Delete a payment method in three steps
Go to your Amazon account, select Account & Lists in the top right, then choose Your Account. From there, click Login & security on the left side. Scroll down to find Manage payment methods and click it. You will see all cards, bank accounts, and other payment methods linked to your account. Next to the one you want to remove, click Delete. Amazon will ask you to confirm — click Delete again, and it is gone.
The whole process takes about two minutes. You do not need a reason to delete a payment method, and Amazon does not charge you for removing one. Once deleted, you cannot use that card or account to pay for orders, but the deletion does not affect past purchases or refunds tied to that method.
If you are deleting your only payment method, Amazon will ask you to add a new one before you can place another order. You can add a replacement right away or wait until you are ready to buy something.
Key Takeaways
- Delete a payment method by going to Account & Lists, then Your Account, then Login & security, then Manage payment methods, and clicking Delete next to the method you want to remove.
- Amazon will ask you to confirm the deletion — you must click Delete a second time for it to go through.
- Deleting a payment method does not affect orders you already placed or refunds you are waiting for.
- If you delete your only payment method, you will need to add a new one before you can place your next order.
Why you might want to delete a payment method
The most common reason is security. If your card was lost, stolen, or compromised, removing it from Amazon stops anyone with access to your account from using it. Even if you have already canceled the card with your bank, deleting it from Amazon is an extra layer of protection.
You might also delete a payment method because you no longer use it — an old credit card you closed, a debit card from a bank account you switched, or a payment account you are no longer connected to. Keeping unused methods on file creates clutter and makes it easier to accidentally pick the wrong one at checkout.
Some people delete payment methods before sharing their account with a family member or before selling a device that is logged into Amazon. Removing sensitive payment information first keeps that data off the device.
What happens to past purchases when you delete a payment method
Deleting a payment method does not change anything about orders you already placed. Amazon keeps a record of which card or account you used for each past purchase, and that record stays the same. You can still see the order in your order history, and refunds will go back to the original payment method even after you delete it from your account.
If you are waiting for a refund and you delete the payment method that was used for that order, the refund will still process. Amazon has already recorded which account to send the money back to, so the deletion does not interrupt it.
Adding a new payment method after you delete one
If you deleted your only payment method and want to order something, you will need to add a new one. Go back to Your Account, click Login & security, then Manage payment methods, and select Add a payment method. You can add a credit card, debit card, or bank account depending on what Amazon accepts in your region.
Amazon will ask for the card or account details and may verify the information by charging a small amount (usually a dollar or less) and then refunding it. This verification step can take a few days, but you can often place orders right away while it processes in the background.
Deleting a payment method linked to Amazon Pay or other services
If you use the same card or bank account with Amazon Pay (which lets you pay on other websites using your Amazon account), deleting it from your Amazon account will also remove it from Amazon Pay. You will not be able to use it to pay on partner websites that accept Amazon Pay until you add it back.
Some third-party services that are connected to your Amazon account — like Audible, Prime Video, or Amazon Music — may also be affected if they rely on that payment method. Check those services after you delete a method to make sure they still have a valid way to charge you if you have an active subscription.
Troubleshooting: payment method will not delete
If you click Delete and nothing happens, try refreshing the page and logging back in. Sometimes a browser glitch or a stale session prevents the action from going through. Clear your browser cache and try again, or use a different browser entirely.
If the Delete button is grayed out or missing, the payment method may be tied to an active subscription or a pending order. Amazon does not let you delete a payment method that is currently being used. Check your subscriptions (Prime, Audible, Kindle Unlimited, etc.) and make sure there are no orders in progress. If you find an active subscription using that card, switch it to a different payment method first, then delete the old one.
If you still cannot delete it after checking subscriptions and pending orders, contact Amazon Customer Service. They can see if there is a technical issue or a hold on the account preventing the deletion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete a payment method if I have an active Prime subscription?
Not if Prime is using that card to renew. Switch your Prime payment method to a different card first, then delete the old one. Go to Your Account, click Prime membership, then Edit payment method, and pick a new card. After that, you can delete the old method.
Will deleting a payment method affect my credit score?
No. Deleting a payment method from Amazon is just removing it from your account — it does not close the card or account with your bank, and it does not report anything to credit bureaus. Your credit score is not affected.
What if I delete a payment method by mistake?
You can add it back anytime. Go to Manage payment methods and click Add a payment method, then enter the card or account details again. If it is a credit or debit card, you may need to go through verification again, which takes a few days.
Can someone else delete my payment methods if they have access to my account?
Yes, which is why keeping your password strong and enabling two-factor authentication matters. Anyone logged into your account can delete payment methods. If you think someone else accessed your account, change your password right away and review your payment methods to make sure nothing was deleted without your permission.
Do I need to delete a payment method before closing my Amazon account?
No. If you close your Amazon account, all payment methods are removed automatically. You only need to delete individual methods if you want to keep your account open but remove a specific card or bank account.