How to change your card on Amazon
You can change the card Amazon charges by going to Your Account, selecting Payment Options, and either editing an existing card or adding a new one. Amazon stores multiple cards and lets you set which one is the default for future purchases. If you want to remove a card entirely, you can delete it from the same menu — though Amazon will keep it on file for a short time in case a charge is still pending.
The process takes about two minutes and works the same way whether you're using a desktop browser, the mobile app, or a tablet. You don't need to contact Amazon support unless a card won't save or you're trying to fix a declined payment that's blocking an order.
Key Takeaways
- Log into Your Account, go to Payment Options, and select Edit next to the card you want to change or Add a Payment Method to add a new one.
- Amazon lets you store multiple cards and choose which one is your default for new purchases.
- Removing a card from your account doesn't cancel pending charges — those will still go through on the card you used when you placed the order.
- If a card is declined during checkout, you can add a different card right then without leaving the payment screen.
Step-by-step: updating your default payment card
Open Amazon and sign in. In the top right corner, hover over or tap the Account icon (it looks like a person's head and shoulders), then select Your Account from the dropdown menu.
On the Your Account page, look for the Payment Options section — it's usually in the left sidebar under "Login & security" or grouped with other account settings. Click or tap Payment Options. You'll see a list of all cards currently saved to your account, with one marked as your default.
To change which card is default, find the card you want to use and select Make Default (or Set as Default, depending on your device). To edit the card details themselves — for example, if the expiration date changed — select Edit next to that card, update the information, and save. If you're adding a new card instead, select Add a Payment Method, enter the card number, expiration date, CVV, and billing address, then save.
Adding a new card versus editing an existing one
If your current card is still valid but you want to use a different one going forward, add the new card and set it as default. Your old card stays on file and can still be used for specific orders if you choose it at checkout — this is useful if you want to keep a backup card active or if different cards have different rewards programs.
If your card details changed — new expiration date, new CVV, or a replacement card with a new number — you should edit the existing card entry rather than add a duplicate. Editing keeps your purchase history and any saved preferences tied to that card. If you add a new card with the same number (for example, a replacement card from your bank), Amazon may treat it as a separate payment method until you delete the old one.
Deleting a card removes it from your account, but it doesn't cancel any charges that are already in progress. If you placed an order yesterday and charged it to a card you're deleting today, that charge will still go through. Delete a card only after confirming that no pending orders are using it.
What to do if your card won't save or is declined
If Amazon rejects your card when you try to add it, the most common reasons are a mistyped number, an expired date, or a billing address that doesn't match your bank's records. Double-check the card number, expiration date, and CVV (the three-digit code on the back). Make sure the billing address — street, city, state, and ZIP — matches exactly what your bank has on file.
If the card is declined during checkout on a specific order, you can add a different payment method right there without starting over. Select Change Payment Method, add a new card or choose a different saved card, and proceed. This is faster than going back to Your Account and adding the card first.
If a card keeps being rejected even after you've verified all the details, contact your bank. They may have flagged the charge as suspicious, or there may be a hold on the account. Once your bank clears it, try adding the card to Amazon again.
Managing multiple cards and payment methods
Amazon lets you store as many cards as you want. Some people keep multiple cards active to take advantage of different rewards programs — for example, using a 2% cash-back card for most purchases and a 5% rewards card for groceries. You can choose which card to use for each individual order at checkout, or set one as your default so it's selected automatically.
You can also add other payment methods beyond credit and debit cards, such as Amazon Store Card (if you're approved), Amazon Visa, or in some regions, bank account transfers or digital wallets. Each payment method appears in your Payment Options list and can be set as default or used for specific orders.
If you have a card saved but no longer use it, you don't have to delete it when ready. Leaving it on file doesn't cost anything and gives you a backup if your primary card is lost or compromised. You can delete it whenever you're ready.
Changing the card for a specific order versus your account default
Your default card is what Amazon charges unless you choose differently at checkout. If you're placing a single order and want to use a different card just for that purchase, you can select Change Payment Method during checkout without changing your account default. The next order will still use your default card unless you change it again.
This is useful if you're buying something with a specific rewards card or if you want to keep charges separated for budgeting reasons. You can switch cards order by order without ever touching Your Account settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my card cancel any orders I've already placed?
No. Changing your default card or removing a card from your account does not affect orders you've already placed. Those orders will charge the card you used when you placed them. You can only change the payment method for an order before it ships — after that, the charge is locked in.
What happens if I delete a card while a charge is still pending?
The charge will still go through on that card. Deleting a card from your account doesn't stop charges that are already in progress. Wait until an order has shipped and the charge has fully processed before deleting the card you used for it.
Can I use a different card for each subscription or recurring charge?
You can change the card for a subscription by going to Your Account, selecting Memberships & Subscriptions, and editing the payment method for that specific subscription. Each subscription can use a different card from your saved payment methods.
Do I need to update my card if it expires but my bank sent me a replacement with the same number?
Yes. Even if the card number is the same, you need to update the expiration date in your Payment Options. Amazon will decline charges if the expiration date on file doesn't match the card itself.
Can I add a card that's not in my name?
Amazon requires the billing address on the card to match your account address. If the card belongs to someone else, you can ask them to add it to their own Amazon account, or you can use it as a guest during checkout on some orders. For regular use, the card should be registered to the person whose name is on the Amazon account.