Adding a credit card to your Amazon account

To pay with a credit card on Amazon, you first add the card to your account, then select it at checkout. You can store multiple cards and choose which one to use for each purchase. Amazon keeps your card details encrypted on their servers, so you do not have to enter the full number every time.

Go to your Amazon account and select Your Account from the top menu. Click Login & security, then scroll down to Manage your payment methods. Select Add a credit or debit card. Enter your card number, expiration date, CVV (the three-digit code on the back), and the billing address that matches your card issuer's records. Amazon will verify the card with a small temporary charge that appears and disappears within a few days.

If you use Amazon Pay on other websites, those cards are already in your Amazon account and will show up in your payment methods list. You do not need to add them again.

Key Takeaways

  • Add a card through Your Account > Login & security > Manage your payment methods, and Amazon will verify it with a temporary charge.
  • At checkout, you can choose which card to use, or set a default card that appears first on future orders.
  • Amazon stores your card securely, so you only enter the full number once; future purchases use the saved version.
  • If a card is declined at checkout, check with your card issuer to see whether they blocked the transaction or whether Amazon received an error from the bank.

Selecting your card at checkout

When you reach the payment step during checkout, Amazon shows all the cards you have saved. The card marked as your default appears first. Click on the card you want to use, or select Add a new payment method if you want to use a different card for that order without saving it permanently.

If you want to change which card is your default, go back to Your Account > Manage your payment methods and click the three dots next to the card you prefer. Select Set as default payment method. This card will then appear first at checkout for all future orders, though you can still switch to a different card if you want.

What happens if your card is declined

If Amazon cannot process your card, you will see an error message at checkout. This usually means either your card issuer blocked the transaction, or Amazon received a technical error from the bank. Call your card issuer first — they can tell you whether they declined it and why. Common reasons include a fraud alert, an expired card, or insufficient funds.

If your issuer approved the charge but Amazon still shows an error, try a different saved card or add a new one. If the problem continues across multiple cards, contact Amazon Customer Service through your account. They can see what error the bank returned and may be able to process the order through a different route.

Removing or updating a card

To remove a card from your account, go to Your Account > Manage your payment methods, click the three dots next to the card, and select Delete. You can delete any card except your default payment method — you must set a different default first.

To update a card's expiration date or billing address, click the three dots and select Edit. Change the information and select Update. If your card issuer sends you a replacement card with a new number, add it as a new card rather than trying to edit the old one.

Credit card rewards and protections

Amazon purchases count toward your credit card's rewards program the same way any other purchase does. Points, cash back, or miles depend on your specific card's terms — Amazon does not add extra rewards for shopping on their site. Check your card issuer's website or your statement to see how rewards are tracked and when they post to your account.

Your credit card issuer's fraud protection applies to Amazon purchases. If you see a charge you did not make, report it to your card issuer, not to Amazon. Your issuer will investigate and may issue a chargeback. Amazon will also investigate if you report it to them, but your card issuer is the one with the power to reverse the charge and issue a replacement card.

Using Amazon Business or Prime accounts

Amazon Business accounts work the same way — add a card through your account settings and select it at checkout. If you are the account owner, you can also set up cards for employees or team members. Go to Your Account > Manage Business Account > Invite Users to add people and control what payment methods they can see.

Prime members use the same payment methods whether they are shopping on the regular Amazon site or through Prime. Your default card is used for Prime membership renewal unless you change it in your account settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a prepaid credit card on Amazon?

Yes. Prepaid cards work the same way as regular credit cards — add the card number, expiration date, and CVV to your account. The card must have a billing address associated with it, which you can usually set through the prepaid card issuer's website or app. If Amazon cannot verify the card, contact the prepaid card company to confirm the address on file matches what you entered.

What if I want to use a different card for each order?

You can add multiple cards to your account and choose a different one at checkout for each purchase. You do not have to save a card to use it once — at checkout, select Add a new payment method and enter the card details. Amazon will ask if you want to save it for future orders; you can say no and it will be used only for that transaction.

Does Amazon charge a fee for using a credit card?

No. Amazon does not charge a fee for paying with a credit card. Your card issuer may charge interest if you carry a balance, but that is between you and your bank, not something Amazon adds. Some third-party sellers on Amazon may have different payment policies, so check the seller's page if you are buying from someone other than Amazon directly.

Can I save a card without using it right away?

Yes. You can add a card to your account through Manage your payment methods and leave it there without making a purchase. Amazon will verify it with a temporary charge, but the card stays in your account until you delete it. You can use it whenever you want to place an order.

What should I do if my card information was compromised?

Contact your card issuer immediately — they can cancel the card and issue a replacement. Then go to your Amazon account, remove the old card from Manage your payment methods, and add the new card when it arrives. If you see unauthorized charges on your Amazon account, report them to both your card issuer and Amazon Customer Service so both can investigate.