How to Remove a Payment Method from Your Amazon Account
How to remove a payment method from Amazon
You can remove a payment method from your Amazon account in your account settings at any time. Amazon keeps your payment methods on file so you can check out faster, but you are never required to keep one stored. Removing a card, bank account, or other payment method does not affect active subscriptions or Prime membership — those will simply prompt you to enter a different payment method at their next billing date.
The steps are the same whether you are removing a credit card, debit card, or bank account linked through ACH. You log in, go to your payment settings, and delete the method you no longer want. If that method is set as your default, Amazon will ask you to choose a replacement before you can complete the deletion.
Key Takeaways
- You can remove any payment method from your Amazon account settings without affecting your ability to shop or use Prime.
- If the payment method you are removing is your default, you must select a different default before Amazon will let you delete it.
- Removing a payment method does not cancel subscriptions or Prime — those services will ask for a new payment method at their next billing date.
- If you remove all payment methods, you will need to add one back before you can make a purchase or renew a subscription.
Step-by-step: removing a payment method
Log into your Amazon account and go to Account & Lists in the top right corner. Select Your Account, then look for Login & security or Payments depending on your device. On a computer, click Manage payment methods under the Payments section. On a phone or tablet, scroll down and tap Payment options.
You will see a list of all payment methods on file. Find the one you want to remove and click or tap the Delete button next to it. If this is your default payment method, Amazon will show you a message asking you to pick a new default first. Select a different payment method from the list and confirm. Once a new default is set, you can go back and delete the old one.
After you click Delete, Amazon asks you to confirm. Click Delete payment method or Remove to finish. The method is removed immediately and will not appear in your payment list or at checkout.
What happens to subscriptions and Prime when you remove a payment method
Removing a payment method does not stop your subscriptions or cancel your Prime membership. Those services stay active. When the next billing date arrives, Amazon will try to charge your default payment method instead. If you have no default method or that method fails, Amazon will send you an email asking you to update your payment information before the charge goes through.
If you do not add a new payment method within a certain window, your subscription or Prime membership may be paused or cancelled depending on the service. Amazon Prime typically gives you several days to update your payment method before pausing your membership. Subscriptions like Amazon Music or Kindle Unlimited may pause immediately if no payment method is available.
When you need to remove a payment method before it expires
If your card is expiring soon or you are closing a bank account, you do not have to wait for it to fail. Removing it now prevents failed charges and the emails that come with them. When you remove an expiring card, make sure you have set a different payment method as your default, or add a new one before you delete the old card.
If you have already received an email from Amazon saying a charge failed because your payment method is expired or invalid, go to your payment settings and remove that method right away. Then add a current card or account so your subscriptions and Prime do not get interrupted at the next billing cycle.
Removing a payment method linked to a bank account
Bank accounts linked through ACH (Automated Clearing House) are removed the same way as cards. Go to your payment methods, find the bank account, and click Delete. Amazon will ask you to confirm and to set a new default if this account was your primary method.
If you linked a bank account to Amazon and later closed that account, you should remove it from your Amazon payment settings even if it is no longer active. A closed account can cause failed charges and confusion at billing time. Removing it prevents Amazon from trying to charge it in the future.
What to do if you cannot remove a payment method
If the Delete button is greyed out or not showing, the payment method is likely set as your default and Amazon requires you to choose a replacement first. Select a different payment method and set it as default, then try deleting the original one again.
If you see an error message or the Delete option does not appear at all, try logging out of your Amazon account completely and logging back in. Clear your browser cache if you are on a computer. If the problem continues, contact Amazon Customer Service through your account. They can see your payment settings and help you remove a method that is stuck.
Removing a payment method does not affect your account history
Deleting a payment method from your account does not erase your order history or past transactions. Amazon keeps a record of every purchase you have made, and removing the card or account you used to pay for them does not change that record. Your past orders remain visible in your account under Returns & Orders.
If you need to dispute a charge or request a refund for a past order, you can do that even after removing the payment method. The transaction history stays in your account regardless of whether the original payment method is still on file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove my only payment method?
Yes, you can delete your last payment method, but then you will not be able to make new purchases or renew subscriptions until you add a new one. Amazon will prompt you to add a payment method at checkout if none are on file.
Will removing a payment method cancel my Prime membership?
No. Prime stays active. At your next renewal date, Amazon will charge your new default payment method. If you have no default method, Amazon will email you to add one before the charge is processed.
What if I remove a payment method and then want it back?
You will need to add it again manually. Go to your payment settings, click Add a payment method, and enter the card or bank account details again. Amazon does not store deleted payment methods.
Does removing a payment method affect my credit score?
No. Removing a payment method from Amazon does not change your credit score or credit history. It only removes the method from your Amazon account. Closing the actual credit card or bank account with the issuer is a separate action that may affect your credit.
Can I remove a payment method if I have a pending order?
Yes, but only if that order has already been charged. If an order is still processing and has not been charged yet, removing the payment method may cause the charge to fail. Check your order status first — if it shows Pending or Processing, wait until it shows Shipped or Delivered before removing the payment method.