Where to find and update your payment method
You change your Amazon payment method in your account settings, not during checkout. Go to amazon.com, select the account icon in the top right corner, and choose Your Account. From there, select Login & security on the left side. Scroll down to the section labeled Passwords, security, and login settings — but that is not what you need. Instead, go back and select Your Payments from the left menu. This is where all your saved payment methods live.
Once you are in Your Payments, you will see a section called Payment options. Any credit card, debit card, or bank account you have saved will appear here. If you want to use a different card you already saved, you can set it as your default by clicking the radio button next to it. If you want to add a completely new payment method, select Add a payment method and enter the card or bank account details.
The change takes effect when ready. Your next purchase will use whichever payment method you have set as default, unless you override it during checkout by selecting a different saved method.
Key Takeaways
- Payment methods are managed in Your Account > Your Payments, not during checkout.
- You can set any saved card or bank account as your default, and that method will be used for future purchases unless you change it at checkout.
- Adding a new payment method requires the card number, expiration date, and CVV, or your bank account and routing number for direct debit.
- Removing a payment method is permanent and cannot be undone, so make sure you have another method saved before you delete one.
Adding a new card or bank account
When you select Add a payment method, Amazon will ask whether you want to add a credit card, debit card, or bank account. For a card, you will need the 16-digit card number, the expiration date, the CVV (the three-digit security code on the back), and the billing zip code. Amazon will verify the card by charging a small temporary amount — usually $1 — and then refunding it within a few days. This confirms the card is real and belongs to you.
If you choose to pay by bank account instead, you will need your routing number and account number. Amazon uses these to make direct debit payments from your checking account. The first time you use a bank account, Amazon may place a small hold on your account to verify it works, but this is released quickly.
Once the card or account is verified, it appears in your Payment options list and is ready to use. You can save as many payment methods as you want, but only one can be your default.
Changing your default payment method at checkout
You do not have to change your default payment method in account settings if you only want to use a different method for a single purchase. During checkout, after you have added items to your cart and clicked Proceed to checkout, you will reach the payment step. At the top of the page, you will see your current default payment method displayed.
Click Change next to the payment method to see all your saved options. Select the card or bank account you want to use for this order, then continue. Amazon will charge this method for this purchase only. Your default payment method remains unchanged, so your next purchase will use the original default unless you change it again during checkout.
This is useful if you want to use a different card for a single order — perhaps one with a better rewards rate, or one you are trying to pay down — without going into account settings.
Removing a payment method you no longer use
If you have an old card or bank account saved that you no longer want on file, you can delete it from Your Payments. Find the payment method in your list, click the three dots or menu icon next to it, and select Delete. Amazon will ask you to confirm. Once you confirm, the payment method is removed permanently and cannot be recovered.
Before you delete a payment method, make sure you have at least one other method saved. Amazon requires you to have at least one valid payment method on file to make purchases. If you delete your only payment method, you will not be able to check out until you add a new one.
If you delete a payment method by mistake, you will need to add it again manually by entering the card number or bank account details. Amazon does not store a history of deleted methods, so you cannot straightforward restore it.
What happens if your payment method fails
If Amazon tries to charge your default payment method and it fails — because the card is expired, the account is closed, or there are insufficient funds — Amazon will send you an email notification. The order may be held or cancelled depending on how quickly you fix the problem.
To resolve this, go to Your Account > Your Payments and update the payment method. If the card is expired, you can edit it to add the new expiration date. If the card is no longer valid, delete it and add a different one. Then go to your Orders page and look for the order that failed. You may be able to retry the payment, or you may need to place the order again.
If you have multiple payment methods saved, Amazon will not automatically try a different card if one fails. You must manually update or change the payment method yourself.
Using Amazon Pay and other payment options
In addition to credit cards, debit cards, and bank accounts, Amazon also accepts Amazon Pay — a service that lets you check out using your Amazon account balance or a linked payment method without entering card details again. If you have Amazon Pay set up, it will appear as an option in your Payment options list.
Some Amazon accounts also have access to Amazon Store Card or Amazon Rewards Visa Card, which are credit cards issued by a bank but managed through your Amazon account. These appear in your payment methods list and can be set as your default just like any other card.
You can also use Amazon gift cards to pay for purchases. These do not appear in Your Payments — instead, you redeem them to your account balance, and that balance is used automatically at checkout before any other payment method is charged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different payment method for each item in my cart?
No. Amazon charges your entire order — all items in your cart — to a single payment method. You choose which method during checkout, but you cannot split the payment across multiple cards or accounts for a single order.
What if I want to remove my only payment method?
Amazon will not let you delete your last payment method. You must add a new one first, then you can delete the old one. This ensures you always have a way to pay for orders.
Do I have to set a default payment method?
Yes. Amazon requires at least one payment method to be set as default. You can change it whenever you want, but you cannot leave the default slot empty. During checkout, you can override it and use a different saved method for that order only.
How long does it take for a new payment method to work?
Credit and debit cards are usually ready to use when ready after you enter them, though Amazon may place a temporary $1 charge to verify the card. Bank accounts take one to two business days to verify. Until verification is complete, you cannot use that method to pay.
What happens to my saved payment methods if I close my Amazon account?
All saved payment methods are deleted when your account is closed. If you reopen an account later, you will need to add your payment methods again from scratch.