Change your card in Account Settings, not at checkout
To change the credit card Amazon charges, go to your Account page, select Login & security, then scroll to Payment options and click Manage payment methods. From there you can add a new card, delete an old one, or set which card is your default. You do not need to update it at checkout — changing it in Account Settings makes the change permanent for all future purchases.
If you are updating because your current card is expiring, lost, or compromised, make the change as soon as you can. Amazon will try to charge your old card on your next purchase and may decline the transaction if the card is no longer valid. If a charge fails, Amazon will send you an email asking you to update your payment method before your order ships.
The process takes about two minutes and requires no phone call or customer service contact. Your new card will be active when ready for new purchases.
Key Takeaways
- Access payment methods through Account > Login & security > Payment options, not through checkout or your cart.
- You can add multiple cards to your Amazon account and choose which one is your default for each purchase.
- Deleting a card from your account does not cancel any subscriptions or recurring charges tied to that card — you must update those separately.
- If a charge fails because your card is expired or invalid, Amazon will email you and hold your order until you add a working payment method.
- Changes to your payment method take effect when ready and explore to all future purchases unless you choose a different card at checkout.
Where to find your payment methods on Amazon
Start by going to amazon.com and signing into your account. In the top right corner, click the account icon (usually your name or initials) and select Your Account from the dropdown menu. On the Account page, look for the section labeled Login & security on the left side.
Click Login & security, then scroll down until you see Payment options. Click the link that says Manage payment methods. This is where all your saved cards appear, and where you add, remove, or change which card is your default.
If you are on a mobile phone or tablet, the layout may look slightly different, but the path is the same: Account > Login & security > Payment options > Manage payment methods.
Adding a new card to your account
On the Manage payment methods page, click the button labeled Add a payment method. Enter your card number, expiration date, CVV (the three-digit security code on the back), and the billing address associated with the card. Amazon will ask you to confirm the zip code and state.
After you enter the information, Amazon may place a small temporary charge to your card — usually $1 — to verify the card is valid. This charge will be reversed within a few business days. You do not need to do anything; it happens automatically.
Once the card is verified, it appears in your list of payment methods. You can then set it as your default card, or leave it as a secondary option and choose it only for specific purchases.
Setting a default card or removing an old one
On your Manage payment methods page, each saved card shows a radio button or checkbox next to it. To make a card your default, click the button next to that card. Amazon will use this card for all future purchases unless you choose a different one at checkout.
To remove a card, click the Delete button next to it. Amazon will ask you to confirm. Once deleted, the card no longer appears in your account and cannot be charged. However, if you have an active subscription or recurring delivery (like Amazon Prime, a magazine subscription, or Subscribe & Save), deleting the card does not automatically update those services — you must go to each subscription separately and change the payment method there.
You can have multiple cards on file at once. This is useful if you want to use different cards for different purchases, or if you are replacing an expiring card and want to keep the old one active until you are sure all charges have switched over.
What happens if your card is declined
If Amazon tries to charge a card that is expired, closed, or has insufficient funds, the charge will fail. Amazon will send you an email with the subject line "Your Amazon order needs your attention" or similar. The email will explain that your payment method was declined and provide a link to update it.
Your order will not ship until you add a working payment method. You have several days to update it, but the exact window depends on the item and whether it is in stock. If you do not update your payment method, Amazon will eventually cancel the order and refund any money that was temporarily held.
If you have a subscription or recurring charge (Prime membership, Kindle Unlimited, Subscribe & Save) and the payment method fails, Amazon will attempt to charge your backup payment method if you have one on file. If all payment methods fail, your subscription may be suspended until you update your information.
Changing your card for a single purchase
You do not have to update your default card if you only want to use a different card for one purchase. At checkout, before you place your order, look for the section labeled Payment method. Click Change or the dropdown arrow next to your default card.
A list of all your saved cards will appear. Select the card you want to use for this purchase and click Use this payment method or Continue. This does not change your default card — it only applies to this one order.
If the card you want to use is not yet saved to your account, you can add it at checkout by clicking Add a new payment method. Enter the card details and billing address, and Amazon will verify it before processing your order.
Updating cards linked to subscriptions and recurring charges
If you delete a card that is linked to a subscription (Prime, Kindle Unlimited, Audible, a magazine subscription, or Subscribe & Save orders), that subscription does not automatically switch to your new default card. You must update each subscription separately.
To change the card for a subscription, go to Your Account, then select Memberships and subscriptions or Manage Your Content and Devices depending on the subscription type. Find the subscription, click Edit payment method, and choose your new card from the list or add a new one.
For Subscribe & Save orders, go to Your Account, select Your Orders, find the Subscribe & Save item, click Manage subscription, and update the payment method there. If you do not update these before your old card expires, Amazon will attempt to charge it and may suspend your subscription if the charge fails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a debit card on Amazon?
Yes. Debit cards work the same way as credit cards on Amazon — enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV just as you would for a credit card. Amazon will verify the card with a small temporary charge that is reversed within a few days.
What if I do not see the payment method I just added?
The card may still be verifying. Amazon places a small charge to confirm the card is valid, and it can take a few minutes to a few hours for that charge to post. Refresh the page or wait a few minutes and check again. If the card still does not appear after an hour, try adding it again or contact Amazon customer service.
Will changing my card cancel my Prime membership?
No. Changing your default card in Account Settings does not affect your Prime membership. However, if you delete the specific card that Prime is charged to without updating Prime's payment method first, your membership may be suspended if the next charge fails. Always update subscription payment methods before deleting a card.
Can I use a card from a different country?
It depends on which Amazon site you are using and where the card is issued. If you are on amazon.com (US site), you can use cards issued by US banks or major international cards like Visa and Mastercard. The billing address must match the address on file with your bank. If you are having trouble, contact Amazon customer service with your card details.
What if I want to use a different card for each type of purchase?
You can save multiple cards and choose which one to use at checkout for each order. Set one as your default, and then click Change payment method at checkout whenever you want to use a different card. This does not change your default — it only applies to that single purchase.