Did you know that you can cancel your Bank of America credit card via chat? Well, you can… sometimes. The chat button doesn’t appear on BoA website all the time, and you can only see it on a desktop computer after you log in. But if you hate canceling your cards over the phone (and who doesn’t?), this is a potentially good option.
Last time my husband had to cancel BoA credit card, he ended up spending over an hour on the phone. Not fun. So I started looking into other ways to do it and eventually discovered the chat button. As a result, I was able to successfully cancel several of our BoA cards online.
But like I said, this option isn’t always there, so you will have to check the website periodically. Last year I got Bank of America Premium Rewards card that came with 50,000 points ($500 value) and $95 annual fee. By the way, the offer is now 60k points, which is a very good deal Non-affiliate link
Anyway, my renewal fee was approaching and I didn’t really want to keep the card. So, I went to the BoA website looking for chat button, but it wasn’t there. I figured they have discontinued this option, so I called the bank. I was offered a retention deal where I would get $150 after spending $1,500, though I would also have to pay the $95 annual fee. I figured I could probably find a use for $100 airfare incidentals credit, one of the benefits of the card. So, essentially, it would be a 10% credit on spending, which is pretty good. So, I accepted the offer.
But then my husband and I were approved for Amex Hilton Surpass, which would require $6k in spending over the next 6 months. It doesn’t seem like much, but at the moment I am also focusing on some spending offers on my Citi Shop Your Way credit card (more on that in another post).
I’m not too good at multitasking and I don’t engage in manufactured spending. So, in order to preserve my own sanity, I’ve decided that BoA Premium card needed to go without taking advantage of that lucrative spending offer. YMMV
Canceling the card via chat
I looked at BoA website on my desktop and lo and behold, the chat button has reappeared. So, I was connected to the agent who asked me why I want to cancel the card. I answered that I don’t want to pay the $95 annual fee. She said that she would not be able to help me and gave me the phone number to call. Great, exactly what I was hoping to avoid.
I’ve decided to try the chat option one more time, but now I’ve told the agent that I have too many credit cards and need to simplify (100% true). This did the trick, and my card was canceled. I’m not sure if it’s a coincidence or not, but I recommend you don’t mention the annual fee as a reason for cancellation.
Author: Leana
Leana is the founder of Miles For Family. She enjoys beach vacations and visiting her family in Europe. Originally from Belarus, Leana resides in central Florida with her husband and two children.
Remind me why you didn’t downgrade the BoA card to a no-fee Customized Cash Rewards card? Or to a no-fee Unlimited Cash Rewards card?
@FrequentWanderer Just trying to keep it simple. I doubt I would put much spending on either product, so why bother? Plus, I have a theory that BoA is more likely to approve those who don’t currently have any cards with them. So I’m potentially increasing my chances at getting a lucrative sign-up bonus in the future.
Excellent tips.
The other side of your story is that if you do call BOA and say it is about the annual fee you have a good chance of getting a retention offer.
@Uri Definitely! If you are hoping for a retention offer, it pays to take the time to call. But I usually don’t bother.