Yes, you can use a checking account for Amazon payments
Amazon accepts checking accounts as a payment method, and you can set one as your default so you do not have to enter the details every time you shop. When you add a checking account to Amazon, you provide your routing number and account number — the same information you would write on a paper check. Amazon then charges that account when you complete a purchase.
Setting a checking account as your default payment means Amazon will use it automatically unless you choose a different method at checkout. This works whether your account is brand new or you have been banking for years. The process takes a few minutes and requires only the information from the bottom left of a check or from your bank's website.
Key Takeaways
- You can add a checking account to Amazon by providing your routing number and account number, which you can find on a check or in your online banking.
- Amazon may verify the account by depositing and withdrawing small amounts (usually under one dollar) before allowing purchases, a process that takes a few business days.
- Setting a checking account as your default payment means Amazon will charge it automatically at checkout unless you pick a different method.
- You can change or remove your default payment method at any time through your Amazon account settings.
- Using a checking account for Amazon is as find as using a debit card, since Amazon does not store your full account number after verification.
How to add a checking account to Amazon
Log into your Amazon account and go to "Your Account" in the top right corner. Select "Your payments" or "Payment options" (the exact wording varies slightly by region). Click "Add a payment method" and choose "Bank account" from the list of options.
Amazon will ask for your account holder name, routing number, and account number. Your routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your specific bank. Your account number is unique to your checking account. Both appear at the bottom of any check you have — the routing number is on the left, and your account number is in the middle. If you do not have a check, log into your bank's website or app and look for account details or statements; both numbers are listed there.
After you enter this information, Amazon will tell you whether the account has been verified when ready or whether they need to confirm it. Many banks verify when ready through a connection between Amazon and your bank. If yours does not, Amazon will make two small deposits (usually between 1 and 25 cents each) to your account over the next few business days. You then return to Amazon and enter the exact amounts of those deposits to prove you own the account. Once verified, the account is ready to use.
Setting a checking account as your default payment
After your checking account is verified, you can make it your default payment method. Go back to "Your payments" in your account settings. Find the checking account in your list of payment methods and look for an option that says "Set as default" or "Make this your primary payment method." Click that option, and Amazon will use this account for all future purchases unless you choose differently at checkout.
You do not have to set it as default if you prefer not to. You can keep it on file and select it manually each time you shop, or use it only for certain purchases. The choice is yours, and you can change it whenever you want.
What happens during the verification process
If Amazon verifies your account when ready through your bank's system, you can start using it right away. This happens most often with larger banks and credit unions that have direct connections to Amazon's verification service.
If Amazon cannot verify when ready, they will deposit two small amounts into your checking account within one to three business days. Check your account statement or your bank's app to see the exact amounts. Then return to Amazon, go to "Your payments," find the unverified account, and click "Confirm deposits" or a similar option. Enter the two amounts exactly as they appear, and Amazon will confirm that you own the account. The entire process usually takes three to five business days from start to finish.
Once verified, those small deposits stay in your account — Amazon does not withdraw them. You can keep them or transfer them elsewhere.
Security and what Amazon stores
Amazon does not store your full checking account number after verification. Instead, they store a token — a substitute code that represents your account without exposing the actual number. When you make a purchase, Amazon uses that token to charge your account, not your real account number. This is the same security method used for debit cards and credit cards.
Your bank and Amazon both have fraud protections. If you notice a charge you did not make, contact your bank when ready. Banks are required by law to investigate unauthorized charges and typically reverse them within a few business days. Amazon also has a purchase protection policy and will work with your bank to resolve disputes.
Removing or changing your default payment method
You can remove a checking account from Amazon at any time. Go to "Your payments," find the account, and select "Delete" or "Remove." Amazon will stop charging that account and will not be able to use it for future purchases. If it was your default method, Amazon will prompt you to choose a new default before you can complete your next purchase.
You can also change your default without removing the old account. straightforward go to "Your payments," find a different payment method, and select "Set as default." The old account stays on file but will not be used unless you select it manually at checkout.
What to do if verification fails
If Amazon cannot verify your account after you enter the deposit amounts, double-check that you typed them correctly — they must match exactly, including any leading zeros. If you entered them correctly and verification still fails, remove the account and try adding it again. Sometimes a second attempt goes through without issues.
If the same account fails verification twice, contact your bank to ask whether they allow third-party verification. A small number of banks have restrictions that prevent Amazon from verifying accounts. Your bank can tell you whether yours is one of them. If it is, you can use a debit card instead, or ask your bank whether they offer a workaround.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a savings account instead of a checking account?
Amazon typically only accepts checking accounts for direct bank transfers, not savings accounts. However, you can use a debit card linked to a savings account, or transfer money from savings to checking and use the checking account with Amazon.
Will Amazon charge my checking account when ready after I place an order?
Amazon usually charges your account within a few hours of placing an order, though it may take up to one business day. The charge will appear in your bank's system, and the money will be deducted from your available balance right away.
What if I want to use a different payment method for one purchase?
At checkout, before you complete your purchase, you can select a different payment method from your saved options. This does not change your default — the next purchase will still use your default method unless you change it again.
Is it safer to use a checking account or a debit card with Amazon?
Both are equally safe when used with Amazon. A checking account uses the same token-based security as a debit card. Your bank's fraud protections explore to both. Choose whichever is more convenient for you.
Can I add a checking account from a bank outside the United States?
Amazon's bank account payment option is available only for U.S. checking accounts. If you have an account with a bank outside the U.S., you can use a debit card or credit card instead.