Remove a card in three steps from your Amazon account settings
To remove a credit card from Amazon, go to Your Account in the top right corner, select Login & security, then scroll to Manage your payment methods and click the card you want to remove. Select Delete and confirm. The card is gone from your account when ready, though Amazon may keep a record for transaction history.
You do not need to contact Amazon support or wait for approval. The deletion happens right away, and you can add a different card the same day if you need to make a purchase. If you cannot find the payment methods section, make sure you are signed into the account that holds the card — some people have multiple Amazon accounts and delete from the wrong one by mistake.
Key Takeaways
- The fastest way to remove a card is through Your Account > Login & security > Manage your payment methods, then delete the card you no longer want.
- Deletion is when ready and does not require Amazon to process anything — the card stops being available for purchases right away.
- You can remove a card even if it is set as your default payment method, but Amazon will ask you to choose a new default before you can check out.
- Removing a card from Amazon does not close the card itself or affect your credit — it only disconnects that card from your Amazon account.
- If you are removing a card because it was lost or stolen, also contact your bank or card issuer to report the card and request a replacement.
Why you might need to remove a card from Amazon
The most common reason is that you have a new card — your old one expired, was replaced due to fraud, or you switched to a different bank. Rather than keep the old card on file, you remove it to avoid accidentally using it at checkout. Amazon will not automatically delete expired cards, so you may see old cards still listed in your payment methods even though they no longer work.
Another reason is security. If your card was compromised or you suspect unauthorized charges, removing it from Amazon stops anyone with access to your account from using that card. This is a faster step than waiting for your bank to issue a new card, though you should still contact your card issuer directly to report the fraud and request a replacement.
Some people remove cards to simplify their account — if you have five cards on file and only use two, cleaning up the list makes checkout faster and reduces the chance of picking the wrong card by mistake.
What happens when you delete a card
Amazon removes the card from your payment methods list and stops showing it as an option at checkout. You cannot use that card to buy anything on Amazon after deletion. The card itself remains active with your bank — removing it from Amazon does not close the card or affect your credit score.
Amazon keeps a record of the card for your transaction history, so you can still see past purchases made with that card in your order history. This record is for your reference only and does not let you use the card again. If you want to use that card on Amazon in the future, you would have to add it back manually.
If the card you are deleting is set as your default payment method, Amazon will ask you to choose a new default before you can complete your next purchase. You must have at least one payment method on file to buy anything on Amazon.
If your default card is the one you want to remove
You can still delete it, but you have to set a different card as your default first. Go to Your Account > Login & security > Manage your payment methods, find another card in the list, and select Set as default. Once a new default is active, you can go back and delete the old card.
If you only have one card on your account, Amazon will not let you delete it until you add a second payment method. This is by design — Amazon requires at least one valid payment method to stay on file. Add a new card first, set it as default, then delete the old one.
Removing a card after fraud or theft
If your card was stolen or you see unauthorized charges, removing it from Amazon is one step, but not the only one. Contact your bank or card issuer when ready — they can freeze the card, reverse fraudulent charges, and send you a replacement. Tell them which charges were not yours and ask them to document the fraud report.
After you remove the card from Amazon, change your Amazon password if you think someone accessed your account without permission. Go to Your Account > Login & security > Edit next to your password and create a new one that is at least 12 characters long and uses a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. If you see purchases on your Amazon account that you did not make, contact Amazon's customer service to report them and request a refund.
Removing a card you no longer use
If the card is straightforward old or you switched banks, you can delete it without any special steps. Go through the standard removal process: Your Account > Login & security > Manage your payment methods > select the card > Delete. There is no waiting period or confirmation email — it is gone as soon as you click.
Before you delete a card, check whether any subscriptions or recurring charges are tied to it. If you have an active Amazon Prime membership, a Subscribe & Save order, or a Kindle Unlimited subscription, make sure the new default card can cover those charges. If you delete a card that is being used for a subscription, Amazon will try to charge your new default card instead. If that fails, your subscription will be paused or canceled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does removing a card from Amazon affect my credit score?
No. Removing a card from Amazon is just disconnecting it from your account. It does not close the card, does not report anything to credit bureaus, and does not change your credit score. Your bank still owns the card and it remains active unless you close it yourself or the bank closes it.
Can I remove a card if I have an active order using it?
Yes, you can delete the card even if an order is in progress. The order will still go through because Amazon already charged the card when you placed it. Removing the card only stops future purchases from using it.
What if I accidentally delete the wrong card?
Add it back by going to Your Account > Login & security > Manage your payment methods > Add a payment method. Enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV again. It will be treated as a new card on file, though Amazon may recognize it as one you have used before.
Can I remove a card without signing into my account?
No. You must be signed into your Amazon account and have access to the email address or phone number associated with it. This is a security measure to prevent someone else from removing your cards. If you cannot sign in, use the Forgot your password? link to reset it first.
Will Amazon send me a confirmation email when I delete a card?
Amazon does not send a confirmation email for card deletion. The card is straightforward removed from your account. If you want proof that you deleted it, take a screenshot of your payment methods list after deletion, or check your account activity log if Amazon provides one.