How to Close Your Bank of America Credit Card

The steps to close a Bank of America credit card

To close a Bank of America credit card, you call Bank of America directly, pay off your balance in full, and request closure. The process takes a few minutes on the phone. Bank of America will confirm the closure and send you written confirmation by mail.

You can reach Bank of America's credit card customer service at the number on the back of your card. Have your card number and account information ready. The representative will verify your identity, confirm your balance is paid, and process the closure request.

After you hang up, your account will be closed. Bank of America typically sends written confirmation within 7 to 10 business days. Keep this letter for your records.

Key Takeaways

• Call the number on the back of your Bank of America credit card to request closure; you do not need to visit a branch.
• Your balance must be paid in full before Bank of America will close the account.
• Written confirmation arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days after you request closure over the phone.
• Closing a credit card can lower your available credit and may affect your credit score, so consider this before you close.
• If you have pending transactions or automatic payments tied to the card, cancel or update those before you close the account.

What to do before you call to close

Before you contact Bank of America, make sure your card balance is zero. If you carry a balance, you will need to pay it off first. You can pay online through your Bank of America account, by phone, or by mail.

Check whether you have any automatic payments or recurring charges set to that card. This includes subscriptions, utility bills, insurance payments, or any other regular charges. You will need to update those payments to a different card or payment method before closure, or they will fail.

If you have pending transactions that have not yet posted to your account, wait for them to clear before you close. This prevents confusion about whether a charge went through.

Why your credit score may change after closure

Closing a credit card affects your credit score in two ways. First, it lowers your total available credit. If you had a $5,000 limit on this card and $15,000 in total limits across all your cards, closing it drops your available credit to $10,000. This can raise your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your available credit you are actually using — which may lower your score temporarily.

Second, closing an account removes it from your credit history. If this card has a long history of on-time payments, closing it removes positive payment history from your report. The account will still appear on your credit report for seven years after closure, but it will show as closed.

These effects are usually temporary. Your score typically recovers within a few months if you continue making on-time payments on your other accounts.

Alternatives to closing if you want to keep the account open

If you want to stop using the card but keep the account active, you can straightforward stop charging to it. This preserves your available credit and your payment history without the score impact of closure.

Bank of America may close inactive accounts on their own after a period of no activity, typically 12 months or longer, though the exact timeline varies. If you want to keep the account open indefinitely, use it occasionally — even a small purchase every few months is enough.

Another option is to downgrade to a different Bank of America card with no annual fee. If your current card has an annual fee and you want to avoid paying it, you can call and ask whether Bank of America offers a downgrade option. Not all cards can be downgraded, but some can be converted to a basic card with no fee.

What happens to your credit line after closure

Once your account is closed, you lose access to that credit line. You cannot charge to the card or use it for purchases. The credit limit is no longer available to you.

If you have other Bank of America credit cards, closing one does not affect the others. Each account is separate. Your other cards remain open and usable.

If you later change your mind and want to reopen the account, contact Bank of America. They may reopen a recently closed account, but this is not may provide. The longer the account has been closed, the less likely they are to reopen it. If they decline, you would need to open a new card.

Confirming closure and keeping records

After you close the account, Bank of America will send you a written confirmation letter. This letter confirms the closure date and shows your final balance. Keep this letter with your financial records.

You can also log into your Bank of America online account to verify that the card no longer appears in your active accounts. Closed accounts typically move to a separate section labeled "Closed Accounts" or similar.

Check your credit report a few weeks after closure to confirm that the account shows as closed. You can view your credit report for free once per year at annualcreditreport.com. The three major credit bureaus are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

If you have questions during the closure process

Bank of America customer service can answer questions about your specific account. Call the number on the back of your card or visit a Bank of America branch in person if you prefer to close the account face-to-face.

If you have questions about how closure affects your credit, you can contact the credit bureaus directly or review the educational resources on their websites. The Federal Trade Commission also publishes information about credit reports and credit scores.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I close my Bank of America credit card online?

No, Bank of America requires you to close a credit card by phone or in person at a branch. You cannot close the account through their website or mobile app. Call the number on the back of your card to reach customer service.

What if I still owe a balance on the card?

Bank of America will not close the account while a balance remains. You must pay the full balance first. After the balance reaches zero, you can request closure. If you want to close the account but keep paying off the balance, ask the representative whether you can close it with a remaining balance; some issuers allow this, though Bank of America's policy may vary.

How long does it take for the account to actually close?

The account closes when ready when you request it over the phone. However, written confirmation takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive by mail. The account is closed and unusable right away, even before you receive the letter.

Will closing my card hurt my credit score?

Closing a credit card can lower your score temporarily because it reduces your available credit and removes an account from your history. The impact is usually small and temporary if you have other cards with good payment history. Your score typically recovers within a few months.

What if I closed my card by mistake?

Contact Bank of America as soon as possible. If the account was closed very recently, they may be able to reopen it. The sooner you call, the better your chances. If they decline to reopen it, you would need to open a new card.