How to cancel or close a credit card

4 min read

Updated: Oct 30, 2026

Written by

Emily Tye

Reviewed by

Amy Lancashire

You can cancel or close a credit card at any time, free of charge. Here's what to do, in order:

1. Decide whether closing the card is the right move

2. Clear the balance, or check how you'll keep repaying it

3. Move recurring payments and saved card details

4. Use up any rewards

5. Ask your provider to close the account

6. Get written confirmation

7. Cut up the card

8. Check your credit report

Step 1: Be sure you want to cancel it

If your credit card doesn't charge an annual fee, it may be worth keeping it open (but unused) so that your credit utilisation percentage doesn't go up. And if it's one of your oldest accounts, closing it means it stops adding to your credit history. Both can affect your credit score. There's more on this below.

On the other hand, if having the card open tempts you to spend money you can't afford, closing it can be the better choice.

Step 2: Clear your balance or plan to repay it

Some providers won’t let you close your account until the balance is £0. Others stop the card as soon as you ask, then close the account once you’ve paid off what you owe. Interest can still be charged on what’s left until then.

To clear it first, pay it off in full or transfer the balance to another card. If you've been paying interest, a little more can build up between your last statement and the day you pay, so ask your provider for the exact amount needed to clear the account.

If you have surplus credit left, ask your provider for a refund before you close the account.

Step 3: Move recurring payments and saved card details

Subscriptions, memberships and bills paid by the card will fail once it's closed. Move them to another card or account first, or cancel a recurring card payment you no longer need. It's also worth removing the card from Apple Pay, Google Pay and any shops or apps where your details are saved.

Step 4: Redeem any rewards

If your credit card offers cashback or points, try and use them before closing the account, as you could lose anything you haven't claimed.

Step 5: Contact your card provider

Call your provider, send a secure message or use the close-account option in its app or online banking, if there is one, and ask for the account to be closed. Your provider may offer you a deal to stay. If you still want to close the card, politely decline.

Step 6: Request written confirmation

Ask for a written confirmation that your account is closed, so you have a record if anything is charged to it later.

Step 7: Cut up your card

Cutting up your card doesn't close the account, so wait until your provider has confirmed it's closed. Then cut through the chip, card number and magnetic strip so nobody else can use it, and keep any paperwork for your records.

Step 8: Check your credit report

After cancellation, review your credit report to ensure the card is marked as 'closed'. Lenders usually update credit reference agencies once a month, so it can take a month or two to show. Checking your own report won't affect your credit score.

Does cancelling or closing a credit card hurt your credit score?

Closing a credit card can lower your credit score for two reasons:

1. It can shorten your credit history over time: A closed account stays on your credit report for up to six years, so its history doesn't vanish straight away. But it stops adding new months of payments, and once it drops off, your credit history can look shorter, especially if it was your oldest account.

2. It can increase your credit utilisation percentage: If you cancel a card, your total credit limit decreases. If you owe money on other cards, your credit utilisation percentage goes up, which can hurt your score. Let's look at an example, where you have two credit cards and decide to close one:

• Card A has a £5,000 limit

• Card B has a £3,000 limit

• So your total credit limit is £8,000 (£5,000 + £3,000).

• If you owe, say, £2,000 in total, your credit utilisation is 25% (£2,000/£8,000).

• If you cancel Card B, your total available credit drops to £5,000, so your utilisation rises to 40% (£2,000/£5,000).

This higher utilisation rate can then negatively impact your credit score.

How to close a card with less impact on your score

• If you have balances on other cards, paying them down before you close one means your utilisation won’t jump as much

• If you're deciding which card to close, think about keeping your oldest one. Some lenders see long-held, well-managed accounts as a good sign

For more information, check out this guide on how to improve your score.

Tips for inactive credit cards

If you choose to keep your credit card open but inactive, be sure to follow these tips:

1. Check for annual fees: Some premium cards charge a fee. Check if this is the case before deciding to keep it open.

2. Keep an eye on your account: Keep the provider's app on your phone and keep checking your statements. Fraudsters may assume nobody's watching an unused account, so regular checks help you spot credit card fraud early.

3. Update your address: If you move, update your address for the inactive card. If a replacement card is sent to your old address, it could be a security risk.

Closing a Zable credit card

Our help centre has the full closure steps.

You can close a Zable account in the Zable app. Before you do, it's best to make sure:

• your balance is £0, with no pending transactions

• any credit balance has been used or refunded

• no recurring payments are still set up on the card

FAQs

This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please speak to a qualified financial adviser before making financial decisions.