Remove a card from your Amazon account in three steps
To remove a credit card from Amazon, sign into your account, go to Your Account > Login & security, scroll to Manage your payment methods, and select Delete next to the card you want to remove. Amazon will confirm the deletion immediately. The card stays active on your account until you complete this step — simply not using it does not remove it from your payment information.
You can remove any card except the one currently set as your default payment method. If the card you want to delete is your default, you must first set a different card as default, then delete the original one. Amazon requires at least one valid payment method on file to keep your account active.
The removal is permanent. Amazon does not keep a record of deleted cards, so if you need to use that card again later, you will have to enter it from scratch.
Key Takeaways
- You access payment method settings through Your Account > Login & security, not through a checkout page or settings menu.
- Amazon will not let you delete your default payment method — you must assign a different card as default first.
- Deletion is immediate and permanent; Amazon does not archive the card information after removal.
- You must keep at least one valid payment method on your account at all times to use Amazon services.
- Removing a card from Amazon does not close the card itself or affect your credit — it only removes it from your Amazon account.
Why you might need to remove a card
You may want to remove a card because you closed it with your bank, received a replacement card with a new number, or simply no longer want that payment method linked to your account. Removing old or unused cards reduces the number of payment options stored on your account and can lower the risk if your Amazon account is compromised.
If you are removing a card because it was lost or stolen, contact your bank or card issuer immediately — they can freeze or cancel the card faster than Amazon can remove it from your account. Removing it from Amazon is a separate step and does not stop someone from using the card elsewhere.
What happens if you try to delete your default card
Amazon will not allow you to delete the card currently set as your default payment method. If you click Delete on your default card, Amazon will show an error message telling you to set a different card as default first.
To work around this, open Your Account > Login & security > Manage your payment methods, find the card you want to keep, and select Set as default. Once that card is marked as default, you can then go back and delete the original card.
Removing a card that is linked to a subscription or recurring charge
If the card you want to remove is currently linked to an active Prime membership, Subscribe & Save order, or other recurring charge, Amazon will warn you before deletion. The warning tells you which subscriptions or recurring payments use that card.
You have two options: update those subscriptions to use a different card on your account, or cancel them before removing the card. If you delete the card without updating the subscription first, Amazon will attempt to charge your default payment method instead. If that fails, your subscription may pause or cancel depending on the service.
To change the card for a specific subscription, go to Your Account > Memberships and subscriptions, select the subscription, and choose Edit payment method. Assign it to a different card before removing the old one.
How to set a different card as your default
Your default payment method is the card Amazon charges first when you place an order. To change which card is default, sign into your account, go to Your Account > Login & security, and scroll to Manage your payment methods.
Find the card you want to make default and select Set as default. A checkmark will appear next to that card. The previous default card will no longer be marked as default, though it remains on your account and you can still select it manually at checkout.
What to do if you cannot find the payment methods section
If Manage your payment methods does not appear under Login & security, your account may be set up differently or you may be signed in as a different user. Sign out completely and sign back in with the correct account email address.
On mobile, the layout is compressed. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left, scroll down to Your Account, then tap Login & security. Scroll down the full page — Manage your payment methods appears below other security settings.
If you still cannot locate the section after signing in correctly, try using a web browser instead of the Amazon app, or clear your browser cache and try again. Some older app versions have display issues with account settings.
Removing a card does not affect your credit or the card itself
Deleting a card from Amazon is purely administrative — it removes the card information from your Amazon account only. The card itself remains open with your bank or card issuer, and your credit report is not affected.
Removing a card does not lower your credit score, trigger a hard inquiry, or change your credit utilization. It is the same as removing a payment method from any other online retailer. If you want to close the card entirely, you must contact your bank or card issuer directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove a card if I have a pending order?
Yes. Pending orders are already charged or authorized, so removing the card does not affect them. However, if an order is still in processing and the charge has not gone through yet, removing the card may cause the order to fail. Contact Amazon customer service if you are unsure whether an order has been charged.
What if I deleted a card by mistake?
You will need to add the card back manually by entering the card number, expiration date, and CVV again. Go to Your Account > Login & security > Manage your payment methods and select Add a payment method. Amazon does not store deleted card information, so you cannot recover it automatically.
Can I remove all my cards from Amazon?
No. Amazon requires at least one valid payment method on your account to use the service. You can remove all but one card, but you must keep at least one active payment method linked to your account.
Does removing a card stop Amazon from charging it?
Yes, once deleted, Amazon cannot charge that card. However, if the card is still linked to a subscription or recurring charge, update the subscription to a different card first, or the charge may fail and your service may pause.
How long does it take for a removed card to stop showing in my account?
The card is removed immediately. It will not appear in your payment methods list right after you confirm deletion, and Amazon cannot charge it after that point.