Yes, you can pay Amazon with your bank account directly
Amazon accepts bank account payments through a service called Amazon Pay, which lets you link your checking or savings account to your Amazon account and use it to pay for purchases. You can also add your bank account to your regular Amazon wallet so the money comes straight from your bank instead of requiring a credit or debit card.
The process is straightforward: you provide your bank routing number and account number, Amazon verifies the account with two small deposits (usually under $1 each), and then you can choose that bank account as your payment method at checkout. The money typically leaves your account within a few business days, similar to how a check or online bill payment works.
Key Takeaways
- You can link a checking or savings account directly to Amazon and use it to pay for orders without a credit or debit card.
- Amazon verifies your bank account by depositing two small amounts and asking you to confirm them, a process that takes a few days.
- Once verified, your bank account appears as a payment option at checkout alongside credit cards and other methods.
- Payments from your bank account take two to five business days to process, which is slower than credit card payments.
- Amazon Pay also works on other websites and apps, so one verified account can be used in multiple places.
How to add and verify your bank account on Amazon
Start by going to your Amazon account settings. Look for "Your Account" in the top right corner, then select "Login & security" or "Payments and accounts" depending on which version of the site you see. From there, find the option to add a payment method or manage your wallet.
When you choose to add a bank account, Amazon asks for your routing number and account number. You can find both on the bottom left of any check, or by logging into your bank's website or app and looking for account details. Amazon does not charge you to add the account.
After you submit this information, Amazon deposits two small amounts into your account—usually between 1 and 99 cents each. This takes a few business days. Once the deposits appear in your bank account, you go back to Amazon, confirm the two amounts, and your account is verified. From that point forward, you can choose your bank account as a payment method whenever you order.
What happens when you pay with your bank account
When you select your bank account at checkout and complete your order, the money does not leave your account when ready. Instead, Amazon sends a request to your bank, and the payment processes over the next two to five business days. This is slower than paying with a credit or debit card, which goes through in seconds.
You will see the charge appear in your bank account as a pending transaction first, then it will settle after a few days. If you need to return an item, the refund goes back to the same bank account you used to pay, and it follows the same timeline—usually two to five business days to appear in your account.
Why you might choose a bank account over a card
Some people prefer paying directly from their bank account because they do not have a credit card or debit card, or they want to avoid using cards for online purchases. Paying from your bank account also means you are not building a credit history with the purchase, since banks do not report these transactions to credit bureaus the way credit card companies do.
Another reason is control: money leaves your account only when you authorize a purchase, rather than being charged to a card that could be used elsewhere if the card number is compromised. However, this comes with a tradeoff—bank account payments are slower, and you lose any rewards or cash back that a credit card might offer.
Differences between Amazon Pay and adding your bank account directly
Amazon Pay is a separate service that lets you use your Amazon account to pay on other websites and apps—think of it as signing in with Amazon the way you might sign in with Google or Facebook. When you use Amazon Pay on another site, you can choose to pay with your bank account, credit card, or anything else linked to your Amazon wallet.
Adding your bank account directly to Amazon means you are storing it in your Amazon wallet specifically for Amazon purchases. Both methods use the same bank account verification process, but Amazon Pay gives you the option to use that account on thousands of other retailers and services, not just Amazon.com.
What to do if your bank account is declined
If Amazon cannot verify your bank account or if a payment is declined, the most common reasons are a typo in your routing or account number, a mismatch between the name on your Amazon account and the name on your bank account, or your bank blocking the verification deposits.
Start by double-checking your routing and account numbers against your bank statement or your bank's website. If those are correct, contact your bank and ask whether they blocked the small deposits from Amazon or whether they have any restrictions on online payments. Some banks require you to call and authorize the transaction before it will go through. Once your bank confirms the account is active and unrestricted, try adding it to Amazon again.
Security and fraud protection when paying with your bank account
Linking your bank account to Amazon is generally as safe as paying by check or setting up automatic bill payments, because Amazon does not store your full account number after verification. However, your bank account is connected to your Amazon account, so if someone gains access to your Amazon login, they could potentially use that bank account to make purchases.
Protect yourself by using a strong, unique password for Amazon and enabling two-factor authentication in your account settings. This adds an extra step—usually a code sent to your phone—that makes it much harder for someone else to log in even if they have your password. If you notice unauthorized charges, contact Amazon customer service when ready and then contact your bank to report fraud.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to verify my bank account?
The verification deposits usually arrive within two to three business days. Once they appear in your account, you confirm the amounts on Amazon, which takes effect when ready. The whole process typically takes about a week from start to finish.
Can I use the same bank account on multiple Amazon accounts?
No. Each bank account can only be linked to one Amazon account. If you try to add it to a second account, Amazon will ask you to remove it from the first one.
What if I close my bank account after linking it to Amazon?
If you close the account, you should remove it from your Amazon wallet to avoid confusion. If you try to pay with a closed account, the transaction will be declined and you will need to choose a different payment method.
Do I earn rewards or points when I pay with my bank account?
No. Bank account payments do not earn Amazon rewards points or any other rewards. Credit cards and some debit cards offer rewards, but direct bank payments do not.
Can I set my bank account as my default payment method?
Yes. In your account settings under payment methods, you can choose which payment option appears first at checkout. You can still change it for any individual order if you want to use a different method.