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

Bank of America processes credit card cancellations through three routes: phone, online, or in-branch. The phone method is fastest — you reach a representative who confirms your identity, answers questions about why you're cancelling, and closes the account on the call. The online method takes longer because you initiate the request but don't get when ready confirmation. In-branch cancellation works if you have a local branch nearby and prefer to handle it face-to-face.

Before you cancel, understand what happens next. Your account closes when ready, but your statement closing date doesn't change — you'll still receive a final bill for any remaining balance. Any rewards points in your account may expire depending on the card type. If you have an automatic payment set up on this card, you need to move it to another payment method before cancelling, or the payment will fail.

Key Takeaways

  • Call Bank of America customer service at the number on the back of your card to cancel when ready; a representative will confirm your identity and close the account during the call.
  • Your account closes right away, but you'll receive a final statement for any remaining balance, which you must pay.
  • Rewards points may expire after cancellation depending on your card type, so check your rewards balance before you cancel.
  • Move any automatic payments to another card or account before cancelling, because payments set up on a closed card will fail.
  • Cancelling a credit card can lower your credit score temporarily because it reduces your total available credit and may change your credit utilization ratio.

Cancelling by phone

Call the customer service number on the back of your Bank of America credit card. You'll reach a representative who will verify your identity by asking for your Social Security number, date of birth, or other account details. Have your card number ready.

The representative will ask why you're cancelling. You don't have to give a detailed reason, but Bank of America sometimes offers retention deals — a statement credit, waived annual fee, or reduced interest rate — if you're cancelling because of cost or a competing offer. If you're not interested in staying, say so directly.

Once you confirm you want to close the account, the representative will process the cancellation when ready. Ask them to confirm the account is closed and request a confirmation number for your records. The call usually takes five to ten minutes.

Cancelling through your online account

Log into your Bank of America online account and navigate to the credit card you want to cancel. Look for a "Manage Account" or "Account Services" section — the exact label varies by card type. Some cards have a "Close Account" option visible in the account menu; others require you to contact customer service through the messaging system within your account.

If you find a "Close Account" button, click it and follow the prompts. Bank of America will ask you to confirm that you want to close the account and may ask why. After you submit the request, you'll receive a confirmation message, but the account doesn't close when ready — it can take a few business days for the closure to process.

The online method is slower than calling because you don't get real-time confirmation. If you need the account closed urgently or want to ask about retention offers, phone is the better choice.

Cancelling in person at a branch

Visit a Bank of America branch with your credit card and a photo ID. Tell a representative you want to close the account. They'll verify your identity, confirm the account details, and process the closure. You'll receive a written confirmation before you leave.

In-branch cancellation works well if you have questions or want to discuss your account status face-to-face. It takes about ten minutes. The downside is that you're limited to your branch's hours and location, so it's only practical if you live or work near one.

What happens to your rewards and balance after cancellation

Any remaining balance on your card stays your responsibility. Bank of America will send you a final statement, and you must pay it by the due date. Interest continues to accrue on the balance until you pay it off, even though the account is closed. Set up a payment when ready after cancelling to avoid late fees.

Rewards points are handled differently depending on your card. Some Bank of America cards let you keep your rewards points indefinitely after the account closes; others expire them within a set timeframe — usually 30 to 90 days. Check your card's terms before you cancel, or ask the representative when you call. If you have a large rewards balance, redeem it before closing the account to avoid losing it.

Impact on your credit score

Cancelling a credit card can lower your credit score temporarily. The main reason is that closing an account reduces your total available credit. If you have balances on other cards, your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your total credit limit you're using — goes up. A higher utilization ratio can lower your score.

The impact is usually temporary. Your score typically recovers within a few months as long as you pay your other bills on time and keep your utilization low on remaining cards. If you're planning to explore for a loan or mortgage soon, consider waiting to cancel until after your process is approved.

Moving automatic payments before you cancel

If you have any automatic payments set up on this card — utilities, subscriptions, insurance, loan payments — you must move them to another payment method before cancelling. When you close the account, the card number becomes invalid, and any automatic charges will fail. This can result in late fees, service interruptions, or a negative mark on your credit report.

Go through your recent statements to find all recurring charges. Log into each service's website or app and update the payment method to a different card or bank account. Give yourself at least a week before you cancel the card to make sure all the changes have processed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Bank of America try to keep me from cancelling?

Yes, the representative may offer you a retention deal — a statement credit, waived annual fee, or promotional interest rate — to keep the account open. You can accept or decline. If you've decided to cancel, you don't have to accept any offer, and declining won't affect your ability to close the account.

How long does it take for the account to close?

If you cancel by phone or in person, the account closes when ready. If you cancel online, it can take a few business days. You'll receive a confirmation once the closure is complete. Your final statement will arrive within one to two billing cycles.

Can I reopen the account after I cancel it?

Bank of America may allow you to reopen a recently closed account, but policies vary. Call customer service to ask. If the account has been closed for a long time, you may have to explore for a new card instead. There's no penalty for asking.

What if I have a balance when I cancel?

You can cancel even with a balance. The account closes, but you still owe the money. Bank of America will send you a final statement with a due date. Pay the balance in full to avoid interest charges, or make payments until it's paid off.

Do I need to cut up my card after cancelling?

It's a good idea to cut up or shred the card so it can't be used, even though the account is closed. The card number is no longer valid, but destroying it prevents accidental use or fraud.