using the website or app, but both routes send a request to Bank of America that typically processes within one business day.
Email is not a reliable way to cancel. Bank of America does not process cancellations through email because they cannot verify your identity securely. Stick to the phone line or the online portal.
Key Takeaways
- Call 1-800-432-1000 with your card number ready to cancel immediately over the phone.
- You can also cancel through your Bank of America online account or mobile app without calling.
- Canceling the card does not erase any balance you owe—you must continue paying what you borrowed.
- Your credit report will show the account as closed, which may affect your credit score temporarily.
- If you have pending transactions or rewards points, resolve those before canceling.
What happens to your balance and rewards after cancellation
Closing the card does not forgive the debt. If you have a balance, you still owe it in full. Bank of America will continue to charge interest on that balance at your current rate until you pay it off. You can pay by mail, phone, or through your online account—the payment methods don't change just because the card is closed.
Any rewards points or cash back you've already earned remain in your account and can usually be redeemed even after the card closes. Check your rewards balance before you cancel so you know what you have. If you have pending rewards that haven't posted yet, wait for them to appear in your account before closing the card, since pending rewards may be forfeited.
If the card has an annual fee, canceling stops future charges. However, if you've already been charged a fee for the current year, that charge is not refunded. Some Bank of America cards waive the annual fee in the first year or offer a waiver if you meet spending requirements—check your card terms to see if you may have access to for a waiver instead of canceling.
How cancellation affects your credit score
Closing a credit card typically lowers your credit score in the short term, usually by 5 to 10 points, though the exact impact varies by person. The score drop happens because closing the card reduces your total available credit, which increases your credit utilization ratio—the percentage of your credit limit you're using across all cards. A higher utilization ratio signals higher risk to lenders.
The impact is temporary. After six months to a year, the effect usually fades as the closed account ages and other factors in your credit history become more prominent. The account will remain on your credit report for up to 10 years after closing, which is actually helpful because it shows a history of responsible credit use.
If you want to minimize the score impact, pay down the balance on this card before closing it, or transfer the balance to another card first. A lower balance means a lower utilization ratio, which softens the blow when you close the account.
Timing: when to cancel before or after paying off the balance
You can cancel at any time, whether you have a balance or not. There is no rule that says you must pay off the card first. However, the order matters for your credit score. If you cancel while carrying a balance, the closed account still reports that balance to the credit bureaus, which counts against your utilization ratio. If you pay off the balance first and then cancel, the account closes with a zero balance, which looks better on your credit report.
If you're carrying a large balance, consider paying it down or transferring it to another card before canceling. This takes a few days to a few weeks depending on the transfer method, but it protects your credit score. If the balance is small, paying it off before canceling takes only one or two payments.
There is no waiting period. You don't have to wait 30 days or 60 days after your last transaction to cancel. You can cancel immediately after making a payment, or you can cancel while a transaction is still pending. Pending transactions will still post to the closed account and you'll still owe the money.
What to do if you want to keep the account open but stop using the card
If you're worried about canceling because you want to preserve your credit history or keep the account open for emergencies, you don't have to cancel. You can simply stop using the card and leave the account open. The account will remain active and will continue to show on your credit report as an open account with zero balance, which is actually better for your credit score than closing it.
Bank of America may close the account for inactivity if you don't use it for a long period—typically 12 months or more—but this varies by card type. If you want to keep it open without using it, make a small purchase every few months and pay it off immediately. This keeps the account active without accumulating debt.
If the card has an annual fee and you want to avoid paying it, call customer service and ask if they can waive the fee or downgrade you to a no-fee version of the card. Many cardholders successfully negotiate a fee waiver by threatening to cancel, so this is worth trying before you close the account.
Canceling a joint account or authorized user card
If the card is a joint account, both account holders must consent to cancellation. Call Bank of America with both cardholders present, or one cardholder can call and request that the other be contacted to confirm. Bank of America will not close a joint account without hearing from both parties.
If you're an authorized user on someone else's card, you cannot cancel the account yourself. Only the primary cardholder can cancel. You can request that the primary cardholder remove you as an authorized user, which stops you from using the card but keeps the account open. The primary cardholder calls Bank of America and asks to remove the authorized user by name and card number.
If you're the primary cardholder and want to remove an authorized user without canceling the entire account, call 1-800-432-1000 and ask to remove that person. The authorized user card will be deactivated, but your account stays open.
What to expect after you cancel
After cancellation, you will no longer be able to use the card for purchases. If you have autopay set up on this card for any bills, those payments will fail. Before you cancel, log into your accounts for utilities, subscriptions, insurance, or any other recurring charges and update the payment method to a different card or bank account. Missed payments due to a canceled card can damage your credit and result in late fees.
You may receive a confirmation email or letter from Bank of America within a few days confirming the cancellation. Keep this for your records. If you don't receive confirmation within a week, call back to verify the account is actually closed.
If you're canceling because of fraud or unauthorized charges, ask the representative to flag the account and request a fraud investigation. Bank of America will review the charges and may issue a credit if fraud is confirmed. This process takes 10 to 30 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel a Bank of America credit card online without calling?
Yes. Log into your Bank of America account on the website or app, find the card you want to close, and look for a "Close Account" or "Cancel Card" option in the card details menu. The request processes within one business day. If you can't find the option, calling is faster than searching through the app.
What happens if I cancel but still owe money?
You remain responsible for the entire balance. Bank of America will continue to charge interest at your current rate until you pay it off. You can pay by mail, phone, or online—the payment methods don't change. The closed account will appear on your credit report with the balance listed.
Will canceling hurt my credit score?
Yes, usually by 5 to 10 points in the short term, because closing the card reduces your available credit and raises your utilization ratio. The impact fades after six months to a year. Paying off the balance before canceling minimizes the damage.
Can I reopen the card after I cancel it?
Bank of America may reopen a recently closed account if you call within 30 to 60 days of cancellation, but this is not may provide. If the account is older than that, reopening is unlikely. If you think you might want the card back, consider leaving it open but unused instead of canceling.
What if I have pending transactions when I cancel?
Pending transactions will still post to the closed account after cancellation, and you'll owe the money. The card itself becomes unusable immediately, but the account remains active to process pending charges and accept payments. This usually takes three to five business days.