Deciding to cancel a credit card can be a big decision, especially when it's a co-branded card like the Barclays American Airlines Credit Card, which comes with specific airline perks. Whether you're looking to downsize your wallet, avoid an annual fee, or simply no longer fly American Airlines as much, this guide will walk you through the process step-by-step.
Before you dive in, grab your card and any recent statements – you'll need them!
Step 1: Assess Your Reasons and Understand the Implications
Before you pick up the phone, it's crucial to understand why you're canceling and what the potential impact might be. Don't rush this step!
Sub-heading: Why are you canceling?
Annual Fee: Is the annual fee outweighing the benefits? Many co-branded cards have annual fees, and if you're not using the perks, it might be a wasted expense.
Lack of Use: Are you simply not using the card anymore? An unused credit line can still impact your credit utilization.
Better Rewards Elsewhere: Have you found another credit card that offers more compelling rewards for your spending habits?
Credit Score Management: Are you trying to reduce your total credit limit or simplify your financial life? Keep in mind that closing an old account can slightly reduce your average age of accounts, which might impact your credit score.
Sub-heading: What about your AAdvantage miles?
This is perhaps the most important consideration for a co-branded airline card.
Your earned AAdvantage miles are generally safe. Miles earned and transferred to your American Airlines AAdvantage account typically remain in your AAdvantage account even after you close the credit card. However, they will then be subject to American Airlines' standard mileage expiration policy (usually 24 months of inactivity). If your account is closed, you'll be subject to the 24-Month Qualifying Activity Requirement and must have mileage earning or redeeming activity within 4 months of closure or within 24 months of the last Qualifying Activity date, whichever is late
r, to prevent expiration. Make sure you've redeemed any miles you plan to use or ensure you have other AAdvantage activity to keep your miles active. This could include earning miles through other partners, flying American Airlines, or using the AAdvantage eShopping or Dining programs.
Sub-heading: Other benefits you'll lose
Remember those perks that came with the card? They'll likely disappear. These can include:
Free checked bags on American Airlines flights.
Preferred boarding.
In-flight savings on food and beverages.
Annual companion certificates.
Travel insurance benefits.
Access to World Elite Mastercard benefits (if applicable).
Tip: Keep the flow, don’t jump randomly.
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| How Do I Cancel My Barclays American Airlines Credit Card |
Step 2: Pay Down Your Balance (and Check for Pending Transactions!)
This is an absolute must. You cannot close a credit card account with an outstanding balance.
Clear all pending transactions: Wait until all recent purchases have posted to your account. Canceling while transactions are pending can complicate the closure process and potentially lead to issues.
Pay off your entire balance: Make a full payment to bring your balance to $0. This includes any balance transfers or cash advances. It's best to pay a bit more than your current statement balance to account for any accrued interest or small fees that might not have posted yet.
Consider paying off authorized user balances: If you have authorized users on your card, ensure their purchases are also paid off.
Step 3: Gather Your Account Information
Having your details ready will make the cancellation process smoother.
Your Barclays American Airlines Credit Card number (the full 16 digits).
Your full name as it appears on the card.
Your billing address.
Your phone number associated with the account.
Your Social Security Number (SSN) or other identifying information (for verification purposes).
The last four digits of your SSN.
Any recent statements.
Step 4: Contact Barclays Directly
This is the most common and recommended way to cancel your card.
Sub-heading: Via Phone (Recommended)
Call the customer service number on the back of your card. This is usually the most direct route. If you don't have your card handy, you can typically find the number on the Barclays US website or your online account. For Barclays US credit cards, a common number is 1-888-232-0780.
Be prepared for retention offers. When you state your intention to cancel, the representative may try to offer you incentives to keep the card, such as a statement credit, a reduced annual fee, or bonus miles. Listen carefully to these offers and decide if any of them align with your needs. If not, politely decline.
Clearly state your intent. Say something like, "I would like to cancel my Barclays American Airlines credit card account."
Request confirmation. Ask for a confirmation number for the cancellation. Also, request that a confirmation letter be sent to you by mail or email, confirming the account closure and a $0 balance.
Sub-heading: Via Secure Message (Less Common for Immediate Cancellation)
Some banks allow you to send a secure message through your online banking portal to request account closure. While this might be an option, it's often slower than a phone call, and you might not get immediate confirmation or the chance to discuss retention offers. For a quicker resolution, the phone is generally preferred.
QuickTip: Break reading into digestible chunks.
Step 5: Confirm the Cancellation and Monitor Your Account
The process isn't truly complete until you've verified the closure.
Wait for your final statement. This statement should show a $0 balance and indicate that the account is closed.
Check your credit report. A few weeks after cancellation, pull your credit report from one of the major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) to ensure the account is reported as "closed by grantor" or "closed at consumer's request" with a $0 balance. This might take a billing cycle or two to reflect.
Keep all documentation. Save the confirmation number, any emails, or letters you receive from Barclays regarding the cancellation.
Step 6: Shred the Card
Once you've confirmed everything is in order, physically destroy the card to prevent any unauthorized use. Cut through the magnetic stripe and the chip.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some common questions about canceling a Barclays American Airlines credit card, with quick answers:
How to find the customer service number for my Barclays American Airlines credit card?
You can typically find the customer service number on the back of your physical credit card or by logging into your Barclays US online account. A common number for US-issued Barclays cards is 1-888-232-0780.
How to avoid my AAdvantage miles from expiring after canceling my card?
Tip: Reread sections you didn’t fully grasp.
To prevent your AAdvantage miles from expiring, ensure there's qualifying activity in your American Airlines AAdvantage account within 24 months of your last activity or within 4 months of the credit card account closure (whichever is later). This can include flying American Airlines, using a different AAdvantage co-branded card (if you have one), or participating in AAdvantage eShopping or Dining.
How to check if I have an outstanding balance before canceling?
Log in to your Barclays US online account or check your most recent paper statement to view your current balance and any pending transactions. Ensure the balance is $0 before initiating cancellation.
How to know if canceling my card will hurt my credit score?
Closing a credit card can have a minor, temporary impact on your credit score by slightly decreasing your overall available credit and potentially shortening the average age of your accounts. However, if you have other long-standing accounts and a good credit history, the impact is usually minimal.
How to get a refund for the annual fee if I just paid it?
Barclays may offer a prorated refund of your annual fee if you cancel the card shortly after it posts, often within 30-60 days. It's best to call customer service and inquire about their specific policy.
How to confirm my Barclays American Airlines credit card is fully canceled?
After speaking with a representative, request a confirmation number and ask for a written confirmation (email or mail) of the account closure and $0 balance. You can also monitor your online account for a few days to see if it shows as closed.
Tip: A slow, careful read can save re-reading later.
How to handle disputed charges if I cancel my card?
It's highly recommended to resolve any disputes before canceling your card. If you must cancel, discuss any ongoing disputes with the customer service representative, as the process for handling disputes on a closed account can be more complex.
How to ensure all authorized user cards are also canceled?
When you close the primary account, any authorized user cards associated with it will automatically be canceled. There's no separate action needed from your end for the authorized user cards once the primary account is closed.
How to find alternatives to canceling if I want to avoid the annual fee?
You can inquire with Barclays about product changing your American Airlines credit card to a different Barclays card with no annual fee. This allows you to keep the credit line open and maintain your credit history with Barclays, though you'll lose the AAdvantage specific benefits.
How to know what benefits I'll lose by canceling my Barclays American Airlines credit card?
Review your original cardmember agreement or the Barclays US website for your specific card to see a detailed list of benefits. Generally, you'll lose perks like free checked bags, preferred boarding, annual companion certificates, and any included travel insurance.
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