Where to find your payment methods on Amazon
Your payment methods live in your Amazon account settings, not in a separate app or website. Log into your Amazon account, go to the top right corner where your name appears, and select Account from the dropdown menu. From there, click Login & security or Your Account depending on which version of the site you see, then look for Manage payment methods or Payment options.
Once you're in that section, you'll see every card, bank account, and other payment method you've added to your account. Each one shows the last four digits and the expiration date (for cards). From this page, you can add a new method, remove an old one, or set which method Amazon charges by default.
If you're on a mobile device, the steps are the same: tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), scroll to Account, then find payment settings. The layout changes slightly between the Amazon app and the mobile website, but the payment section is always in your account area.
Key Takeaways
- Payment methods are stored in your account settings under Manage payment methods, not during checkout.
- You can add a new card or bank account, delete old ones, or change which method Amazon uses by default without placing an order.
- Amazon accepts credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards, and bank accounts linked through ACH.
- Changes take effect when ready for future orders, but won't change payment for orders already placed.
Adding a new payment method to your account
Click the button that says Add a payment method or Add card (the exact wording varies). You'll be asked to enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV (the three-digit security code on the back). For a debit card or credit card, that's all Amazon needs. For a prepaid card, enter it the same way — Amazon treats it like any other card.
If you want to link a bank account instead, select that option from the payment type menu. Amazon will ask for your routing number and account number, which you can find on a check or by logging into your bank's website. Amazon then deposits two small amounts (usually under $1 each) into that account within a few business days. You'll need to confirm those amounts in your Amazon account to verify the bank account works.
After you add a payment method, Amazon asks if you want to make it your default. You can change this later, so don't worry if you're not sure. Once saved, the new method appears in your payment list when ready and is ready to use on your next order.
Setting a default payment method
Your default payment method is the one Amazon charges unless you pick a different one at checkout. To change it, go back to Manage payment methods, find the card or account you want to use, and click Make default or a similar button next to it. The change happens right away.
You don't have to use your default method on every order. At checkout, there's always a step where you can see all your saved payment methods and pick a different one for that purchase only. Changing your choice at checkout doesn't change which method is set as default for future orders.
Removing a payment method you no longer use
If you have an old card or bank account you don't want on file anymore, find it in your payment methods list and click Delete or Remove. Amazon will ask you to confirm because this action can't be undone. You can only delete a payment method if it's not currently set as your default — if it is, you'll need to set a different method as default first, then delete the old one.
Removing a payment method doesn't affect past orders or refunds. If Amazon issued a refund to a card you've since deleted, the refund still goes through to that card's issuer (your bank or credit card company), and they handle getting the money back to you.
Updating a card that's about to expire
When a card on your account is close to expiring, Amazon may send you an email asking you to update it. You can do this in your payment methods section by clicking the card and entering the new expiration date. If you don't update it and the card expires, Amazon will try to charge your default payment method instead on your next order.
If Amazon can't charge any of your payment methods because they're all expired or declined, your order will be held and you'll get an email. You'll need to update or add a working payment method before Amazon can process the order. This usually needs to happen within a few days, or the order may be cancelled.
What to do if a payment method isn't working
If Amazon declines a card or bank account during checkout, the most common reasons are: the card is expired, the address on file doesn't match your bank's records, there aren't enough funds, or the card issuer blocked the charge for security reasons. Try these steps in order: first, check that the expiration date and CVV are correct; second, make sure the billing address matches exactly what your bank has on file; third, contact your bank to ask if they declined the charge.
If your bank says they didn't block it, or if you've tried multiple cards and they're all being declined, your account may have a temporary hold. This sometimes happens after unusual activity or a failed payment. Add a different payment method to your account and try checking out again. If that doesn't work, contact Amazon's customer service — they can see whether your account has a restriction and help you resolve it.
Using different payment methods for different orders
You don't have to use the same payment method for every purchase. At checkout, after you review your order total, you'll see a section showing which payment method Amazon will charge. Click on it to see all your saved methods and pick a different one. This choice applies only to that order and doesn't change your default.
This is useful if you have a rewards card you want to use for some purchases, a debit card for others, or a bank account you prefer for larger orders. Each method you've added to your account is available at checkout, so you have full control over which one gets charged for each purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a payment method that isn't saved to my account?
No. Amazon requires you to save a payment method to your account before you can use it. You can't enter a card number at checkout without saving it first. However, once you've saved it, you can delete it from your account after the order is placed if you don't want to keep it on file.
What happens to 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 using the same email address, you'll need to add your payment methods again from scratch. Amazon doesn't store payment information after an account is closed.
Is it safe to save my card to Amazon?
Amazon encrypts payment information and doesn't store full card numbers on their servers. Your card details are protected by the same security standards used by banks and major retailers. You can delete any payment method from your account at any time if you change your mind about keeping it saved.
Can I change my payment method after I've placed an order?
Not for orders that have already been charged. Once Amazon has processed the payment, changing your default method won't affect that order. For orders that haven't shipped yet but haven't been charged, contact Amazon customer service to ask if they can change the payment method before the charge goes through.
Do I need a different payment method for Amazon Prime membership?
No. Your Prime membership and your regular Amazon purchases both use the same payment methods from your account. When your Prime membership renews, Amazon charges whichever method is set as default at that time. You can change your default before the renewal date if you want a different card charged for the membership fee.