Can You Reopen a Closed Credit Card Account? Answered

Can You Reopen a Closed Credit Card?

In some cases, you can reopen a closed credit card, but doing so depends on your issuer, how you closed the card or account, and your personal risk profile. More often than not, when you close out your credit card, it stays closed for good. We called the customer service centers for eight major credit card issuers to confirm this information.

There are four ways you can go about closing your credit card: canceling the card, placing it on indefinite hold, reporting it lost or stolen, or canceling your account entirely. Issuers have different reopening policies regarding each of these options.

No issuer will reopen a specific credit card if you report it lost or stolen. Most also won’t allow you to reopen a credit card or an account if you cancel it outright. However, every issuer we contacted provides an option to freeze your account indefinitely rather than canceling it; in this case, you can reopen the card.

The issuers that told us they’d consider reopening canceled cards or accounts said that doing so would depend on factors such as your fiscal relationship with the bank and personal credit profile. While these issuers didn’t say they would always require a hard credit pull to reopen, note that it may be a prerequisite in some cases.

Credit Account Reopening Policies by Issuer

Below, we list the credit card reopening policies by the issuer. Included are details of the policies regarding canceled cards, lost or stolen cards, frozen cards, and canceled accounts.

American Express

• Canceled cards: Cannot reopen^[1]
• Lost or stolen cards: Cannot reopen; you will have to wait for a replacement card, which is sometimes available with free next-day shipping.^[2]
• Frozen cards: You can request a freeze of up to seven days by calling (800) 528-4800; after the freeze period, the card will reopen.^[1]
• Canceled accounts: Cannot reopen^[1]

Bank of America

• Canceled cards: Cannot reopen^[3]
• Lost or stolen cards: Cannot reopen^[3]
• Frozen cards: You can freeze an account indefinitely by calling (800) 732-9194 and reopen it at a later date.^[3]
• Canceled accounts: Cannot reopen^[3]

Capital One

• Canceled cards: Cannot reopen^[4]
• Lost or stolen cards: Cannot reopen^[4]
• Frozen cards: You can freeze your account indefinitely by using the Capital One app and unfreeze it at a later date.^[4]
• Canceled accounts: Cannot reopen^[4]

Chase

• Canceled cards: Cannot reopen^[5]
• Lost or stolen cards: Cannot reopen^[5]
• Frozen cards: You can freeze your card’s activity for an indefinite period through the Chase website or by using the Chase app. Frozen accounts are eligible for reopening.^[5]
• Canceled accounts: If you cancel your account by accident, Chase may be able to reactivate it for you. However, you must still have the card and should contact Chase at (800) 432-3117 within 30 days of the cancellation.^[5]

Citibank

• Canceled cards: Can sometimes be reopened. You will need to call (800) 950-5114 and await a specialist’s review.^[6]
• Lost or stolen cards: Cannot reopen^[6]
• Frozen cards: You can freeze your account indefinitely and reopen it later by using the Citi app or by calling (800) 950-5114.^[6]
• Canceled accounts: Can sometimes be reopened. You will need to call (800) 950-5114 and await a specialist’s review.^[6]

Discover

• Canceled cards: Cannot reopen^[7]
• Lost or stolen cards: Cannot reopen^[7]
• Frozen cards: You can freeze an account indefinitely and reopen it at a later date by using the Discover app or by calling (800) 347-2683.^[7]
• Canceled accounts: Cannot reopen^[7]

USAA

• Canceled cards: Cannot reopen^[8]
• Lost or stolen cards: Cannot reopen^[8]
• Frozen cards: You can freeze your account indefinitely by logging on to the USAA website or by calling (800) 531-8722. Frozen accounts are eligible for reopening.^[8]
• Canceled accounts: Cannot reopen^[8]

Wells Fargo

• Canceled cards: Can sometimes be reopened. Call (800) 642-4720; a specialist will determine if it’s possible given your account and credit history.^[9]
• Lost or stolen cards: Cannot reopen^[9]
• Frozen cards: You can freeze your account indefinitely and later reopen it by using the Wells Fargo app or by calling (800) 869-3557.^[9]
• Canceled accounts: Can sometimes be reopened. Call (800) 642-4720 and speak with a specialist to determine if it’s possible, given your account and credit history.^[9]

What to Do If You’re Unable to Reopen Your Card or Account

If you cancel your card and your issuer cannot reopen it, you will have to wait for a replacement. This may take several business days, and while some issuers provide free expedited shipping, others may charge for it. Until you receive your new card, you won’t be able to make transactions using your old card, and reoccurring transactions will cease.

Your only alternative to reopening for a closed credit card account is to reapply. This will require a hard credit pull and examination of your credit profile. (See our research on soft pull credit cards for information on the different ways in which companies may access your credit history.)