How to cancel a credit card in 5 simple steps

You can cancel your credit card online or with a quick phone call. There's just a couple of things you might want to consider first.

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Amy Bradney-George

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5 steps to properly cancel your credit card

Follow these steps to cancel a credit card successfully:

  1. Pay or transfer the outstanding balance. Make sure the balance on the card is $0 so that you can completely close the account.
  2. Use any reward points. Redeem your points for rewards or transfer them to another loyalty program so that you still get value from them.
  3. Cancel direct debits. Avoid penalty charges and other issues by transferring or cancelling direct debits.
  4. Cancel the card. Depending on the provider, you could cancel your credit card over the phone, online or in writing. Make sure you keep a record of the request by taking a screenshot, reference number or copy of the documents.
  5. Destroy the credit card. Once your credit card provider has confirmed the cancellation, cut the card into pieces (for security) and throw it in the bin.

What else should I think about before cancelling my credit card?

  • Annual fees. If your credit card has an annual fee, check when it is due to be charged so you can avoid paying it before you close your account. You can do this by looking at your account history or asking the credit card company.
  • Applying for a new credit card. If your plan is to cancel one card and apply for another one, think about how long it's been since you last applied for a credit card. If it's been less than 12 months, that applying for a few cards in a short amount can have a negative impact on your credit history.
  • Cancelling a card can actually hurt your credit score. Having a credit card with a low credit limit that you always pay off on time actually helps you build your credit score. Especially if you've had the card for a long time. Cancelling it can impact your credit score because the card was actually helping your overall score. But if you have multiple credit products, reducing that number can improve your score too.

Finder survey: How many credit cards do people usually have?

ResponseMaleFemale
153.2%49.14%
019.17%32.07%
221.62%15%
35.26%2.76%
40.19%0.86%
50.56%0.17%
Source: Finder survey by Pure Profile of 1113 Australians, December 2023

What number do I call when I want to cancel my credit card?

Many credit cards include a phone number on the back that you can call for account enquiries and cancellations. Otherwise, here are details for contacting the major card companies to cancel your card:

ProviderContact informationOther ways to cancel your credit card
American Express1300 132 639
  • Online:
    • Log in to your account.
    • Go to Account Management > Card Management > Cancel Card Account.
  • Request a cancellation using the online chat.
  • Phone: Call the number on the back of your Amex credit card or the general contact number. If calling from overseas, dial +612 9271 8664.
ANZ13 22 73
  • Online via ANZ Internet Banking:
    • Log on to your account.
    • Select Contact > Card enquiries > General card enquiries.
  • Online: Using the Decrease credit card limit or close credit card account request online form.
  • Phone: If calling from overseas, dial +61 3 8693 5077.
  • In person: Visit your nearest branch.
Bank of Melbourne13 22 66
  • Mobile app:
    • Log in to your account.
    • Click on the card you want to close, then select Services > Close account and follow the prompts.
  • Online:
    • Select My Accounts > Card Services > Manage My Accounts.
    • Click on the card you want to close and follow the prompts.
  • Phone: If calling from overseas, dial +61 3 8536 7870.
  • In person: Visit your nearest branch.
BankSA13 13 76
  • Mobile app:
    • Log in to the app if prompted.
    • Click on the card you want to close, then select Services > Close account and follow the prompts.
  • Online:
    • Log in to your account.
    • Select My Accounts > Card Services > Manage My Accounts.
    • Click on the card you want to close and follow the prompts.
  • Phone: If calling from overseas, dial +61 2 9155 7850
  • In person: Visit your nearest branch.
Bankwest13 17 19
  • Mobile app:
    • Click on the card you want to close, then select Manage > Close account.
  • Online:
    • Log in to your account.
    • Click on the card you want to close, then select See more account details > Close account.
  • In person: Visit your nearest branch.
Citi13 24 84
  • Online:
    • Log in to your account.
    • Go to Credit card services > Manage my account > Account closure request and follow the prompts.
  • Phone: If calling from overseas, dial +61 2 8225 0615.
Coles1300 306 397
  • Online:
    • Log in to your account.
    • Go to Manage My Card > Account closure request and follow the prompts.
  • Phone:
    • If calling from overseas, dial +61 2 8288 2890.
Commonwealth Bank13 22 21
  • CommBank App:
    • Log on to your account
    • Select "Accounts" then choose your credit card.
    • Tap "Manage Account" then "Close credit card account".
    • To know whether you’re eligible, read the “Things to know about closing your credit card account”
    • Click on “Continue” at the bottom then “Close account”.
  • Online via Netbank:
    • Log on to your account.
    • Select “View accounts” then choose your credit card using the drop-down menu.
    • Click the “Account settings” drop-down.
    • Choose “Close my credit card account”.
    • To know whether you’re eligible, read the “Things to know about closing your credit card account”
    • Click on “Continue” at the bottom then “Close account”.
  • Phone: If calling from overseas, dial +61 2 9999 3283.
  • In person: Visit your nearest branch.
HSBC132 152
  • Online:
    • Log in to your account.
    • Go to Credit Cards Online > Manage your Account > My Cards > Close my Credit Card Account.
    • Follow the prompts to complete the cancellation process.
  • Phone: If calling from overseas, dial +612 9005 8511.
  • For HSBC Premier customers: Call the HSBC Premier Centre on 1300 301 168. If calling from overseas, dial +612 9005 8192.
Latitude Financial Services1300 552 079
  • Mobile app:
    • Open the app and tap on the card you want to close.
    • Go to the Menu and select Manage account > Close account request.
    • Follow the prompts to complete the cancellation.
  • Online: Fill in the request form found on the Latitude Financial Services website.
  • Phone: If calling from overseas, dial +61 287 478 178.
NAB13 22 65
  • Online:
    • Log in to your account.
    • Go to Cards and click on the card you want to close.
    • Select Manage your card > How to close your account and follow the prompts using NAB's secure chat service.
  • Phone: If calling from overseas, dial +61 3 8641 9886.
  • In person: Visit your nearest branch.
Qantas Money1300 992 700
  • Online:
    • Log in to your account.
    • Click on the card, then select "Close account" and follow the prompts.
  • Phone: If calling from overseas, dial +61 2 8222 2569.
St.George13 33 30
  • Mobile app:
    • Log in to your account.
    • Tap the card you want to cancel, then click on Services > Close account and follow the prompts.
  • Online:
    • Log in to your account.
    • Select My Accounts > Card Services > Manage My Accounts.
    • Click on the card you want to close and follow the prompts.
  • Phone: If calling from overseas, dial +61 2 9155 7800.
  • In person: Visit your nearest branch.
Virgin Money13 37 39
  • Online:
    • Log in to your account and select Services from the top menu bar.
    • Select Card Services > Manage my Account > Account Closure Request and follow the prompts.
  • Phone: If calling from overseas, dial +61 2 8288 2222
Westpac132 032
  • New Westpac app:
    • Tap the card you want to close.
    • Tap the Information icon > Close account.
  • Classic Westpac app:
    • Tap the card you want to close.
    • Tap Services > Close credit card account and follow the prompts.
  • Online:
    • Go to Service > Services > Account Services.
    • Select Close an account, click on the card you want to close and follow the prompts.
  • Phone: If calling from overseas, dial +61 2 9155 7700.
  • In person: Visit your nearest branch.

Frequently asked questions

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Editor

Amy Bradney-George was the senior writer for credit cards at Finder, and editorial lead for Finder Green. She has over 16 years of editorial experience and has been featured in publications including ABC News, Money Magazine and The Sydney Morning Herald. See full bio

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Amy has written 565 Finder guides across topics including:
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