Change a payment method before your order ships
You can change the payment method on an Amazon order as long as the order hasn't shipped yet. Once the order status shows "Dispatching" or "Shipped", the payment is already processed and you'll need to contact Amazon customer service to discuss your options instead.
The fastest way to change payment is through your Amazon account on a computer or the mobile app. You'll need access to the same account that placed the order, and you should make the change as soon as possible — the sooner you update it, the less likely the original payment will go through.
Key Takeaways
- You can only change payment on an order that hasn't shipped yet; once it shows "Dispatching" or "Shipped", contact Amazon customer service instead.
- Go to Your Orders, find the order, select "Change payment method", and pick a different card or payment option from your account.
- If your new payment method fails, Amazon will try the original payment method you entered, so make sure your new card has funds available.
- If you're trying to remove a declined payment, update your payment method in Your Account settings so future orders don't use the old card.
Steps to change payment on a pending order
On a computer: Sign into your Amazon account, go to "Returns & Orders" or "Your Orders" at the top of the page, and find the order you want to change. Click "Change payment method" (this link only appears if the order hasn't shipped). Select a different payment method from your saved cards, or add a new one. Click "Confirm" and Amazon will use the new payment method the next time it attempts to charge.
On the Amazon app: Open the app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), go to "Your Orders", find the order, and tap "Change payment method". Select your new payment option and confirm. The process is the same as on a computer, just with touch controls instead.
If you don't see a "Change payment method" option, the order has already shipped or is in the process of shipping. In that case, you'll need to contact Amazon customer service — they can sometimes cancel the charge or discuss a refund if the payment already went through.
What happens if your new payment method also fails
When you change the payment method, Amazon doesn't immediately charge the new card. Instead, it holds the order and tries to charge when it's ready to ship. If the new card declines, Amazon will automatically try the original payment method you first entered for that order.
This means if your original card was declined and that's why you're changing payment, you need to make sure your new card has enough funds and is active. If both cards fail, Amazon will cancel the order. You can place a new order with a working payment method, or contact Amazon customer service to discuss other options.
Updating your payment method in account settings
If a card keeps declining on multiple orders, or if you want to stop using a particular card altogether, update your payment methods in Your Account settings. This prevents Amazon from trying to use the old card on future orders.
Go to "Your Account" at the top of the page, select "Your payments" or "Payment options", and you'll see all the cards and payment methods linked to your account. You can delete old cards, add new ones, or set a default payment method that Amazon uses for new orders. Removing a card from your account won't affect orders that already have that card assigned — you'll still need to change those individually through Your Orders.
Using a different payment method type
Amazon accepts credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards, and gift cards as payment. When you change your payment method, you can switch between any of these types if they're already saved to your account. For example, you can change from a Visa to an Amazon gift card, or from a debit card to a Mastercard.
If you want to use a payment method that isn't saved yet, you'll need to add it to your account first. Go to "Your Account" and "Your payments", click "Add a payment method", and enter the card details. Once it's saved, you can use it to change payment on your pending order.
When you can't change payment and need to contact Amazon
If the order has already shipped, if you see an error message when trying to change payment, or if you're not sure whether the charge went through, contact Amazon customer service. You can reach them through the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of any Amazon page, or through the "Help" section in Your Account.
Have your order number ready when you contact them. Tell them specifically what happened — whether the original payment declined, whether you want to change the card before it ships, or whether you need a refund because the charge already processed. Amazon customer service can see the exact status of your order and payment, and they can often make changes that aren't available through the website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change payment after the order has already shipped?
No, once an order shows "Shipped" or "Dispatching", the payment has already been processed. Contact Amazon customer service with your order number — they may be able to issue a refund or discuss other options depending on your situation.
What if I change payment but the old card still gets charged?
If both the new and old card were charged, contact Amazon customer service immediately with your order number and the dates of both charges. They can see which payment actually went through and issue a refund for the duplicate charge.
Do I need to update my payment method if I'm only changing one order?
No. Changing payment on a single order through Your Orders only affects that order. Your account settings stay the same, so future orders will still use your default payment method unless you change those settings separately.
Can I use a payment method that's not saved to my account?
Not directly through the "Change payment method" option. You have to add the new card to Your Account first, then select it when changing the order's payment. Go to "Your Account" and "Your payments" to add it.
What if the change payment option doesn't appear for my order?
This means the order has already shipped or is in the final stages before shipping. Your only option is to contact Amazon customer service. They have access to orders that are too far along in the shipping process for customers to change themselves.