Call Discover's cancellation line and have your card number ready
The fastest way to cancel a Discover card is to call the customer service number on the back of your card. You will reach a representative who can process the cancellation when ready — you do not need to mail anything or wait for confirmation. The entire call usually takes five to ten minutes.
Before you call, gather your card number and have a reason ready. Discover will ask why you are closing the account. You do not have to give a detailed explanation, but saying something like "I am consolidating cards" or "I found a card with better rewards" is normal and expected. Some representatives may offer you a retention offer — a higher cash back rate or a waived annual fee — to keep the account open. You can accept or decline.
If you cannot reach a representative by phone, you can also cancel through your online Discover account. Log in, go to the account settings or customer service section, and look for a "close account" or "cancel card" option. The exact wording varies, but the option exists in most account dashboards.
Key Takeaways
- Call the number on the back of your Discover card to cancel; a representative can close your account in one call without mailing anything.
- Pay off your full balance before cancelling so you do not owe interest after the account closes.
- Your cancellation takes effect when ready, but Discover will send a written confirmation in the mail within a few days.
- Cancelling a card lowers your available credit, which may temporarily lower your credit score, but the effect usually fades within a few months.
- If you have pending rewards or cash back, redeem them before you cancel because you cannot earn or use rewards after the account closes.
Pay off your balance before you call
Do not cancel a card while you still owe money on it. If you close the account with an outstanding balance, you will still owe that amount, and Discover will continue to charge interest until you pay it off. Paying interest on a closed account is one of the most common mistakes people make when cancelling cards.
Log into your Discover account online or call customer service to check your current balance. If you have a balance, make a payment before you cancel. You can pay the full amount at once or make a final payment after you cancel — either way, the account will stay open until the balance reaches zero. Once the balance is paid, you can then cancel without owing anything.
Redeem your rewards before cancelling
Discover cards typically earn cash back on purchases. If you have cash back sitting in your account, redeem it before you cancel. Once the account closes, you cannot earn new rewards, and depending on Discover's terms, you may lose the ability to redeem rewards you have already earned.
Log into your account and look for the rewards or cash back section. Most Discover cards let you redeem cash back in increments of $20 or more, and the money goes directly to your bank account or as a statement credit. Redeem what you have, wait for the transaction to post, and then proceed with cancellation.
Understand what happens to your credit after you cancel
Cancelling a credit card affects your credit score in two ways. First, closing the account lowers your total available credit. If you had a $5,000 limit on the Discover card, that $5,000 disappears from your available credit pool. This can raise your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your total credit limit that you are currently using — which may lower your score by 10 to 50 points depending on how much credit you have elsewhere.
Second, closing an account removes it from your active credit history. If the Discover card was one of your older accounts, closing it can lower the average age of your accounts, which also affects your score. However, the account will remain on your credit report for seven to ten years after you close it, so the damage is temporary. Most people see their score recover within three to six months.
If you are worried about the impact, you can cancel after you have paid off other debts or opened a new card with a higher limit. You can also straightforward stop using the card and leave it open without cancelling — this keeps your available credit intact and does not hurt your score.
Confirm your cancellation in writing
After you cancel by phone, Discover will send you a written confirmation in the mail within five to seven business days. Keep this letter in case you need proof that the account was closed. If you do not receive a confirmation letter within two weeks, call customer service again and ask them to send one.
Check your credit report a few weeks after cancellation to make sure the account shows as closed. You can view your credit report for free once per year at annualcreditreport.com, which is the official government site. If the account does not show as closed after 30 days, contact Discover again.
What to do if you want to reopen the account later
If you cancel a Discover card and change your mind within a short window — usually 30 to 60 days — you may be able to reopen it. Call customer service and ask if your account can be reinstated. Discover will usually agree if you cancelled recently and have no negative history on the account.
If more than 60 days have passed, you will likely need to explore for a new Discover card instead of reopening the old one. The process process is the same as opening any new credit card: Discover will check your credit, and you will receive a decision within a few minutes to a few days. You will get a new card number and a new account, though you may be may be able to access for the same rewards program you had before.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will cancelling my Discover card hurt my credit score?
Yes, but usually not for long. Your score may drop 10 to 50 points because you are losing available credit and potentially lowering the average age of your accounts. Most people see their score recover within three to six months. The impact is smaller if you have other cards with high limits or if the Discover card was relatively new.
Can I cancel my Discover card if I still have a balance?
You can cancel, but you will still owe the balance and will continue to pay interest. It is better to pay off the balance first, then cancel. If you cancel with a balance, the account stays open until you pay it off, so you might as well keep using it until the debt is gone.
What happens to my cash back rewards if I cancel?
Redeem your cash back before you cancel. Once the account closes, you may lose the ability to redeem rewards you have already earned, depending on Discover's terms. Log into your account and redeem what you have, then cancel.
How long does it take to cancel a Discover card?
The cancellation itself takes five to ten minutes over the phone. The account closes when ready, but Discover will send a written confirmation in the mail within five to seven business days. The account will show as closed on your credit report within 30 days.
Can I reopen my Discover card after I cancel it?
If you cancel and change your mind within 30 to 60 days, call customer service and ask if they can reinstate the account. After 60 days, you will need to explore for a new card. The process process is the same as opening any new Discover card.