How do I switch between different payment methods in Microsoft Ads?

You can switch between different payment methods in Microsoft Ads by following these steps. The process depends on whether you are using prepay (manual payments) or autopay (postpay billing).

🔹 Steps to Switch Payment Methods in Microsoft Ads
1️⃣ Add a New Payment Method
Before switching, ensure your new payment method is added:

Sign in to your Microsoft Ads account.
Click on the Tools icon (⚙) → Select Billing & Payments.
Go to the Payment Methods tab.
Click Add a payment method.
Enter your new credit/debit card, PayPal, or bank details.
Click Save.
2️⃣ Set the New Payment Method as Primary
In the Payment Methods tab, locate the newly added method.
Click Set as primary (this makes it the default method).
Microsoft Ads will now charge this payment method automatically.
3️⃣ Remove or Deactivate the Old Payment Method (Optional)
In the Payment Methods tab, find the old method.
Click Remove or Deactivate (if it's no longer needed).
If Microsoft Ads does not allow removal, it means there is an outstanding balance. You must pay the balance before removing the old method.
🔹 Additional Considerations
✅ For Prepay (Manual Payments) Accounts:
You can manually add funds using any saved payment method at any time.
If switching methods, simply select the new one when adding funds.
✅ For Postpay (Autopay) Accounts:
Microsoft Ads will automatically charge the primary method.
If a payment method fails, Microsoft Ads will charge the backup method (if set).
✅ For Bank Transfers:
Bank transfers take longer (3–5 business days) to process.
Ensure your account has enough balance to avoid ad interruptions.
🔹 Common Issues & Solutions
Issue   Solution
"Remove" option is unavailable   Ensure there's no unpaid balance on the old method. Pay outstanding invoices first.
Cannot add a new payment method   Check if your country supports the payment method or if there's a temporary restriction.
Payment keeps failing   Try another card, PayPal, or bank transfer. Contact your bank if blocked.
Ads stopped running after switching   If on prepay, ensure you manually add funds after switching.

If you want to switch payment methods in Microsoft Ads (formerly Bing Ads), follow these steps to add, update, or change your billing setup.

🔹 Step 1: Log into Your Microsoft Ads Account
1️⃣ Go to Microsoft Ads
2️⃣ Click on the gear icon ⚙ (Settings) in the top-right corner.
3️⃣ Select Billing & Payments from the dropdown menu.

🔹 Step 2: Add a New Payment Method
If you haven't already added a second payment method, you'll need to do this first.

1️⃣ Click Payment Methods on the left-side menu.
2️⃣ Click Add Payment Method.
3️⃣ Select your preferred payment type:

Credit/Debit Card (Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, Discover)
PayPal
Bank Transfer (Direct Debit)
Prepaid Funds (Manual payments)
4️⃣ Enter your billing details and click Save.
🔹 Step 3: Set the New Payment Method as Default
1️⃣ Go back to Billing & Payments > Payment Methods.
2️⃣ Find the newly added payment method.
3️⃣ Click Set as Primary to make it your default.

🔥 Pro Tip: You can keep multiple payment methods and manually select which one to use for specific campaigns.

🔹 Step 4: Remove the Old Payment Method (Optional)
If you want to remove your previous payment method:
1️⃣ Go to Billing & Payments > Payment Methods.
2️⃣ Click on the old payment method.
3️⃣ If it's not set as Primary, click Remove.

🚨 Note: If the payment method is tied to active ads, you'll need to switch to a new primary method first.

🔹 Step 5: Verify & Confirm Changes
1️⃣ Ensure your new payment method is active.
2️⃣ Check your next billing cycle to confirm charges are deducted from the correct method.

🎯 Final Thoughts
✔ Switching payment methods in Microsoft Ads is easy—just add a new method, set it as primary, and remove the old one if needed.
✔ You can keep multiple payment options for flexibility.
✔ Monitor your billing cycle to ensure payments process correctly.