The three ways to pay an Amazon balance
You can pay an Amazon bill through your account settings, by phone, or by mail. Most people use their account online because it is fastest and you see the payment go through immediately. If you have a past-due balance, Amazon will also send you a notice with payment instructions.
The method you use depends on what kind of bill you have. If you are paying for an order you placed, the charge usually goes to your default payment method automatically when the item ships. If you have a separate Amazon credit card bill or a past-due balance that Amazon is asking you to settle, you will need to make a manual payment.
Amazon does not charge a fee to pay your bill, no matter which method you choose. The only cost is what you owe for the purchase or service itself.
Key Takeaways
- Most Amazon purchases charge automatically to your default payment method when the item ships, so you do not need to do anything.
- You can pay a past-due balance or make a manual payment through Your Account > Login & Security > Payment Options, or by calling Amazon customer service at 1-888-280-4331.
- Amazon accepts credit cards, debit cards, and bank account transfers, but the accepted methods vary by account type.
- Payments made online typically post within one business day, while mailed checks may take one to two weeks to reach Amazon's processing center.
- If you miss a payment on an Amazon credit card, Amazon will report it to credit bureaus and may charge late fees according to your card agreement.
Paying through your Amazon account online
Log into your Amazon account and go to Your Account in the top right corner. Select Login & Security, then Payment Options. From there you can view all your saved payment methods and add a new one if needed.
If you have a past-due balance, you will see a notice at the top of your account asking you to pay. Click on that notice and follow the steps to choose which payment method to use and confirm the amount. You can also go directly to the Manage Your Payments page to see what you owe and make a payment without waiting for a notice.
Once you submit the payment, Amazon sends a confirmation email with the transaction number. The payment usually posts to your account within one business day. If you are paying with a debit card or bank account, the funds may take an additional one to two business days to leave your bank.
Paying by phone
Call Amazon customer service at 1-888-280-4331. Tell the representative that you want to make a payment on your account. They will ask for your account email address and the last four digits of the payment method on file to verify your identity.
Once verified, the representative will tell you the amount owed and ask which payment method you want to use. You can pay with a credit card, debit card, or bank account information. The representative will process the payment over the phone and give you a confirmation number.
Phone payments are useful if you have questions about what you owe or if you cannot access your account online. Amazon's phone lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Wait times vary depending on call volume.
Paying by mail
If you receive a paper bill or past-due notice from Amazon, it will include a mailing address and instructions for sending a check or money order. Write your account number or order number on the check so Amazon can match the payment to your account.
Mail your payment to the address on the notice. Do not send cash. Checks and money orders typically take one to two weeks to reach Amazon's processing center, and another few days for Amazon to post the payment to your account.
Mailing a payment is slower than paying online or by phone, so use this method only if you do not have internet access or prefer not to provide payment information over the phone or online.
What happens if you miss a payment
If you have an Amazon credit card and miss a payment, Amazon will charge a late fee according to your card agreement. The amount varies by card type, but late fees typically range from $25 to $40 for the first late payment. Amazon will also report the missed payment to credit bureaus, which can lower your credit score.
If you miss a payment on a regular Amazon purchase, Amazon may suspend your account or restrict your ability to place new orders until you pay. For past-due balances, Amazon may send multiple notices before taking action, but the timeline depends on how long the balance has been outstanding.
If you are having trouble paying, contact Amazon customer service as soon as possible. Representatives can sometimes work out a payment plan or discuss your options, though this is not may provide.
Payment methods Amazon accepts
Amazon accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover credit and debit cards. You can also pay with a bank account if you have set up a bank transfer method in your account settings. Some accounts may also accept Amazon gift cards or store credit as payment.
The payment methods available to you depend on your account type and location. If you have an Amazon credit card, you can pay that bill with any of these methods. If you are paying for a regular purchase, the payment method must match the one you selected when you placed the order, unless you update your account settings first.
Amazon does not accept PayPal, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. If you want to use a payment method that is not on your account, add it to your Payment Options before you try to pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay my Amazon order right away?
No. Amazon charges your payment method when your order ships, not when you place it. This means you have time between ordering and shipping to update your payment method if needed. If your payment fails when the order ships, Amazon will try again, and you will receive an email asking you to update your payment information.
Can I pay my Amazon bill with a gift card?
Yes, if you have an Amazon gift card balance in your account, you can use it to pay a past-due balance or a new purchase. The gift card balance will be applied automatically if it is linked to your account. You can check your gift card balance in Your Account under Gift Cards.
What if my payment was rejected?
Amazon will send you an email explaining why the payment failed, usually because the card expired, the card was declined by your bank, or the billing address did not match. Go to Your Account > Payment Options and update the card information or choose a different payment method. Then try the payment again.
How long does it take for a payment to show up?
Online and phone payments usually post within one business day. If you paid by check or money order, allow one to two weeks for the mail to arrive at Amazon's processing center, plus a few more days for Amazon to process it. You can check the status of your payment in Your Account under Your Orders or by calling customer service.
Can I set up automatic payments for my Amazon bill?
Amazon does not offer automatic recurring payments for past-due balances. However, if you have an Amazon credit card, you can set up automatic payments through your credit card issuer's website or app. Regular Amazon purchases charge automatically to your default payment method when they ship, so you do not need to set anything up for those.