Where to find your payment methods on Amazon
Your credit card information lives in the Your Account section, not in checkout. Go to Amazon.com, select the account icon in the top right corner, and click Your Account. From there, select Login & security on the left sidebar. Scroll down until you see Manage payment methods — this is where you add, remove, or change cards.
You do not have to wait until checkout to make this change. Updating your card here means the new card becomes your default for all future purchases unless you choose a different one at checkout. If you only want to use a different card for a single order, you can select it during checkout without changing your account default.
Key Takeaways
- Your payment methods are stored in Your Account under Login & security, then Manage payment methods — not in checkout.
- You can add a new card, set it as your default, or delete an old one all from the same page.
- Amazon stores your card information encrypted and does not show your full card number after you save it.
- If a card is declined during checkout, you can add a new one right then without leaving the order screen.
- Removing a card from your account does not cancel subscriptions or recurring charges tied to that card — you must update those separately.
Adding a new card to your account
Click the Add a payment method button on the Manage payment methods page. Enter your card number, expiration date, and CVV (the three-digit code on the back). Amazon will ask for your billing address — make sure the zip code matches what your bank has on file, because some banks use this to verify the card.
After you submit, Amazon may ask you to confirm the card by charging a small amount (usually $1) and then refunding it. This is a standard security check. Check your bank statement or app within a few days to see the temporary charge, and Amazon will remove it automatically. If the charge does not appear, contact your bank — it means the card was not actually accepted, even though Amazon's page said it was.
Setting a default card and removing old ones
Once your new card is added, you can make it your default by clicking the radio button next to it. Amazon will use this card for all future orders unless you pick a different one at checkout. The old card will stay in your account until you delete it.
To remove a card, find it in your list and click Delete. Amazon will ask you to confirm. If that card is linked to an active subscription (like Prime, Kindle Unlimited, or a recurring delivery), you must update the payment method for that subscription separately — deleting the card from your account does not automatically move the subscription to your new card. Go to Your Account, then Memberships and subscriptions, to change the card for any recurring charges.
What to do if your card is declined at checkout
If Amazon rejects your card during checkout, you will see an error message. You have two options: add a new card right there in the checkout flow by clicking Add a new payment method, or go back to Your Account and add it beforehand. Adding it during checkout is faster if you are in a hurry, but adding it to your account first gives you a chance to confirm the card works before you place the order.
Common reasons for a decline: the zip code does not match your bank's records, the card has expired, you have hit your credit limit, or your bank flagged the purchase as suspicious. Call your bank to ask which one it is — they can tell you in seconds, and they may be able to approve the purchase when ready.
Updating payment methods for subscriptions and recurring charges
If you have an active Amazon subscription (Prime, Kindle Unlimited, Prime Video, or a Subscribe & Save order), changing your default card does not automatically update those charges. You must change the payment method for each one separately.
Go to Your Account, then Memberships and subscriptions. Find the subscription you want to update, click on it, and look for a Payment method or Edit payment method option. Select your new card from the list or add a new one. Do this for every subscription you have, or the old card will still be charged when the next billing date arrives.
How Amazon protects your card information
Amazon encrypts your card data and does not store your full card number on its servers. After you save a card, Amazon shows you only the last four digits and the card type (Visa, Mastercard, etc.). This means even if someone gained access to your Amazon account, they would not see your complete card number.
Amazon also uses tokenization — a system where your card is assigned a unique code for purchases, so merchants never see your actual card number. If you notice a charge you did not make, report it to Amazon through Your Account > Returns, orders, and settings > Your orders, find the charge, and select Report unauthorized activity. Amazon will investigate and may refund you while they do.
Changing your card on the Amazon app
The process is nearly identical on the Amazon mobile app. Open the app, tap the account icon at the bottom right, scroll to Your Account, tap Login & security, then Manage payment methods. Add, delete, or change your default card the same way you would on the website.
One difference: if you are checking out on the app and your card is declined, the error message may be slightly different, but the fix is the same — add a new card or contact your bank. The app stores your changes when ready and syncs them to your account across all devices, so a card you add on your phone will show up on your computer within seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use multiple cards on the same Amazon order?
No. Amazon requires you to pay with a single card per order. If you want to split a payment between two cards, you would need to place two separate orders. You can choose which card to use at checkout, so you can pick the one with the best rewards or lowest balance.
What happens to my old card if I delete it?
Deleting a card from your Amazon account only removes it from your payment methods list. It does not close the card itself or affect your bank account. If that card was linked to a subscription, you must update the subscription's payment method separately, or the charge will fail on the next billing date.
Do I need to update my card if I get a new one with the same bank?
Yes. Even if your new card is from the same bank, it has a different card number and expiration date. You must add it as a new payment method and delete the old one. If you have subscriptions on the old card, update those too before the old card expires.
Can I change my card on an order I already placed?
Not after the order is confirmed. If your order has not shipped yet and you need to change the payment method, contact Amazon customer service through Your Account > Contact Us. They can sometimes update the card before the charge goes through. If the order has already shipped, you cannot change the card — the charge is final.
Why does Amazon ask for my billing address when I add a card?
Your billing address is the address your bank has on file for the card. Amazon uses it to verify the card is legitimate and belongs to you. If your billing address does not match what your bank has, the card may be declined. Check with your bank if you are unsure what address they have recorded.