Call Chase to cancel your Southwest card
To cancel your Southwest credit card, call the customer service number on the back of your card. Chase will connect you to a representative who can process the cancellation when ready. The phone number is typically 1-800-955-9060, but the back of your card is the most current contact method.
Have your card number ready when you call. The representative may ask why you're canceling and might offer you a retention offer — a bonus, fee waiver, or statement credit to keep the account open. You can accept or decline. If you decline, the representative will confirm your cancellation and provide a confirmation number.
Cancellation takes effect right away, though any pending charges may still post to the account for a few days. You can also request that Chase close the account when ready rather than leaving it open with a zero balance.
Key Takeaways
- Call the number on the back of your Southwest card to reach Chase customer service, and a representative will cancel the account on the phone.
- Chase may offer you a retention bonus or fee waiver before closing the account — you can accept or refuse.
- Cancellation is when ready, but pending charges may still appear for a few days after you hang up.
- Pay off any remaining balance before canceling to avoid interest charges on a closed account.
- Request written confirmation of the cancellation if you want a record for your files.
What happens to your rewards points when you cancel
Your Southwest Rapid Rewards points do not disappear when you close the card. Points stay in your Rapid Rewards account as long as your account remains active, even after the card is closed. You can continue to use those points to book flights or transfer them to partner airlines.
However, if you have no Southwest credit card and no other Rapid Rewards activity (like flying Southwest or earning points through partner purchases), your account may become inactive. Chase typically closes inactive Rapid Rewards accounts after 12 months of no activity, which would forfeit any remaining points. To keep your points, either keep the card open, maintain some activity, or transfer your points to a partner airline before closing the account.
Pay your balance before you cancel
If you have a balance on your Southwest card, pay it in full before canceling. Once the account is closed, you can no longer make purchases, but you will still owe the balance and will continue to accrue interest until it is paid off.
After you cancel, Chase will send you a final statement showing any remaining balance. You can pay this by mail, phone, or through your Chase online account. If you have autopay set up, make sure it continues to process after cancellation so you do not miss a payment.
Understand the impact on your credit score
Closing a credit card can temporarily lower your credit score because it reduces your total available credit and may increase your credit utilization ratio on remaining cards. The impact is usually small and temporary — your score typically recovers within a few months.
The longer-term effect depends on the card's age. If your Southwest card is one of your oldest accounts, closing it will lower the average age of your credit accounts, which can have a small negative effect on your score. If it is a newer card, the impact is usually minimal. The cancellation itself will appear on your credit report for up to 10 years, but it becomes less important over time.
Cancel online through your Chase account
You can also cancel through your Chase online account or mobile app without calling. Log in, navigate to your Southwest card account, and look for a "Close Account" or "Manage Account" option. Chase will walk you through the cancellation process and may show you retention offers before confirming.
Online cancellation takes a few more days to process than a phone call, and you will not have a representative to answer questions in real time. If you prefer when ready confirmation or want to discuss retention offers, calling is faster. If you want a written record, the online method generates an email confirmation automatically.
What to do with your physical card after canceling
After you cancel, destroy your physical card by cutting it in half or shredding it. Do not throw it away intact, as the card number and security code could be recovered. You do not need to mail it back to Chase — destroying it yourself is sufficient.
If you have authorized user cards on the account, those will also stop working once the account closes. Let any authorized users know before you cancel so they are not surprised when their card declines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reopen my Southwest credit card after I cancel it?
You can explore for the Southwest card again after canceling, but Chase may not approve you if you closed the account recently or if you have opened and closed multiple Chase cards in a short time. There is typically a waiting period of 30 to 90 days before you can reapply, though Chase does not publish an official rule.
Will canceling affect my ability to book flights with my Rapid Rewards points?
No. Your points remain in your Rapid Rewards account and you can book flights with them through Southwest's website or app. The card itself is not required to use your points — only your Rapid Rewards account number.
What if I have a pending sign-up bonus I haven't met yet?
If you cancel before meeting the spending requirement for the sign-up bonus, you will not receive the bonus. Chase will not credit it retroactively. If you are close to meeting the requirement, consider waiting until after you reach it to cancel.
Do I need to cancel before switching to a different Southwest card from Chase?
No. You can hold multiple Southwest cards from Chase at the same time, or you can cancel one and explore for another. Chase allows you to have more than one version of the same card if you want different benefits or want to earn another sign-up bonus.
What if I have a dispute or fraud claim pending when I cancel?
Contact Chase before canceling if you have an open dispute or fraud claim. Closing the account may complicate the investigation or delay a refund. Chase can usually keep the account open while they investigate, even if you do not plan to use it.