How to Close BOB Credit Card: Step-by-Step Process, Impact on Credit Score & What to Consider

Key Takeaways

• You can close a BOBCARD by phone (toll-free), email, or branch visit - online portal closure is not available.
• All outstanding dues, active EMIs, and auto-payments must be cleared before closure is processed.
• Unused reward points are forfeited permanently on closure - redeem them first.
• Closing a credit card may reduce your credit score by raising your Credit Utilisation Ratio and shortening credit history.
• If the annual fee is the issue, consider requesting a fee waiver or downgrade instead of closing.

Should You Close Your BOB Credit Card? Read This First

Closing a credit card is a permanent decision. Before proceeding, it is worth understanding the implications - especially on your credit score. In our analysis, most people who want to close their BOBCARD have one of three reasons: the annual fee feels unjustified, they have too many cards, or they are switching to a different card. All three situations may have solutions short of closure.

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Pre-Closure Checklist - Do All of These Before Requesting Closure

• Clear all outstanding dues: Check your latest statement balance. BOBCARD will not process closure if any dues remain.
• Foreclose all active Smart EMIs: All EMI conversions on the card must be settled before closure. Contact customer care for foreclosure.
• Cancel all standing instructions and auto-payments: Any recurring payments (OTT, insurance, utilities) linked to the card must be transferred to another payment method.
• Redeem reward points: Once the account is closed, unused reward points are permanently forfeited. Redeem via the BOBCARD portal or app before closure. Minimum redemption: 1,000 points (effective 1 July 2025).
• Request written confirmation post-closure: Ask BOBCARD to confirm card closure in writing (email or letter). Keep this for your records until CIBIL reflects the closure.

Critical: Redeem Points Before Closure

1 Reward Point = ₹0.25 cashback on BOBCARD. If you have 10,000 points, that is ₹2,500 in value. Do not forfeit this by closing the account without redeeming. Redeem via myservices.bobcard.co.in or the BOBCARD app.

Method 1: Close via Phone (Recommended)

Calling customer care is the most straightforward way to request closure. The representative verifies your identity and initiates the process.

Steps

• Call the toll-free number from your registered mobile number.
• Choose the credit card services option from the IVR menu.
• Request to speak with a customer care executive.
• State that you wish to permanently close your BOBCARD credit card account.
• Provide verification details as requested.
• Note the service request reference number.
• Request email or SMS confirmation of the closure request.
• Follow up after 7–10 working days if confirmation is not received.

Method 2: Close via Email

You can submit a closure request by email from your registered email address. This creates a written record of the request date.

Steps

• Email address: crm@bobcard.co.in
• Subject line: "Credit Card Closure Request - [Last 4 Digits of Card]"
• Include in email: Full name, registered mobile number, last 4 digits of card, reason for closure (optional), confirmation that outstanding dues are nil.
• Response time: BOBCARD typically responds within 3–5 working days with a reference number.

Method 3: Close via Branch Visit

You can visit any BOBCARD-associated Bank of Baroda branch with your physical credit card and a government-issued photo ID. Submit a written closure application. The card will be cut in your presence as acknowledgment. This method is useful if you prefer a face-to-face confirmation.

How Card Closure Affects Your Credit Score

Closing a credit card has two main effects on your CIBIL score, and both are negative in the short term:

Effect 1: Credit Utilisation Ratio Increases

Your Credit Utilisation Ratio (CUR) is your total credit card balances divided by your total credit limits. If you close a card with a ₹2,00,000 limit and your other cards have ₹1,00,000 combined limit, your available credit drops from ₹3,00,000 to ₹1,00,000. If you spend the same amount, your CUR rises - a higher CUR signals credit risk to lenders. A CUR above 30% can hurt your score.

Effect 2: Credit History Length May Shorten

Length of credit history contributes to your credit score. Closing an older card reduces your average account age - another small negative signal. For this reason, it is generally better to close newer cards rather than older ones if you must close one.

CIBIL Score Benchmark

BOBCARD and most Indian credit card issuers use 750 as the standard CIBIL benchmark for credit card eligibility. A score below this post-closure may affect future applications. Monitor your score on CIBIL.com or Paisabazaar after closure.

When Card Closure Makes Sense

Despite the score impact, there are legitimate reasons to close a card:

• The annual fee is not waived and the card no longer justifies the cost
• You are carrying multiple unused cards creating complexity in tracking
• You have a newer, better card that replaces this one entirely
• Security concern - the card number has been compromised

If you are considering closure because you want a better card, apply for the BOBCARD Eterna first, get it activated, and then close the older card. This sequence protects your credit history continuity. Learn more about credit card penalty charges.