The fastest way to close your Bank of America credit card
You can close a Bank of America credit card by calling their customer service line at 1-800-432-1000, speaking to a representative, and asking them to close the account. They will confirm your identity, review your account balance, and process the closure on the call. The account closes when ready, though it may take a few days for the closure to appear on your credit report.
You can also close the card by logging into your Bank of America online account, navigating to the card's settings, and selecting the option to close the account. This method works for most cardholders, though Bank of America may ask you to call if there are complications — such as an outstanding balance or a dispute on the account.
Before you close the card, pay off any remaining balance in full. Bank of America will not close an account with an unpaid balance; they will straightforward stop letting you use it while the debt remains active and accruing interest.
Key Takeaways
- Call 1-800-432-1000 to close your card over the phone, or use your online account to initiate closure through the card settings menu.
- Pay off your full balance before closing — Bank of America will not close an account with money owed.
- Closing a credit card can lower your credit score because it reduces your total available credit and may increase your credit utilization ratio on other cards.
- The closure appears on your credit report within a few days, but the account remains visible for seven to ten years.
- If you have pending transactions or fraud disputes, Bank of America may require you to resolve them before closing.
What happens to your credit when you close a card
Closing a credit card typically lowers your credit score, sometimes by 10 to 50 points depending on your overall credit profile. The damage comes from two directions: your total available credit shrinks, which raises your credit utilization ratio on your remaining cards, and the account closure itself is recorded as a negative action on your report.
The impact is usually temporary. If you have good payment history on other accounts and low balances elsewhere, the score recovers within a few months. If you are carrying high balances on other cards, the damage lasts longer because your utilization ratio stays elevated.
The closed account remains on your credit report for seven to ten years, depending on whether it was in good standing. During that time, it still counts toward your credit history length, which helps your score. After it falls off, the damage is gone.
When to close a card versus keeping it open
Close the card if you are paying an annual fee and do not use the card enough to justify it, if you are trying to reduce the number of accounts you manage, or if the card has a high interest rate and you are tempted to carry a balance. Closing a card you no longer use is a reasonable financial decision in these situations.
Keep the card open if you have no annual fee, if it is your oldest account (closing it shortens your credit history), or if you are planning to explore for a loan or mortgage within the next six months. The temporary score drop from closing a card can hurt your chances of getting approved for better rates.
If the card has an annual fee but you want to keep the account open, call 1-800-432-1000 and ask Bank of America to waive the fee or downgrade you to a no-fee version of the card. Many cardholders succeed in negotiating this without closing the account.
Steps to close your card by phone
Call 1-800-432-1000 during business hours. Have your card number and a form of identification ready. When you reach a representative, tell them you want to close the account.
The representative will ask you why you are closing the card. You do not have to give a detailed reason, but Bank of America sometimes offers incentives — such as a waived annual fee or a statement credit — to keep you from leaving. If none of those interest you, repeat that you want to close the account.
Confirm that your balance is zero before the representative processes the closure. If you have a balance, they will tell you the amount and ask when you plan to pay it. Pay it before calling back, or ask them to close the account after you have made the payment.
Once the closure is processed, ask the representative for a confirmation number and note the date. Request that they send you written confirmation by mail or email. This creates a record in case there is a dispute later about whether the account was actually closed.
Steps to close your card online
Log into your Bank of America account at bankofamerica.com using your username and password. Navigate to the credit card you want to close by clicking on it in your accounts list.
Look for a settings or account management option — this is usually a gear icon or a menu labeled "Account Services" or "Manage Account." Click on it and search for an option to close the account. The exact wording varies, but it is usually labeled "Close Account" or "Request Account Closure."
Bank of America will ask you to confirm that your balance is zero and that you want to proceed. Review the information on screen, then submit the closure request. You should receive a confirmation number when ready and a confirmation email within a few hours.
If you do not see a closure option in your online account, or if the system tells you the account cannot be closed online, call 1-800-432-1000 instead. Some accounts — such as those with pending disputes or fraud claims — must be closed by phone.
What to do if you have a balance or pending transactions
If your card has an outstanding balance, you must pay it in full before Bank of America will close the account. Make a payment through your online account or by phone at 1-800-432-1000. Wait for the payment to post — this usually takes one to three business days — then attempt the closure again.
If you have pending transactions that have not yet posted to your account, wait for them to clear before closing. Bank of America will not close an account with transactions in limbo because the final balance is unclear. Check your recent activity in your online account to see if any charges are still pending.
If you have reported fraud or filed a dispute on the card, Bank of America may require you to resolve it before closing. The bank needs to investigate the claim and determine liability before they can safely close the account. Call 1-800-432-1000 and ask the representative how long the investigation will take and whether you can close the account once it is resolved.
After you close the account
Stop using the card when ready, even though it may take a few days for the closure to fully process. If you attempt to use it after requesting closure, the transaction may be declined or may go through and then be reversed, creating confusion on your account.
Monitor your credit report for the next few weeks to confirm the closure appears correctly. You can check your report for free once per year at annualcreditreport.com. If the account still shows as open after 30 days, call Bank of America again and ask them to verify the closure status.
Keep any confirmation number or written confirmation you received. If Bank of America later claims the account was never closed, or if a debt collector contacts you about the account, you will have proof that you requested closure and when.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing my Bank of America credit card hurt my credit score?
Yes, closing a credit card typically lowers your score by 10 to 50 points because it reduces your available credit and may increase your utilization ratio on other cards. The impact is usually temporary and recovers within a few months if you have good payment history elsewhere.
Can I close my card if I still owe money on it?
No. Bank of America will not close an account with an outstanding balance. You must pay the full amount owed first, then request closure. The representative will tell you the exact balance if you call.
How long does it take for a Bank of America credit card closure to show up on my credit report?
The closure usually appears within a few days to a week. You can check your credit report at annualcreditreport.com to confirm. The closed account remains on your report for seven to ten years.
What if Bank of America won't let me close my card online?
Some accounts cannot be closed through the online portal if they have pending disputes, fraud claims, or other complications. Call 1-800-432-1000 and a representative can close it over the phone. They will explain why the online option was not available.
Should I close my oldest credit card?
Closing your oldest card can shorten your credit history length, which may lower your score. If the card has no annual fee, consider keeping it open even if you do not use it. If it has a fee, call and ask Bank of America to waive it or downgrade you to a no-fee card first.