How to delete a credit card from Amazon
To remove a credit card from your Amazon account, sign in to Amazon, go to Account & Lists, select Your Account, then choose Login & security. Scroll down to Login & security settings and select Edit next to the payment method section. Find the card you want to remove and click Delete. Amazon will ask you to confirm; click Delete card again to finish.
The process takes about two minutes. You cannot delete a card if it is your only payment method on file — Amazon requires at least one active card, bank account, or other payment option linked to your account at all times. If you are trying to remove your only card, you must add a replacement payment method first.
After deletion, the card will no longer appear in your payment options during checkout. Any recurring subscriptions (like Prime membership or Subscribe & Save orders) will continue to charge to your default payment method instead.
Key Takeaways
- You can delete a credit card through Account & Lists → Your Account → Login & security → payment method settings.
- Amazon requires at least one payment method on file, so add a new card or bank account before removing your only card.
- Deleting a card does not cancel subscriptions; they will charge to your default payment method instead.
- Deleted cards are removed from checkout options when ready, but past transactions remain in your order history.
- If you see unauthorized charges after deletion, contact Amazon Customer Service or your card issuer to dispute them.
What happens to subscriptions and recurring charges
If you delete a credit card that is linked to an active subscription or recurring order, Amazon does not cancel the subscription. Instead, the charge moves to whichever payment method you have set as your default. This means your Prime membership, Subscribe & Save orders, or other recurring services will continue without interruption.
If you want to stop a recurring charge entirely, you must cancel the subscription separately. Deleting the card alone will not do this. To cancel Prime, go to Your Account → Memberships & Subscriptions → Prime Membership → End membership. For Subscribe & Save orders, go to Your Orders, find the order, and select Skip or Cancel.
Why Amazon requires a payment method on file
Amazon's policy of keeping at least one payment method active protects both you and Amazon. It ensures that if a charge fails or a refund is needed, Amazon has a way to process it. It also prevents accounts from being used fraudulently without any way to trace or reverse transactions.
If you want to keep your account but do not want to use a credit card, you can link a debit card, a bank account (through Amazon Pay), or a gift card balance instead. Gift card balances do not count as a permanent payment method, so you still need a card or bank account as a backup.
Removing a card that has been compromised or lost
If your card has been lost, stolen, or you suspect fraudulent charges, delete it from Amazon when ready using the steps above. This prevents anyone with access to your account from using that card for future purchases.
After deletion, contact your card issuer directly to report the card as lost or compromised. Your bank or credit card company can freeze the card, issue a replacement, and dispute any unauthorized charges. Amazon's deletion only removes the card from your Amazon account — it does not affect the card itself or stop charges from other merchants.
Check your Amazon order history for any orders you did not make. If you find unauthorized purchases, contact Amazon Customer Service through Account & Lists → Your Account → Contact Us to report them. Keep records of the unauthorized orders and any communication with Amazon and your card issuer.
How to change your default payment method
Your default payment method is the one Amazon uses if your primary card fails or if you do not select a specific card at checkout. To change it, go to Your Account → Login & security → payment method settings. Look for the card marked as Default and click Make default next to the card you want to use instead.
This is useful if you are deleting a card that was set as your default. Before you delete it, set a different card as the default so your subscriptions and future charges route to the correct payment method.
Deleting a card does not remove past transactions
Removing a credit card from Amazon does not erase your order history or past charges. All previous purchases remain visible in Your Orders, and the card will still appear on receipts for orders you already placed. Deleting the card only prevents it from being used for future purchases.
If you need to dispute a charge from a deleted card, you can still do so through Amazon or your card issuer. The transaction record stays on file even after the card is removed from your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete a credit card if it is my only payment method?
No. Amazon requires at least one active payment method on file. You must add a replacement card, debit card, or bank account before you can delete your only card. Once the new method is added, you can delete the old one.
Will deleting a card cancel my Prime membership?
No. Deleting a card does not cancel Prime or any other subscription. The charge will move to your default payment method instead. To cancel Prime, go to Your Account → Memberships & Subscriptions → Prime Membership → End membership.
What if I delete a card by mistake?
You can add the card back to your account at any time by going to Your Account → Login & security → payment method settings and selecting Add a payment method. Enter the card details again and it will be restored to your account.
Does deleting a card from Amazon affect my credit score?
No. Removing a card from Amazon is an account management action and does not report to credit bureaus. Your credit score is not affected. Closing the card itself with your bank may have a small impact, but that is separate from deleting it from Amazon.
Can I see which card was used for a past order after I delete it?
Yes. Your order history and receipts show the last four digits of the card used, even after you delete it from your account. You can view this in Your Orders by clicking on any past purchase.