The steps to delete a credit card from Amazon

Go to your Amazon account, select Login & security from the menu, then choose Your payments. Find the card you want to remove and select Delete next to it. Amazon will ask you to confirm — select Delete card again, and it's gone from your account within seconds.

You can only delete a card if it's not your default payment method. If the card you want to remove is set as your default, you must first add a different card and make that one your default before you can delete the old one. Amazon requires at least one payment method on file to process orders.

The card remains active with your bank and credit card company — deleting it from Amazon only removes it from your Amazon account. Your bank will not close the card or affect your credit.

Key Takeaways

  • You can delete a card from Amazon in three steps: go to Login & security, select Your payments, then choose Delete next to the card you want to remove.
  • A card cannot be deleted if it is currently set as your default payment method on Amazon.
  • You must have at least one payment method saved to your account before you can place an order.
  • Deleting a card from Amazon does not close the card, cancel it with your bank, or affect your credit score.

What happens if the card is your default payment method

If you try to delete a card that Amazon has marked as your default, the Delete button will not appear or will be grayed out. You need to change your default payment method first.

To do this, go to Your payments, find a different card or payment method you want to use, and select Set as default next to it. Once that card becomes your default, go back to the card you want to remove and the Delete option will now be available. Then select Delete and confirm.

Removing a card that is linked to a subscription or recurring charge

If a card is linked to an active Amazon subscription — such as Prime membership, Subscribe & Save orders, or a pre-order — you cannot delete it until you update or cancel that subscription first.

Before you delete the card, go to Your account, select Memberships and subscriptions, and update any active subscriptions to use a different payment method. Once you've done that, the card can be deleted. If you have a pre-order or recurring delivery scheduled, update the payment method for that order before removing the card.

Deleting a card that has a pending refund or transaction

Amazon may prevent you from deleting a card if there is a pending refund, charge, or dispute tied to it. This protects both you and Amazon — the refund needs a valid destination, and Amazon needs to be able to contact the card issuer if there's a problem.

Check your Orders page and your Your payments section for any transactions marked as pending or processing. Wait for those to complete, then try deleting the card again. If a refund is being sent to that card, the card must stay on file until the refund clears — usually three to five business days.

Why Amazon might not let you delete a card

Beyond default payment method status and active subscriptions, Amazon blocks card deletion in a few other situations. If your account has an open case or dispute with Amazon, you may not be able to remove the card. If you've recently changed your account password or security settings, Amazon may temporarily lock payment changes as a security measure.

If you see an error message when trying to delete a card, note the exact message and check Your payments again after a few hours. If the problem persists, contact Amazon customer service through your account — they can see whether a transaction, dispute, or security hold is blocking the deletion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete a credit card if I have an open return or refund?

If a refund is actively being processed to that card, Amazon will not let you delete it until the refund completes. Once the refund hits your bank account (usually three to five business days), you can delete the card. If you have an open return but no refund has been issued yet, you can usually delete the card.

What if I forgot which card is my default?

Go to Your payments and look for the card marked with a checkmark or labeled "Default." That's the one you'll need to replace before you can delete any other card. Select a different card and choose Set as default to change it.

Will deleting a card from Amazon affect my credit score?

No. Deleting a card from Amazon only removes it from your account — it does not close the card, cancel it, or send any information to credit bureaus. Your credit score is not affected.

Can I delete a card if I have a Prime membership?

Not if that card is the payment method for your Prime membership. First, go to Memberships and subscriptions and update your Prime payment method to a different card. Then you can delete the original card from your account.

How long does it take for a deleted card to disappear from my account?

The card is removed from your account immediately after you confirm the deletion. It will not appear in Your payments or as an option at checkout within seconds.