Change your card in Account Settings, not at checkout
To change the credit card Amazon has on file, go to your Account Settings, find the Payments section, and update or remove the card there. This is faster and cleaner than trying to change it during checkout, because Amazon will then use your new card for all future purchases unless you choose a different one at the time of order.
You can add multiple cards to your Amazon account and switch between them whenever you want. You can also delete old cards entirely so they stop appearing as options. The whole process takes about two minutes.
Key Takeaways
- Log into your Amazon account, go to Account Settings, select Payments, and choose the card you want to change or add.
- You can add a new card without deleting the old one, or delete a card and replace it in the same step.
- Amazon will use whichever card you mark as your default for all future purchases unless you pick a different one at checkout.
- If your card was declined or expired, update it in Payments before you try to place a new order.
Step-by-step: Add or update a card on desktop
Open Amazon.com and sign into your account. In the top right corner, hover over "Account & Lists" and click "Account" from the dropdown menu.
On the Account page, look for the "Login & security" section on the left side. Below that, you will see "Payments." Click on "Payments" to open your payment methods.
You will see a list of all cards currently saved to your account. To add a new card, click "Add a payment method" at the bottom of the list. To change an existing card, click "Edit" next to the card you want to update. Enter your new card number, expiration date, and CVV (the three-digit code on the back). Click "Add your card" or "Update" depending on whether you are adding or editing.
If you want to make a card your default, click the radio button next to it so a dot appears. Amazon will use this card for all future orders unless you choose a different one at checkout.
Step-by-step: Add or update a card on mobile
Open the Amazon app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Tap "Account" and then "Login & security."
Scroll down and tap "Payments." You will see all your saved cards. To add a new one, tap "Add a payment method." To edit an existing card, tap "Edit" next to it. Enter your card details and tap "Add your card" or "Update."
To set a card as your default, tap the radio button next to it. The app will remember this choice for your next order.
Delete a card from your account
You can remove any card from your Amazon account at any time. Go to Account Settings, click Payments, and find the card you want to delete. Click "Delete" next to it. Amazon will ask you to confirm — click "Delete" again.
If the card you delete was your default, Amazon will automatically make your oldest remaining card the default. If you have no other cards on file, you will need to add a new one before you can place your next order.
What to do if your card was declined
If Amazon rejected your card during checkout, the most common reasons are an expired date, a wrong CVV, or a mismatch between the address you entered and the address your bank has on file. Go to Payments, click "Edit" next to the card, and check all three of these details.
If the card is expired, you will need to update it or add a different card. If the address does not match, contact your bank to confirm what address they have recorded, then update it in Amazon's system. After you make the change, try your order again.
Changing your card for a specific order at checkout
You do not have to go to Account Settings if you only want to use a different card for one order. At checkout, in the "Payment method" section, click "Change" or "Edit." You will see all your saved cards. Click the one you want to use for this order, then click "Use this payment method" or "Continue."
This choice applies only to that single order. Your default card will still be used for your next purchase unless you change it again at checkout or update your default in Account Settings.
Adding a card that is not yet saved
If you want to use a card that is not in your account yet, you can add it during checkout. At the payment method step, click "Add a new payment method" or "Add a card." Enter the card number, expiration date, CVV, and billing address. Amazon will ask if you want to save this card for future orders — you can say yes or no.
If you say yes, the card will appear in your Payments list the next time you check. If you say no, Amazon will use it only for that order and will not store it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different card for each order?
Yes. At checkout, click "Change payment method" and pick a different card from your saved list. You can also add a new card right there if you want. Your choice applies only to that order — your default card will be used next time unless you change it again.
What happens if I delete my default card?
Amazon will automatically make your oldest remaining card the default. If you have no other cards saved, you will need to add one before you can place your next order. You can add it in Account Settings or during checkout.
Do I have to save a card to my account?
No. During checkout, you can enter a card number without saving it. Amazon will use it only for that order. However, saving cards makes checkout faster on future orders.
Can I change my card if I have a pending order?
If your order has not shipped yet, you can usually change the payment method by going to Your Orders, finding the order, and clicking "Edit payment method." If the order has already shipped, you cannot change the card — contact Amazon Customer Service instead.
What if Amazon keeps declining my card?
Check that your card number, expiration date, and CVV are all correct. Confirm your billing address matches what your bank has on file. If everything looks right, contact your bank — they may be blocking Amazon transactions for security reasons. Once your bank approves it, try again in your Amazon account.