Remove a card from Amazon in three steps
To remove a credit card from your Amazon account, sign in to your account, go to your payment methods, find the card you want to remove, and select the delete option. Amazon lets you remove any card except the one currently set as your default payment method — you must change your default card first if that's the one you want to delete.
The process takes about two minutes and doesn't affect any past purchases or refunds tied to that card. You can remove cards whenever you want, and you can add new ones back later.
Key Takeaways
- You cannot delete your default payment method without first choosing a different card as your primary payment option.
- Removing a card from Amazon does not cancel subscriptions, memberships, or recurring charges — you must handle those separately if they use that card.
- Past transactions and refunds remain tied to the card you used, even after you remove it from your account.
- You can remove a card at any time and add it back later without affecting your account history or Prime membership.
Step-by-step: Delete a card from your Amazon account
Step 1: Sign in and navigate to Your Account. Go to amazon.com, select the account icon in the top right corner, and click "Your Account" from the dropdown menu.
Step 2: Open Login & Security or Payment Options. Look for "Login & Security" or "Payment Options" depending on your account type. If you see both, choose "Payment Options" — this is where your saved cards live. You may need to re-enter your password to proceed.
Step 3: Find and select the card you want to remove. Scroll through your saved payment methods. Each card will show the last four digits and the card type (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover). Click on the card you want to delete.
Step 4: Click Delete or Remove. A menu will appear with options. Select "Delete" or "Remove This Payment Method." Amazon will ask you to confirm — click yes to complete the removal.
What to do if you can't delete your default card
If the card you want to remove is marked as your default or primary payment method, Amazon will not let you delete it. You must first set a different card as your default.
To change your default card, go back to your payment methods list, find the card you want to make primary, and select "Make Default" or "Set as Default Payment Method." Once a new card is set as default, you can return to the original card and delete it.
If you only have one card on your account, you cannot remove it without adding a new payment method first. Add a second card, set it as default, then delete the first one.
Removing a card when you have active subscriptions
If you have Amazon Prime, Subscribe & Save orders, or other recurring charges tied to the card you're removing, those subscriptions will not automatically stop. Instead, Amazon will attempt to charge your new default payment method on the next billing date.
If you want to cancel a subscription entirely rather than just switch the payment method, you must do that separately. Go to "Your Subscriptions" or "Manage Your Prime Membership" and cancel before removing the card. Otherwise, the charge will straightforward move to whichever card is now your default.
Check your active subscriptions before removing a card to avoid unexpected charges to a different card or declined payments if no valid payment method remains on file.
What happens to past purchases after you remove a card
Removing a card does not affect orders you already placed or refunds you already received. Your purchase history stays in your account, and any refund that was issued to that card will still reach it — the card removal does not reverse or redirect past transactions.
If you need to update the payment method for a current order (one that hasn't shipped yet), you must cancel and reorder rather than straightforward removing the card. Contact Amazon customer service if you need to change payment on an order that's already processing.
Removing a card on mobile vs. desktop
The steps are nearly identical on the Amazon mobile app and the website, but the menu locations differ slightly. On the app, tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) at the bottom right, select "Your Account," then "Login & Security" or "Payment Options." The rest of the process — finding the card, clicking delete, and confirming — works the same way.
If you're having trouble finding payment options on mobile, try using the desktop website instead. Some account settings are easier to manage on a full browser, and you'll see the same confirmation screens and options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove a card if I have a pending refund?
Yes. Pending refunds will still reach the original card even after you remove it from your account. The refund is tied to the transaction, not to your current payment methods, so removing the card does not stop or redirect the refund.
What if I remove a card and then want to use it again?
You can add the same card back to your account at any time by going to payment options and selecting "Add a Payment Method." You'll need to enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV again. Your purchase history and account settings remain unchanged.
Does removing a card affect my Amazon Prime membership?
No. Removing a card does not cancel Prime. However, if that card was your default payment method for Prime renewal, your next renewal will charge your new default card instead. Make sure you have a valid payment method on file before your renewal date.
Can I remove a card without adding a new one first?
Only if it's not your default card and you have at least one other payment method saved. If it's your only card or your default card, you must add a new payment method and set it as default before you can remove the old one.
Will removing a card stop Amazon from charging me?
No. Removing a card only deletes it from your saved methods. Any active subscriptions or recurring charges will straightforward move to your default payment method. To stop charges, you must cancel the subscription itself through your account settings.