The fastest way to close your Bank of America credit card
Call Bank of America at the number on the back of your card and tell them you want to close the account. They will ask why, confirm your identity, and process the closure over the phone—usually within minutes. This is the most direct route and leaves a clear record of when you initiated the closure.
You can also close the account online through your Bank of America login, though the phone route is faster if you have questions. Either way, the account closes when ready, but the card issuer will continue reporting the account status to credit bureaus for up to ten years after closure.
Before you call, pay off any remaining balance. Bank of America will not close an account with an outstanding balance, and they will continue charging interest until it is paid. If you have pending transactions, wait for them to post first—closing the account does not stop charges already in the system.
Key Takeaways
- Call the number on the back of your card or log into your Bank of America account online to request closure; the phone method is faster and creates a record.
- Pay off your full balance before closing—Bank of America will not close an account with money owed, and interest will continue to accrue.
- Closing a credit card does not erase it from your credit history; the account will appear on your credit report for up to ten years after closure.
- Closing a card can lower your available credit and raise your credit utilization ratio, which may temporarily lower your credit score.
- Request written confirmation of the closure and keep it with your records in case disputes arise later.
What happens to your credit when you close a credit card
Closing a credit card affects your credit score in two ways. First, your available credit shrinks—if you had a $5,000 limit and $2,000 in balances on other cards, your utilization ratio jumps from 40% to 67%, which lowers your score. Second, the account remains on your credit report for ten years, so the damage is not when ready erasure.
The score impact is usually temporary. If you have other accounts in good standing and a solid payment history, the dip typically recovers within a few months. If you are planning to explore for a mortgage or car loan soon, closing a card weeks before the process can work against you.
The older the card, the more closing it can hurt. A card you have held for ten years contributes to your average account age; closing it lowers that average, which factors into your credit score. A newer card has less impact.
Steps to take before you call Bank of America
Check your account for pending transactions and wait for them to post. A closure request does not stop charges that are already in the system—they will still hit your account and you will still owe them. Log into your Bank of America account online and review the last 30 days of activity to make sure nothing is still processing.
Pay your full balance in full. Set up a payment online or call to arrange one over the phone. If you have a zero balance, the closure is cleaner and faster. If you have a small balance, pay it now rather than waiting for a bill.
Gather any rewards points or cash back you have earned. Some Bank of America cards let you redeem rewards before closure; others forfeit unused rewards when the account closes. Log in and check your rewards balance, then redeem what you want to keep.
Write down the account number and the last four digits of the card. You will need these when you call, and having them ready speeds up the process.
What to do after Bank of America closes your account
Request written confirmation of the closure. Ask the representative to email or mail you a letter stating the account is closed at your request, the date of closure, and the final balance. Keep this document with your financial records. If a dispute arises later—a charge posted after closure, for example—you have proof of when the account ended.
Destroy the physical card. Cut it up or shred it so it cannot be used. Do not just throw it away whole.
Monitor your credit report for the next few months. Pull a free report from each of the three bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—at annualcreditreport.com. The account should show as "closed by consumer" within 30 to 60 days. If it shows as "closed by creditor" or if the closure date is wrong, contact Bank of America to correct it.
If you had autopay set up on this card for any bills, update those payments to a different card or bank account now. Autopay will fail once the account closes, and missed payments can damage your credit.
Reasons to keep a credit card open instead of closing it
Closing a card lowers your available credit, which raises your utilization ratio and can hurt your score. If you have other cards with balances, keeping an unused card open preserves your available credit and keeps utilization lower. This is especially true if the card has a high limit.
Account age matters. A card you have held for many years contributes to your average account age, which is part of your credit score. Closing it lowers that average. If you have mostly newer cards, keeping an older one open helps your score.
If you earned a sign-up bonus on this card, closing it too soon can trigger a clawback—Bank of America may reclaim the bonus if you close within a certain window (usually 12 months). Check the terms of your specific card before closing.
An alternative to closure is to stop using the card but leave it open. Set it aside, use it for one small charge every few months to keep it active, and let it sit. This preserves your credit history and available credit without the downsides of closure.
If you cannot reach Bank of America or have a dispute
If you call and cannot reach a representative, try the online closure method. Log into your Bank of America account, navigate to the credit card account, and look for a "close account" or "account services" option. The exact path varies by account type, but it is usually under settings or account management.
If Bank of America refuses to close your account because of a balance, pay the balance first. They cannot legally refuse closure once the account is paid in full, though they may ask you to wait a few business days for the payment to post.
If you believe Bank of America made an error—charged you after closure, for example—file a dispute through your online account or call the number on your statement. You can also file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov if Bank of America does not resolve the issue within 30 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing my Bank of America credit card hurt my credit score?
Yes, usually temporarily. Your available credit shrinks, which raises your utilization ratio and lowers your score. The impact is typically larger if you have other balances. The score usually recovers within a few months if you have good payment history elsewhere. Closing an older card hurts more than closing a newer one.
Can I close my Bank of America credit card if I still owe money on it?
No. Bank of America will not close an account with an outstanding balance. Pay the full balance first, then request closure. Interest will continue to accrue on any unpaid balance, so paying it off before closure saves you money.
What happens to my rewards points when I close my Bank of America credit card?
It depends on the card. Some Bank of America cards let you redeem rewards after closure; others forfeit unused rewards when the account closes. Log into your account and check your rewards balance before closing, then redeem what you want to keep. Call Bank of America if you are unsure about your specific card's policy.
How long does it take Bank of America to close a credit card?
The account closes when ready when you request it over the phone or online. However, it may take 30 to 60 days for the closure to appear on your credit report. During this time, the account is closed but still visible to creditors and credit bureaus.
Can I reopen a Bank of America credit card after I close it?
Reopening a closed account is difficult and usually not possible. If you change your mind shortly after closure, call Bank of America when ready—they may be able to reverse the closure within a few days. After that, you would need to explore for a new card, which is treated as a new account with a new account age.