Yes, you can use your bank account to pay for Amazon purchases, but Amazon doesn't store your account number the way it stores a credit card
When you add a bank account to Amazon, you're giving Amazon permission to pull money directly from your checking or savings account for purchases. This is different from a credit card, where Amazon stores the card details and charges it each time. With a bank account, Amazon uses ACH (Automated Clearing House) — the same system that processes payroll deposits and bill payments — to move money from your bank to Amazon's bank.
You can add a bank account in your Amazon payment methods, and it will appear as an option at checkout alongside credit cards and gift cards. Amazon will verify the account by depositing two small amounts (usually under $1 each) into your account within a few days, then ask you to confirm those amounts to prove you own the account.
The main trade-off: ACH transfers take longer than credit card charges. A purchase charged to your bank account may not leave your account for one to three business days, whereas a credit card charge is instant. If you're buying something with fast shipping and a tight budget, this delay matters.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon uses ACH to pull money directly from your bank account, which takes one to three business days instead of being instant like a credit card.
- You must verify your bank account by confirming two small test deposits Amazon sends to your account.
- Your bank account number is not stored the way a credit card is — Amazon initiates each transfer separately.
- Bank account payments may offer lower fees to Amazon than credit cards do, but this does not lower your purchase price.
- If a purchase fails because of insufficient funds or a closed account, Amazon will retry the charge and may suspend your account if it keeps failing.
How to add a bank account to your Amazon account
Go to your Amazon account, select "Your Account," then "Your payments" or "Payment options" (the exact wording varies by device and region). Click "Add a payment method" and choose "Bank account." Amazon will ask for your routing number and account number — both appear on the bottom left of a check, or you can find them in your bank's app or by calling your bank.
After you enter those details, Amazon deposits two amounts (usually $0.01 to $0.99 each) into your account within one to two business days. You'll see these deposits in your bank statement with a reference code. Return to Amazon, go back to your payment methods, and enter those two amounts. Once Amazon confirms them, your account is verified and ready to use.
If you don't see the deposits after three business days, contact your bank to confirm the account number and routing number are correct. If they are, contact Amazon to ask them to resend the verification deposits.
What happens when you use your bank account at checkout
When you select your bank account as the payment method and complete your purchase, Amazon sends an ACH request to your bank. Your bank then has one to three business days to process it. During this time, the money is not yet out of your account — it's in a pending state. Your bank statement may show it as "pending" or "processing," or it may not show up until the transfer completes.
Once the ACH transfer clears, the money moves to Amazon's bank account and your account shows the debit. This is slower than a credit card charge, which posts within hours. If you're watching your balance closely or living paycheck to paycheck, this delay can matter: you might think you have money available when you don't yet.
Some banks charge a fee if an ACH transfer bounces (fails because of insufficient funds). Amazon will not charge you an extra fee, but your bank may charge you an overdraft fee or NSF (non-sufficient funds) fee if the transfer causes your account to go negative. Check your bank's fee schedule if you're unsure.
What to do if an Amazon charge fails or bounces
If your bank rejects an ACH transfer because you don't have enough money in your account, Amazon will see the rejection and mark the charge as failed. Amazon will usually retry the charge one or more times over the next few days. If it fails multiple times, Amazon may suspend your account or require you to update your payment method before you can place new orders.
If this happens, add funds to your bank account, then go to your Amazon account and look for any pending or failed orders. You may be able to retry the payment yourself. If you can't, contact Amazon customer service and explain that the charge failed due to insufficient funds and that you've now added money to your account. They can often manually retry the charge or ask you to place the order again.
If your bank account is closed or you've closed it after linking it to Amazon, the next charge will fail. Update your payment method in your Amazon account as soon as you close a bank account to avoid this.
Bank account versus credit card for Amazon purchases
The main differences are speed and fraud protection. A credit card charge is instant and shows up in your account within hours. An ACH charge takes one to three business days. A credit card also comes with stronger fraud protection under federal law — if someone uses your card without permission, you can dispute it and typically get your money back within 10 business days. Bank account fraud protection is weaker: if someone steals your routing and account number and makes an unauthorized ACH transfer, you have 60 days to report it, but recovery can take longer.
Credit cards also build a payment history and earn rewards or cash back (depending on your card). Bank accounts do neither. However, if you don't have a credit card or are trying to avoid adding more credit accounts, a bank account is a valid alternative for Amazon purchases.
Some people use a bank account to avoid overspending, since the money leaves their account more slowly and they can see the pending charge in their balance. Others prefer a credit card because the instant charge means they know right away whether it went through.
Fraud and security when linking your bank account
When you link a bank account to Amazon, you're sharing your routing number and account number. These are not as sensitive as a credit card number — they're printed on every check you write — but they can still be misused. If someone gains access to your Amazon account, they could potentially use your linked bank account to make purchases.
To protect yourself, use a strong, unique password for Amazon and enable two-factor authentication (Amazon calls this "Two-Step Verification"). This means anyone trying to log in will need your password and a code sent to your phone or email. You can set this up in your Amazon account under "Login & security."
If you notice an unauthorized charge from Amazon on your bank account, contact your bank immediately and report it as fraud. Your bank can reverse the ACH transfer if it's within a few days of posting. Also change your Amazon password and check your account for any unauthorized orders or payment methods you didn't add.
When a bank account won't work for Amazon
Some banks don't allow ACH transfers to certain merchants, or they flag Amazon transfers as suspicious and block them. If your charge keeps failing even though you have money in your account, contact your bank and ask if they're blocking ACH transfers to Amazon. They may ask you to confirm the transfer is legitimate, or they may require you to whitelist Amazon in your account settings.
If your bank won't allow it, you'll need to use a credit card, debit card, or Amazon gift card instead. Some credit unions and smaller regional banks are more restrictive than large national banks, so this is more common with those institutions.
You also cannot use a bank account to load money onto an Amazon gift card or to add funds to an Amazon account balance. You can only use a bank account to pay directly for purchases at checkout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Amazon charge a fee for using a bank account?
No, Amazon does not charge you a fee for paying with a bank account. However, your bank may charge a fee if the ACH transfer bounces or if your account goes negative as a result of the transfer. Check your bank's fee schedule to see what they charge for overdrafts or NSF fees.
How long does it take for money to leave my account after I buy something?
The ACH transfer usually takes one to three business days to process. During this time, the charge may show as pending in your account. Once it clears, the money is deducted from your balance. Weekends and bank holidays can add extra time.
Can I remove my bank account from Amazon after I've linked it?
Yes. Go to your payment methods in your Amazon account and delete the bank account. This removes it from your account immediately, but any pending charges that haven't cleared yet will still process. If you want to stop a charge before it clears, contact Amazon customer service as soon as possible.
What if I use the same bank account for multiple Amazon accounts?
You can link the same bank account to multiple Amazon accounts, but each account must go through the verification process separately. Amazon will send verification deposits to your account for each one. If you have concerns about fraud or account security, use different payment methods for different accounts instead.
Is my bank account information safe with Amazon?
Amazon encrypts your bank account information and stores it securely, but no system is completely risk-free. Your routing and account number are less sensitive than a credit card number, but they can still be misused if someone accesses your Amazon account. Use a strong password and two-factor authentication to protect your account.