One of the biggest mistakes I see people making when they begin their points and miles journey is to rapidly open tons of travel rewards credit cards without any plan for what they're going to do with them. Some cards might entice you with a large welcome bonus, and others will be long-term keepers, but it's possible that after 11 months of using the card and experiencing its benefits, you might change your mind about it and cancel the credit card before the annual fee is due.
So then, is it fine to cancel a credit card before a first account anniversary? And how can opening and closing credit cards for rewards affect your credit?
This is one of the most common questions we receive, especially right now, as people are still looking to minimize their out-of-pocket costs as they feel the financial strain due to due to rising costs and higher interest rates.
The answer is worth repeating loud and clear: Never, under any circ*mstances, should you close a credit card less than one year after opening it. While it is possible to do so, there are many reasons why canceling a credit card before the annual fee is due is a bad idea.
Let's start with some of the consequences you might expect if you do this.
Why you should keep your credit cards open for more than a year
There is nothing remotely illegal or even fishy when you cancel a credit card before the annual fee is due. Many cards offer a waived annual fee for the first year for this very reason. The issuers want consumers to try their cards out with zero risk. If the customer doesn't like a card or finds it does not serve their lifestyle, they can cancel it, having lost nothing.
However, it doesn't really matter how pure your intentions are. If the bank suspects you're trying to take advantage of it (perhaps by opening a card just for the welcome offer), it may take action against you. As an example, let's look at the terms and conditions of Delta Air Lines' cobranded cards with American Express. Nearly every Amex card contains similar language in its terms (emphasis mine):
If we in our sole discretion determine that you have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with this offer in any way or that you intend to do so (for example, if you applied for one or more cards to obtain an offer(s) that we did not intend for you; if you cancel or downgrade your account within 12 months after acquiring it; or if you cancel or return purchases you made to meet the Threshold Amount), we may not credit, we may freeze, or we may take away the bonus miles from your account. We may also cancel this Card account and other Card accounts you may have with us.
There's plenty of legalese in the terms and conditions of a credit card application, but if you're wondering whether Amex is serious about this bit, I can tell you that it is. Over the last few years, we've seen countless crackdowns and points clawbacks for people trying to skirt the rules in various ways, including self-referring to Amex cards and abusing limited-time bonus categories, to name a few.
I've already spent my welcome offer — am I safe?
If you earned a bunch of points or miles and have spent them already, you may think you're in the clear. However, history shows that you're not. In the past, we've seen Amex take Membership Rewards balances into the negative when clawing back welcome offers that had already been redeemed. The terms are clear that you might face other disciplinary action, including the closure of your other Amex accounts. Simply put, this is not worth the risk.
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I don't want to pay the annual fee again. What should I do?
There's actually no reason to close a card early instead of waiting until the annual fee posts. Most issuers give you a grace period of 30 days or so after the fee posts, during which you can get the fee refunded if you decide to cancel the card. Even if you're 100% sure you're going to close a card, wait until a week or two after the annual fee posts. This should ensure that you aren't penalized for opening and closing credit cards just to earn rewards.
Of course, you should also consider checking on a potential retention bonus before closing a card entirely. American Express in particular is known for offering bonuses as an incentive to keep (and use) a card for another year.
Related: How 5 minutes of chat got me 85,000 points plus $150
Issuers discouraging the appearance of 'gaming'
When I'm analyzing my Amex cards each year and deciding which ones to keep and which ones to close, there's another factor I consider. Amex now includes a "welcome offer eligibility" checker that may pop up during your application and alert you that you're ineligible to receive a welcome offer, even if on paper you've done everything right (you've never had that specific card before, etc.). You'll find this alluded to in the card's terms and conditions:
Welcome offer not available to applicants who have or have had this Card. We may also consider the number of American Express Cards you have opened and closed as well as other factors in making a decision on your welcome offer eligibility.
Amex and other issuers have clearly been making moves to discourage people who are opening credit cards just for the welcome offers and not growing into valuable long-term customers. While we don't know exactly what Amex's offer eligibility algorithm looks for, one common report we've heard is that people who close cards at the one-year mark (right after the annual fee posts) find themselves ineligible to earn welcome bonuses on new Amex cards in the future.
This means that when I apply for an Amex card, I plan on keeping it for at least two years, even if I'm primarily interested in the welcome offer. This makes me a bit more selective, as I only pick valuable cards to justify two years' worth of annual fees. Potential card members should take a hard look at the benefits of each card because a card's perks can often help offset the annual fee.
Related: Which is the best American Express credit card for you?
Be kind to your credit score
The above points are to say nothing of the potential impact on your credit score from closing cards earlier than necessary.
While a few months aren't likely to make a huge difference in the grand scheme of things, 15% of your credit score is based on your length of credit history or the age of accounts. The longer you keep cards open, the more they'll boost your credit score. This means that you should always wait until the last possible moment to close a credit card and make sure you've exhausted all other options first.
Bottom line
While there's nothing wrong with opening a credit card primarily for the short-term benefit of the welcome bonus, you should never, under any circ*mstances, close that card before your first account anniversary. Even then, understand that if you make a habit out of closing cards after exactly 12 months, you might find yourself ineligible for future bonuses or getting your applications denied with some issuers.
Related reading:
- The best current credit card welcome offers
- 7 things to understand about credit before applying for a new card
- How to apply for a credit card
- What is APR on a credit card?
- How to check your credit score for free
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
