Where to find and change your payment method on Amazon

To change your payment method on Amazon, go to Your Account (the menu under your name in the top right), then select Your Account again from the dropdown. Look for Login & security or Payment options depending on your device — the exact label varies between desktop and mobile. From there, you can add a new card, delete an old one, or set which card Amazon uses by default for your next purchase.

The process takes about two minutes. You do not need to contact Amazon support or wait for confirmation — the change takes effect immediately. If you are on a mobile device, the Amazon app and the website work slightly differently, but both let you reach the same payment settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Your payment methods live under Your Account > Login & security (or Payment options on mobile), not in a separate payments section.
  • You can add a new card, remove an old one, or change which card is your default in the same place.
  • Changes take effect right away — you do not have to wait for Amazon to process the update.
  • If a card is declined at checkout, you can add a new one without cancelling your order.

Step-by-step: adding a new payment method

Start from Your Account in the top menu. On desktop, hover over the account icon and click Your Account. On the Amazon app, tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) at the bottom right, then tap your name.

Once you are in Your Account, look for Login & security on desktop or Payment options on the app. Click or tap it. You will see a list of cards already on file. At the top or bottom of that list, there is a button that says Add a payment method or Add card. Click it, then enter your card number, expiration date, CVV (the three-digit code on the back), and billing zip code. Amazon will ask you to confirm the card with a small charge — usually a few cents — that appears on your statement within a day or two.

How to set a default payment method

Your default payment method is the card Amazon charges first when you place an order. If that card is declined, Amazon will try your other cards in the order you set them.

To change your default, go to Your Account > Login & security (or Payment options on mobile). Find the card you want to use most often and look for a radio button or toggle next to it that says Default or Set as default. Click or tap it. The change takes effect immediately — your next order will use that card unless you manually pick a different one at checkout.

Removing a card from your account

If you want to stop using a card, you can delete it from your account. Go to Your Account > Login & security (or Payment optionsDelete or trash icon next to it. Click it and confirm.

Amazon will not let you delete your only payment method — you must add a new card first. If you have an active subscription (like Prime or a recurring order), Amazon may not let you delete the card attached to it until you update the subscription's payment method separately.

What to do if a card is declined at checkout

If Amazon declines your card during checkout, you have two options: fix the problem right then, or add a new card. When you see the decline message, Amazon will ask you to pick a different payment method or add a new one. You can enter a new card number without leaving checkout — the order will not be cancelled.

If you want to fix the card itself (for example, if the expiration date changed), go back to Your Account > Login & security and look for an Edit button next to the card. You can update the expiration date, CVV, or billing address. Save the change and try your order again.

Payment methods Amazon accepts

Amazon takes Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. It also accepts debit cards with a Visa or Mastercard logo. Some regions accept local payment methods — for example, Amazon.de accepts SEPA bank transfers, and Amazon.co.uk accepts PayPal — but the main US site sticks to cards.

You cannot use gift cards as a payment method for future orders; instead, you add gift card balance to your account separately under Your Account > Gift cards. Amazon will use your gift card balance first, then charge your payment method for anything left over.

Updating payment information for subscriptions and recurring orders

If you have a Prime membership, Subscribe & Save order, or other recurring charge, changing your default payment method does not automatically update those subscriptions. You have to update each one separately.

For Prime, go to Your Account > Prime membership > Manage membership, then look for payment settings. For Subscribe & Save orders, go to Your Account > Subscriptions, click the order, and update the payment method there. If you delete a card that is attached to a subscription, Amazon will prompt you to pick a new card before your next charge date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same card on multiple Amazon accounts?

Yes. Each Amazon account stores its own list of payment methods, so you can add the same card to more than one account. Amazon does not prevent this, though if you are trying to avoid duplicate charges, make sure you are logged into the right account before you order.

What happens if I delete a card I have already used?

Deleting a card does not affect past orders — your order history and receipts stay the same. Future orders will use your default payment method instead. If the deleted card was attached to a subscription, Amazon will ask you to pick a new card before the next charge.

Why is Amazon asking me to confirm my card with a small charge?

Amazon uses a small temporary charge (usually under a dollar) to verify that the card is real and that you own it. The charge drops off your statement within a few days. This step only happens when you add a new card, not when you update an existing one.

Can I change my payment method on a past order?

No. Once an order is placed and charged, you cannot change the payment method used for that order. If the charge was wrong or unauthorized, contact Amazon customer service to dispute it or request a refund.