Delete a card in three steps from your account settings
Go to Your Account in the top right corner of Amazon.com, then select Your Account from the dropdown menu. Click Manage payment methods under the "Login & security" section. Find the card you want to remove, click the three dots next to it, and select Delete. Amazon removes it immediately.
You cannot delete a card if it is set as your default payment method. If you try, Amazon will ask you to choose a different default card first. Once you set another card as default, you can then delete the original one.
The card disappears from your account right away. Amazon does not keep a record of deleted cards in your payment methods list, though your purchase history with that card remains in your order history.
Key Takeaways
- You reach payment method settings through Your Account, not through checkout or settings pages.
- Amazon will not let you delete your default card — you must assign a different card as default first.
- Deletion is instant and the card no longer appears in your saved payment methods.
- Removing a card from Amazon does not close the card itself or affect your credit — it only removes it from your Amazon account.
- You can add the same card back to your account at any time by entering the card number again.
What happens to orders placed with that card
Deleting a card does not change any order you already placed. Amazon keeps a record of which card you used for each past purchase in your order history, and that record stays there even after you delete the card from your account.
If you need to dispute a charge or request a refund for an order placed with that card, you can still do so through your order history. The refund goes back to the original card you used, even though the card is no longer saved to your account. This means you can safely delete a card without worrying about losing access to past transactions or refunds.
When you cannot delete a card
If the card is set as your default payment method, Amazon blocks deletion. To fix this, go back to Manage payment methods, click the three dots next to a different card, and select Set as default. Once another card is default, you can delete the original one.
If you see an error message when trying to delete, refresh the page and try again. If the error persists, sign out of your account, wait a few minutes, sign back in, and attempt deletion once more. Temporary glitches sometimes prevent the action from going through on the first try. If the problem continues after multiple attempts, you may need to contact Amazon support through your account.
Adding a card back after deletion
You can add a card to your Amazon account again at any time. Go to Your Account, select Manage payment methods, and click Add a payment method. Enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV. Amazon saves it to your account immediately.
If you deleted the card by mistake, you do not need to contact Amazon support. Simply re-enter the card information and it will be available for your next purchase. There is no waiting period or re-approval process. You can add and remove the same card as many times as you want without any restrictions or penalties.
Removing a card versus closing it
Deleting a card from Amazon is not the same as closing the card with your bank. When you delete a card from Amazon, you are only removing it from your saved payment methods on that website. The card itself remains open and active with your bank.
If you want to close the card entirely, you must contact your bank or credit card company directly. Amazon cannot close a card for you. Removing it from Amazon just means you will not use it to pay for purchases on that site anymore. Your bank will continue to charge annual fees or maintain the account according to your cardholder agreement with them.
Why you might want to delete a card
People delete cards from Amazon for several reasons. You might remove an old card after switching to a new one, delete a card that is about to expire, or remove a card you no longer use to keep your payment methods list organized. Some people delete cards for security reasons if they believe the card number has been compromised.
Deleting unused cards from your account can also reduce confusion when you have multiple payment methods saved. If you have five cards on file but only use two regularly, removing the others makes checkout faster and reduces the chance of accidentally selecting the wrong card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting a card hurt my credit score?
No. Removing a card from your Amazon account has no effect on your credit score or credit history. Your credit is tied to the card itself and your payment history with your bank, not to which websites have the card saved.
Can I delete a card if I have a pending order?
Yes. A pending order does not prevent you from deleting the card. The order will still go through and charge the card you used when you placed it, even if you delete that card from your account afterward.
What if I forget which card is my default?
Go to Your Account, then Manage payment methods. The default card has a checkmark or "Default" label next to it. If you want to change which card is default, click the three dots next to a different card and select Set as default.
Can Amazon support delete a card for me?
Amazon support can help if you cannot access your account or if a technical error prevents deletion. Contact Amazon through Your Account > Contact Us and describe the problem. In most cases, you can delete the card yourself in a few seconds.
Does deleting a card remove it from my purchase history?
No. Your past orders remain in your order history with the card information attached. Deleting the card only removes it from your saved payment methods list, not from records of purchases you already made.