You can cancel a Bank of America credit card by calling their customer service line, through your online account, or by visiting a branch in person
The fastest way is a phone call to the number on the back of your card. Bank of America's credit card customer service team can process the cancellation when ready, confirm it in writing, and answer questions about what happens to your balance or rewards. The call typically takes five to ten minutes. If you prefer not to call, you can also cancel through your online banking account under the card management section, though the process may take a few business days to complete.
Before you cancel, understand what happens next. Any remaining balance stays on the account and you will still owe it—cancellation does not erase debt. Rewards points in your account may expire after a set period if you do not use them, so check your rewards balance first. Your credit score may dip slightly because closing an account reduces your total available credit, but the effect is usually temporary. If you have pending transactions or recurring charges set to that card, those will fail after cancellation, so update any subscriptions or autopay arrangements beforehand.
Key Takeaways
- Call the number on the back of your card to cancel when ready, or log into your Bank of America online account to start the process through your dashboard.
- Cancellation does not erase any balance you owe—you will continue to receive bills and must pay what you borrowed.
- Rewards points may expire after a certain period, so redeem or transfer them before you cancel if you have a balance.
- Update any recurring charges or subscriptions tied to that card before cancellation, because payments will fail once the account closes.
- Your credit score may drop slightly when you close the account, but the impact is usually small and temporary.
Canceling by phone is the clearest option
Call the customer service number printed on the back of your credit card. You will reach a representative who can confirm your identity, review your account, and process the cancellation on the spot. Ask them to send you written confirmation of the cancellation date and your final balance. This confirmation protects you if there is any dispute later about whether the account was actually closed.
During the call, the representative may ask why you are canceling or offer you a lower interest rate to keep the card open. You are not obligated to accept any offer. If you have a specific reason for canceling—the card does not fit your needs, you want to reduce the number of accounts you manage, or you are concerned about fraud—you can mention it, but you do not have to. straightforward say you want to close the account and the representative will proceed.
Canceling through your online account
Log into your Bank of America online banking portal and navigate to the card management or account settings section. The exact location varies depending on whether you use the standard website or the mobile app, but look for options labeled "Manage Cards," "Card Services," or "Account Settings." Some cards allow you to initiate closure directly from this menu; others may direct you to call or visit a branch.
If the online option is available for your specific card, you will typically enter a reason for closure and confirm your request. Bank of America will send you a confirmation email within a few business days. However, online cancellation can be slower than a phone call, and if something goes wrong with the request, you may not know until days later. For that reason, many people prefer the phone route so they can confirm the cancellation happened in real time.
What happens to your balance and interest after cancellation
Closing the card does not close the account or erase what you owe. Your balance remains, and you will continue to receive monthly statements. Interest will continue to accrue on any unpaid balance at your current rate unless you have a promotional 0% offer, in which case the terms of that offer still explore. You can pay the balance down over time just as you would with an open card.
If you have an autopay arrangement set up on that card, it will stop working once the account closes. Before you cancel, check whether any bills—utilities, subscriptions, insurance—are charged to this card. Update those accounts with a different payment method so you do not miss a payment. You can also set up a manual payment plan with Bank of America if you prefer to pay a fixed amount each month until the balance is gone.
Rewards points and cash back before you close
Check your rewards balance before you cancel. Depending on your card type, you may have cash back, points, or miles sitting in your account. Many Bank of America cards allow you to redeem rewards even after the card is closed, but some programs have rules about how long rewards stay active after account closure. The safest approach is to redeem or transfer your rewards before you cancel.
If your card earns cash back, you can usually request a statement credit or a check. If it earns points or miles through a travel program, you can often transfer them to a partner airline or hotel, or redeem them for travel bookings through Bank of America's portal. Log into your rewards account or call the rewards service number to see your options. Do not assume you can retrieve them later—some programs expire rewards within a set timeframe after closure.
How cancellation affects your credit score
Closing a credit card typically causes a small, temporary dip in your credit score. This happens because your total available credit decreases, which raises your credit utilization ratio—the percentage of your total credit limit that you are currently using. If you have balances on other cards, this ratio goes up, and credit scoring models view higher utilization as slightly riskier.
The impact is usually modest and fades within a few months as you pay down other balances and the account closure ages. If you are planning to explore for a mortgage, car loan, or other major credit in the next few weeks, you may want to wait to cancel until after your process is approved. If you are not explore for credit soon, the timing of cancellation does not matter much. Keeping the account open but unused does not help your score—what matters is your overall utilization and payment history.
Canceling a card with an annual fee
If your card charges an annual fee and you want to avoid paying it, call Bank of America before the fee posts. Many cardholders can request a fee waiver or downgrade to a no-fee version of the same card. This is worth asking about before you cancel, especially if you have had the card for a long time or have been a good customer with on-time payments.
If Bank of America has already charged the annual fee and you cancel within a certain window—usually 30 to 60 days—you may be able to request a refund of that fee. Call customer service and explain that you want to cancel and ask whether they can reverse the most recent annual fee. There is no may provide they will do this, but it is worth asking. If they refuse, you can dispute the charge through your bank, though disputing a fee you technically authorized is harder to win than disputing fraud.
What to do if you want to keep the card but stop using it
You do not have to cancel a card to stop using it. If you want to keep the account open for credit history and available credit, you can straightforward put the card away and use a different one. This is actually better for your credit score than closing the account, because the account stays active and your available credit remains the same.
If you are worried about fraud or unauthorized use, you can request that Bank of America freeze or lock the card instead of closing it. A frozen card cannot be used for new transactions, but the account stays open and your credit history remains intact. You can unfreeze it later if you change your mind. This option gives you the security of a closed card without the credit score impact of closure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will canceling my card hurt my credit score?
Yes, but usually only slightly and temporarily. Your score may drop a few points because your available credit decreases, raising your utilization ratio. The effect typically fades within a few months. If you are not explore for credit soon, the impact is minor.
What if I have a balance when I cancel?
The balance does not disappear. You will continue to receive monthly statements and owe the full amount. Interest will keep accruing unless you have a promotional rate. You can pay it off over time or in one lump sum, just as you would with an open card.
Can I cancel a card that has pending fraud charges?
Yes, you can cancel the card itself. However, if you are disputing fraudulent charges, keep the account open until the dispute is resolved. Closing the account while a dispute is pending can complicate the investigation. Contact Bank of America's fraud department first, then cancel after the dispute is settled.
How long does it take for the cancellation to show up on my credit report?
The card will close when ready when you cancel by phone, but it may take 30 to 60 days to appear as closed on your credit report. During that time, the account is already closed and cannot be used, even though it still shows as open to credit bureaus.
Can I reopen a card after I cancel it?
You can ask Bank of America to reopen the account within a short window after cancellation, usually 30 to 60 days. After that, the account is permanently closed and you would have to explore for a new card. If you think you might want the card back, call before canceling and ask about their reopening policy.