How to change a payment method on your Amazon account
You can change the payment method Amazon will charge for an order in two ways: before you complete the purchase, or after the order is placed but before it ships. The steps differ slightly depending on which stage you catch it.
If you have not yet finished checkout, the fastest route is to go back to your cart, proceed to payment, and select a different card or payment option from the list. Amazon shows all saved payment methods at this step, and you can add a new one if none of the existing options work.
If the order is already placed, you will need to access your order details and request the change through your account. Amazon will attempt to charge the new method before the item ships, but timing matters — once an order enters the packing phase, payment changes become harder to process.
Key Takeaways
- Before checkout is complete, click the payment section and choose a different saved card or add a new one without cancelling your order.
- After an order is placed, go to Your Orders, find the order, and select the option to change payment method — this works only if the order has not yet shipped.
- If you add a new payment method, Amazon will verify it with a small temporary charge that appears and disappears within a few days.
- Once an order ships, you cannot change the payment method through your account; contact Amazon customer service instead.
- If a payment fails and the order is cancelled, you can place a new order with a different payment method when ready.
Changing payment before you complete checkout
Open your shopping cart and review the items you want to buy. Click the "Proceed to Checkout" button. On the checkout page, you will see a section labeled "Payment Method" or "Select a Payment Method" — this is where your current choice appears.
Click on that section to expand your saved payment options. Amazon displays all cards and payment methods linked to your account. Select the one you want to use instead. If you do not see the method you need, click "Add a Credit or Debit Card" or "Add a Payment Method" and enter the new card details.
After you select or add a payment method, review your order total and shipping address to make sure everything is correct. Then click "Place Your Order" or "Complete Purchase" to finish. The order will now charge to the payment method you selected.
Changing payment after an order is already placed
Sign in to your Amazon account and go to "Your Orders" or "Returns and Orders" — the exact wording depends on which Amazon site you use, but it is always in the account menu. Find the order you need to change and click on it to open the order details page.
Look for a button or link that says "Change Payment Method" or "Edit Payment Method." This option only appears if the order has not yet shipped. Click it, and a menu will show your saved payment methods. Select the one you want to use, or add a new card if needed.
Confirm the change. Amazon will attempt to charge the new payment method before the order ships. If the change is successful, you will see a confirmation message on the order details page. If the order has already entered the shipping phase, this option will not appear — in that case, you will need to contact Amazon customer service to request the change.
Adding a new payment method to your account
Whether you are adding a card during checkout or from your account settings, Amazon requires verification before the card is fully active. This verification involves a small temporary charge — usually between one and three dollars — that appears on your statement within one to two business days.
This charge is not a real purchase and will disappear automatically within three to five business days. Do not be alarmed if you see it; it is Amazon's standard security step. Once the charge clears, your new card is ready to use for any order.
If you want to add a payment method before you need it, go to "Your Account," select "Your Payments," and click "Add a Payment Method." Enter the card details and complete the verification process. This way, the card will be ready and verified the next time you place an order.
What to do if payment fails on an existing order
If Amazon cannot charge your payment method, the order will be cancelled automatically after a set period — usually within 24 to 48 hours. You will receive an email notification that the payment failed and the order was cancelled.
At that point, you can place a new order when ready using a different payment method. There is no penalty for a failed payment, and you can order the same items again right away. If you want to use the same card, check with your bank to find out why the charge was declined — it may be a fraud block, an expired card, or insufficient funds.
If the order is still showing as "pending" or "processing" and you want to change the payment method before it is cancelled, follow the steps in the section above for changing payment after an order is placed.
Changing payment on orders that have already shipped
Once an order has entered the shipping phase, you cannot change the payment method through your account settings. At this point, contact Amazon customer service directly through the "Contact Us" link in your account or by phone.
Explain that you need to change the payment method on an order that is in transit. Provide your order number. Amazon customer service can sometimes process the change even after shipping has begun, but this depends on how far along the order is in the delivery process. The sooner you contact them, the better your chances.
If the order has already been delivered, you cannot change the original payment method. However, if there was a billing error or you were charged twice, you can request a refund through the "Return or Replace Items" section of your order or by contacting customer service.
Updating your default payment method for future orders
Your default payment method is the card Amazon will use automatically for new orders unless you select a different one at checkout. To change which card is your default, go to "Your Account," then "Your Payments," then "Manage Payment Methods."
Find the card you want to make your default and look for an option that says "Set as Default" or "Make Primary." Click it. From now on, that card will be pre-selected at checkout, though you can still change it for any individual order.
Having a current default method saves time during checkout and reduces the chance of a payment failure. If your primary card is expiring soon or you no longer use it, update your default before placing your next order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the payment method on an order that is being delivered today?
No, once an order is out for delivery, you cannot change the payment method through your account. Contact Amazon customer service when ready if you need to change it, though they may not be able to process the change if the delivery is imminent. If the order has already been delivered, you can request a refund instead.
What happens if I add a new card and then place an order right away?
Amazon will charge the verification amount to your new card before you place the order. The order itself will go through, but the verification charge may still be pending. Both charges will appear on your statement, but the verification charge will disappear within a few days.
If I change the payment method, will the order arrive at a different address?
No. Changing the payment method does not change the shipping address. The order will still be delivered to the address you selected during checkout, regardless of which card you use to pay for it.
Can I change the payment method on a pre-order?
Yes, as long as the pre-order has not yet shipped. Go to Your Orders, find the pre-order, and select the option to change payment method. Once the item ships, you will need to contact customer service to make changes.
What should I do if Amazon keeps declining my payment method?
Contact your bank or card issuer first — they may have blocked the charge as a fraud precaution. Ask them to approve Amazon charges. If your card is expired or the billing address on file is wrong, update those details in your Amazon payment settings. If the problem continues, try a different card or payment method.