Thinking about canceling your Academy Sports Credit Card? You're in the right place! While it might seem like a straightforward task, there are a few important steps and considerations to keep in mind to ensure a smooth process and avoid any negative impact on your credit score. Let's walk through it together.
Understanding Your Academy Sports Credit Card
First off, it's important to remember that the Academy Sports + Outdoors Credit Card is issued by Comenity Capital Bank. This means that while you interact with Academy for purchases, the actual credit account and its management fall under Comenity Bank's purview. Therefore, when you cancel, you'll be dealing directly with Comenity.
Before you proceed, it's a good idea to understand why you're canceling. Is it because you no longer shop at Academy, you're trying to streamline your finances, or perhaps you're concerned about the high Annual Percentage Rate (APR) associated with store cards? Knowing your reason can help you decide if cancellation is truly the best course of action. Keep in mind that store cards like the Academy card often come with high APRs (reports indicate it can be around 35.99%) and are generally "closed-loop," meaning they can only be used at Academy. However, they do offer a straightforward 5% discount on eligible purchases and sometimes free shipping.
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| How.do I Cancel My.academy Sports Credit Card |
Step 1: Prepare for Cancellation – The Crucial Pre-Checks!
Let's begin! Before you even think about calling customer service, you need to do some vital prep work. This step is critical to prevent future headaches and potential credit score dings.
1.1. Pay Off Your Entire Balance (and then some!):
This is non-negotiable. You must pay off every single penny you owe on your Academy Sports Credit Card. Don't just pay the current statement balance; make sure to pay the entire outstanding balance, including any recent transactions that haven't yet posted. Even a small remaining balance can prevent the account from being officially closed and could lead to ongoing interest charges or fees. It's often a good idea to pay a little extra to account for any accrued interest that might not be immediately visible.
1.2. Redeem Any Rewards or Benefits:
Does your Academy Sports Credit Card offer any outstanding rewards, discounts, or special offers? This could include any welcome bonuses, loyalty points, or unused store credit. Once the account is closed, these will likely be forfeited. Check your Comenity Bank account online or recent statements to see if you have anything to redeem. Make sure to use them up before proceeding!
1.3. Cancel Automatic Payments and Subscriptions:
If you have any recurring payments or subscriptions linked to your Academy Sports Credit Card (e.g., streaming services, gym memberships, utility bills), update them to a different payment method immediately. Failing to do so will result in missed payments once your card is canceled, which can negatively impact your credit score and disrupt your services.
Tip: Pause if your attention drifts.
1.4. Gather Your Account Information:
Have your credit card number, full name, address, phone number associated with the account, and possibly your Social Security Number (SSN) ready. The customer service representative will need this to verify your identity and access your account.
Step 2: Contacting Comenity Bank Customer Service
Now that you're prepared, it's time to make the call. Remember, you'll be contacting Comenity Bank, not Academy Sports directly, as they are the issuer of the card.
2.1. Find the Right Number:
The primary customer service number for the Academy Sports + Outdoors Credit Card (issued by Comenity Capital Bank) is 1-877-321-8509. For TDD/TTY users, the number is 1-888-819-1918.
2.2. State Your Intention Clearly:
When you connect with a representative, clearly state that you wish to close and cancel your Academy Sports Credit Card account. Be polite but firm in your request. They may try to offer incentives to keep your account open. While it's fine to listen, if your decision is final, reiterate your request to close the account.
2.3. Confirm Zero Balance:
Reconfirm with the representative that your balance is zero. Ask if there are any pending charges or accrued interest that you might have missed. If there is a small balance, ask how you can pay it off immediately over the phone or if there's a final payment you need to make. Do not close the account until the balance is truly $0.
QuickTip: Reflect before moving to the next part.
2.4. Request Confirmation:
Once the representative confirms the account is closed, ask for a confirmation number or a written confirmation to be sent to you via email or postal mail. This is your proof that the account has been closed. Keep this record in your files.
Step 3: Post-Cancellation Follow-Up
Your work isn't quite done after the call. A few crucial follow-up steps will ensure everything is properly recorded and your credit isn't negatively affected.
3.1. Destroy Your Card:
Physically destroy your Academy Sports Credit Card by cutting it into multiple pieces, especially through the magnetic strip and chip. This prevents any unauthorized use.
3.2. Monitor Your Credit Report:
Approximately 30-60 days after cancellation, obtain a copy of your credit report from all three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). You can do this annually for free at AnnualCreditReport.com. Check to ensure that:
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The Academy Sports Credit Card account is clearly marked as "closed at consumer's request" or "closed by grantor."
There are no remaining balances or unexpected activity.
The credit limit and payment history are accurately reported.
Why is this important? Sometimes, errors can occur, and an incorrectly closed account or lingering balance could impact your credit score. If you find any discrepancies, dispute them immediately with the credit bureau and Comenity Bank.
3.3. Understand the Credit Score Impact:
Closing a credit card can have a temporary impact on your credit score, especially if it was an older account or one with a high credit limit. This is because:
Credit Utilization Ratio: Closing a card reduces your total available credit, which can increase your credit utilization ratio (the amount of credit you're using compared to your total available credit). A higher utilization ratio can negatively affect your score.
Length of Credit History: The age of your accounts contributes to your credit history length. Closing an older card can shorten your average account age, which might slightly lower your score.
However, for store cards that you don't frequently use or have a high APR, the benefits of closing it (reducing temptation, simplifying finances, avoiding potential fees) often outweigh the minor, temporary credit score dip. If you have other strong credit accounts and maintain low utilization on them, the impact should be minimal and short-lived.
QuickTip: Pause to connect ideas in your mind.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check my Academy Sports Credit Card balance online?
You can check your balance by signing in to your account on the Comenity Bank website, which issues the Academy Sports + Outdoors Credit Card.
How to find the customer service number for my Academy Sports Credit Card?
The customer service number (1-877-321-8509) is typically listed on the back of your credit card, on your monthly statement, or on the Comenity Bank website for Academy Sports.
How to ensure my credit score isn't negatively impacted by closing the card?
Pay off the entire balance, avoid closing your oldest credit card if possible, and keep your credit utilization low on other active credit lines. Monitor your credit report afterward for accuracy.
How to redeem Academy Sports Credit Card rewards before closing?
Check your Comenity Bank online account or recent statements for any available rewards or discounts. Typically, these are applied automatically or are available as a statement credit or discount on purchases.
How to confirm my Academy Sports Credit Card account is officially closed?
QuickTip: Don’t ignore the small print.
Request a confirmation number during your call with Comenity Bank, and ask for a written confirmation via email or postal mail. Also, check your credit report in 30-60 days to see the account status.
How to prevent accidental charges after cancellation?
Physically destroy the card by cutting it up, especially through the magnetic strip and chip, to ensure it cannot be used.
How to dispute an error on my credit report after closing the card?
Contact the credit bureau (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) directly to dispute any inaccuracies, providing them with your confirmation of cancellation. You should also inform Comenity Bank.
How to avoid annual fees on the Academy Sports Credit Card?
The Academy Sports Credit Card generally does not have an annual fee. However, some store cards might have fees for paper statements; enrolling in paperless statements can help avoid those.
How to know if I have any pending charges on my card before closing?
Call Comenity Bank customer service and explicitly ask if there are any pending transactions or unbilled interest that would prevent a zero balance closure.
How to manage my credit utilization after closing a credit card?
After closing a card, if your credit utilization increases, focus on paying down balances on your remaining credit cards to keep your overall utilization ratio below 30% (ideally below 10%) to maintain a healthy credit score.
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