Yes, you can pay with your checking account on Amazon, but not directly
Amazon does not accept checking account numbers the way some utilities or subscription services do. Instead, you link your checking account to Amazon through a third-party payment service, most commonly Amazon Pay or your bank's own payment system. The process is straightforward: you provide your routing number and account number once, Amazon verifies the account with two small deposits, and then you can use that bank account for future purchases without entering the details again.
The verification step takes one to two business days. Amazon deposits two amounts under $1 each into your checking account, then asks you to enter those exact amounts to confirm you own the account. Once verified, your checking account becomes a payment method you can select at checkout, just like a credit card would be.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon Pay is the primary way to link a checking account to your Amazon account, and it works through a verification process using two small test deposits.
- Your bank's own payment system may also work if your bank partners with Amazon, though Amazon Pay is the most common route.
- Verification takes one to two business days, and you will need your routing number and account number to start.
- Once verified, your checking account appears as a payment option at checkout and can be used for repeat purchases without re-entering account details.
- Declined transactions happen when your account lacks funds or when fraud filters flag the purchase, and you can retry after fixing the issue.
How to link your checking account through Amazon Pay
Start by going to your Amazon account settings and selecting "Your Account" from the top menu. Look for "Login & security" or "Payment options" depending on your device. Choose "Add a payment method" and select "Bank account" or "Amazon Pay" from the list. Enter your full name, routing number, and checking account number exactly as they appear on your checks or bank statement.
After you submit this information, Amazon sends two deposits to your checking account within one to two business days. These deposits will appear as small charges (usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each) with a reference code. Check your bank statement or online banking portal for these deposits. Once you see them, return to Amazon, go back to your payment methods, and select the bank account you just added. Enter the two deposit amounts in the exact order they appear, and Amazon will confirm the account.
After verification, your checking account is linked and ready to use. You can select it as your payment method at checkout for any purchase. You can also set it as your default payment method so Amazon uses it automatically unless you choose something else.
What information you need to provide
You will need your routing number and account number. Both appear on the bottom left of your checks — the routing number comes first (usually nine digits), followed by your account number (usually ten to twelve digits). If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or app and look for account details or statements. Most banks display both numbers there.
You will also need your full legal name as it appears on your bank account. Amazon uses this to match the account during verification. If your name on Amazon differs from your name on the bank account, the verification may fail. If that happens, update your name on your Amazon account to match your bank account exactly, then try linking again.
When Amazon declines a checking account payment
A declined transaction usually means one of three things: your account lacks sufficient funds, fraud filters flagged the purchase as suspicious, or the account information was entered incorrectly during linking. Check your bank balance first. If you have enough money, contact your bank to ask whether they blocked the transaction. Some banks flag online purchases or out-of-state transactions as potential fraud and decline them automatically.
If your bank approved the charge but Amazon still declined it, try removing the payment method from your Amazon account and re-linking it. Go to "Your Account," select "Payment options," find the bank account, and delete it. Then add it again from scratch using the same verification process. This often resolves glitches where Amazon's system did not complete the verification properly.
If the problem persists after re-linking, contact Amazon customer service through your account. They can see whether the issue is on their end or whether your bank is blocking the transaction. Your bank can also see the declined charge and tell you why they rejected it.
Fees and limits on checking account payments
Amazon does not charge a fee for using a linked checking account to pay for purchases. However, your bank may charge a fee if the transaction causes your account to overdraft. Amazon also does not publish a maximum transaction limit for checking account payments, but your bank will have its own daily and monthly limits on how much money can leave your account in a single transaction or over time.
Check your bank's website or call them to find out your daily transfer limit. Some banks allow up to $10,000 per day for online transactions, while others cap it at $1,000 or $5,000. If you are buying something expensive and your bank's limit is lower than the purchase price, you will need to use a different payment method or contact your bank to request a temporary increase.
Alternatives if Amazon Pay does not work
If you cannot link your checking account through Amazon Pay, try using your bank's own payment system if it offers one. Some banks, particularly larger ones like Chase or Bank of America, have partnerships with Amazon that allow you to pay directly through your bank's app or website. Log into your bank's website and look for a "Pay bills" or "Send money" section. Search for Amazon as a payee and follow the steps to authorize payment.
If your bank does not offer this option, use a debit card linked to your checking account instead. Debit cards draw directly from your checking account just like a check does, and Amazon accepts them without any verification process. You can also transfer money from your checking account to a digital wallet like PayPal or Google Pay, then use that wallet to pay Amazon.
Protecting your checking account information
Only link your checking account to Amazon through the official Amazon website or app. Do not enter your routing number or account number in response to an email or text message claiming to be from Amazon, even if it looks official. Amazon will never ask for this information outside of your account settings.
After you link your account, review your bank statement regularly to make sure only authorized charges appear. If you see a charge you did not make, contact your bank immediately. Banks typically have a 60-day window to investigate unauthorized transactions, so report problems as soon as you notice them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to verify my checking account?
Amazon deposits two small amounts into your account within one to two business days. Once you see the deposits in your bank statement, you can enter them into Amazon to complete verification. The entire process usually takes two to three business days from start to finish, though it can be faster if your bank processes deposits quickly.
Can I use someone else's checking account to pay for my Amazon purchases?
No. Amazon requires the name on the checking account to match the name on your Amazon account. If the names do not match, verification will fail. You can only link accounts in your own name.
What happens if I delete my checking account from Amazon?
Deleting a payment method removes it from your account, but it does not affect your bank account itself. Your bank will not close or freeze your account. You can re-link the same checking account to Amazon at any time by going through the verification process again.
Will linking my checking account to Amazon hurt my credit score?
No. Amazon does not perform a hard credit inquiry when you link a checking account, and the verification deposits do not affect your credit. Your credit score only changes based on credit accounts like credit cards, loans, and payment history — not bank account transactions.
Can I use a savings account instead of a checking account?
Yes. Amazon allows you to link either a checking or savings account. The process is identical — you provide your routing number and account number, verify with two deposits, and then use the account to pay. Your bank may charge fees if you exceed the monthly transfer limit on a savings account, so check your bank's rules first.