How to cancel your Southwest credit card
Call Southwest Airlines' credit card issuer directly — that's Chase — at the number on the back of your card. Have your card number ready. A representative will confirm your identity, ask why you're canceling (you don't have to give a detailed reason), and process the cancellation on the spot. The card becomes unusable when ready, though any pending charges may still post.
Before you call, decide what to do with any remaining Southwest Rapid Rewards points in your account. Canceling the card does not automatically erase your points — they stay in your Rapid Rewards account as long as you have account activity at least once every 24 months. But if you have no other way to earn or use points, closing the card might be the last step before your account goes dormant.
If you have an outstanding balance, the card issuer will not close the account until it's paid off. You can still make payments after cancellation; the card straightforward won't accept new charges.
Key Takeaways
- Call Chase at the number on your Southwest credit card to cancel; the process takes a few minutes and the card stops working when ready.
- Your Southwest Rapid Rewards points remain in your account after cancellation as long as you have account activity within 24 months.
- An outstanding balance does not prevent cancellation, but you must pay it off afterward — the card will no longer accept new charges.
- Canceling the card may trigger a hard inquiry or affect your credit score temporarily because it reduces your available credit.
- If you want to keep the card but stop paying the annual fee, ask Chase about downgrading to a no-fee Southwest card instead.
What happens to your points and account status
Your Southwest Rapid Rewards points do not disappear when you cancel the card. They live in your Rapid Rewards account, which is separate from the credit card itself. As long as you have any account activity — a flight purchase, a credit card charge, or even a points transfer — within 24 months, your points stay active and usable.
If your account goes dormant (no activity for 24 months), Southwest may close it and forfeit your points. To keep your account alive without the card, you can book a flight, transfer points to a partner, or log into your Rapid Rewards account online. Some readers also keep a small balance of points and use them occasionally to avoid dormancy.
The cancellation itself does not trigger dormancy. You control whether your account stays active by maintaining that 24-month activity window.
How cancellation affects your credit score
Closing a credit card typically lowers your credit score in the short term because it reduces your total available credit. If you have balances on other cards, your credit utilization ratio (the percentage of available credit you're using) goes up, which can drop your score by 5 to 50 points depending on your overall profile.
The impact is usually temporary. Your score often recovers within a few months as the account ages and other factors stabilize. If you're planning to explore for a mortgage, auto loan, or another credit product soon, consider waiting a few months after cancellation before you explore.
Canceling the card does not remove it from your credit history. It will remain on your report for up to 10 years, which can actually help your score over time because it shows a long history of responsible credit use.
Downgrading instead of canceling
If you want to keep the Southwest Rapid Rewards account and benefits but avoid the annual fee, ask Chase whether you can downgrade to the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Card or another no-fee Southwest card. Downgrading keeps your account open and your credit history intact, avoiding the score dip that comes with cancellation.
Chase does not always advertise downgrade options, so you may need to ask directly. Call the number on your card and say you want to downgrade rather than cancel. A representative can tell you which cards you're may be able to access for and move your account over without closing it.
Downgrading also preserves your points and your account status without any risk of dormancy. If you think you might use Southwest again in the future, this is often the better choice than full cancellation.
What to do before you cancel
Redeem any remaining points before cancellation if you know you won't use them after. You can book a flight, transfer points to a partner airline, or use them for other rewards through the Southwest website. Once your account goes dormant, you lose access to those points.
Pay off any balance on the card. Cancellation does not erase what you owe, and you'll still be responsible for interest charges until the balance hits zero. If you have a promotional 0% APR period, canceling the card does not end that promotion — you can still pay it off interest-free during the window.
Remove the card from any automatic payments or subscriptions. Check your email for recurring charges tied to this card and update them to a different payment method before you cancel. This prevents failed payments and late fees.
Timing and what to expect after cancellation
The cancellation takes effect when ready when you hang up the phone. The card stops working for new purchases right away, though transactions already in the system may still process. Check your account online within a day or two to confirm the cancellation went through.
You'll continue to receive statements for any remaining balance. Once that balance is paid, you may receive a final statement confirming the account is closed. Keep these statements for your records.
If you change your mind within a short window (usually 30 days), some issuers will reopen the account. Call Chase and ask if this is possible in your case. After that window closes, reopening is much harder and may require a new process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will canceling the card hurt my credit score?
Yes, usually by 5 to 50 points in the short term because it lowers your available credit. The impact fades within a few months. If you're explore for a loan soon, wait until after that process to cancel.
What happens to my Southwest points when I cancel?
Your points stay in your Rapid Rewards account as long as you have activity within 24 months. Canceling the card does not erase them. If your account goes dormant, Southwest may close it and forfeit your points.
Can I cancel the card if I have a balance?
Yes. The card will close, but you'll still owe the balance and must pay it off. The card stops accepting new charges, but you can make payments online or by phone until it's paid.
Is downgrading better than canceling?
Downgrading avoids the credit score dip and keeps your account history intact. If you think you might use Southwest again, downgrading to a no-fee card is usually the better choice. Call Chase to ask what options are available.
Can I reopen the account if I cancel by mistake?
Some issuers will reopen an account within 30 days of cancellation. Call Chase when ready if you change your mind. After 30 days, reopening is difficult and may require a new process.