Where to find your payment methods on Amazon
To update a credit card on Amazon, go to your account settings and select Your Account from the menu in the top right corner. From there, click Login & security or Your payments depending on whether you're updating security details or payment methods. The Your payments section is where you manage all stored credit cards.
Once you're in Your payments, you'll see a list of all payment methods currently saved to your account. Each card shows the last four digits, the card type (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover), and the expiration date. You can update, remove, or set a card as your default from this screen.
Key Takeaways
- Navigate to Your Account > Your payments to see all stored credit cards on your Amazon account.
- You can update an existing card's details directly, or delete it and add a new one instead.
- Amazon requires a valid billing address and expiration date for any card you save.
- If a card is declined during checkout, you can add a replacement card when ready without leaving the purchase screen.
- Removing a card from your account does not cancel any subscriptions or recurring charges tied to that card.
Updating an existing card's information
If your card number hasn't changed but the expiration date or billing address has, click on the card you want to update. Select Edit and change the fields that have changed. You'll need to enter the new expiration date, and you can update the billing address, cardholder name, or ZIP code at the same time. Amazon will ask you to confirm these changes before saving.
After you save the changes, Amazon may run a small verification charge to confirm the card is still active. This charge typically appears and disappears within a few business days and is not added to your account balance. If the verification fails, Amazon will notify you and ask you to confirm the card details again or use a different payment method.
Replacing a card with a new one
If you have a new card with a different number — because your old card was lost, stolen, or straightforward expired — you have two options. You can delete the old card and add the new one separately, or you can edit the existing card entry and replace all the details at once. Most people find it simpler to delete the old card and add the new one, since this makes it clear which card is current.
To add a new card, go to Your payments and select Add a payment method. Enter the full card number, expiration date, cardholder name, and billing address. Amazon accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. After you save the new card, you can set it as your default or leave your current default unchanged.
Setting a default payment method
Your default payment method is the card Amazon uses automatically when you check out unless you choose a different one at the time of purchase. To change which card is your default, go to Your payments, find the card you want to use, and select Set as default. Only one card can be your default at a time.
Changing your default does not affect any existing orders or subscriptions. If you have an active Prime membership or Subscribe & Save orders, they will continue to charge the card they were originally set up with until you manually change them. You can update the payment method for individual subscriptions in the Manage Your Subscriptions section of your account.
Removing a card from your account
To delete a card, go to Your payments, find the card you want to remove, and select Delete. Amazon will ask you to confirm. Once deleted, you cannot use that card to make new purchases on Amazon, but the card will remain on file with your order history.
Deleting a card does not cancel any recurring charges or subscriptions tied to that card. If you remove a card that's linked to a Prime membership or Subscribe & Save order, those services will continue to charge that card until you update the payment method in your subscription settings. Check your active subscriptions before deleting a card you're currently using for regular charges.
What to do if a card is declined at checkout
If your card is declined during checkout, Amazon will show an error message and ask you to choose a different payment method or add a new one. You don't have to leave the checkout page to do this. Click Add a payment method right there in the payment section, enter your new card details, and continue with your purchase.
A declined card usually means the card issuer blocked the transaction for security reasons, the card has expired, or there are insufficient funds. Contact your card issuer to find out why the decline happened. Once you've resolved the issue with your bank, you can try the same card again or use a different one. Amazon does not charge you for declined transactions.
Updating payment methods on mobile devices
The process is the same on the Amazon mobile app as it is on the website. Open the app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right, scroll to Your Account, and select Your payments. From there, you can add, edit, or delete cards using the same steps as on desktop.
Some users find it easier to manage payment methods on a computer because the screen is larger, but the app works just as well. If you update a card on your phone, the change appears when ready on your desktop account and vice versa, since both are connected to the same Amazon account.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for a new card to show up on Amazon?
A new card appears in your Your payments section when ready after you save it. However, Amazon may run a small verification charge that can take a few business days to process. You can use the card to make purchases right away, even while the verification is pending.
Can I use multiple cards on a single Amazon order?
No. Each order must be paid with a single payment method. If you want to split a purchase across multiple cards, you would need to place separate orders. You can choose which card to use for each order at checkout.
What happens to my card information if I close my Amazon account?
When you close your Amazon account, all stored payment methods are deleted from your account. Your card information is not retained by Amazon after account closure. Any pending refunds or charges will be processed to the card on file before the account is fully closed.
Do I need to update my card if only the CVV changed?
No. The CVV (the three or four-digit security code on the back of your card) is not stored by Amazon and does not need to be updated. You only need to update your card if the number, expiration date, or billing address changes.
Can I update a card that's currently being used for a Prime subscription?
Yes. You can edit or delete a card at any time, even if it's linked to an active subscription. If you delete the card, your Prime membership or other subscriptions will continue to charge that card until you manually change the payment method in your subscription settings. Update the subscription payment method separately to avoid service interruption.