How to Change Your Payment Method on Amazon
Where to find and change your payment method
Your payment methods live in your Amazon account settings, not in a shopping cart or checkout screen. To change the card or account Amazon charges for purchases, go to Account & Lists (top right of any Amazon page), then select Your Account. From there, click Login & security or Payment options depending on what you see — both lead to the same place on most accounts.
Once you're in payment settings, you'll see a list of every card, bank account, or other payment method you've added to Amazon over time. The one with a checkmark or labeled "Default" is what Amazon will charge for new orders. To change it, click the payment method you want to use instead, then select Set as default. That's the entire process — no confirmation email, no waiting period.
If you don't see the payment method you want to use, you'll need to add it first. Click Add a payment method, enter the card or bank account details, and Amazon will verify it (usually instantly for credit and debit cards). Once it's verified, you can set it as your default right away.
Key Takeaways
- Your default payment method is in Account & Lists > Your Account > Login & security or Payment options, and you can change it by clicking the method you want and selecting Set as default.
- Amazon charges your default method for all new orders unless you pick a different payment method at checkout.
- You can add a new card or bank account to your account before you need it, and Amazon will verify it instantly in most cases.
- If you remove a payment method, any subscriptions or recurring charges tied to it may fail, so update those subscriptions first if you're deleting an old card.
What happens at checkout if you change your mind
Even if you have a default payment method set, Amazon lets you pick a different one at checkout. When you're ready to buy, scroll down to the payment section and you'll see your default method listed. Click Change next to it, and you can choose any other payment method on file or add a new one right there.
This is useful if you want to use a rewards card for one purchase but keep a different card as your default, or if you're testing whether a new card works before making it your primary method. The choice you make at checkout only affects that single order — your default stays the same for future purchases.
Removing a payment method you no longer use
If you have old cards or bank accounts linked to your Amazon account that you don't use anymore, you can delete them. Go back to Account & Lists > Your Account > Login & security or Payment options, find the method you want to remove, and look for a Delete or trash icon next to it.
Before you delete a payment method, check whether any subscriptions or recurring charges are tied to it. If you delete a card that's charging a Prime membership, a Kindle Unlimited subscription, or a Subscribe & Save order, Amazon will try to charge your default method instead. If that fails, your subscription will pause or cancel. To avoid this, update those subscriptions to a different payment method first, then delete the old card.
Adding a new payment method
Click Add a payment method in your payment settings and you'll see options for credit card, debit card, or bank account. For a card, enter the number, expiration date, CVV (the three-digit code on the back), and the cardholder's name and billing address. Amazon will verify the card instantly in most cases — you'll see a confirmation on screen.
For a bank account, you'll enter your routing number, account number, and account type (checking or savings). Amazon verifies bank accounts differently: it makes two small deposits to your account (usually within one to two business days), and you'll need to log back in and confirm the amounts to complete verification. Until you confirm those amounts, you can't use that bank account to pay.
Once a payment method is verified, it's ready to use immediately. You can set it as your default, use it for a single purchase at checkout, or save it for later.
Why Amazon might decline your payment method
If your card is declined at checkout, the most common reasons are: the card has expired, you've hit your credit limit, the card issuer flagged the charge as suspicious, or the billing address on file doesn't match what your bank has on record. Amazon will usually tell you which one it is in the error message.
If your card is expired, update it in your payment settings — find the card, click it, and edit the expiration date. If your bank declined the charge, call your bank to ask why (they can see the Amazon transaction) and ask them to approve it. If the billing address is wrong, update it in your payment settings or at checkout before trying again.
If you've added a new card and it's being declined during verification, make sure the name and address match exactly what your bank has on file. Even a middle initial or apartment number difference can cause verification to fail.
Payment methods Amazon accepts
Amazon takes all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), debit cards, and bank accounts (checking or savings). Some regions also accept gift cards, prepaid cards, or payment services like Google Pay or Apple Pay, though this varies by country and device.
If you're using a prepaid card or gift card, treat it like a regular card — enter the number and expiration date. Keep in mind that prepaid cards sometimes have daily or monthly spending limits set by the card issuer, so if a large purchase is declined, that might be why.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different payment method for Prime membership than for regular purchases?
No. Prime charges whatever payment method is set as your default at the time your membership renews. If you want to use a different card for Prime, you'll need to make that card your default, then change it back after the charge goes through. A better option is to update your Prime payment method directly: go to Account & Lists > Your Account > Prime membership, then click Update payment method.
What if I want to use a payment method but not make it my default?
You can pick a different payment method at checkout every time you order, without changing your default. When you reach the payment section, click Change next to your default method and select the one you want to use for that order only.
Do I have to update my payment method if my card expires but I get a new one from the same bank?
Usually yes. Your bank will send you a new card with a new expiration date and sometimes a new number. Amazon won't automatically update the old card, so you'll need to delete the expired one and add the new card to your account. Some banks do update Amazon automatically, but it's safer to do it yourself to avoid a declined charge.
Can I use someone else's payment method on my Amazon account?
Yes, you can add another person's card or bank account to your account. However, that person's name and billing address need to match what their bank has on file. If you're sharing an account with a family member, Amazon also offers Family Library, which lets each person have their own account and payment method while sharing purchases.
What happens to my saved payment methods if I close my Amazon account?
When you close your account, all saved payment methods are deleted. If you reopen an account later with the same email address, you'll need to add your payment methods again from scratch.