Amazon accepts credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards, and gift cards as your primary payment options
When you buy something on Amazon, you can pay with a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card — whether it's a credit card, debit card, or prepaid card issued by a bank. You can also use an Amazon gift card, which you load money onto and then spend like a prepaid account. Amazon also accepts certain digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay if you've linked a card to those services. The payment method you choose determines how quickly the charge appears on your account and whether you build a credit history with the purchase.
Amazon stores your payment information in your account so you don't have to enter it every time you order. You can save multiple cards and choose which one to use at checkout. If you want to remove a saved card, you can delete it from your account settings at any time.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon accepts major credit and debit cards, prepaid cards, and Amazon gift cards at checkout.
- Digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay work on Amazon if you've already linked a card to them.
- You can save multiple payment methods to your account and choose which one to use for each order.
- Debit cards charge your bank account when ready, while credit cards create a bill you pay later.
- Amazon does not accept PayPal, wire transfers, or cash payments directly through the website.
How credit cards and debit cards work differently at Amazon
When you use a credit card, Amazon charges the card company, not your bank account. The card company then sends you a bill at the end of the month for everything you charged. You can pay that bill in full or make a minimum payment, though paying only the minimum means you'll owe interest on the remaining balance. Credit card purchases also build your credit history, which affects your ability to borrow money in the future.
When you use a debit card, Amazon charges your bank account directly. The money leaves your account within one to three business days, depending on your bank. You cannot spend money you don't have, and you don't build credit history with debit card purchases. Debit cards offer less fraud protection than credit cards in most cases, though your bank may still reimburse unauthorized charges.
Prepaid cards work like debit cards — they draw from money you've already loaded onto the card. Once the balance is gone, you can't use the card unless you add more money to it.
Amazon gift cards and how to use them
An Amazon gift card is a prepaid account you can load money onto and then spend on anything Amazon sells. You can buy a physical gift card at a retail store, or you can buy a digital gift card directly from Amazon and have it sent to your email address. You can also have Amazon send you a gift card code that you redeem by entering it into your account.
Once you redeem a gift card code, the balance appears in your Amazon account as "Amazon.com Gift Card Balance." When you place an order, Amazon automatically uses your gift card balance first, then charges any remaining amount to a credit or debit card you have on file. If your gift card balance is higher than your order total, the leftover amount stays in your account for future purchases.
Gift cards don't expire, and you can check your current balance in your account settings under "Gift Cards." If you lose the code before redeeming it, you can contact Amazon customer service with proof of purchase and they may be able to help you recover it.
Digital wallets and mobile payment options
Amazon accepts Apple Pay on iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches, and Google Pay on Android devices. To use either one, you must have already linked a credit or debit card to your Apple or Google account. When you choose Apple Pay or Google Pay at Amazon checkout, your phone or watch authenticates the payment using your fingerprint, face recognition, or PIN — you don't enter card details again.
Digital wallets add a layer of security because Amazon never sees your actual card number. Instead, the wallet service sends Amazon a token — a temporary code that represents your card without exposing the card itself. This means if someone gains access to your Amazon account, they cannot use your card information to make purchases elsewhere.
Amazon does not accept PayPal, Venmo, or other peer-to-peer payment apps directly. If you want to use PayPal to fund an Amazon purchase, you would need to transfer money from PayPal to your bank account first, then use your debit card.
What happens when you save a payment method to your account
When you save a card or digital wallet to your Amazon account, Amazon stores the information encrypted — meaning it's scrambled in a way that only Amazon's systems can read. You don't have to enter the card number, expiration date, or security code again when you order. At checkout, you straightforward select the saved card you want to use.
You can save as many payment methods as you want, and you can set one as your default so it's selected automatically at checkout. If you want to change your default, go to your account settings, find "Your Account," then "Login & security," and look for "Payment options." You can update or delete any saved card from there.
If your card expires or you get a replacement card with a new number, you'll need to update it in your account. Amazon may send you a reminder if a saved card is about to expire, but you can also update it yourself before that happens.
Payment methods Amazon does not accept
Amazon does not accept PayPal, Venmo, Square Cash, or other digital payment services. You also cannot pay with wire transfer, bank transfer, check, or cash. Some third-party sellers on Amazon Marketplace may offer additional payment options, but the main Amazon website only accepts the methods listed above.
If you want to use a payment method Amazon doesn't accept, one workaround is to buy an Amazon gift card using that method, then redeem the gift card code in your account. For example, if you want to pay with PayPal, you could use PayPal to buy an Amazon gift card from a retailer that sells them, then use the code to add the balance to your account.
Fraud protection and what to do if you see an unauthorized charge
Credit cards offer the strongest fraud protection. Under federal law, if someone uses your credit card without permission, your maximum liability is $50, and most card companies waive that fee entirely. You have 60 days from when you see the charge to report it.
Debit cards offer less protection. Your liability depends on how quickly you report the fraud — if you report it within two business days, you're liable for up to $50; if you wait longer, you could be liable for up to $500. Some banks offer additional protection, so check your account agreement.
If you see a charge on Amazon that you didn't make, go to "Your Account," then "Login & security," and change your password when ready. Then contact Amazon customer service to report the unauthorized purchase. Amazon can often reverse the charge and investigate whether your account was compromised. If the charge is on your credit or debit card but you don't recognize it, contact your card issuer as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a prepaid card on Amazon?
Yes. Prepaid cards work the same way as debit cards at checkout. The money must be loaded onto the card before you use it, and the charge goes through when ready. Make sure the prepaid card is Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover.
What if my saved card gets declined at checkout?
This usually means your card issuer blocked the transaction, your card expired, or you've reached your credit limit. Contact your card company to find out why. You can also try a different saved payment method or add a new card to your account and use that instead.
Do I have to save my payment method, or can I enter it fresh each time?
You can enter a new card at checkout without saving it. At the payment screen, look for an option like "Use a new card" or "Enter card details," and you can complete the purchase without storing the information. The next time you order, you'll enter the card details again.
Can I split a purchase between two payment methods?
Not directly at checkout. Amazon charges one payment method per order. If you want to use two cards, you would need to place two separate orders. You can use your gift card balance plus a credit or debit card in a single order — Amazon uses the gift card first, then charges the remaining amount to your other card.
What if I want to remove all saved payment methods from my account?
You can delete all saved cards from your account settings. However, you'll need to enter a payment method at checkout to complete any purchase, so you'd be entering card details manually each time. You can always add a card back later if you change your mind.