How to delete a credit card linked to Amazon
You can remove a credit card from your Amazon account in two minutes through your account settings. Log in to Amazon, go to Account & Lists, select Your Account, then choose Login & security. Scroll to Login & security settings and find the card you want to remove under the payment methods section. Click Delete next to the card number, and Amazon will ask you to confirm. Once you confirm, the card is no longer stored on Amazon's servers.
If you cannot see the delete option, it may be because that card is set as your default payment method. Amazon requires at least one valid payment method on file. You will need to add a different card or payment option first, set it as your default, and then delete the old card.
The process is the same whether you use a debit card, credit card, or prepaid card. Amazon stores the last four digits and the expiration date, so you will recognize which card you are removing before you confirm.
Key Takeaways
- You can delete a credit card through Account & Lists > Your Account > Login & security in under two minutes.
- Amazon requires at least one payment method on file, so add a replacement card before deleting your only method.
- If the delete button does not appear, the card is set as your default and you must change your default payment first.
- Removing a card from Amazon does not affect your credit score or your relationship with your bank.
- Deleted cards remain safe — Amazon does not keep full card numbers after you remove them.
When you must add a replacement card first
Amazon will not let you delete your only payment method. If you try to delete a card and see no delete button, or if the button is greyed out, that card is your default. You need to add a new card to your account and set it as your default before you can remove the old one.
To add a new card, go to the same Login & security page and select Add a payment method. Enter the new card details and confirm. Then return to your payment methods list, find the new card, and click the three dots or menu icon next to it. Select Set as default. Only then can you delete the old card.
This rule exists because Amazon needs a way to charge you if you make a purchase. Even if you do not plan to buy anything soon, the system requires a valid card on file.
What happens after you delete a card
Once deleted, the card no longer appears in your payment methods list. If you have an active Amazon Prime membership or any recurring charges set to that card, Amazon will attempt to charge your default payment method instead on the next billing date. Make sure your replacement card has sufficient funds or credit available.
If you deleted a card because it expired or was compromised, you do not need to contact Amazon separately. Removing it from your account is enough. Your bank will not see any change on their end — you are simply telling Amazon to stop storing and using that card number.
If you later want to use that same card again, you can add it back by entering the card details a second time. Amazon will treat it as a new entry in your payment methods.
Removing a card does not affect your credit
Deleting a credit card from Amazon has no impact on your credit score or credit report. Your bank and credit card company do not receive notification that you removed the card from a retailer's website. The only entity that knows about the removal is Amazon.
Your credit score is based on factors like payment history, credit utilization, and length of credit history — not on which websites have your card on file. Removing a card from Amazon does not change any of those factors.
Removing a card linked to Prime or subscriptions
If the card you are removing is linked to an active Amazon Prime membership or a subscription service through Amazon, the charges will shift to your default payment method on the next billing cycle. You will not lose your Prime membership or subscriptions — Amazon simply charges a different card instead.
Before you delete a card, check whether you have any recurring charges attached to it. Go to Your Account and look for Memberships and subscriptions or Recurring payments. If you see Prime or other subscriptions listed, make sure your new default card is the one you want to use for those charges.
Deleting a card from a joint or family account
If you share an Amazon account with a family member or spouse, either account holder can remove any payment method. There is no separate permission system — whoever has access to the account settings can delete cards. If you are concerned about unauthorized removal, consider using separate Amazon accounts instead of a shared one.
If you use Amazon Household or Family Library, each family member has their own login but may share payment methods. Removing a card affects the entire household account, not just one person's purchases.
If you cannot find the delete option
The delete button may not appear for several reasons. The most common is that the card is your default payment method. As explained above, you must set a different card as default first.
Less commonly, the card may be linked to an active dispute or a recent fraudulent charge that Amazon is investigating. In that case, contact Amazon Customer Service through your account. Go to Account & Lists, select Customer Service, and choose Contact Us. Describe the card you want to remove and ask why the delete option is unavailable. Amazon can manually remove cards in these situations.
If you are using a browser that does not fully support Amazon's website, the delete button may not load. Try a different browser or clear your browser cache and cookies, then log back in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Amazon keep my card information after I delete it?
Amazon does not store your full card number after you remove it. The company keeps only the last four digits and expiration date for your records, which you can see in your account history. This information cannot be used to make charges.
Can I delete a card if I have a pending order?
Yes. If you have a pending order charged to that card, deleting the card from your account does not reverse the charge or affect the order. The transaction already went through. You can safely remove the card from your payment methods.
What if I delete a card by mistake?
You can add the card back to your account at any time by going to Login & security and selecting Add a payment method. Enter the card details again and confirm. There is no waiting period or penalty for re-adding a card you previously removed.
Will deleting a card stop Amazon from charging me?
No. If you want to stop charges from Amazon entirely, you need to cancel your Prime membership or subscriptions separately. Removing a card just tells Amazon to use a different payment method instead. Go to Memberships and subscriptions to manage or cancel recurring services.
Can I remove a card if it is linked to a business account?
Yes, the process is the same for business and personal Amazon accounts. You can delete any card as long as you have another payment method set as your default. Business accounts follow the same rule that at least one valid payment method must remain on file.