I just cancelled my Barclays card today... waited this long only because I was waiting for a return credit to post... I already have a replacement card thru Chase, thereby joining a lot of other folks who have dumped Barclays and gone back to Chase...
postscript today 11/1/21...
I messaged Barclays and asked how to cancel the card and account. I got this message back:
Thank you for contacting us about your AARP® Travel Rewards Mastercard® from Barclays.
We’re sorry to learn that you are considering closing your account.
In order to comply with this request, we’ll need some additional information. To make sure we close the right account, please respond to this message with the last four digits of the account number you wish to close.
Once the account is closed, we will not be able to reopen it. Although we would hate to lose your business, an email response is enough for us to complete your request. You may also contact our Customer Care Department to close your account. Our representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at <<Insert Number>>.
After we close the account, we’ll send a confirmation letter to the address on file, which should arrive within 7-10 business days. You’ll continue to have online access to our website, including viewing your statements, for up to six months from the date your account is closed and has a zero balance.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please reply to this message.
Sincerely,
Customer Care
success!!! (silly me!)
Then, this AM I got the following message:
Thank you for contacting us about your AARP® Travel Rewards Mastercard® from Barclays.
We apologize as we have provided misdirection on how to assist you of your request to close your account.
In order to provide you with the most individualized service possible, we ask that these requests be made through our Customer Care Department. Please contact us at 866-677-1563. Our agents are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to discuss what options are available on your account. We apologize for the confusion, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please reply to this message.
Sincerely,
Customer Care
So I'll be hanging out with my phone for however long it takes to get thru to a person in their call center in whatever country... just hope they speak and understand english since I'm fluent in only that one language.
Success (really!) Took my wife about 5 minutes to get the account closed...