How to Cancel a Chase Credit Card Without Losing Your Points (2026 Guide)

Updated February 2026 • 8 min read

Chase credit cards come with some of the best rewards in the industry — but annual fees of $95 to $550 add up fast. Whether you have a Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, United Explorer, or Marriott Bonvoy card, here is everything you need to know before closing the account.

Before You Cancel: Protect Your Points

This is the most important step. Chase Ultimate Rewards points are deleted permanently when you close the card that earned them. You have three options:

1. Transfer to travel partners: Move points to airlines (United, Southwest, Hyatt, etc.) before closing. Transferred points live in the partner account permanently.
2. Move to another Chase card: If you have another Chase card that earns Ultimate Rewards (Freedom Flex, Freedom Unlimited, etc.), you can transfer points between cards by calling Chase.
3. Redeem for cash back: As a last resort, redeem points as a statement credit at 1 cent per point. Not the best value, but better than losing them entirely.

The Better Move: Product Change Instead

In most cases, downgrading to a no-fee card is smarter than canceling. Here is why:

• Keeps your credit line open (protects utilization ratio)
• Preserves your account age (helps credit score)
• Retains your Ultimate Rewards points
• No hard credit pull required

Best product change options:

• Sapphire Preferred/Reserve → Chase Freedom Flex (5% rotating categories, no fee)
• Sapphire Preferred/Reserve → Chase Freedom Unlimited (1.5% flat cash back, no fee)
• United Explorer → United Gateway (no fee, keeps United MileagePlus number)
• Marriott Bonvoy → Unfortunately, there is no no-fee Marriott Chase card, so canceling may be your only option

How to Cancel (If You Still Want To)

Method 1: Phone (Primary)

1. Call 1-800-432-3117
2. Say "cancel card" to the automated system
3. You will be connected to a retention specialist
4. Be prepared for retention offers (bonus points, fee waiver, statement credit)
5. If you want to close the card, say: "I appreciate the offer, but I would like to proceed with closing the account"
6. Confirm zero balance and ask for written confirmation
7. Note the date, time, and representative name

Method 2: Secure Message

1. Log into Chase.com
2. Navigate to "Secure Messages"
3. Compose a new message requesting card closure
4. Include the last 4 digits of your card number
5. Response typically within 1-2 business days

Retention Offers to Expect

Chase retention specialists are well-trained. Common offers include:

• Annual fee waiver — full waiver or partial credit for one year
• Bonus points — 10,000-30,000 Ultimate Rewards points to keep the card open
• Statement credits — $50-$150 applied to your account
• Spending bonus — extra points per dollar for 3 months

Should you take the offer? Do the math. If Chase offers a full $95 annual fee waiver on a Sapphire Preferred, that is essentially a free year of the card. A 20,000-point bonus is worth $250-400 when transferred to travel partners. Sometimes the retention offer makes keeping the card a no-brainer.

Credit Score Impact

Closing a Chase card affects your credit in two ways:

• Credit utilization increases: If your Chase card has a $20,000 limit and you close it, you lose that available credit. If you carry balances on other cards, your utilization ratio jumps — potentially dropping your score 20-50 points.
• Average account age decreases: Closed accounts stay on your report for 10 years, but eventually fall off — shortening your credit history. This impact is gradual, not immediate.

After Canceling: Checklist

• ✅ Confirm zero balance (including pending transactions)
• ✅ Update any autopay services linked to the card
• ✅ Remove card from digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay)
• ✅ Save your final statement for records
• ✅ Check credit reports in 30 days to verify closure
• ✅ Destroy the physical card

The Chase 5/24 Rule: Why Timing Matters

Chase has an unwritten rule: if you have opened 5 or more credit cards (from any issuer) in the last 24 months, you will be automatically denied for most Chase cards. This means:

• If you are under 5/24 and plan to apply for another Chase card, close your current one before applying (product change is better)
• If you are over 5/24, there is no rush — you cannot get a new Chase card anyway
• Closing a card does NOT reduce your 5/24 count (it is based on accounts opened, not currently open)