How to close a Discover card in three steps
To close a Discover credit card, call Discover customer service at the number on the back of your card, confirm your identity, and ask to close the account. A representative will process the closure when ready. You can also close your account online through your Discover account dashboard under Account Settings, though calling ensures you speak with someone who can answer questions about what happens to your balance or rewards.
Before you close the account, pay off any remaining balance. Discover will not close an account with an outstanding balance — you must bring it to zero first. If you have pending rewards points, redeem them before closing, since you will lose access to unredeemed rewards once the account is closed.
Key Takeaways
- You must pay your full balance to zero before Discover will close your account; an outstanding balance will prevent closure.
- Redeem any rewards points before closing, because unredeemed cash back or points are forfeited once the account closes.
- Calling Discover at the number on your card is the fastest method and lets you confirm the closure was processed.
- Closing a credit card can lower your credit score temporarily because it reduces your total available credit and may raise your credit utilization ratio.
- Discover will send a final statement showing the closure date, which you should keep for your records.
Prepare your account before calling
Check your Discover account online or on your statement to see your current balance. If you owe money, make a payment to bring the balance to zero. Discover's system will not allow closure while a balance exists, so this step is non-negotiable.
Log into your Discover account and review your rewards balance. If you have cash back or points, redeem them now. Once the account closes, any unredeemed rewards are gone — Discover does not transfer them to another card or pay them out after closure. You can redeem rewards as a statement credit, a deposit to a linked bank account, or a check, depending on your rewards program.
Gather any recent statements or account information you want to keep. After closure, you will no longer have online access to your account history, so read or print statements if you need them for tax records or dispute purposes.
Call Discover or close online
The phone number for Discover customer service is on the back of your card. Call during business hours, have your card ready, and tell the representative you want to close your account. They will verify your identity by asking for your Social Security number or other personal information, confirm your balance is zero, and process the closure. The entire call usually takes five to ten minutes.
If you prefer not to call, you can close your account through the Discover website. Log in, go to Account Settings, and look for the option to close your account. The online method is faster but does not give you a chance to ask questions. If you have any concerns — such as whether closing will affect a pending rewards redemption or a recent transaction — calling is the better choice.
What happens after you close the account
Discover will send you a final statement showing the closure date and confirming your balance was zero at the time of closure. This statement arrives within one to two billing cycles. Keep it with your financial records.
Your credit report will show the account as closed, which may lower your credit score slightly. This happens because closing a card reduces your total available credit, which can raise your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your total credit limit you are using across all cards. The impact is usually temporary and fades over time as you continue to use other accounts responsibly.
You will no longer be able to use the card for purchases. If you have automatic payments set up on this card — such as a subscription or utility bill — update those payments to a different card or bank account before closure to avoid missed payments.
Reasons to keep your card open instead
Closing a credit card is permanent, so consider whether you might want to keep it open. If the card has no annual fee, there is no cost to keeping it inactive. An open account with a zero balance actually helps your credit score by lowering your utilization ratio.
If you earned cash back or rewards on this card, closing it means you lose the ability to earn future rewards on new purchases. Discover cards often offer rotating categories with higher cash back rates, so if you use those categories regularly, closing the card means switching to a different card for those purchases.
If this is your oldest credit card, closing it will reduce the average age of your credit accounts, which can lower your score. Keeping older accounts open is generally better for your credit history, even if you do not use them.
If you want to reopen the account later
Discover may allow you to reopen a closed account within a certain window, but this is not may provide. If you close your account and change your mind within a few months, contact Discover customer service to ask whether the account can be reopened. The sooner you call, the better your chances.
If the account cannot be reopened, you can open a new Discover card, but you will start fresh — your old rewards balance is gone, and you will not have the same account history. For this reason, it is worth thinking carefully before closing rather than reopening later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing my Discover card hurt my credit score?
Yes, but usually only temporarily. Closing a card lowers your available credit, which can raise your credit utilization ratio and cause a small dip in your score. The impact fades over time as you continue to use other accounts responsibly. If you have other open cards with low balances, the effect is usually minimal.
What happens to my rewards if I close the account?
Any unredeemed rewards are forfeited once the account closes. You must redeem your cash back or points before closure. Discover will not transfer them to another card or pay them out after the account is closed, so check your rewards balance and redeem everything before you call to close.
Can I close my Discover card if I still owe money?
No. You must pay your balance to zero before Discover will close the account. If you have an outstanding balance, make a payment first, then call to request closure. Discover's system will reject any closure request while a balance exists.
How long does it take to close a Discover card?
The closure is processed when ready when you call or submit the request online. You will receive a final statement within one to two billing cycles confirming the closure date. Your credit report will reflect the closed account within 30 to 60 days.
Can I reopen my Discover card after closing it?
Discover may allow you to reopen a recently closed account if you contact them within a few months, but this is not may provide. If reopening is not possible, you can open a new Discover card, but it will be treated as a new account with no history from the old one.