Where to find your payment settings on Prime Video
To change your payment method on Prime Video, log into your Amazon account, go to Account & Lists in the top right corner, and select Your Account. From there, click Login & security, then scroll down to find Prime Video Settings. You can also reach this directly by visiting amazon.com/primevideo/settings in your browser.
Once you're in Prime Video Settings, look for the section labeled Payment method or Billing. The exact name varies slightly depending on whether you're on a computer, phone, or tablet, but the location is always within Account settings. If you're using the Prime Video app on a phone or streaming device, you may need to go through your Amazon account online instead—most apps don't let you change payment details directly within the app itself.
Key Takeaways
- Access your payment settings through Account & Lists > Your Account > Login & security, then find Prime Video Settings.
- You can add a new payment method without removing the old one, then set the new method as your default.
- Changes take effect immediately for future charges, but won't affect a charge that's already processing.
- If you're having trouble updating payment information, check that your billing address matches what your card issuer has on file.
Adding a new payment method versus replacing an existing one
Amazon lets you store multiple payment methods on your account at once. When you add a new card or payment option, you don't have to delete the old one—you just set which one you want to use as your default. This is useful if you're switching cards but want to keep the old one as a backup, or if you're testing a new payment method before removing an old one.
To add a new method, click Add a payment method in your Prime Video Settings or your main Amazon account settings. Enter the card number, expiration date, CVV, and billing address. Amazon will verify the card with a small temporary charge (usually under $1) that appears within a few days and then disappears—you don't need to do anything about it. Once verified, set this new method as your default by clicking the radio button or toggle next to it.
If you want to remove an old payment method entirely, you can do that after the new one is set as default. Click the three-dot menu or delete icon next to the old method. Amazon won't let you delete your only payment method, so you must have at least one active card on file at all times.
When the change takes effect and what happens to pending charges
A payment method change takes effect immediately for your next billing cycle or purchase. If you change your payment method on the 15th of the month and your Prime membership renews on the 20th, the new card will be charged on the 20th. However, if a charge is already in progress when you make the change—meaning Amazon's system has already sent it to your bank—the old payment method will complete that transaction.
This matters most if you're changing payment methods because your old card is expiring or has been compromised. If a charge fails on your old card after you've switched to a new one, Amazon will retry the charge on your new card within a few days. You don't need to manually resubmit anything. If both cards fail, your Prime membership will be suspended until you update your payment information again.
Troubleshooting a payment method that won't update
The most common reason a payment method won't save is that your billing address doesn't match what your bank has on file. When you enter a new card, make sure the street address, city, state, and ZIP code are exactly as they appear on your bank statement or credit card statement. Even a small difference—like "St." versus "Street"—can cause the update to fail.
If the address is correct and the update still fails, try these steps in order: first, clear your browser's cache and cookies, then try again. Second, use a different browser or device. Third, wait a few minutes and try again—sometimes Amazon's payment system is temporarily slow. If none of that works, contact Amazon Customer Service through your account. They can see exactly where the update is failing and may be able to manually verify your card or suggest an alternative payment method.
If you're updating payment information because your card was declined, check with your bank first. They may have flagged the charge as suspicious, or your card may have expired without you realizing it. Your bank can tell you whether the transaction was blocked on their end, and you can ask them to approve future charges from Amazon.
Using different payment methods for Prime Video and other Amazon purchases
Your Prime Video payment method is tied to your overall Amazon account, not to Prime Video alone. This means changing your payment method affects all your Amazon purchases—not just your Prime membership or Prime Video subscription. If you want to use one card for Prime Video and a different card for other Amazon purchases, you'll need to manually change your default payment method each time, or use Amazon's 1-Click settings to assign different cards to different purchase types.
One workaround is to use Amazon Pay or a digital wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay if your card supports it. These methods can sometimes be configured to use different underlying cards for different merchants or purchase categories, though this depends on your wallet provider's settings, not Amazon's.
What to do if Prime Video keeps charging your old card
If you've updated your payment method but Prime Video continues to charge your old card, the most likely cause is that your old card is still set as your default payment method in your Amazon account—not just in Prime Video Settings. Go to Account & Lists > Your Account > Login & security, then find Manage payment methods (this is separate from Prime Video Settings). Make sure your new card is marked as the default here as well.
If your old card is already removed from your account but charges are still appearing, contact your bank and ask them to block future charges from Amazon. Then contact Amazon Customer Service and let them know the card no longer exists. Amazon will update their records and use your new default payment method for the next billing cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different payment method for Prime Video than I use for regular Amazon purchases?
Not directly—Prime Video uses your default Amazon account payment method. However, you can change your default payment method before each Prime Video charge, or use a digital wallet like Apple Pay that lets you select which card to use at checkout. For most people, it's simpler to just use one card for everything.
How long does it take for a new payment method to work on Prime Video?
Once you've added a new card and set it as default, it's active immediately. If Amazon needs to verify the card with a small temporary charge, that verification usually completes within a few days, but the card will still work for Prime Video charges in the meantime.
What if I want to pause my Prime membership instead of changing the payment method?
You can pause your Prime membership for up to three months without canceling it. Go to Account & Lists > Your Account > Manage Prime membership, then select Pause membership. This stops all charges until you resume, and you won't lose your Prime benefits or watch history.
Will changing my payment method affect my Prime Video watch history or saved shows?
No. Your watch history, saved shows, and all your Prime Video preferences stay exactly the same. Changing payment information only affects how you're billed—nothing about your account content or settings changes.
What should I do if my new payment method is rejected?
First, confirm that the billing address matches your bank's records exactly. Then contact your bank to ask whether they've blocked the charge as suspicious. If your bank approves it, try adding the card again. If it's still rejected, try a different card or contact Amazon Customer Service for help troubleshooting the specific error message you're seeing.