How to Change Your Amazon Payment Method
How to change or update your Amazon payment method
You can change the card or bank account Amazon charges for orders, Prime membership, or other services at any time through your account settings. The process takes about two minutes and takes effect immediately for new purchases. If you want to change what Amazon charges for an existing order or subscription that has already been billed, you will need to update the payment method first, then contact Amazon to request a reversal or recharge to the new card.
Amazon stores multiple payment methods in your account, so you can keep several cards active and choose which one to use at checkout. You can also set a default payment method that Amazon will use automatically unless you pick a different one.
Key Takeaways
- You can add, remove, or change your default payment method from the "Your Account" section under "Payments and Accounts" on any device.
- Changes to your payment method take effect immediately for new purchases but do not automatically reverse charges already made to an old card.
- If Amazon charged an old card after you updated your payment method, you can contact Amazon customer service to request they recharge the new card and reverse the old charge.
- Amazon will continue to charge a payment method for Prime membership or subscriptions until you update it or cancel the service.
- If a payment fails, Amazon will retry it several times over a few days before suspending your account or service.
Where to find your payment methods in your Amazon account
Log into your Amazon account on any device and go to "Your Account" in the top right corner. Select "Payments and Accounts," then choose "Your Payments" or "Manage Payment Methods" depending on which version of the site you see. Both lead to the same place.
On this page you will see every card and bank account linked to your Amazon account. Next to each one, you will see options to edit, delete, or set as default. The default payment method is the one Amazon will charge first if you do not pick a different card at checkout.
How to add a new payment method
From the "Your Payments" page, select "Add a Payment Method" or "Add a Card." You can add a credit card, debit card, or bank account. For a card, enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV (the three-digit security code on the back). For a bank account, you will need your routing number and account number.
Amazon will ask for a billing address. This must match the address on file with your card issuer or bank. If the address does not match, the payment may be declined when you try to use it. After you enter the information, Amazon will verify the payment method, which usually takes a few seconds but can take up to 24 hours for bank accounts.
How to remove a payment method
You can delete any payment method from your account except the one currently set as default. To remove a card or bank account, go to "Your Payments," find the payment method you want to delete, and select "Delete." Amazon will ask you to confirm.
If the payment method you want to delete is set as default, you must first set a different payment method as default, then delete the old one. Amazon will not let you delete your only payment method, so you must have at least one active card or bank account on file at all times.
What happens if a payment fails or is declined
If Amazon tries to charge a payment method and it is declined, Amazon will retry the charge automatically. The retry schedule varies depending on what you are being charged for — Prime membership, a one-time order, or a subscription. Amazon typically retries over several days before suspending your account or canceling your service.
If a payment keeps failing, check that the billing address on file matches your card issuer's records, that the card has not expired, and that you have not reached your credit limit. You can also contact your card issuer to ask whether they are blocking Amazon charges. Once you fix the problem, update your payment method in your Amazon account and the charge should go through on the next retry.
Changing payment for Prime membership and subscriptions
Amazon Prime membership and subscriptions (like Kindle Unlimited or Prime Video add-ons) renew automatically on a schedule. When renewal comes due, Amazon charges the default payment method on file at that time. If you update your payment method before the renewal date, Amazon will charge the new card instead of the old one.
If Amazon already charged an old card for a renewal and you have since updated your payment method, you can contact Amazon customer service to request a reversal and a recharge to your new card. Amazon does not do this automatically, so you will need to ask. Have your order number or subscription name ready when you contact them.
Changing payment for a single order that has already been placed
Once an order has been placed and charged, you cannot change which payment method Amazon uses for that specific charge through your account settings. However, you can contact Amazon customer service and ask them to reverse the charge to the old card and recharge your new card instead.
This is most useful if you placed an order on a card you no longer want to use, or if you discovered after checkout that Amazon charged a card you did not intend to use. Amazon customer service can usually process this request within one business day. You will see the reversal and the new charge appear in your account separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different payment method for each Amazon order?
Yes. At checkout, you can select any payment method stored in your account. Amazon will use your default payment method unless you choose a different one before you complete the purchase. You can change which card you use for each order without updating your account settings.
What if my card expires before my next Prime renewal?
Update your payment method in your account before the expiration date. When your Prime membership renews, Amazon will charge the new card you have on file. If your card expires and Amazon tries to charge it at renewal, the charge will fail and Amazon will retry over several days. Add a new card to your account as soon as possible to avoid service interruption.
Does updating my payment method refund charges already made?
No. Updating your payment method only affects future charges. If Amazon already charged an old card, you must contact Amazon customer service to request a reversal and recharge to your new card. They can do this, but it is not automatic.
Can I remove my only payment method from my account?
No. Amazon requires at least one active payment method on file at all times. You must add a new card or bank account before you can delete your current one.
How long does it take for a new payment method to work?
For credit and debit cards, Amazon usually verifies the payment method within seconds and you can use it immediately. For bank accounts, verification can take up to 24 hours. You can use the payment method for purchases as soon as Amazon confirms it.