How to cancel a Barclaycard credit card

Find out what you'll need to do to close your Barclaycard account.

Overview

If you want to cancel your credit card, it’s important that you do it correctly to ensure you aren’t stung with interest payments or fees in future. Credit card providers will generally require that you call them if you wish to cancel your card, and may try to convince you to stay by offering you a better rate or bonus features.

What to do before you cancel your Barclaycard credit card

Before you cancel your credit card, there are a couple of things you should do:

  • Pay off your balance. It’s important you have a zero outstanding balance before cancelling your card. If you’re unable to pay it off, consider making a balance transfer to another card with a lower APR to save money on interest. This will also give you more time to pay your debt.
  • Redeem rewards. Closing your account before you redeem or transfer your points isn’t recommended as you’ll likely lose your points.

How to cancel your Barclaycard credit card

Once you’re ready to cancel, you’ll need to call Barclaycard on 0800 151 0900 in order to close your account. A representative may try to talk you into keeping your account open, and this can be a good bargaining tactic to potentially get a lower APR or other perks and bonuses. If you find the offer appealing, you can always consider keeping the card, but if you still want to close your account you can decline the offer.

Make sure you have the following items nearby when cancelling your card:

  • Your credit card and account information.
  • A reason why you want to cancel the card.
  • Pen and paper to write down the representative’s ID and name should you need it later on.

Will cancelling my Barclaycard credit card affect my credit score?

Not necessarily, although different lenders have their own criteria when it comes to determining your credit rating. Provided you pay off your card in full before cancelling, you may actually improve your credit score by reducing the number of accounts you have or by closing unused accounts.

By paying off and closing unwanted accounts, you’re showing future lenders or credit providers that you are capable of spending responsibly and meeting your credit commitments.

Compare new credit cards

If you’re looking to cancel your Barclaycard credit card in order to change to a new card, you can compare credit cards below.

Table: sorted by representative APR, promoted deals first
Name Product Ratings Finder rating Customer rating Balance transfers Balance transfer fee Purchases Annual/monthly fees Representative APR Incentive Link
M&S Bank Credit Card Transfer Plus Offer Mastercard
Finder score
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
★★★★★
User rating
0% for 28 months reverting to 23.9%
2.99% (min. £5)
0% for 3 months reverting to 23.9%
£0
23.9% APR (variable)
1 point per £1 spent with M&S and 1 point per £5 spent elsewhere. Enjoy 55 days interest free, preferential rates plus no cash advance fee when buying M&S travel money with the card.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 23.9% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
M&S Bank Shopping Plus Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
★★★★★
User rating
0% for 15 months reverting to 23.9%
2.99% fee, min £5
0% for 18 months reverting to 23.9%
£0
23.9% APR (variable)
1 point per £1 spent with M&S and 1 point per £5 spent elsewhere. Enjoy 55 days interest free, preferential rates plus no cash advance fee when buying M&S travel money with the card.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 23.9% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
Santander Everyday Long Term Balance Transfer Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
★★★★★
User rating
0% for 26 months reverting to 23.9%
3% (min. £5)
0% for 3 months reverting to 23.9%
£0
23.9% APR (variable)
Sign up for Santander Boosts to receive cashback, vouchers, offers and prize draws from selected retailers.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 23.9% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
Royal Bank of Scotland Longer Balance Transfer Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
Not yet rated
0% for 23 months reverting to 24.9%
3.49%
0% for 3 months reverting to 24.9%
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).
Go to site
Royal Bank of Scotland Purchase & Balance Transfer Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
Not yet rated
0% for 17 months reverting to 24.9%
2.99%
0% for 17 months reverting to 24.9%
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).
Go to site
NatWest Longer Balance Transfer Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
★★★★★
User rating
0% for 23 months reverting to 24.9%
3.49%
0% for 3 months reverting to 24.9%
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).
Go to site
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Name Product Ratings Customer rating Finder rating Purchases Balance transfers Annual/monthly fees Representative APR Incentive Link
M&S Bank Shopping Plus Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
User rating
★★★★★
Expert analysis
0% for 18 months reverting to 23.9%
0% for 15 months
(2.99% fee, min £5 fee)
£0
23.9% APR (variable)
1 point per £1 spent with M&S and 1 point per £5 spent elsewhere. Enjoy 55 days interest free, preferential rates plus no cash advance fee when buying M&S travel money with the card.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 23.9% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
HSBC Purchase Plus Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
User rating
★★★★★
Expert analysis
0% for 18 months reverting to 24.9%
0% for 16 months
(3.49%, min £5 fee)
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
Discounts and exclusive offers for dining experiences, leisure activities and shopping available through HSBC Home and Away.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable). You might get different interest rates and promotional periods to those shown here, because these depend on your circumstances.
Check eligibility
Royal Bank of Scotland Purchase & Balance Transfer Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
Not yet rated
★★★★★
Expert analysis
0% for 17 months reverting to 24.9%
0% for 17 months
(2.99% fee)
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).
Go to site
NatWest Purchase & Balance Transfer Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
User rating
★★★★★
Expert analysis
0% for 17 months reverting to 24.9%
0% for 17 months
(2.99% fee)
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).
Go to site
Santander All in One Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
User rating
★★★★★
Expert analysis
0% for 15 months reverting to 23.9%
0% for 15 months
(0% fee)
£3 per month
29.8% APR (variable)
0.5% after £1 of monthly spend. Cashback paid Monthly into Card Account. Maximum spend for cashback purposes is limited to credit limit.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £3 per month, your representative rate is 29.8% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
HSBC Rewards Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
User rating
★★★★★
Expert analysis
0% for 6 months reverting to 23.9%
0% for 6 months
(2.99%, min £5 fee)
£0
23.9% APR (variable)
Earn 1 point for every £5 spent on purchases. Bonus 2,500 reward points on anniversary if £10,000 spent in previous year. 1 point = 1p (no min)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 23.9% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
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Name Product Ratings Finder rating Customer rating Max. intro bonus Earn-rate with brand Default earn-rate Annual/monthly fees Representative APR Incentive Link
M&S Bank Credit Card Transfer Plus Offer Mastercard
Finder score
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
★★★★★
User rating
N/A
1 point per £1 spent
1 point per £5 spent
£0
23.9% APR (variable)
1 point per £1 spent with M&S and 1 point per £5 spent elsewhere. Enjoy 55 days interest free, preferential rates plus no cash advance fee when buying M&S travel money with the card.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 23.9% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
M&S Bank Shopping Plus Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
★★★★★
User rating
N/A
1 point per £1 spent
1 point per £5 spent
£0
23.9% APR (variable)
1 point per £1 spent with M&S and 1 point per £5 spent elsewhere. Enjoy 55 days interest free, preferential rates plus no cash advance fee when buying M&S travel money with the card.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 23.9% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
Santander All in One Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
★★★★★
User rating
N/A
0.5% cashback
0.5% cashback
£3 per month
29.8% APR (variable)
0.5% after £1 of monthly spend. Cashback paid Monthly into Card Account. Maximum spend for cashback purposes is limited to credit limit.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £3 per month, your representative rate is 29.8% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
American Express® Rewards Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
★★★★★
User rating
10,000 points
1 point per £1 spent
1 point per £1 spent
£0
31% APR (variable)
Earn 1 Membership Rewards® point for every £1 spent thereafter. Earn up to 90,000 bonus points per year through refer a friend, 4,000 points awarded for every friend approved. 1 point = 0.45p (min 1,000 points) to shop, other rewards have differing conversions.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 31% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 31% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
British Airways American Express® Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
★★★★★
User rating
5,000 points
1 point per £1 spent
1 point per £1 spent
£0
31% APR (variable)
Earn 1 Avios for virtually every £1 spent. Spend £12K each year and get a travel companion voucher when redeeming Avios for a BA reward flight. Earn up to 90,000 bonus Avios points per calendar year, 4,000 points per friend/family member that successfully applies for an American Express card (Excl. Basic card) and uses the Referral Programme. Avios value varies dependent on reward (min 1000pts for flights).
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 31% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 31% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
American Express® Platinum Cashback Everyday Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
★★★★★
User rating
£100
1% cashback
1% cashback
£0
31% APR (variable)
New welcome offer: Get 5% cashback on your purchases (up to £100) for the first 3 months of Cardmembership. Terms apply. Spend £0 to £10,000 and receive 0.5% cashback on all purchases. Spend over £10,000 and receive 1% cashback on purchases.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 31% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 31% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
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We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you.

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