How to Change a Payment Method on Amazon

Managing payment methods on Amazon is something most shoppers need to do at some point — whether you've got a new card, a card has expired, or you simply want to route purchases through a different account. Amazon gives you several ways to handle this, but the process varies depending on whether you're updating a future order, changing a default payment method, or swapping the card on a subscription like Prime.

Here's a clear breakdown of how each scenario works.

Where Amazon Stores Your Payment Information

Amazon keeps payment methods in two places that work slightly differently:

• Your account's "Wallet" — This is the central hub under Account & Lists > Your Account > Payment options. Any card, bank account, or gift card balance stored here is available at checkout.
• Order-level payment — Each order placed can be tied to a specific payment method. Changing your default card doesn't retroactively update an order that's already been placed and is processing.

Understanding this distinction matters. If you change a card in your Wallet but have an open order already associated with the old card, that order won't automatically update.

How to Change Your Default Payment Method 💳

Your default payment method is what Amazon pre-selects at checkout. To change it:

1. Go to Account & Lists → Your Account
2. Select Payment options (sometimes listed as "Manage payment methods")
3. Find the card you want to set as default and select Set as default

You can also add a new card from this screen using Add a payment method, then immediately set it as default.

Removing or Updating an Existing Card

From the same Payment options screen, you can:

• Edit a card (update expiration date, billing address, or card number)
• Delete a card you no longer use
• Add a new card, bank account, or gift card

Note that Amazon will not let you delete a card that is currently linked to an active subscription or pending order. You'll need to update those associations first.

Changing the Payment Method on an Existing Order

Once an order is placed, your window to change the payment is limited. Amazon allows edits only before the order enters the shipping/fulfillment process.

To attempt a change:

1. Go to Returns & Orders in the top-right corner
2. Find the order and select Order details
3. Look for the Change Payment Method option next to the payment info

If the option is grayed out or not visible, the order has likely already been processed too far to allow edits. In that case, you'd need to contact Amazon customer service to explore options.

Changing Payment on Amazon Subscriptions (Prime, Subscribe & Save, etc.) 🔄

Subscriptions pull from a separately managed payment source, so updating your Wallet default won't automatically affect them.

Amazon Prime

1. Go to Account & Lists → Your Account
2. Select Prime → Manage Prime membership
3. Under billing, choose Update payment method

Subscribe & Save

1. Go to Account & Lists → Your Account → Subscribe & Save
2. Select a subscription
3. Choose Change payment method from the subscription details

Amazon Kids+ and Other Digital Subscriptions

These are managed individually under Memberships & Subscriptions in your account settings. Each has its own payment method field that may need to be updated separately.

On Mobile vs. Desktop: What's Different

The steps above apply primarily to a desktop browser. On the Amazon mobile app, the path is slightly different:

The functionality is the same — the navigation just sits in different spots. Some users find the desktop browser easier for managing payments because all options tend to be visible without additional taps.

Payment Method Types Amazon Accepts

Amazon accepts a fairly broad range of payment types, but not all are available in every region or for every purchase type:

• Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover)
• Amazon Store Card / Amazon Secured Card
• Amazon gift card balance
• Checking accounts (via ACH in the US)
• Buy now, pay later options (such as Affirm, where available)
• FSA/HSA cards (for eligible health-related products)

Each payment type has different availability at checkout. For example, gift card balance can be combined with a credit card, but a checking account may not be available for all order types.

Variables That Affect the Process

How straightforward this process feels depends on a few factors that vary from one user to the next:

• Number of active subscriptions — More subscriptions mean more places where a payment method might need updating individually
• Whether the old card is expired or declined — Amazon may prompt you to update proactively, or may place orders on hold
• Region and country — Payment options available in Amazon.com (US) differ from Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, and other regional storefronts
• Business vs. personal account — Amazon Business accounts have additional payment management layers, including purchase order options and per-user payment controls
• Family and household accounts — Shared Amazon Household setups can have multiple adult members with their own payment methods, which requires each person to manage their side independently

The mechanics of changing a payment method are consistent, but how many places you need to update — and which options are even available to you — depends entirely on how your account is set up and how you use Amazon day to day.