You can delete a credit card from Amazon in two minutes through your account settings
Go to Amazon.com, sign in, and click the account icon in the top right corner. Select "Your Account," then find "Manage Your Payments" or "Payment Options" (the exact name varies by region). Click the card you want to remove, then select "Delete" or the trash icon. Amazon will ask you to confirm — click yes, and the card is gone. If that card was set as your default payment method, Amazon will prompt you to choose a different one before the deletion goes through.
The process takes the same amount of time whether you're removing one card or several. You can delete cards one at a time, and you can do it from any device where you're signed into your Amazon account — phone, tablet, or computer.
Key Takeaways
- You delete cards through "Your Account" → "Manage Your Payments," not through checkout or settings.
- Amazon requires you to set a different default payment method before deleting the card currently marked as primary.
- Deleted cards are removed from your account when ready, but the card itself remains active with your bank.
- If you want to stop using a card but keep it on file, you can change which card is set as default instead of deleting it.
Why you might want to delete a card from Amazon
The most common reason is security: if a card is lost, stolen, or compromised, removing it from Amazon stops anyone with access to your account from using that card to make purchases. Even if your Amazon password is strong, an attacker who gains access to your account can still spend money if old payment methods are stored there.
You might also delete a card because you've closed that account with your bank, received a replacement card with a new number, or straightforward want to reduce the number of payment methods stored online. Each card you keep on file is one more piece of financial information sitting in Amazon's database.
What happens to your account after you delete a card
The card disappears from your payment options list when ready. You won't see it as an option at checkout anymore. If you had set it as your default payment method, Amazon forces you to pick a different card before the deletion completes — you can't leave your account without a primary payment method.
The card itself doesn't change. Your bank still has the account open, and the card number is still valid. Deleting it from Amazon only removes it from that one website. If you use the same card on other sites — Netflix, Uber, your insurance company — those accounts still have it on file.
If you can't find the payment settings
The location of payment options varies slightly depending on whether you're using the Amazon website, the mobile app, or a tablet. On the website, look for the account icon (usually your name or a silhouette) in the top right, then "Your Account." On the mobile app, tap the three horizontal lines (menu) at the bottom right, scroll to "Your Account," and look for "Manage Payment Methods" or "Payments."
If you still don't see a payment management option, you may be signed into a child account or a business account (Amazon Business), which have different layouts. Sign out and sign back in with the account that actually owns the cards — usually the primary adult account on the household.
Deleting a card that's linked to an active subscription
If the card you're trying to delete is the payment method for an active subscription — Prime membership, Kindle Unlimited, a magazine subscription, or a recurring delivery — Amazon will warn you before you delete it. You'll need to update the subscription to use a different card first, or cancel the subscription entirely.
To change the card for a subscription without deleting the old one, go to "Your Account" → "Memberships and Subscriptions" (or "Manage Your Prime Membership" for Prime). Select the subscription, choose "Update Payment Method," and pick a different card. Only after the subscription is using a new card can you safely delete the old one.
What to do if you accidentally deleted the wrong card
You can add the card back to your account when ready. Go to "Your Account" → "Manage Your Payments" → "Add a Payment Method," and enter the card details again. Amazon will recognize it as a card you've used before, and it will be restored to your account with the same name and address you used originally.
If you're worried you deleted a card you still need, check your email for recent Amazon purchase confirmations — those show which card was used. You can also look at your bank or credit card statement to see the last few charges from Amazon and confirm which card it was.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deleting a card from Amazon affect my credit score?
No. Deleting a card from Amazon's website has no effect on your credit score or your relationship with your bank. Your bank has no record of what websites you've stored the card on — they only see the actual charges you make.
Can someone use a deleted card to make purchases on my Amazon account?
No. Once you delete a card, it no longer appears in your payment options, so no one can select it at checkout. However, if someone has access to your bank account or email, they could add a new card to your Amazon account, so changing your Amazon password after a breach is important.
What if I want to keep the card but just not use it for Amazon?
You don't have to delete it. Instead, go to "Manage Your Payments," click the card, and look for an option to set a different card as your default. The old card stays on file but won't be selected automatically at checkout. You can delete it later if you change your mind.
Do I need to tell Amazon I'm deleting a card?
No. You don't need to contact Amazon support or send any notification. The deletion happens when ready in your account settings, and that's all that's required.