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 all major credit cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.

Start by going to Your Account in the top right corner of Amazon.com. Select Your Account again from the dropdown menu, then find Login & security on the left side. Scroll down to Saved cards and accounts and click Add a card. Enter your card number, expiration date, CVV (the three-digit code on the back), and billing address. Amazon will verify the card with a small charge that appears and disappears within a few days.

Key Takeaways

  • You add a credit card through Your Account > Login & security > Saved cards and accounts, and Amazon verifies it with a temporary charge.
  • At checkout, you can choose which saved card to use, or enter a new card without saving it if you prefer not to store it.
  • Amazon Pay lets you use your Amazon account and saved payment methods on other websites, but you control which cards are visible to those sites.
  • If a card is declined, check the expiration date, billing address, and CVV — mismatches are the most common reason for rejection.
  • You can delete a saved card anytime from Your Account, and doing so does not affect past purchases or recurring subscriptions tied to that card.

Paying with a saved card at checkout

When you place an order, Amazon shows your saved cards on the payment page. The card you used most recently appears first. Click on the card you want to use, or click Add a new payment method if you want to use a different card without saving it.

If you choose not to save the card, you enter the details once and they are not stored. This is useful if you are using someone else's card or testing a new card before deciding whether to keep it on file. Either way, the purchase goes through the same process — Amazon charges the card when ready for most orders, though some merchants (like third-party sellers) may hold the charge for a day or two before settling it.

Managing your saved cards

You can edit or remove any saved card from Your Account > Login & security > Saved cards and accounts. Click the card you want to change. You can update the expiration date, CVV, or billing address without re-entering the full card number. If you delete a card, it no longer appears at checkout, but past purchases remain on your order history.

If you have a subscription or recurring charge tied to a card you delete, Amazon will attempt to charge your default payment method instead. Check your subscriptions (under Your Account > Memberships and subscriptions) to see which card is linked to each one. You can change the payment method for a subscription anytime before the next billing date.

Why a card might be declined

The most common reasons for a declined card are a mismatch between the billing address you entered and what your bank has on file, an expired card, or an incorrect CVV. Check all three before trying again. If the card is correct, contact your bank — they may have flagged the charge as suspicious, or your account may have a spending limit or fraud block.

Some banks require you to confirm large purchases through a text message or app before they go through. If you see a message asking you to verify the transaction, do that first, then try the purchase again. If the card continues to be declined, try a different card or contact Amazon customer service with the exact error message you received.

Using Amazon Pay on other websites

Amazon Pay is a service that lets you use your Amazon account and saved payment methods to check out on other websites. When you see the Pay with Amazon button on a store's checkout page, click it and sign in with your Amazon credentials. You can then choose which saved card to use without re-entering the full number.

Amazon Pay is optional — you control which cards are visible to each merchant. When you first use Amazon Pay on a new site, you can choose to show only certain cards or create a new payment method just for that store. The merchant never sees your full card number; Amazon handles the payment and sends the merchant only a confirmation that the charge went through.

Credit card rewards and Amazon purchases

If you use a rewards credit card on Amazon, you earn points or cash back on your purchase just as you would anywhere else. Some cards offer bonus rewards for Amazon purchases — for example, an Amazon-branded card might give 5% back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods purchases. Check your card's terms to see what rate applies to online shopping.

The rewards are determined by your card issuer, not by Amazon. Amazon does not reduce the rewards you earn or charge you a fee for using a credit card. If you have questions about whether a specific purchase qualifies for bonus rewards, contact your card issuer's customer service — they can tell you how the transaction was categorized.

Security and fraud protection

Amazon encrypts your card information and stores it on find servers. Your card number is not shown in full on your account page — only the last four digits appear. When you make a purchase, Amazon uses the encrypted version of your card data, so the merchant never receives the full number.

If you notice a charge you did not make, go to Your Account > Orders and find the transaction. Click the order and select Return or manage items, then Problem with order. You can report it as unauthorized and request a refund. Amazon will investigate and typically refund fraudulent charges within one to two business days. You can also contact your bank directly — they have their own fraud protection and may reverse the charge on their end.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a debit card on Amazon?

Yes. Debit cards work the same way as credit cards on Amazon — you add them to Your Account > Saved cards and accounts and select them at checkout. The charge comes directly from your bank account instead of creating a bill you pay later. Debit cards are subject to the same verification process as credit cards.

What happens if I delete a card that has an active subscription?

Amazon will try to charge your default payment method for the next billing cycle. If you want to keep the subscription but use a different card, go to Your Account > Memberships and subscriptions, find the subscription, and click Update payment method before the next charge date. This prevents any interruption in service.

Does Amazon charge a fee for paying with a credit card?

No. Amazon does not charge you a fee for using a credit card. The price you see at checkout is the price you pay, regardless of payment method. Your credit card issuer may charge you interest if you carry a balance, but that is between you and your bank, not Amazon.

Can I use a credit card from another country on Amazon?

It depends on which Amazon site you are using and where the card is issued. Amazon.com accepts cards issued in the United States, Canada, and some other countries. If your card is declined, check whether your bank allows international online purchases — some require you to notify them before using the card outside your home country. You can also contact Amazon customer service to ask whether your card's country of issue is supported.

What if I want to use a different card for a one-time purchase?

At checkout, click Add a new payment method instead of selecting a saved card. Enter the card details and uncheck the box that says Save this card for future purchases if you do not want it stored. The purchase will go through, and the card will not appear in your saved cards list afterward.