Where to find the checking account settings on Amazon

Go to your Amazon account and select Account from the top menu. From there, click Your Account, then look for Login & security or Payment options depending on what you're trying to do. If you want to receive refunds to your bank account, you'll find that setting under Payment methods. If you're setting up a checking account for making purchases, that also lives in Payment methods.

The exact wording and location shift slightly depending on whether you're on a desktop computer, mobile browser, or the Amazon app. On the app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right, then go to Your Account and scroll to Payment options.

Key Takeaways

  • You add a checking account through Payment methods in your Amazon account settings, not during checkout.
  • Amazon needs your bank's routing number and your account number, both of which appear on the bottom left of your checks.
  • If you're adding the account to receive refunds, Amazon will deposit two small test amounts (usually under $1 each) and ask you to confirm them before the account is active.
  • The whole process takes a few minutes to set up, but the account won't work for refunds until you verify those test deposits, which can take three to five business days.
  • You can store multiple checking accounts and choose which one receives a refund at the time you request it.

What information Amazon needs from you

Amazon will ask for your routing number and account number. Both are printed on the bottom left of your checks — the routing number comes first (nine digits), then your account number (usually ten to twelve digits). If you don't have checks, you can find these numbers by logging into your bank's website or calling the bank directly.

You'll also need to confirm the name on the checking account matches the name on your Amazon account. If they don't match exactly, Amazon may reject the account or flag it for review. Some banks list accounts under a business name or a shortened version of a personal name, so check your bank statement to see how the account is officially registered.

The verification process for refunds

If you're adding the account specifically to receive refunds, Amazon sends two small test deposits (usually between 1 and 99 cents each) to your checking account. These deposits appear in your bank account within three to five business days. Once you see them, you go back to Amazon and enter the exact amounts of both deposits to confirm you own the account.

Until you complete this verification step, Amazon won't send refunds to that checking account. If you request a refund before verification is done, Amazon will hold it or send it back to your original payment method. After you verify, future refunds will go directly to that checking account automatically unless you change your payment method.

Using a checking account for purchases versus refunds

Adding a checking account for making purchases is different from adding one to receive refunds. For purchases, Amazon treats your checking account like any other payment method — you select it at checkout and the charge goes through immediately. For refunds, you're telling Amazon where to send money back to you if you return an item or get a credit.

You can add the same checking account for both purposes, or use different accounts if you prefer. Some people use a checking account for refunds but a credit card for purchases to earn rewards. The choice is yours, and you can change which account receives a refund even after you've requested one, as long as the refund hasn't been processed yet.

What to do if Amazon rejects your checking account

Amazon may reject a checking account if the routing number or account number is incorrect, if the name doesn't match, or if there's a flag on the account with your bank. Double-check the routing and account numbers against your bank statement or your bank's website. If those are correct, contact your bank to ask whether there are any holds or restrictions on the account that might prevent Amazon from depositing money.

If your bank recently closed the account or you've had fraud on it, Amazon's system may block it. In that case, add a different checking account or use a different payment method. If you believe the rejection is an error, you can try adding the account again after a few hours or a day — sometimes the system needs time to sync with your bank.

How long it takes for refunds to reach your checking account

Once your checking account is verified and you request a refund, Amazon typically processes it within two to five business days. The refund then travels from Amazon's bank to your bank, which usually takes another one to three business days depending on your bank's processing speed. In total, expect the money to show up in your checking account within five to seven business days from the date you request the refund.

Weekends and bank holidays slow this down. If you request a refund on a Friday afternoon, it may not leave Amazon's system until Monday, and your bank may not receive it until Wednesday or Thursday. Check your bank's website or app to see if it shows pending deposits — many banks display refunds as "pending" before they're fully available.

Removing or changing a checking account on Amazon

To remove a checking account, go back to Payment methods and find the account in your list. Click the option to delete or remove it. Amazon will stop sending refunds to that account immediately, though any refund already in progress will still go through. If you remove an account and then request a refund, Amazon will send it to your default payment method instead.

To change which checking account receives a refund, you can either set a different account as your default in Payment methods, or you can choose a different account at the moment you request the refund. Some returns pages let you pick the refund destination before you confirm the return.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a savings account instead of a checking account?

Yes. Amazon calls it a "checking account" but most banks allow you to add a savings account using the same routing and account number method. The process is identical — you provide the routing number and account number, verify the test deposits, and refunds go there. Check with your bank if you're unsure whether your savings account has a routing number.

What if I enter the wrong routing or account number?

If the number is wrong, Amazon's system will usually catch it and reject the account before you can save it. If somehow an incorrect number gets through and you verify it with test deposits, any refund sent to that account will go to the wrong bank or account. Contact Amazon immediately if this happens — they may be able to recall the refund, but the sooner you report it the better.

Do I need to add a checking account, or can I just use a credit card for refunds?

You can use a credit card for refunds, but Amazon will credit the card itself rather than depositing cash. A checking account refund gives you actual money in your bank account. Some people prefer the credit card option because it's faster and doesn't require verification, but you lose the option to have cash on hand.

How many checking accounts can I add to Amazon?

You can add multiple checking accounts to your Amazon account. This is useful if you have accounts at different banks or want to separate your refunds by purpose. You choose which account receives each refund, or set one as your default so all refunds go there unless you change it.

Why is Amazon asking me to verify test deposits if I'm just receiving refunds?

The test deposits prove you own the checking account and have access to it. Without this step, someone could add another person's bank account to their Amazon profile and redirect refunds there. The verification protects both you and the account holder.