Remove a card directly from your payment methods
You can remove a credit card from your Amazon account in about two minutes through the account settings menu. The card stays on file until you delete it — Amazon does not automatically remove old or expired cards. Once you remove it, Amazon cannot charge that card for future purchases, though past transactions already processed will not be reversed.
The steps are the same whether you are removing a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card. You do not need to contact Amazon customer service unless the card is linked to an active subscription or recurring charge.
Key Takeaways
- Log into your Amazon account, go to Account Settings, select Payment Options, and click Delete next to the card you want to remove.
- Amazon will not let you delete the only payment method on your account, so you must add a replacement card first if it is your only one.
- Removing a card from Amazon does not cancel subscriptions or Prime membership — you must update the payment method for those separately if they are set to renew.
- If a card is linked to an active subscription, Amazon will prompt you to choose a different payment method before allowing deletion.
- Deleted cards are permanently removed and cannot be recovered through Amazon; you would need to add the card again manually if you change your mind.
Step-by-step: Delete a card from your account
Open Amazon.com and sign into your account. In the top right corner, click the Account icon (it looks like a person's head and shoulders), then select Account from the dropdown menu.
On the Account page, scroll down to the Login & Security section and click on Payment Options. This page shows all the cards currently saved to your account. Find the card you want to remove and click the Delete button next to it. Amazon will ask you to confirm — click Delete again to finalize the removal.
The card is now removed from your account. If you were using that card for a subscription like Prime Video or Kindle Unlimited, you will need to update the payment method for that subscription separately to keep it active.
What to do if Amazon won't let you delete the card
If you see a message saying you cannot delete the card, it is almost always because it is your only payment method on file. Amazon requires at least one valid payment method linked to your account at all times. Add a new card first, then return to Payment Options and delete the old one.
If the card is linked to an active subscription or recurring charge (like Prime membership or a Subscribe & Save order), Amazon will not let you delete it until you update the payment method for that subscription. Go to Manage Your Prime Membership or Manage Your Subscriptions, select the subscription, and choose a different payment method. After that, you can return to Payment Options and delete the card.
Removing a card used for subscriptions and recurring orders
Subscriptions and recurring charges are separate from your general payment methods. Deleting a card from Payment Options does not automatically update subscriptions that use that card. If you remove a card that is set as the payment method for Prime membership, Kindle Unlimited, Subscribe & Save orders, or any other recurring charge, those subscriptions will fail to renew and you may lose access to the service.
Before deleting a card, check what subscriptions are active on your account. Go to Account, then Memberships and Subscriptions, and review each one. For each subscription using the card you want to remove, click Manage and select a different payment method. Only after you have updated all subscriptions should you delete the card from Payment Options.
Removing a card on the Amazon mobile app
The process is similar on the Amazon app for iPhone or Android. Open the app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right, and select Account. Tap Login & Security, then Payment Options. Find the card you want to remove and tap Delete. Confirm the deletion when prompted.
If you are having trouble finding Payment Options on the app, make sure you are signed in and that you are looking at your account settings, not the shopping menu. Some older versions of the app may have a slightly different layout — if you cannot locate Payment Options, updating the app to the latest version usually resolves this.
What happens after you delete a card
Once deleted, the card is permanently removed from your Amazon account. You cannot recover it through Amazon settings — if you want to use that card again, you would need to add it manually by entering the card number, expiration date, and security code.
Deleting a card does not affect your order history or past transactions. Any purchases you made with that card remain in your account under Your Orders. The card removal also does not contact your bank or credit card company — it only removes the card from Amazon's servers. If you want to cancel the card itself, you would need to contact your bank or card issuer directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove a card if it is my only payment method?
No. Amazon requires at least one payment method on file. Add a new card first, then delete the old one. If you try to delete your only card, Amazon will show an error message and prevent the deletion.
Will removing a card cancel my Prime membership?
No, but your membership will fail to renew if that card is the payment method for Prime. Update your Prime payment method to a different card before deleting the old one. Go to Manage Your Prime Membership, select Payment Method, and choose a new card.
What if I deleted a card by mistake?
You cannot recover a deleted card through Amazon. You will need to add it again manually by entering the card details. Go to Payment Options and click Add a Payment Method, then enter the card number, expiration date, and security code.
Does Amazon notify my bank when I remove a card?
No. Removing a card from Amazon only removes it from your Amazon account. Your bank or credit card company is not notified. If you want to cancel the card itself, contact your bank directly.
Can I remove a card that has a pending charge?
You can delete the card from your account, but if Amazon is still processing a charge to that card, the transaction will continue. Deleting the card does not cancel pending or in-progress charges. Wait for the charge to complete, or contact Amazon customer service if you need to dispute a transaction.