@M_Smart007 wrote:I was hoping that @UncleB or @K-in-Boston would chime in
Apologies for dragging my feet... I seem to be in perpetual catch-up mode these days! 
In the recent past (last seven years or so) I've tended to only close cards that have an annual fee. I've closed the following:
- Direct Rewards Discover (HSBC)
- Amex BCP
- Amex Green
- Amex Delta Gold
- Chase IHG
I would have downgraded the Delta Gold to the Delta Blue had it been an option, but it wasn't at the time, unfortunately.
The Green was closed because I wanted to upgrade to the Gold, but the bonus was better if I did a new app so that's what I did. I closed the BCP when I decided to go 'all in' on MRs for my grocery purchases using the Gold.
The IHG was more of a 'test case'... I actually assumed I was on the Chase naughty list over an old WaMu/Providian account that was charged off, but surprisingly I wasn't. I kept the IHG for a year then closed before the AF was due (and moved the credit line to my Amazon Visa).
I will always close a card with an AF that isn't working out, but I admit I'm generally slow to close non-AF cards. So far I've never been denied something I want due to too many cards/too much available credit but if that ever becomes a problem I might reconsider. For now, though, I'm fine with things the way they are.
I'm still catching up, too!
I see about 16 credit card closures over the past 9 years, mostly in the past 4 years:
Bank of America
- BankAmericard - 2016 - $38,000 - Talked into by analyst over the phone for a BT while getting APR reduction on another card. No need for card after the BT.
- Cash Rewards - 2017 - $15,000 - Churned for bonus; I don't really do cash back except for 5% cash back.
Capital One
- Platinum - 2001 - $500 - This was combined into DMNB card.
- Platinum - 2001 - $2,500 - This was combined into DMNB card. Combined two 1990s $500 CapOne cards into it about 16 or 17 years ago.
- Platinum - 2001 - $875 - This was combined into DMNB card. Acquired from another lender; Orchard Bank maybe?
- Venture One - 2004 - $9175 - Originally Direct Merchants National Bank; acquired by Capital One where it became a Platinum card. Closed and merged 3 smaller lines from 2001 into it (yes, a rookie mistake, but doesn't really matter since I have no open CapOne cards now), then did PC to Venture One. Ran a bunch of money through it for about 6 months and even though my scores had gone up from always being around 700 to being around 770s, could never get a CLI. Figured the card was bucketed, so apped for a Venture and I was... denied. After many LOLWUTs were had, I closed this card out of spite and came to accept that after about 25 years of low credit lines, ridiculous APRs, and no CLIs despite never having a single negative item on my credit reports in my life, CapOne doesn't like me.
CBNA
- Shell - 2002 - $2025 - Absolutely no reason to have the card with better fuel rewards.
- Home Depot - 2011 - $1250 - Took many HPs and ran a lot through it with no CLIs. Opened $17k Lowe's card (now $35k) and closed it.
- National Tire & Battery - 2009 - $1000 - No use at all for the card; got it for a 0% promo when I had brake and rotor work done.
Chase
- Unknown - 2001 - $1250 - Wachovia account sold to Chase, who immediately closed it for non-use. Don't think they even sent me a card.
- Slate - 2003 - $1500 - Rookie mistake. Closed this and combined into my Freedom (both cards originally some other discontinued Chase product). Should have done it the other way around to keep the account age and then done a PC to Freedom! Oops!
- Slate - 2017 - $9700 - Used for BT offer; no need for card otherwise.
Elan Financial Svcs
- Unknown - 2012 - $2000 - Some regional bank card for a BT that changed to someone else before being bought by Elan. No use after initial BT.
Merrick
- Unknown - 2015 - $5000 - Got this for a BT offer shortly before finding the forums. Unaware that this was a starter or rebuilding company since mine was a pretty standard account with no fees and an APR in the mid teens. No use for card after BT offer.
Synchrony
- Sleep Number - 2004 - $5400 - Worst purchase EVER. Paid off in 2005. Forgot it was open, should have used it to pay the prorated pump replacement charges one of the many times it had to be replaced before we ended up just tossing the bed. Closed by credit grantor due to inactivity 10 years later in 2015.
WebBank
- Dell Financial Services - 2003 - $1500 - No real use for the card. Used it twice (in 2003 and 2014) for non-Dell products.
@Anonymous wrote:@imthedevil......Oh don't worry I will. I've heard how they sneak charges in after people close the accounts up
For what it's worth my recent closure was drama free. Definitely make sure to request a letter by mail and check on the account, but no issue for me.
I just closed my $13k Capital One Venture. I always liked the idea of the card and appreciated that it was my first credit line over $10k. It just doesn't make sense to me anymore to rent my credit line for $95. I have the PenFed PCR that gives me 2% and I can redeem it for whatever I want for free.
