How to change the credit card linked to your Amazon account

You can change your Amazon credit card in two places: in your account settings for future purchases, or at checkout for a single order. The fastest route is your Account & Lists menu, where you can add a new card, delete an old one, or set which card Amazon charges by default. Changes take effect when ready — your next purchase will use whichever card you've selected.

If you only want to use a different card for one order, you can choose it at the payment step during checkout without changing your account settings. This is useful if you're testing a new card or want to keep your primary card unchanged.

Key Takeaways

  • You can update your default credit card through Account & Lists > Your Account > Login & Security > Manage payment methods.
  • Amazon lets you store multiple credit cards and switch between them at checkout or in your account settings.
  • Deleting a card from your account does not cancel any subscriptions or recurring charges tied to that card — you must update those separately.
  • Changes to your payment method take effect when ready for new purchases, but do not affect orders already placed.

Steps to update your default credit card in account settings

Start by going to Amazon.com and signing into your account. In the top right corner, click Account & Lists, then select Your Account from the dropdown menu.

On the Your Account page, look for the section labeled Login & Security and click on it. Scroll down until you see Manage payment methods and click that link. You'll see a list of all credit cards currently saved to your account, with one marked as your default.

To add a new card, click the Add a payment method button and enter your card number, expiration date, and CVV. To make an existing card your default, click the three dots next to that card and select Set as default payment method. To remove a card entirely, click the three dots and select Delete.

Changing your card for a single purchase at checkout

If you only want to use a different card for one order, you don't need to change your account settings. Add items to your cart and proceed to checkout as normal. On the payment page, you'll see your default card displayed. Click Change or Use a different payment method to see all your saved cards.

Select the card you want to use for this order and complete the purchase. Your account settings remain unchanged, so your next order will still use your default card unless you change it again at checkout.

What happens to subscriptions when you change your card

If you delete a credit card from your account, Amazon does not automatically update your subscriptions or recurring charges. Prime membership, Subscribe & Save orders, and any other recurring services will continue to charge the old card if it's still active, or fail if the card has been closed or declined.

To avoid missed charges or payment failures, update your subscription payment methods separately. Go to Account & Lists > Your Account > Memberships and Subscriptions and click on each active subscription to change its payment method. For Subscribe & Save orders, go to Account & Lists > Your Account > Recurring orders and update each one individually.

Adding a new credit card to your Amazon account

You can add a new card without deleting your current one. Follow the steps above to reach Manage payment methods, then click Add a payment method. Enter your card number, expiration date, CVV, and billing address. Amazon will verify the card by charging a small temporary amount (usually $1) to confirm it's valid — this charge will be reversed within a few days.

Once the card is verified, it appears in your payment methods list. You can set it as your default when ready, or leave your current card as default and choose the new one at checkout when you want to use it.

Troubleshooting payment method changes

If you can't see the Manage payment methods option, make sure you're signed into the correct Amazon account. Some accounts, particularly business accounts or those with parental controls, have different payment settings. If you're using a shared device, sign out completely and sign back in with your own credentials.

If a card you're trying to add is declined during verification, the card may be expired, have insufficient funds for the temporary charge, or be flagged by your bank as a potential fraud risk. Contact your card issuer to confirm the card is active and that they're not blocking Amazon charges. Once cleared, try adding the card again.

If you've deleted a card and now see a payment error on a recurring order, that subscription is still trying to charge the deleted card. Update the subscription's payment method through Memberships and Subscriptions or Recurring orders as described above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a debit card instead of a credit card on Amazon?

Yes. Amazon accepts debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual card numbers through the same payment method section. Add them the same way you would a credit card — enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV. They work identically to credit cards for checkout purposes.

What if I want to delete my only payment method?

Amazon requires at least one valid payment method on file to complete purchases. If you try to delete your only card, Amazon will prompt you to add a new one first. You can then delete the old card once the new one is verified.

Does changing my card affect orders I've already placed?

No. Orders that have already been placed will charge the card that was selected at the time of purchase, regardless of what you change your account settings to later. Only new orders going forward will use your updated payment method.

How long does it take for a new card to show up in my account?

New cards appear in your payment methods list when ready after you enter the information. However, Amazon performs a verification charge (usually $1) that can take a few days to process. You can use the card for purchases right away, but some merchants may decline it until the verification is complete.

Can I change my payment method on the Amazon app?

Yes. Open the Amazon app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), go to Account, then Login & Security, and select Manage payment methods. The process is identical to the website version.