Where to find and change your default card
Your default payment method on Amazon is the card that charges automatically when you buy something without picking a different one at checkout. To change it, sign into your Amazon account, go to Account in the top right corner, then select Your Account. From there, click Login & security on the left side.
Scroll down until you see Manage your payment options or Payment methods — the exact wording varies slightly depending on whether you're on desktop or mobile. Click that section to open your stored cards. The card marked as default will usually have a checkmark or say "Default payment method" next to it. To change which card is default, find the card you want to use instead and click Set as default or a similar button next to it.
The change takes effect when ready. Your next purchase will charge to the new default card unless you manually pick a different one at checkout.
Key Takeaways
- Your default payment method is the card Amazon charges when you don't pick one during checkout.
- You reach your payment methods through Account > Your Account > Login & security > Payment methods.
- The change happens right away and applies to all future purchases unless you override it at checkout.
- You can store multiple cards on Amazon and switch between them without deleting the old one.
- If your default card declines, Amazon will try other stored cards in the order you've set them.
What happens if your default card declines
If Amazon tries to charge your default card and it declines — because the card is expired, the account is closed, or the charge is flagged as fraud — Amazon doesn't when ready fail the order. Instead, it tries your other stored payment methods in a specific order.
You can control this order by going back to your payment methods and setting a second card as your backup. Some accounts let you rank all your cards; others charge them in the order you added them. Check your payment methods page to see if you can reorder them, or contact Amazon Customer Service to ask what order they'll use.
If all your stored cards decline, Amazon will ask you to add a new payment method before the order ships. You'll get an email with a link to update your payment information.
Adding a new card to use as your default
If you want to switch to a card you haven't stored on Amazon yet, you don't have to delete your old default first. Go to Account > Your Account > Login & security > Payment methods, then click Add a payment method or Add card. Enter the card number, expiration date, CVV, and billing address.
Once the new card is saved, it will appear in your list of payment methods. Click Set as default next to the new card. Amazon may ask you to verify the card with a small charge (usually under $1) that appears on your statement within a few days — this is normal and confirms the card is real and active.
Removing an old card you no longer use
You can delete a card from your Amazon account at any time, but you cannot delete your current default payment method. If you want to remove your default card, you must first set a different card as default, then delete the old one.
To delete a card, go to Account > Your Account > Login & security > Payment methods, find the card you want to remove, and click Delete or a trash icon next to it. Amazon will ask you to confirm. Once deleted, that card cannot be charged by Amazon, even if you try to use it manually at checkout.
Deleting a card from Amazon does not close the card itself or affect your credit. It only removes it from your Amazon account.
Using a different card for a single purchase
You don't have to change your default card if you only want to use a different card once. At checkout, before you click Place your order, look for the payment method section. Click on your default card to see all your stored payment methods, then select the card you want to use for that purchase only.
Your default card stays the same, and the next time you shop, Amazon will use your default again unless you pick a different one.
Why Amazon might not let you change your default card
In rare cases, Amazon may prevent you from removing or changing your default payment method if you have an outstanding balance, an active subscription (like Prime), or a pending order. If you see an error message when you try to change your default card, check whether you have any unpaid charges or active subscriptions tied to that card.
If you have a subscription like Prime Video or Amazon Music on the card you want to remove, update the subscription to use a different card first. Go to Account > Your Account > Login & security > Your subscriptions, find the subscription, and change its payment method before you delete the old card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing my default card affect my Amazon Prime membership?
No. Your Prime membership stays active regardless of which card is your default. However, if Prime is charged to a specific card and that card expires or is deleted, you'll need to update the payment method for your Prime subscription separately. Go to Your Account > Login & security > Your subscriptions to update it.
Can I use a debit card as my default payment method?
Yes. Debit cards work the same way as credit cards on Amazon. You can set a debit card as your default, add multiple debit cards, and switch between them. Amazon treats them identically for payment purposes.
What if I want to use a different payment method like PayPal or Apple Pay?
Amazon accepts PayPal, Amazon Pay, and some digital wallets depending on your country and device. You can add these as payment methods in the same section where you add cards. Set them as default the same way you would a credit or debit card.
How long does it take for a new default card to start working?
The change is when ready. Your next purchase will charge to the new default card right away. You don't have to wait for any confirmation or verification, though Amazon may verify a newly added card with a small test charge.
Can I have no default payment method on Amazon?
No. Amazon requires at least one payment method on file. You must have a default card set before you can complete a purchase. If you delete all your cards, Amazon will ask you to add one before checkout.