Is it better to close credit card accounts or leave open?
A crowded wallet and the temptation to spend might have you thinking about canceling unused credit card accounts. In most cases, however, it's best to keep unused credit cards open so you benefit from longer credit history and lower credit utilization (as a result of more available credit).
In general, keeping it open is probably best for your score, as long as you keep paying it down and don't put more charges on it exacerbating the situation.
In general, it's best to keep unused credit cards open so that you benefit from longer average credit history and a larger amount of available credit. Closing an unused credit card could negatively affect your credit score. Here's how: Increased credit utilization Decreased average age of accounts.
Closing your oldest card can reduce the length of your credit history. The length of your credit history is another factor that affects your credit score. It's determined by the age of your oldest account and the average age of your accounts.
In general, it's best to keep unused credit cards open so that you benefit from longer average credit history and a larger amount of available credit. Credit scoring models reward you for having long-standing credit accounts, and for using only a small portion of your credit limit.
If you have a zero balance on credit accounts, you show you have paid back your borrowed money. A zero balance won't harm or help your credit. To find out how we got here, we have to understand what credit is and the history of credit agencies.
- Don't close your oldest accounts. ...
- Pay off all your credit card balances. ...
- Call your credit card issuer to confirm your balance is paid off. ...
- Check your credit report in the months after canceling. ...
- Destroy the card after canceling.
Key Takeaways
You don't want to close an account if it makes your credit utilization ratio go up, especially to more than 30%. Alternatives to closing a credit card include upgrading or downgrading the credit card in question to better suit your needs.
Key takeaways
If you don't use your card, your credit card issuer may lower your credit limit or close your account due to inactivity. Closing a credit card account can affect your credit scores by decreasing your available credit and increasing your credit utilization ratio.
Will Closing a Card Damage My Credit History? Not really. A closed account will remain on your reports for up to seven years (if negative) or around 10 years (if positive). As long as the account is on your reports, it will be factored into the average age of your credit.
How long should you leave a credit card open for?
First, it's important to understand that you can keep your credit card indefinitely if you really want to. As long as you're using the card regularly and keeping your account in good standing, your issuer probably won't close it for you. If you like your card and want to keep using it, go right ahead.
Closing a credit card with a balance can also hurt your credit score — even though you're not adding more debt.

Owning more than two or three credit cards can become unmanageable for many people. However, your credit needs and financial situation are unique, so there's no hard and fast rule about how many credit cards are too many. The important thing is to make sure that you use your credit cards responsibly.
Your credit utilization ratio goes up
By closing a credit card account with zero balance, you're removing all of that card's available balance from the ratio, in turn, increasing your utilization percentage. The higher your balance-to-limit ratio, the more it can hurt your credit.
There are some differences around how the various data elements on a credit report factor into the score calculations. Although credit scoring models vary, generally, credit scores from 660 to 724 are considered good; 725 to 759 are considered very good; and 760 and up are considered excellent.
It may be possible to reopen a closed credit card. In general, it's more likely to be an option if the card was closed for a minor reason, such as an inactivity, or if you closed it yourself. If your card was closed due to missed payments, on the other hand, your lender may not be willing to reinstate it.
Carrying a balance does not help your credit score, so it's always best to pay your balance in full each month. The impact of not paying in full each month depends on how large of a balance you're carrying compared to your credit limit.
Making on-time payments to creditors, keeping your credit utilization low, having a long credit history, maintaining a good mix of credit types, and occasionally applying for new credit lines are the factors that can get you into the 800 credit score club.
An account closure can cause a temporary hit to your credit by increasing your credit utilization, lowering your average age of accounts and possibly limiting your credit mix. At Experian, one of our priorities is consumer credit and finance education.
In most cases, however, it's best to keep unused credit cards open so you benefit from longer credit history and lower credit utilization (as a result of more available credit). You can use the card for occasional small purchases or recurring payments to keep it active as opposed to using it regularly.
Can a cancelled credit card still be charged?
I closed my credit card account. Can the bank continue to charge interest and fees? Yes. The bank may charge you for interest and fees that were assessed before you closed your account.
Your credit card account may be closed due to inactivity if you don't use it. You could overlook fraudulent charges if you're not regularly reviewing your account. If your credit card account is closed, it could negatively impact your credit score.
You can keep a credit account open as long as you'd like without harm to your credit. Even if you've stopped using the card regularly, it could still make sense to keep the account open, depending on how extensive your credit history is and the amount of debt you currently owe.
The credit card issuer will continue to charge you interest until you've paid off your balance in full.
The average American has around four credit card accounts. But that may not be what works for you. Advantages of having multiple credit cards include increased buying power and the ability to maximize different card offerings and benefits.