Amazon Prime charges as a monthly or annual subscription, and the payment method you choose determines when and how often you're billed
Amazon Prime costs either $14.99 per month or $139 per year, depending on which plan you pick. When you sign up or switch plans, Amazon charges your payment method immediately — not at the end of a trial or waiting period. If you use a free trial, the charge happens the day the trial ends. Your billing date stays the same each month (or year) unless you change your payment method or pause your membership.
The payment goes to the card, bank account, or gift card balance you have on file with Amazon. If that payment method fails — the card is expired, the account is closed, or there are insufficient funds — Amazon will try again a few times over several days. If all attempts fail, your Prime membership pauses until you add a working payment method.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon Prime charges either $14.99 monthly or $139 annually, and the charge happens immediately when you sign up or renew, not after a trial period ends.
- You can use a credit card, debit card, or bank account linked to your Amazon account, and you can change your payment method anytime in your account settings.
- If a payment fails, Amazon retries it several times; if all attempts fail, your membership pauses until you add a working payment method.
- You can pause or cancel your membership at any time, and you won't be charged again until you restart it.
- Amazon offers a free trial period (usually 30 days for new members), but the charge begins the moment the trial ends unless you cancel beforehand.
Payment methods Amazon Prime accepts
Amazon accepts credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), debit cards, and bank accounts linked directly to your Amazon account. You can also use an Amazon gift card balance if it covers the full subscription cost. Some regional payment methods — like local digital wallets in certain countries — may also work depending on where your account is registered.
You don't have to use the same payment method for Prime that you use for other Amazon purchases. You can set a separate payment method just for your subscription in your account settings. If you want to change it, go to Your Account > Login & Security > Payment options, or navigate to Your Account > Prime Membership and update the billing information there.
What happens if your payment fails
When a payment fails — because a card expired, an account closed, or funds weren't available — Amazon doesn't immediately cancel your membership. Instead, it retries the charge over several days, usually attempting the payment 3 to 5 times. During this period, you can still use Prime benefits while Amazon works to collect the payment.
If all retry attempts fail, your Prime membership enters a paused state. You lose access to Prime Video, Prime shipping, and other benefits, but your membership isn't permanently canceled. Once you add a working payment method to your account, Amazon will charge it and your membership resumes. You won't lose your Prime history, watchlist, or saved items.
Free trials and when the charge begins
Amazon typically offers a 30-day free trial for new Prime members, though the length varies by region and promotion. During the trial, you have full access to all Prime benefits without being charged. The charge happens automatically on the day after your trial ends — not before, and not on a random date later.
If you don't want to be charged, you must cancel your membership before the trial ends. Canceling during a trial stops the charge entirely; you won't be billed for anything. You can cancel anytime through your account settings, and the cancellation takes effect immediately. If you cancel after the trial has ended and you've already been charged, you can request a refund within a certain window, though Amazon's refund policy varies by situation.
How to pause or cancel your membership
You can pause your Prime membership for up to three months without canceling it entirely. When you pause, Amazon stops charging you, but your membership information and settings stay saved. After the pause period ends, your membership automatically resumes and billing restarts. To pause, go to Your Account > Prime Membership and select the pause option.
To cancel permanently, go to the same location and choose cancel. You'll see options to pause instead, but if you select cancel, your membership ends immediately and you lose all Prime benefits. You won't be charged again unless you sign up for a new membership later. If you've been charged for a full year and cancel partway through, Amazon's refund policy depends on how much of the year remains and your account history.
Billing cycles and renewal dates
Your renewal date is the same day each month (or year) that you signed up or last changed your plan. If you signed up on the 15th of a month on a monthly plan, you'll be charged on the 15th of every month. If you switch from monthly to annual, your renewal date changes to the date of the switch, and you'll be charged the annual rate.
You can see your exact renewal date and billing history in your account settings under Prime Membership. This page also shows your current payment method and lets you change it before the next charge. If you want to change your renewal date, the easiest way is to cancel and sign up again on a different date, though this will restart any trial period may be able to access.
Regional differences and currency
Prime pricing and payment methods vary by country. In the United States, the standard rates are $14.99 monthly or $139 annually, but other countries have different prices in their local currency. Some regions offer additional payment options, like installment plans or local payment services, that aren't available in the US.
If you travel or move to a different country, your Prime membership may not transfer automatically. You may need to update your account location or sign up for Prime in that region separately. Payment methods also vary by region — a payment method that works in one country might not work in another. Check your account settings or contact Amazon if you're unsure whether your current setup will work in a new location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I was charged but didn't use Prime?
Amazon considers refund requests on a case-by-case basis. If you were charged and didn't intend to be, or if you canceled before the charge but were billed anyway, contact Amazon customer service with your account details. They can review your situation and may issue a refund if the charge was an error or if you meet their refund criteria.
What if I want to switch from monthly to annual billing?
Go to Your Account > Prime Membership and select the option to change your plan. Amazon will charge you the difference between what you've already paid for the current month and the annual rate. Your new renewal date becomes the date you make the change, and you'll be charged annually from that point forward.
Does Amazon Prime use my Amazon account balance automatically?
If you have an Amazon gift card balance on your account, Amazon can use it to pay for Prime, but only if you've set it as your payment method. Otherwise, Amazon charges your primary payment method (credit card, debit card, or linked bank account) first. You can change which payment method is primary in your account settings.
What happens to my Prime membership if I change my address?
Changing your address within the same country doesn't affect your Prime membership or billing. Your subscription continues as normal, and your renewal date stays the same. If you move to a different country, your membership may not be valid there, and you may need to sign up for Prime in that region separately.
Can I have multiple Prime memberships on one payment method?
No. One payment method is tied to one Amazon account. If you want separate Prime memberships (for example, for different family members), each person needs their own Amazon account with their own payment method. Amazon does offer Prime Family sharing, which lets one Prime member share benefits with up to three other adults on the same account without separate charges.