You can link your checking account to Amazon through their payment methods page, but Amazon does not accept direct checking account payments at checkout
Amazon does not let you pay for purchases directly from your checking account the way you would at your bank's website. Instead, you link your checking account to Amazon Pay (Amazon's payment service), and Amazon uses that connection to pull money when you authorize a transaction. The process takes about five minutes and requires your routing number and account number — the same information you would give to set up a direct deposit.
Once linked, your checking account becomes available as a payment method on Amazon.com and at other retailers that accept Amazon Pay. You can also use it to send money to other people through Amazon Pay's person-to-person transfer feature. The key difference from a credit or debit card is that Amazon initiates an electronic transfer from your bank rather than charging a card number.
Key Takeaways
- Link your checking account through Amazon Pay in your account settings, not at checkout — you cannot add it during the purchase process.
- You will need your bank's routing number and your account number, both of which appear on the bottom left of your checks.
- Amazon verifies new checking accounts by making two small deposits (usually under $1 each) to your account, which takes one to two business days.
- Once verified, your checking account works like any other payment method on Amazon and at other Amazon Pay merchants.
- If a transaction fails, Amazon will attempt to retry it, but repeated failures may temporarily lock your account from using that payment method.
Step-by-step: linking your checking account to Amazon
Go to Amazon.com and sign into your account. Click on "Account & Lists" in the top right corner, then select "Your Account." From there, click "Login & security" or "Payment options" depending on your account layout — both lead to the same settings area.
Look for "Payment options" or "Manage payment methods" and click "Add a payment method." Select "Bank account" from the list of options. Enter your bank's name (Amazon will search as you type), your account type (checking or savings), your routing number, and your account number. Do not include hyphens or spaces — enter the numbers exactly as they appear on your checks.
Amazon will ask for a billing address associated with this account. This does not have to match your bank's address; it can be any address where you receive mail. Click "Add your bank account" to finish. Amazon will then tell you that it is verifying the account and that you should see two small deposits in your checking account within one to two business days.
Verifying your account with the test deposits
After you link your checking account, Amazon deposits two small amounts (usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each) into your account. These deposits appear in your bank statement with a description that includes a verification code. This process typically takes one to two business days, but can take up to five business days depending on your bank.
Once the deposits land, go back to your Amazon account and return to the payment methods page. Find the bank account you just added and click on it. Amazon will ask you to enter the two deposit amounts. Type them in exactly as they appear in your statement, including cents. Click "Verify" and Amazon will confirm the account.
If you do not see the deposits after five business days, check that you entered your account number correctly. If the number was wrong, delete the account from Amazon and start over. If the number was correct, contact your bank to ask whether the deposits were rejected or delayed.
Using your checking account to pay on Amazon
Once your account is verified, your checking account appears in your payment methods list on Amazon.com. At checkout, select it as your payment method just as you would a credit card. Amazon will process the transaction as an electronic bank transfer, which typically completes within one to three business days. Your bank statement will show the charge as a debit or transfer to Amazon.
You can also set your checking account as your default payment method so it is selected automatically at checkout. To do this, go to your payment methods page, find your bank account, and click "Make this your default payment method." You can change your default at any time.
If a transaction fails — for example, because your account does not have enough funds — Amazon will retry the charge once or twice over the next few days. If it fails repeatedly, Amazon may temporarily prevent you from using that bank account for new purchases. You can try again after a few days, or contact Amazon customer service to ask them to reset the account.
What happens if your bank rejects the transaction
When you use your checking account on Amazon, Amazon sends an electronic debit instruction to your bank. Your bank can reject this instruction for several reasons: insufficient funds, a frozen account, a closed account, or if your bank's fraud detection system flags the transaction as suspicious.
If your bank rejects a transaction, Amazon will show an error message at checkout. The charge will not go through, and you will not be charged. You can try again immediately with a different payment method, or wait a few hours and retry with the same checking account if you think the rejection was temporary (for example, if you were temporarily out of funds).
If your bank repeatedly rejects Amazon transactions, contact your bank to ask whether they have flagged Amazon as a merchant they do not recognize. Some banks require you to pre-authorize certain merchants or to call and confirm a large purchase before it will go through. Your bank can also tell you whether your account has any restrictions or holds that would prevent electronic transfers.
Security and fraud protection for bank account payments
When you link your checking account to Amazon, you are giving Amazon permission to initiate electronic transfers from your account. Amazon does not store your full account number on its servers; instead, it stores a token — a unique identifier that represents your account without exposing the actual number.
If your Amazon account is hacked, the hacker cannot use your checking account information to access your bank directly. They can only initiate purchases through Amazon using the payment method you have set up. Your bank's fraud protection still applies: if you notice an unauthorized charge, you can dispute it with your bank the same way you would dispute an unauthorized debit card charge.
If you believe your checking account information has been compromised, remove it from Amazon immediately by going to your payment methods page and deleting the account. Then contact your bank to ask whether they recommend closing the account or monitoring it for fraud.
Removing or updating your checking account on Amazon
To remove your checking account from Amazon, go to your payment methods page, find the account, and click "Delete." Amazon will ask you to confirm. Once deleted, you cannot use that account to pay on Amazon, but the account itself remains open at your bank.
If your bank account information changes — for example, because you switched banks or your account number changed — you will need to add the new account as a separate payment method. Amazon does not let you edit an existing bank account; you have to delete the old one and add the new one from scratch, including the verification process with the two test deposits.
If you closed your checking account at your bank but forgot to remove it from Amazon, delete it from your payment methods as soon as you remember. If you try to use a closed account to pay, the transaction will fail and Amazon may temporarily lock that payment method.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my checking account to pay at stores other than Amazon?
Yes, if the store accepts Amazon Pay. Thousands of online retailers use Amazon Pay as a payment option. When you check out, look for an "Amazon Pay" button. Click it, sign into your Amazon account, and select your checking account as the payment method. The store will process the payment through Amazon Pay using your linked bank account.
How long does it take for a checking account payment to show up as a charge?
Amazon processes the transaction immediately, but the actual debit to your checking account takes one to three business days. You will see the charge pending in your account within a few hours, but it will not be final until your bank clears it. Weekends and holidays can add extra days.
What if I entered my routing number wrong?
If you entered the wrong routing number, the verification deposits will go to the wrong bank or be rejected. After five business days with no deposits, delete the account from Amazon and add it again with the correct routing number. Your bank's website or a call to customer service can confirm your correct routing number.
Can I use a savings account instead of a checking account?
Yes, Amazon Pay accepts both checking and savings accounts. When you add the account, you will select the account type from a dropdown menu. The process is identical for both types — you still need the routing number and account number, and Amazon still sends two verification deposits.
What should I do if Amazon keeps declining my checking account?
First, make sure you have enough money in your account. Then contact your bank and ask whether they are blocking Amazon transactions or whether your account has any holds or restrictions. Some banks require you to call and authorize large purchases before they will go through. If your bank confirms there are no blocks, contact Amazon customer service and ask them to reset the payment method.