What is Section 75 protection?

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 makes your credit card company equally liable with the seller for purchases between £100 and £30,000. If the seller breaches the contract (faulty goods, non-delivery, goes bust), you can claim a full refund from your credit card company even if they can't recover the money from the seller.

Does Section 75 apply if I only pay part on credit card?

Yes — one of Section 75's powerful features. Even if you pay just £1 on credit card (for an item costing £100-£30,000), the full purchase is protected. You could put a £10,000 item on a £100 credit card deposit and pay £9,900 by bank transfer — the full £10,000 is protected.

Is Section 75 the same as chargeback?

No. Section 75 is a legal right under UK law (stronger protection). Chargeback is a card scheme rule (Visa, Mastercard) that can be reversed. Section 75 covers £100-£30,000; chargeback covers any amount. Section 75 lasts 6 years; chargeback has shorter limits. For purchases over £100, Section 75 is significantly stronger.

Section 75 Protection UK — Free Credit Card Protection | PocketWise

Section 75 is one of the most valuable consumer protections in the UK — and it’s completely free. Understanding how it works could save you thousands of pounds.

What Is Section 75?

Feature	Detail
What it is	Legal protection under Consumer Credit Act 1974
What it does	Makes credit card company equally liable as seller
Coverage	Purchases £100–£30,000
Cost	Free — automatic with any credit card
Where it applies	UK and overseas purchases

What’s Covered

Scenario	Covered?
Faulty goods	✓
Goods not as described	✓
Non-delivery	✓
Company goes bust	✓
Service not provided	✓
Breach of contract	✓

Examples

Example	Protection
Buy TV that breaks, retailer refuses refund	Claim from card company
Book holiday, travel firm goes bust	Claim full amount back
Order furniture, never arrives	Claim from card company
Car repair botched	Claim cost back
Flight cancelled, airline won’t refund	Claim from card company

Coverage Limits

Minimum	Maximum
Item must cost at least £100	Item must cost no more than £30,000

Important: Multiple Items

Scenario	Coverage
Single item costing £100+	Covered
Two items at £50 each = £100	Not covered (each item under £100)
Single order £200, but cheapest item £30	Only the £100+ items are covered

Per Item, Not Per Transaction

Section 75 applies to individual items, not the total transaction value. Each item must be £100+ to qualify.

The Powerful “Part Payment” Rule

What It Means	Example
Pay ANY amount on credit card	Full purchase protected
Even £1 on card = full protection	For £100-£30,000 item
Rest can be by another method	Cash, debit, bank transfer

Example

Item	Credit Card	Other Payment	Protected Amount
£5,000 holiday	£500 deposit	£4,500 bank transfer	Full £5,000
£15,000 car	£100 deposit	£14,900 on finance	Full £15,000
£200 appliance	£50	£150 cash	Not covered (item £200 but under £100 on card… WAIT this is wrong)

Actually, the part-payment rule means: pay ANY part on credit card, and the WHOLE purchase is protected (as long as the purchase itself is £100-£30,000).

Why This Matters

Strategy	Benefit
Large purchase?	Put deposit on credit card
Even if paying mostly by other means	Credit card portion triggers protection
Doesn’t matter how small the card payment	Full amount protected

How to Make a Claim

Step 1: Try the Seller First

Action	Why
Contact seller	They may resolve it
Document everything	Emails, dates, what was said
Give reasonable time	Usually 14-28 days

Step 2: Contact Card Company

Action	Detail
Call or write to card issuer	Not Visa/Mastercard — your bank
Explain the issue	What happened, what seller said
State you’re claiming under Section 75	Make it explicit
Provide evidence	Receipts, correspondence, contract

Step 3: If Card Company Refuses

Action	Detail
Formal complaint	Follow their complaints process
Financial Ombudsman	If still unresolved after 8 weeks
Ombudsman decision	Binding on card company

What to Include in Your Claim

Evidence	Detail
Credit card statement	Showing the transaction
Receipt/invoice	Original purchase evidence
Correspondence	With seller
Details of the problem	What went wrong
What you’re claiming	Amount and why

Section 75 vs Chargeback

Feature	Section 75	Chargeback
Legal basis	UK law	Card scheme rules
Minimum purchase	£100	Any amount
Maximum purchase	£30,000	No maximum
Cards covered	Credit cards only	Credit and debit
Time limit	6 years (in law)	Usually 120 days
Strength	Stronger	Can be reversed
Part payment	Covers full amount	Only amount on card

When to Use Each

Situation	Best Option
Purchase £100+ on credit card	Section 75
Purchase under £100	Chargeback
Debit card purchase	Chargeback
More than 120 days ago	Section 75 (if credit card was used)
Need quick resolution	Try chargeback first

Special Situations

Overseas Purchases

Scenario	Coverage
Buy from UK seller	Covered
Buy from EU seller	Covered
Buy from US/worldwide seller	Covered
Online purchase in foreign currency	Covered

Section 75 applies wherever you buy from, as long as you use a UK credit card.

Third-Party Payments

Method	Section 75 Applies?
Pay seller directly	✓
Pay via PayPal (credit card behind)	Possibly — disputed; try it
Pay via Amazon Marketplace	Usually against Amazon’s policies; try Section 75
Gift card purchased on credit card	No — you bought the gift card, not the item

Safest: Pay the actual seller directly on your credit card.

Items + Services

Purchase	Section 75?
Physical goods	✓
Services (travel, repairs, etc.)	✓
Digital purchases	✓
Recurring subscriptions	Each payment must be £100+

Why Credit Cards Beat Debit Cards

Debit Card	Credit Card
Your money gone immediately	Card company’s money at risk
Only chargeback (weaker)	Section 75 + chargeback
No part-payment protection	Part-payment = full protection
Good for small purchases	Essential for large purchases

See our credit card vs debit card guide for more.

Key Takeaways

Always use credit card for £100+ purchases — free protection
Even £1 on card = full protection — for items £100-£30,000
Keep documentation — receipts, correspondence, statements
Try seller first — but don’t wait too long
Know your rights — card companies must consider valid claims
Financial Ombudsman — if card company unfairly refuses

This is why you should have a credit card even if you prefer debit — the protection is invaluable.