Where to find and change your payment method in AWS
You change your payment method in the AWS Billing Console, not in your main AWS account settings. Log in to your AWS account, then go to the Billing and Cost Management console. From there, select Payment methods in the left navigation menu. You will see a list of all payment methods on file — credit cards, debit cards, and ACH bank accounts if you have set those up.
To add a new payment method, click the Add payment method button. To remove an old one or set a different card as your default, find it in the list and click the three dots menu on the right side of that row. AWS will not let you delete the payment method currently being charged, so you must add a new one and set it as default first.
The change takes effect when ready for new charges. Any pending charges that were already authorized will still go to the old payment method, but future invoices will use the new one you selected.
Key Takeaways
- Payment methods are managed in the Billing and Cost Management console under Payment methods, not in your account settings.
- You must add a new payment method before you can remove the one currently being charged.
- Setting a payment method as default takes effect when ready for new charges, but does not change charges already authorized.
- AWS accepts credit cards, debit cards, and ACH bank transfers, though availability of ACH varies by region.
What payment methods AWS accepts
AWS takes Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover credit and debit cards. You can also pay by ACH bank transfer (direct debit from a US bank account) if your account meets certain conditions — this option is not available to all customers and depends on your account age, payment history, and region.
When you add a card, AWS will charge a small amount (usually $1) to verify it is real. This charge appears on your statement but is reversed within a few days. For ACH accounts, AWS sends two small deposits to your bank account instead, and you confirm the amounts to prove you control the account.
You cannot pay by invoice, check, or wire transfer through the standard payment method interface, though some enterprise customers with AWS support contracts may have different arrangements. If you need to discuss payment options beyond the standard methods, contact AWS Support.
Timing and what happens during the change
Adding a new payment method is when ready — the card or bank account is verified and ready to use within minutes. Removing an old one is also when ready, but only if it is not the one currently being charged.
AWS charges your account on a monthly cycle based on your billing date, which is usually the same day each month. If you change your payment method before your next billing date, the new method will be charged. If a charge fails on the old method before you change it, AWS will retry it on the new method once you set it as default.
If a charge fails on your new payment method, AWS will send you an email notification and give you a grace period (usually a few days) to fix it. During that time, your account may be suspended if the balance is large enough. You can update the payment method again at any time to resolve the failed charge.
Why AWS might reject your payment method
The most common reason a card is rejected is that the address or ZIP code you entered does not match what your bank has on file. AWS performs an address verification check when you add the card, and if it fails, you will see an error message. Go back and check that your billing address matches exactly — including spelling, abbreviations, and spacing.
Some banks flag AWS charges as suspicious because they are recurring or because the charge is coming from a different region than your card's home country. If you see a rejection message mentioning fraud or security, contact your bank directly and ask them to approve AWS charges. Then try adding the payment method again.
If you are using a debit card, make sure it has enough available balance. Some debit cards also have daily spending limits that can block large AWS charges. Prepaid cards and virtual card numbers sometimes do not work with AWS's verification process — if you hit this problem, use a standard credit or debit card instead.
Setting a default payment method and managing multiple cards
You can store multiple payment methods in your AWS account. The one marked as default is the one AWS will charge each month. To change which card is default, find the card you want to use in the payment methods list, click the three dots menu, and select Set as default payment method.
If you have multiple cards on file, AWS will always charge the default one first. If that charge fails, AWS will not automatically try the others — you have to manually update the payment method or contact AWS Support to retry the charge on a different card.
You might keep multiple cards on file if you want to switch between a personal card and a company card, or if you are testing a new card before removing an old one. There is no limit to how many payment methods you can store, but only one can be default at a time.
What to do if your payment method fails
When a charge fails, AWS sends an email to the account owner and the billing contact (if different). The email will say why the charge failed — usually an expired card, insufficient funds, or a bank rejection. You have a few days to fix it before AWS suspends your account.
The fastest fix is to add a new payment method and set it as default. AWS will then attempt to charge the new method on the next billing cycle, or when ready if your account is suspended. You do not have to remove the old card first — just add the new one and make it default.
If the problem is with your bank (a fraud block, for example), contact your bank to approve AWS charges, then try adding the same card again. If the problem is an expired card, update the expiration date in the payment methods list if AWS allows it, or add a new card.
Removing a payment method you no longer use
To delete a card or bank account, find it in the payment methods list and click the three dots menu. Select Delete. AWS will only let you delete a payment method if it is not currently set as default and if there are no pending charges on it.
If you see a message saying you cannot delete the payment method, it means AWS is either about to charge it or has a charge pending. Wait for the charge to complete, then try deleting again. If you are trying to remove the default payment method, add a new one first and set it as default, then you can delete the old one.
Once deleted, the payment method is gone from your account. If you need to use that card again later, you will have to add it from scratch, and AWS will verify it again with a small test charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my payment method if my account is suspended?
Yes. Even if your account is suspended due to a failed payment, you can still log in to the Billing Console and add a new payment method or update the default one. Once you set a valid payment method as default, AWS will attempt to charge it and may reactivate your account within a few minutes.
Does changing my payment method affect my current AWS resources?
No. Changing your payment method does not stop, restart, or modify any of your running instances, databases, storage, or other services. It only changes where the bill is sent. Your resources keep running exactly as they were.
What happens if I delete my only payment method?
AWS will not let you delete your only payment method. You must add a new one first, set it as default, and then you can delete the old one. If you somehow end up with no payment method on file, you cannot be charged and your account will be suspended until you add one.
Can I use a payment method from a different country?
AWS accepts cards and bank accounts from many countries, but the rules depend on where your AWS account is registered and where the card is issued. If you are trying to add a card from outside your account's home region, AWS may reject it or ask for additional verification. Contact AWS Support if you need to use an international payment method.
How long does it take for a charge to appear on my new payment method?
Once you set a payment method as default, AWS will charge it on your next scheduled billing date. If your billing date is coming up soon, the charge may appear within days. If your billing date is weeks away, you will not see a charge until then. You can check your next billing date in the Billing Console under Billing preferences.