Gap is one of the most well-known stores that attracts families looking to dress adults and kids in fashionable and affordable styles. Not only does Gap have over 4,000 locations, but they also own Banana Republic, Old Navy, and Athleta. The benefit to Gap owning multiple companies is that you can use the Gap credit card at these popular clothing stores, as well.
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What happens, however, if you’re ready to switch out your Gap credit card for a card that offers better rewards such as travel perks no matter where you shop? Thankfully, Gap hasn’t made it difficult for their credit card holders to cancel. Keep reading for everything you need to know about canceling your Gap credit card.
How to Cancel Your Own Gap Credit Card
Having a Gap store card or Gap Visa card can be advantageous if you shop at Gap or its family of stores. However, if it’s time to move on, canceling your Gap card is simple and straightforward.
Note: Gap offers four credit cards including the Gap store card, Gap Visa, Gap Silver, and Gap Silver Visa. While each card has requirements and regulations regarding where you can use them, you can cancel each one in the same way by following the steps below.
1. Pay off any remaining balance
No matter which Gap card you have, your statement will need to show a zero balance in order to close it. This means you may need to put through a final payment to pay off a bill or interest.
Find out if you have a balance on your card by logging onto your GapGood Rewards account hosted by Synchrony. You can also call the number on the back of the card and navigate through the automated system which will tell you about any remaining balance.
Keep in mind: If you’ve made any recent purchases using your card or you have pending transactions, you’ll need to wait until purchases clear and pending transactions are finalized before closing your account. This includes any refunds that are processing.
2. Use up rewards points
One of the best things about the Gap card is that you can accumulate points each time you make a purchase. Those points can then be redeemed for the equivalent cash value at Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, and Athleta when you make purchases in-store or online.
These rewards are only good for the Gap family of brands and can’t be cashed out. If you have unused rewards when you plan on closing your account, you’ll lose the rewards you’ve earned. Be sure to use these first so you don’t lose them!
3. Contact customer service or submit an online request
To cancel your card, there are two ways to proceed. You can contact customer service by calling the number on the back of your credit card or you can submit an online request.
Contact customer service
Calling customer service is likely the fastest way to cancel your credit card. Once you are directed to a live customer service agent, they’ll ask for identifying information such as your billing address, email or phone number on file, and the last four numbers of your credit card.
Once you provide them the info they need and they look up your account, they’ll be able to cancel the card, provided there is no outstanding balance.
Submit an online request
If you don’t want to call, then you can log on to your Gap Good Rewards account by Synchrony and submit an online request form to cancel your account. You should receive a reply within 48 hours.
4. Confirm cancellation
While on the phone, request cancellation of your credit card. In addition to providing a cancellation number, you should receive an email and a piece of snail mail confirming account closure. Keep these pieces of information for your records in case false charges or disputes arise later.
5. Shred your old cards
Once a credit card has been canceled, there’s no reason to keep it. Be sure to shred it before you toss it since the card contains personal information that could fall into the wrong hands.
How to Cancel a Deceased Loved One’s Gap Credit Card
Canceling a deceased loved one’s Gap credit card might require a few extra steps, but they’re all straightforward. As long as you have some time set aside to make a few phone calls, you can get this done.
1. Gather credit card account info
Before you start down the path of alerting the credit card company of your loved one’s passing, you’ll need to gather relevant information. Depending on who you’re speaking with, you could need any number of items including:
- Their billing address
- A phone number on file
- The credit card number
- Email address on file
If you can’t find some of this information, try checking old credit card statements or looking in their password manager. While the credit card company will need enough information to locate your loved one’s account, typically only one or two pieces of identifying information will suffice.
2. Gather personal information
To proceed through the steps it takes to cancel a loved one’s account, you’ll also need to provide proof of their death. Most financial institutions such as credit card companies will require a copy of their death certificate.
If you’re closing accounts as part of your executor duties, it’s a good idea to acquire multiple copies of their death certificate at the same time. Having multiple copies available will help ensure that you’ll be ready for these types of requests when they come.
Getting a death certificate can be done online. Depending on the state, copies cost anywhere from $5 to $20. This expense can be reimbursed by the estate, however, so you don’t have to worry about purchasing these copies out of your own pocket.
You might also need proof of your executorship, such as a copy of the will or letters of testamentary. These are common documents required by financial institutions when closing down accounts and completing other tasks when someone dies.
3. Contact customer service
Once you’ve gathered all the info you need, call the customer service number at 1-844-365-1994. The support line is open Monday to Friday from 8 am to 10 pm and Saturday from 8 am to 4:30 pm.
Note the times and plan on calling when the support lines are open. Calling outside of support hours will only get you to a recording and you’ll need to call back later since no one will be available to take your call.
During your call with customer service, a representative will ask for identifying information to locate the account.
4. Determine card status
While on the phone with customer service, they’ll advise you as to any remaining balance still existent on the card. If there is a balance, this is the responsibility of your loved one’s estate.
If you’re acting as the executor, you have the legal right to pay this amount on behalf of your loved one’s estate. You never have to pay these bills out of your own pocket, however. Money owed by your deceased loved one always comes from the estate, not the executor or heirs.
5. Send in documents and request closure
While on the phone with customer service, they’ll request a copy of your loved one’s death certificate. This can be emailed to the address they provide and verified while you’re still on the phone.
Once the card balance is zero and your loved one’s death has been confirmed, you can request closure. The customer service representative will close the account at this time.
6. Confirm card cancellation
You’ll receive a cancellation confirmation number in addition to a confirmation email and a piece of regular mail. Keep these in your loved one’s records should any unauthorized charges go through after this point and you need to dispute them.
7. Destroy old cards
After the cards have been canceled, destroy them by running them through a shredder. This ensures no one can get their hand on old card numbers or your loved one’s information on the card.
Canceling Unused and Unwanted Credit Cards
If you’re dealing with the affairs of a deceased loved one, canceling their credit cards doesn’t have to be listed at the top of your priority list. However, these tasks are important to protect their financial legacy and keep their cards from getting hacked and maliciously used.
The best thing to do is to prepare your own affairs. By canceling unused or unwanted credit cards, you remove the task from your loved ones’ to-do list later on. The fastest and easiest way to cancel a credit card is to do it yourself. So, if you want to lighten the load that gets placed on family members, tidy up your accounts now and keep good records so they’ll know what you’ve done.
Sources:
- “Card Member Account Services.” Synchrony, Gap Good Rewards, 2021. Gap.syf.com
- Miller, Erin. “The Gap Credit Card and Rewards Program.” Credit Cards, Upgraded Points, 18, 2021. Upgradedpoints.com