Adding a credit card to your Amazon account
To pay with a credit card on Amazon, you add the card to your account first, then select it at checkout. You can store multiple cards and switch between them for different purchases. Amazon accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover cards issued in the US.
Start by going to Your Account in the top right corner of Amazon.com. Select Login & security, then scroll down to Manage your payment options. Click Add a credit or debit card and enter your card number, expiration date, CVV (the three-digit code on the back), and the billing address associated with the card. Amazon will verify the card with a small temporary charge that appears and disappears within a few days.
Once the card is verified, it stays in your account until you remove it. You do not have to use the same card for every purchase — at checkout, you can pick which card to charge, or use a different payment method entirely like a debit card, gift card balance, or bank account.
Key Takeaways
- Add a credit card through Your Account > Login & security > Manage your payment options, and Amazon will verify it with a temporary charge.
- You can store multiple credit cards and choose which one to use at checkout for each purchase.
- Amazon accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover, but some third-party sellers on the marketplace may have different payment rules.
- If a card is declined at checkout, check the expiration date, billing address, and available credit, then try a different card or payment method.
- Removing a card from your account takes one click and does not affect past purchases or refunds tied to that card.
What happens if your credit card is declined at checkout
A declined card usually means one of three things: the card has expired, the billing address does not match what your bank has on file, or you have reached your credit limit. Check the expiration date first — if it has passed, update the card in your account or add a different one.
If the date is current, verify the billing address matches exactly what your card issuer has recorded. Even a missing apartment number or a different spelling of your street can trigger a decline. Call your bank to confirm the address they have on file, then update it in your Amazon payment settings.
If the address is correct and the card is not expired, you may have hit your credit limit. Contact your card issuer to check your available balance. If you have room but the card still declines, try adding the card again as a new payment method — sometimes re-entering the information resolves the issue. If it continues to fail, use a different card or payment method to complete the purchase.
Using credit cards for Amazon Prime and subscriptions
When you sign up for Amazon Prime or start a subscription (like Subscribe & Save for recurring deliveries), you must have a valid credit card on file. Amazon charges the card automatically on the renewal date — usually every year for Prime, or on whatever schedule you set for Subscribe & Save orders.
You can change which card Amazon uses for these recurring charges by updating your payment method in Your Account. Go to Your Account > Login & security > Manage your payment options, and set a different card as your default, or edit the specific subscription to use a different card.
If the card on file expires before the renewal date, update it in your account before the charge is due. Amazon will attempt to charge the card you have listed, and if it fails, your Prime membership or subscription will pause until you add a working payment method.
Credit card rewards and cashback on Amazon purchases
Many credit cards offer bonus rewards or cashback for Amazon purchases. Some cards give extra points for all online shopping, others give a flat percentage back on everything, and a few offer a higher rate specifically for Amazon.com. The rewards you earn depend entirely on your card's terms — Amazon does not control the rewards structure.
To maximize rewards, check your card's benefits guide or call the card issuer to confirm what rate applies to Amazon purchases. Some cards require you to register your card with the issuer's website first to earn bonus rewards on specific retailers. If your card offers this, register it before making purchases to may support the bonus posts to your account.
Rewards and cashback are issued by your card company, not by Amazon. If you do not see expected rewards in your account, contact your card issuer — Amazon cannot adjust or issue rewards on your behalf.
Paying for third-party seller purchases with a credit card
When you buy from a third-party seller on Amazon's marketplace (rather than directly from Amazon), the payment process is the same — you use a credit card stored in your Amazon account. Amazon acts as the payment processor and handles the charge, then pays the seller after the order ships.
Some third-party sellers have restrictions on payment methods, but these are rare and usually only explore to international sellers. If a seller's listing says they do not accept a certain payment method, you will see that message before checkout. In that case, use a different card or payment method to complete the purchase.
Refunds from third-party sellers go back to the same credit card you used to pay. The refund typically appears within 3 to 5 business days, though your card issuer may take additional time to post it to your account.
Removing a credit card from your Amazon account
To delete a card, go to Your Account > Login & security > Manage your payment options. Find the card you want to remove and click the Delete button next to it. The card is removed when ready and cannot be used for future purchases.
Removing a card does not affect past purchases or refunds. If you are waiting for a refund to post to that card, the refund will still arrive even after you delete the card from your account. You can only delete a card if you have at least one other payment method on file — Amazon requires you to keep at least one way to pay.
If you want to remove your only payment method, add a different card or payment method first, then delete the old one.
International credit cards and currency on Amazon
Amazon.com accepts credit cards issued outside the US, but the card must be Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. The card's billing address can be outside the US, though you will need a US address to ship most items to.
When you use an international card, Amazon charges in US dollars. Your card issuer will convert the charge to your home currency and may add a foreign transaction fee — check your card's terms to see what that fee is. The conversion rate and fee are set by your bank, not by Amazon.
If you are shopping on Amazon from outside the US, you may want to use Amazon's local site instead (like Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.ca), which may accept more payment methods and charge in your local currency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a prepaid credit card on Amazon?
Yes, prepaid cards work the same way as regular credit cards on Amazon. Add it to your account, and Amazon will verify it with a temporary charge. The card must have a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover logo. Make sure the card has enough balance to cover your purchase and any verification charge.
What if I want to use a different card for each purchase?
You can store as many cards as you want in your account. At checkout, before you place the order, select which card to use. You do not have to set a default card — Amazon will let you choose a different one every time.
Does Amazon charge my card right away or when it ships?
Amazon charges your card when you place the order, not when it ships. The charge appears on your statement when ready, though the funds may take a day or two to leave your account depending on your bank. If you cancel the order before it ships, the charge is reversed.
Why does Amazon show a small charge I did not authorize?
When you add a new card to your account, Amazon places a temporary charge of $1 or less to verify the card is real and active. This charge disappears within a few days — you are not charged for it. It is a standard security practice used by most online retailers.
Can I pay with a credit card issued to someone else?
No. The name on the card must match the name on your Amazon account, and the billing address must match what your card issuer has on file. Using someone else's card without permission is fraud and violates Amazon's terms of service.