You’ve found the perfect item in your Amazon cart, but your preferred credit card doesn’t quite cover the full amount. Or perhaps you want to split the cost between a personal card and a business account. It’s a common situation that leads many shoppers to wonder if they can use two different payment methods for a single order.
The short answer is that Amazon’s checkout system is designed for one primary payment method per transaction. However, that doesn’t mean you’re completely out of options. There are clever and officially supported ways to effectively use multiple cards for your purchases.
The Easiest Way to Split Your Payment
While you can’t directly pay with two credit or debit cards at the point of checkout, Amazon provides a fantastic alternative: gift cards. Think of this as a two-step payment process. First, you can purchase an Amazon gift card for the exact amount you want to put on your first card. Once the gift card code is delivered to your account, you then go to your cart. At checkout, you can apply the gift card balance first and then pay the remaining total with your second credit card. It’s a seamless process that achieves the exact same goal.
Managing Multiple Cards on Your Account
Even though you can’t use them simultaneously, it’s a great idea to have all your preferred cards saved to your Amazon wallet. This makes switching between them for different orders incredibly easy. You can set a default card for one-click purchases, but for each standard checkout, you can simply select any of your saved cards. This is perfect for when you want to use a specific card for its rewards points or to keep business expenses separate, just not on the same invoice.
When a Single Card is Your Best Bet
For the simplest checkout experience, using one primary card is the way to go. This avoids any potential complications with authorizations or refunds. If you frequently find yourself wanting to split payments, consider using the gift card method in advance. You can even set up a small gift card balance that you periodically top up with one card, then use it to cover a portion of your purchases made with another.
So, while the shopping cart might not have a “split payment” button, a quick stop at the gift card section gives you all the flexibility you need. It’s a simple workaround that ensures you can always use your preferred payment methods for any purchase, big or small.