To cancel your Lowe’s Advantage credit card, you need to contact Synchrony Bank, the issuer behind the card. The fastest method is calling customer service, though you can also request closure through online chat or secure message. Before you pick up the phone, there are a few things worth handling first to make the process smooth and avoid surprises on your credit report.
Before You Cancel
Pay off any remaining balance on the card before requesting closure. If you close the account while you still owe money, the balance doesn’t disappear. The account converts to repayment-only status, meaning you’ll still owe what’s left and need to keep making payments, but you won’t be able to use the card for new purchases. Paying it off first keeps things clean and avoids confusion about lingering statements.
Redeem any outstanding rewards or promotional financing benefits tied to the card. Once the account is closed, you lose access to unredeemed perks. Also, check your recent statements for any pending transactions or recurring charges billed to the card. Switch those subscriptions or autopayments to a different payment method before you cancel.
Call Synchrony Bank
The most direct way to close your Lowe’s card is by calling Synchrony Bank’s general customer service line at 1-866-419-4096. You can also find the number on the back of your card. When you reach a representative, tell them you want to close your account. They may ask why you’re canceling and could offer incentives to keep the account open. You’re not obligated to accept.
Ask the representative to confirm that the account will be reported as “closed by consumer” to the credit bureaus. This distinction matters because it shows future lenders that you chose to close the account rather than having it shut down by the issuer. Write down the name of the representative, the date, and any confirmation or reference number they give you.
Alternative Ways to Request Closure
If you prefer not to call, Synchrony offers two other options. You can start a live chat by visiting Synchrony’s website, searching for Lowe’s in the credit card partners section, selecting “Account access,” and then clicking the chat icon. A representative can process your closure request through the chat.
You can also send a secure message through your online account. Log in at Synchrony’s site, navigate to the Messages section, and send a written request to close your account. Synchrony notes that responses to secure messages may take at least three business days, so this is the slowest option. For something this important, calling or chatting gives you a faster, real-time confirmation.
How Canceling Affects Your Credit Score
Closing any credit card can nudge your credit score downward, and a Lowe’s card is no exception. The main reason is your credit utilization ratio, which measures how much of your available credit you’re actually using. It accounts for roughly 30% of your FICO Score. When you cancel a card, you lose that card’s credit limit from your total available credit. If you carry balances on other cards, your utilization percentage goes up, which can lower your score.
For example, if you have $10,000 in total credit limits across all cards and you’re using $2,000, your utilization is 20%. Cancel a Lowe’s card with a $3,000 limit and your total available credit drops to $7,000, pushing utilization to about 29%, even though you didn’t spend a dollar more.
The account’s history also plays a role. Closed accounts in good standing remain on your credit report for up to 10 years, so the positive payment history doesn’t vanish immediately. But once it eventually drops off, losing that account age could shorten your average credit history, which is another factor in your score. If the Lowe’s card is one of your older accounts, the long-term impact could be more noticeable than if it’s a newer card.
Confirm the Account Is Actually Closed
Don’t assume the account is closed just because you asked. About 30 days after your cancellation request, pull your credit report from one of the three major bureaus (you can do this for free at AnnualCreditReport.com). Look for the Lowe’s/Synchrony account and verify it shows a status of “closed” and that the notation reflects it was closed at your request.
If the account still shows as open, or if it’s reported as closed by the issuer rather than by you, contact Synchrony again with the reference number from your original call. You can also file a dispute directly with the credit bureau to correct the reporting. Keeping the confirmation details from your cancellation call makes resolving any discrepancies much easier.
When It Makes Sense to Keep the Card
If the card has no annual fee and you’re not tempted to overspend, keeping it open with a zero balance can actually help your credit. It contributes to your available credit (lowering utilization) and adds to your account age over time. Some people put a small recurring charge on the card every few months just to keep it active, since issuers sometimes close dormant accounts on their own.
On the other hand, if the card encourages spending you wouldn’t otherwise do, or if you’re simplifying your finances and don’t shop at Lowe’s regularly, closing it is a reasonable choice. A small, temporary dip in your credit score is usually worth it if the card isn’t serving you.