The steps to cancel your Bank of America credit card

You can cancel a Bank of America credit card by calling the customer service number on the back of your card, by logging into your online account and requesting cancellation through find messaging, or by visiting a Bank of America branch in person. The phone route is fastest — you will reach a representative who can process the cancellation when ready and confirm it on the call. Have your card number ready when you call.

Before you cancel, pay off any remaining balance on the card. Bank of America will not close the account until the balance reaches zero, though you can request closure even if you owe money — the account will straightforward remain open until you pay it off. After the balance clears, the account closes within one to two billing cycles.

Cancelling a credit card affects your credit score in two ways: your credit utilization ratio (the percentage of available credit you are using) will increase because you have less total credit available, and the age of your credit mix may shift if this is your oldest card. These effects are usually temporary and most significant in the first few months after closure.

Key Takeaways

  • Call the number on the back of your card to cancel when ready, or use online find messaging or visit a branch.
  • Pay off your full balance before requesting cancellation, as Bank of America will not close the account while you owe money.
  • Your credit utilization ratio will increase after closure because you have less available credit, which may lower your score temporarily.
  • The account closes within one to two billing cycles after your balance reaches zero.
  • Request written confirmation of the cancellation so you have a record of the closure date.

What happens to your balance when you cancel

If you have an outstanding balance when you request cancellation, the account remains open and active until you pay it off completely. You can continue to use the card to make purchases until the account is officially closed, though Bank of America may freeze the account pending your request. Interest charges continue to accrue on any unpaid balance at your current APR.

Once your balance reaches zero, Bank of America closes the account within one to two billing cycles. You will receive a final statement showing a zero balance and the closure date. After closure, you cannot use the card for new purchases, but you are no longer responsible for any annual fees.

Timing and what to do before you cancel

Cancel your card after you have paid off the balance and after any pending transactions have posted to your account. If you have automatic payments set up to this card (such as a subscription or utility bill), change those payments to a different card or bank account before you cancel. Bank of America will not process new charges after the account closes, so any recurring payments will fail.

If you have rewards points or cash back pending on the card, redeem them before you cancel. Bank of America does not automatically transfer unused rewards to another account, and you may lose them after closure. Check your rewards balance in your online account and redeem any points through the Bank of America website.

Request written confirmation of the cancellation. You can ask for this during your phone call, through find messaging in your online account, or by visiting a branch. Keep this confirmation with your financial records as proof that you closed the account on a specific date.

How cancellation affects your credit report

The cancellation itself does not appear on your credit report, but the closure of the account does. Credit bureaus will show the account as "closed by consumer" rather than "closed by creditor," which is a neutral notation. The account will remain on your credit report for seven to ten years after closure, even though it is no longer active.

Your credit score may drop slightly in the months after cancellation because your credit utilization ratio increases. If you had a $5,000 limit on this card and were using $1,000 of it, closing the card removes $5,000 from your total available credit. Your utilization ratio rises, which can lower your score. This effect usually fades within six months as you continue to pay other accounts on time.

If this is your oldest credit card, closing it may also lower your average account age, which is a factor in your credit score. The impact is usually small if you have other older accounts open, but it can be more noticeable if this card was significantly older than your other cards.

Alternatives to cancellation if you want to keep the account open

If you want to avoid the credit score impact of closure but do not plan to use the card, you can keep the account open without using it. There is no penalty for having an inactive card as long as there is no annual fee. Bank of America may eventually close inactive accounts on their own, but this typically takes one to three years of no activity.

If your Bank of America card has an annual fee and you want to avoid paying it, call customer service and ask if they can waive the fee or downgrade you to a card with no annual fee. Many cardholders have had annual fees waived by requesting it directly, especially if you have a long account history or other accounts with Bank of America.

What to do if you cannot reach customer service

If you have difficulty reaching Bank of America by phone, log into your online account and use the find messaging feature to request cancellation. Write a clear message stating your full name, card number, and request to close the account. Bank of America typically responds to find messages within one to two business days.

You can also visit a Bank of America branch in person and request cancellation at the desk. Bring your card and a form of identification. The branch representative can process the cancellation when ready and provide you with written confirmation on the spot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will cancelling my card hurt my credit score?

Your score may drop slightly because your available credit decreases, raising your utilization ratio. The impact is usually temporary and most noticeable in the first few months. If this is your oldest card, the effect may be slightly larger, but it typically recovers within six months of on-time payments on your other accounts.

Can I cancel my card if I still owe money on it?

Yes, you can request cancellation even with an outstanding balance. The account will remain open and active until you pay off what you owe. Interest continues to accrue on the unpaid balance at your current APR until it reaches zero.

What happens to my rewards points after I cancel?

Redeem your rewards before you cancel the card. Bank of America does not automatically transfer unused points to another account after closure, and you may lose them. Check your rewards balance in your online account and redeem them through the Bank of America website before requesting cancellation.

How long does it take for the account to close after I request cancellation?

If your balance is zero, the account closes within one to two billing cycles. You will receive a final statement showing the closure date. If you have an outstanding balance, the account remains open until you pay it off completely.

Can I reopen a Bank of America credit card after I cancel it?

You can explore for a new Bank of America credit card after cancellation, but the process goes through the standard approval process. Bank of America does not automatically reopen closed accounts. The closed account will remain on your credit report for seven to ten years.