Feeling a shift in your travel habits or simply re-evaluating your financial landscape? You're not alone! Many Marriott Bonvoy credit card holders eventually consider whether it's time to part ways with their card. While the Marriott Bonvoy cards offer fantastic perks for loyal travelers, there are various reasons why canceling might be the right move for you. Perhaps the annual fee no longer justifies the benefits, your travel patterns have changed, or you're looking to simplify your credit card portfolio. Whatever your motivation, this comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of canceling your Marriott Bonvoy credit card, ensuring a smooth process and helping you avoid common pitfalls.
Let's dive in and get you sorted!
Step 1: Evaluate Your Reasons and Understand the Implications
Before you pick up the phone or click any buttons, take a moment to reflect. Canceling a credit card, especially one with a rewards program attached like Marriott Bonvoy, can have various implications. Understanding these upfront will help you make an informed decision and prepare for the process.
1.1. Why Are You Canceling?
Annual Fee: Is the annual fee becoming too burdensome for the value you're getting?
Travel Habits Changed: Are you traveling less, or are your travel preferences shifting away from Marriott properties?
Redundancy: Do you have other credit cards that offer similar or better travel rewards or benefits?
Credit Score Concerns: Are you trying to reduce your overall credit utilization or the number of open accounts?
Product Change Opportunity: Have you considered if a product change to a different Marriott Bonvoy card (perhaps one with a lower or no annual fee) might be a better option than outright cancellation? Some issuers allow this, letting you keep your credit history with them.
1.2. Understand the Potential Impact on Your Credit Score
Canceling a credit card can potentially impact your credit score, but it's often not as drastic as people fear, especially if you manage your credit responsibly.
Credit Utilization Ratio: When you cancel a card, your total available credit decreases. If you have outstanding balances on other cards, your credit utilization ratio (the amount of credit you're using compared to your total available credit) will increase, which can negatively affect your score. Aim to keep this ratio below 30%.
Length of Credit History: Older accounts contribute positively to your average credit age. Closing an old account might slightly reduce your average credit age, but a closed account in good standing typically remains on your credit report for up to 10 years.
Number of Open Accounts: While not a major factor, having too many open accounts can sometimes be viewed unfavorably. However, closing one or two usually won't have a significant impact unless you have a very limited credit history.
1.3. Review Your Marriott Bonvoy Points
This is crucial! Your Marriott Bonvoy points are typically tied to your Marriott Bonvoy loyalty account, not directly to your credit card. This means that if you cancel your co-branded Marriott Bonvoy credit card, your accumulated points in your Marriott Bonvoy loyalty account should remain safe.
However, there's a caveat: Marriott Bonvoy points do expire if there's no qualifying earning or redemption activity on your Bonvoy account for 24 consecutive months. While your credit card earns points, it also counts as activity. If you cancel your card and have no other activity, ensure you make a qualifying earning or redemption action within 24 months to keep your points active.
1.4. Check for Annual Fee Refunds
Most credit card issuers offer a full refund of your annual fee if you cancel your card within a certain timeframe after the fee posts (often 30 to 60 days). If you're beyond this window, you might only receive a prorated refund, or no refund at all. Check your cardholder agreement or contact your issuer for their specific policy.
1.5. Consider Downgrading or Product Changing
As mentioned, instead of outright canceling, you might be able to downgrade your Marriott Bonvoy card to a version with a lower or no annual fee, such as the Marriott Bonvoy Bold card (if you have the Boundless or Brilliant). This allows you to:
Maintain your credit history with the issuer.
Potentially keep some benefits (like Elite Night Credits, though often at a reduced rate).
Avoid a hard pull on your credit report, which would occur if you applied for a new card.
Keep your points linked and active more easily.
Call your card issuer's customer service and inquire about product change options.
Step 2: Redeem Your Remaining Rewards
Before you initiate the cancellation, it's absolutely essential to redeem any outstanding points, free night certificates, or other rewards tied to your specific credit card. While your Marriott Bonvoy points generally remain, any specific credit card benefits will likely be forfeited upon cancellation.
2.1. Redeem Marriott Bonvoy Points
Even though your points are usually safe in your Bonvoy account, it's a good practice to use them for a planned trip or transfer them if you have other transferable points programs. This ensures you get the value you've earned.
2.2. Utilize Free Night Certificates
If your Marriott Bonvoy credit card offers annual free night certificates (e.g., the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless or Brilliant cards), ensure you've used or booked a reservation with any certificates that have already posted to your Marriott Bonvoy account. Often, once a certificate is issued and appears in your Bonvoy account, it remains valid even after card cancellation, but confirm this with your issuer. Do not cancel before the certificate posts.
2.3. Exhaust Any Statement Credits or Benefits
Check if your card offers any unused statement credits (e.g., dining credits, airline credits, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credits). If you haven't used them, try to do so before canceling, as these will be lost.
Step 3: Pay Off Your Balance and Remove Recurring Charges
This is a non-negotiable step to ensure a clean break and avoid any lingering issues.
3.1. Pay Off the Entire Balance
Settle All Debts: Ensure your card balance is zero. This means paying off every single penny, including any pending charges. An outstanding balance can complicate the cancellation process and may even accrue interest if not fully paid.
Wait for Payments to Clear: If you've just made a payment, give it a few business days to fully post to your account. Attempting to cancel with a pending payment can lead to complications.
3.2. Update or Remove Automatic Payments
Review Subscriptions and Bills: Go through your financial records or online banking statements to identify any recurring subscriptions, utility bills, or other automatic payments linked to your Marriott Bonvoy credit card.
Switch Payment Methods: Before canceling, update these payment methods to a different credit card or bank account. Forgetting this step can lead to missed payments, late fees, and service interruptions for your subscriptions.
Step 4: Contact Your Card Issuer
This is where the actual cancellation takes place. For Marriott Bonvoy credit cards, your issuer is typically Chase (for the Boundless and Bold cards) or American Express (for the Brilliant card and Business card).
4.1. Gather Necessary Information
Before you call, have the following ready:
Your credit card number
Your personal identification information (e.g., Social Security Number, date of birth)
Your reason for canceling (be prepared for retention offers)
4.2. Call the Customer Service Line
The most direct and recommended way to cancel your Marriott Bonvoy credit card is by calling the customer service number on the back of your card. You can also find these numbers on your issuer's official website.
For Chase Marriott Bonvoy Cards: Look for the customer service number on the back of your Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless or Bold card, or visit the Chase website for contact information.
For American Express Marriott Bonvoy Cards: Look for the customer service number on the back of your American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant or Business card, or visit the American Express website.
4.3. Be Prepared for Retention Offers
When you inform the representative that you wish to cancel, it's very common for them to offer you a "retention offer" to keep your business. These offers can include:
Statement Credits: A credit applied to your account that offsets the annual fee or a portion of it.
Bonus Points: A lump sum of Marriott Bonvoy points for keeping the card open and/or meeting a spending threshold.
Downgrade Options: They might proactively offer to switch you to a card with a lower annual fee.
Listen carefully to these offers. If your main reason for canceling is the annual fee, a good retention offer might make keeping the card worthwhile for another year. If you're set on canceling, politely decline these offers and reiterate your desire to close the account.
4.4. Confirm the Cancellation
Ask for Confirmation Number: Once the cancellation is processed, always ask for a confirmation number or a written confirmation of the account closure.
Zero Balance Confirmation: Confirm that the balance is indeed zero and that no further charges or fees will be incurred.
Timeline for Closure: Inquire about the timeline for the account to be officially closed and removed from your active accounts.
Step 5: Securely Destroy Your Card
Once you've confirmed the cancellation, the physical card is no longer active.
5.1. Shred or Cut Your Card
Protect Your Information: To prevent any unauthorized use or identity theft, securely destroy your physical card. Use a cross-cut shredder if you have one, or cut the card multiple times through the magnetic strip and chip.
Metal Cards: If you have a metal card (like the Amex Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant), these can be harder to destroy at home. Contact your issuer to see if they offer a secure disposal service or advise on the best way to destroy it.
Step 6: Monitor Your Credit Report
This final step is crucial for ensuring that the cancellation has been processed correctly and doesn't negatively impact your credit.
6.1. Check Your Credit Report
Within 30-45 Days: Approximately 30 to 45 days after cancellation, check your credit report from all three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). You can obtain free copies annually from AnnualCreditReport.com.
Verify Closure: Ensure the account is listed as "closed by cardholder" and that there's a zero balance.
Report Any Discrepancies: If you find any inaccuracies or the card is still showing as open with a balance, contact your credit card issuer immediately to rectify the situation.
This detailed process should equip you with everything you need to confidently cancel your Marriott Bonvoy credit card. Remember, being prepared and organized will make the experience as seamless as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions related to canceling a Marriott Bonvoy credit card, with quick answers:
How to check my Marriott Bonvoy points balance before canceling?
You can check your Marriott Bonvoy points balance by logging into your Marriott Bonvoy account on the Marriott website or through the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app.
How to redeem my Marriott Bonvoy Free Night Certificates?
Free Night Certificates typically appear in your Marriott Bonvoy account online. You can redeem them when booking a stay on the Marriott website or app, similar to how you would use points, by selecting the certificate option during the booking process.
How to find the customer service number for my Marriott Bonvoy credit card?
The customer service number is usually printed on the back of your physical credit card. Alternatively, you can find it on your credit card issuer's (Chase or American Express) official website under their contact us section.
How to avoid a negative impact on my credit score when canceling?
To minimize impact, pay off the entire balance before canceling, and consider keeping other long-standing accounts open. If possible, keep your overall credit utilization ratio below 30% by paying down other credit card balances.
How to tell if I'm eligible for an annual fee refund?
Most issuers offer a full annual fee refund if you cancel within a specific window (e.g., 30-60 days) after the fee posts. You'll need to confirm the exact policy with your card issuer.
How to product change my Marriott Bonvoy credit card instead of canceling?
Call your credit card issuer's customer service and inquire about "product change" or "downgrade" options available for your Marriott Bonvoy card. They can inform you of eligible alternative cards.
How to ensure all recurring charges are removed from the canceled card?
Review your bank statements or online banking for the past few months to identify all recurring charges. Then, contact each merchant or service provider individually to update your payment method.
How to confirm my Marriott Bonvoy credit card cancellation?
Always ask the customer service representative for a confirmation number for the cancellation. You should also receive a written confirmation via email or mail within a few days or weeks.
How to securely dispose of a metal Marriott Bonvoy credit card?
For metal cards, it's often best to contact your card issuer (American Express for Brilliant) to inquire about their specific disposal methods, as they may offer a secure shredding service or provide instructions.
How to know if my Marriott Bonvoy points will expire after cancellation?
Marriott Bonvoy points generally do not expire as long as there is qualifying earning or redemption activity on your Marriott Bonvoy loyalty account at least once every 24 months. Canceling the credit card means it no longer provides activity, so ensure other activity occurs.
