Where to find and update your payment method in AWS
Log into your AWS account, then go to the Billing and Cost Management console. From there, select Payment methods in the left navigation menu. You'll see a list of all payment methods currently on file. To change which card or bank account AWS charges, click the payment method you want to use, then select Set as default. AWS will use the default method for all future charges unless you specify otherwise for a particular invoice.
If you want to add a new payment method instead of using an existing one, click Add payment method on the same page. You can add a credit card, debit card, or bank account. AWS will verify the new method before it becomes active — for bank accounts, this usually means a small test deposit that takes one to two business days to appear.
Removing an old payment method is also done from this page. Click the three-dot menu next to the method you want to delete and select Delete. AWS will only let you delete a payment method if at least one other valid method is on file. If you're trying to delete your only payment method, add a new one first.
Key Takeaways
- Your default payment method is found in Billing and Cost Management under Payment methods, and you can change it by clicking the method you want and selecting Set as default.
- Adding a new card takes seconds, but adding a bank account requires AWS to verify it with a small deposit, which takes one to two business days.
- You cannot delete your only payment method, so you must add a replacement before removing the old one.
- Changes to your default payment method take effect immediately for new charges, but AWS will finish processing any charges already in progress with the old method.
- If a charge fails because your payment method is expired or invalid, AWS will retry it automatically for several days before suspending your account.
What happens when you change your default payment method
Once you set a new payment method as default, AWS uses it for all charges going forward. Any charges already submitted to your old payment method will continue to process against that method — AWS does not retroactively redirect them. If your old card is about to expire, make sure you update it before the expiration date passes, or AWS may fail to collect payment on charges that were already submitted.
If you have multiple AWS accounts under the same organization, each account has its own payment method settings. Changing the payment method on one account does not affect the others. If you use AWS Organizations to consolidate billing, the primary account's payment method is what gets charged for all linked accounts.
Adding a bank account as your payment method
AWS accepts U.S. bank accounts for direct debit payments. To add one, go to Payment methods, click Add payment method, and select Bank account (ACH). You'll need to provide your routing number, account number, and the account holder's name. AWS will then make two small deposits to your account — typically between $0.01 and $0.99 each — within one to two business days.
Once the deposits appear in your bank statement, return to the Payment methods page and click Verify bank account. Enter the two deposit amounts exactly as they appear on your statement. After verification, the bank account becomes active and you can set it as your default payment method. If you don't verify within 30 days, AWS will remove the unverified account from your file.
Bank account payments are processed via ACH (Automated Clearing House), which means charges typically settle within one to three business days. This is slower than credit or debit card processing, which is usually immediate. If you need a charge to post quickly, use a card instead.
Handling failed or declined payments
If AWS tries to charge your payment method and it fails — because the card is expired, the account is closed, or there are insufficient funds — AWS will retry the charge automatically. The retry schedule typically spans several days. You'll receive email notifications each time a charge fails, with instructions on how to update your payment method.
If all retry attempts fail, AWS will suspend your account and stop providing services. You won't lose your data or configuration, but your instances, databases, and other resources will stop running. To restore service, log into your account, update your payment method to one that works, and contact AWS Support to request reactivation. Reactivation usually happens within a few hours.
To avoid this situation, check your payment method regularly if you're using a card that's about to expire. Update it at least a week before the expiration date. If you're switching banks or closing an account, update your payment method before the old one stops working.
Changing payment methods for specific invoices or services
Your default payment method applies to all AWS charges. However, you can set up different payment methods for different purposes using AWS Cost Allocation Tags or by creating separate AWS accounts. There is no built-in way to say "charge this service to card A and that service to card B" within a single account.
If you need to split charges across multiple payment methods, the most straightforward approach is to create separate AWS accounts for different projects or cost centers, then set a different payment method on each account. You can then use AWS Organizations to consolidate the billing view across all accounts while keeping payments separate.
Another option is to use AWS Budgets to monitor spending by service or tag, then manually pay invoices from different payment methods if needed. However, this requires you to contact AWS Billing Support to arrange custom payment arrangements — it's not a self-service feature.
Updating payment methods when your card expires
If your credit or debit card is expiring soon, update it before the expiration date. AWS will send you a reminder email when a payment method on file is about to expire, but the timing of that email varies. Don't wait for the reminder — check your payment methods page yourself if you know a card is expiring within the next month.
To update an expiring card, go to Payment methods, click the card you want to update, and select Edit. Update the expiration date and CVV if needed, then save. If the card issuer has assigned you a new card number (not just a new expiration date), delete the old card and add the new one as a separate payment method instead.
If your card expires and you don't update it before AWS tries to charge it, the charge will fail and AWS will begin the retry process described above. Updating the card during the retry window will stop the failed charge attempts and allow the next charge to go through normally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a prepaid card or gift card on AWS?
AWS accepts most prepaid cards and gift cards that carry a Visa, Mastercard, or American Express logo. However, some prepaid cards have restrictions that prevent them from working with recurring charges or international merchants. If your prepaid card is declined, contact the card issuer to confirm it's activated and has no spending limits that would block AWS charges.
What if I want to pay AWS by invoice instead of using a card?
AWS offers invoicing for accounts that spend a certain amount per month (the threshold varies by region and account type). Contact AWS Sales or AWS Support to request invoice billing. If you're approved, you'll receive a monthly invoice and can arrange payment by wire transfer, ACH, or check depending on your location and AWS's policies.
Does changing my payment method affect my current running services?
No. Changing your default payment method does not stop or restart any instances, databases, or other services. The change only affects which card or account AWS charges for future invoices. Services continue running without interruption.
How long does it take for a new payment method to become active?
Credit and debit cards become active immediately after you add them. Bank accounts require verification with test deposits, which takes one to two business days. Once verified, the bank account is active and can be set as your default payment method.
What happens if I delete my only payment method by mistake?
AWS prevents you from deleting your only payment method, so this cannot happen. You must add a new payment method before you can delete an existing one. If you've already deleted a method and now have no payment method on file, add one immediately to restore service and prevent account suspension.