Call Southwest's customer service number on the back of your card

The fastest way to cancel a Southwest credit card is to call the number printed on the back of your card. You will reach a representative who can process the cancellation when ready. Have your card number ready when you call.

Southwest's customer service team handles cancellations during business hours. The call typically takes fewer than five minutes. The representative will confirm your identity, ask why you are canceling, and then close the account.

After you hang up, your card will no longer work for new purchases. You remain responsible for any existing balance on the account until you pay it off.

Key Takeaways

  • Call the number on the back of your Southwest card to cancel; the process takes about five minutes and happens when ready.
  • You can still use the card to pay down any remaining balance after cancellation, but you cannot make new purchases.
  • Canceling does not erase what you owe — you must continue paying any outstanding balance until it reaches zero.
  • Closing the account may lower your credit score temporarily because it reduces your available credit, so cancel only when you are ready for that impact.
  • If you want to keep the card open but stop using it, you do not have to call; straightforward put the card away and use a different one.

What happens to your balance when you cancel

Canceling the card does not erase the money you owe. If you have a balance, you will continue to receive monthly statements and must make payments until the balance reaches zero. Interest will continue to accrue on any unpaid balance at the card's regular rate.

Some cardholders cancel because they want to stop using the card, not because they have paid it off. In that case, set up automatic payments or a payment plan before you cancel, so you do not miss a due date after the account closes.

The effect on your credit score

Closing a credit card account typically lowers your credit score in the short term. The score drops because closing the account reduces your total available credit, which changes your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your total credit limit that you are using across all cards.

For example, if you have two cards with $5,000 limits each and a $3,000 balance on one, your utilization is 30 percent. If you cancel the card with no balance, your total available credit drops to $5,000, and your utilization jumps to 60 percent. That change can lower your score by 10 to 50 points, depending on your credit profile.

The impact is usually temporary. Your score typically recovers within a few months as long as you continue paying bills on time and do not open new accounts.

Reasons to keep the card open instead

If you are canceling only because you do not use the card, consider keeping it open. You can straightforward stop using it and leave it in a drawer. This preserves your available credit and avoids the score dip that comes with closing an account.

The card issuer may close the account for inactivity if you do not use it for a long time — usually 12 months or more — but you can prevent that by making a small purchase every year or two and paying it off when ready.

Keeping the card open is especially useful if you earned a sign-up bonus when you opened it. Once you cancel, you lose access to any remaining benefits, such as anniversary bonuses or ongoing rewards on purchases.

What to do before you cancel

Before you call to cancel, review your account for any pending charges or subscriptions that might be tied to the card. If you have set up automatic payments for utilities, insurance, or other bills using this card, update those payments to a different card or bank account first. Canceling without updating those will cause those payments to fail.

Check your rewards balance. If you have accumulated Southwest Rapid Rewards points through the card, those points typically remain in your account even after you cancel the card. However, some card benefits — such as anniversary bonuses or accelerated earning rates — may stop once the account closes, so use any remaining benefits before you cancel if you want to maximize them.

If you have a promotional offer or 0 percent interest period still active on the card, canceling will end that offer. If you are in the middle of paying down a large balance at a low rate, you might want to wait until that period ends before canceling.

How to cancel online or by mail

Southwest does not offer a way to cancel your card through its website or mobile app. Phone cancellation is the standard method. If you prefer not to call, you can write a letter to the address listed on your statement requesting cancellation, but this takes longer — typically one to two weeks — and you will not receive when ready confirmation that the account is closed.

If you choose to write, include your full name, card number, and a clear statement that you want to cancel the account. Send it certified mail so you have proof of delivery. Keep a copy for your records.

After your card is canceled

Once the account closes, you will no longer receive statements for that card. If you still owe a balance, the issuer will send statements to your mailing address until the balance is paid. Make sure your address is current in your account before you cancel.

The closed account will remain on your credit report for seven to ten years, depending on whether the account was in good standing when you closed it. This is normal and does not harm your credit — closed accounts in good standing actually help your credit history by showing you managed credit responsibly.

If you want to reopen the account later, you will have to explore for a new card. There is no way to reactivate a canceled card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will canceling hurt my credit score?

Yes, but usually only temporarily. Your score may drop 10 to 50 points in the short term because closing the account reduces your available credit. The impact typically fades within a few months if you continue paying other bills on time and do not open new accounts.

Can I cancel over the phone without speaking to a representative?

No. Southwest requires you to speak with a customer service representative to cancel. You cannot cancel through an automated phone system or online portal. This is standard practice for most credit card issuers.

What happens to my Southwest Rapid Rewards points if I cancel?

Your points remain in your account after you cancel the card. You can still use them to book flights or redeem them for other rewards. However, you will no longer earn new points on purchases once the card is closed.

Do I have to pay my balance when ready after canceling?

No. You can continue making regular monthly payments on the balance after the account closes. However, interest will continue to accrue on any unpaid balance at the card's regular rate, so paying it off sooner saves you money.

Can I cancel if I still owe money on the card?

Yes. You can cancel even if you have an outstanding balance. The balance does not disappear — you must continue paying it until it reaches zero. Canceling straightforward stops you from making new purchases on that card.