Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 2026 Explained UK

Why Section 75 matters in 2026

Section 75 is one of the strongest UK consumer protection rights and the single most under-used benefit of paying by credit card. In 2026 it still applies to any single purchase priced over £100 and up to £30,000, including most UK online orders through Amazon.co.uk, Argos, Currys, John Lewis, Asda, and Tesco when paid with a UK credit card.

The framework below is what actually moves the needle in 2026 based on current FCA guidance and Financial Ombudsman Service rulings.

What Section 75 actually gives you

Section 75 creates joint and several liability. That means the credit card issuer is legally responsible for the retailer's breach of contract or misrepresentation, even when the issuer had nothing to do with the original transaction. The cardholder can claim against either the retailer or the card issuer, or both.

The right covers three main scenarios:

• The goods or services were not delivered.
• The goods are faulty, not as described, or unfit for purpose under the UK Consumer Rights Act 2015.
• The retailer is insolvent or has otherwise refused to honour the contract.

The single transaction must be over £100. Paying a deposit of £100 or more on a card and the balance another way still triggers the right for the full purchase value.

When Section 75 actually wins

A faulty appliance from a UK retailer

You buy a £450 washing machine from Currys paid by UK credit card. The machine fails after eight weeks and Currys delays the repair past the statutory reasonable time. You raise a Section 75 claim with the card issuer for a refund. The issuer is jointly liable and can pay out even before Currys agrees, then recover from the retailer.

A failed online order from Argos

You order a £180 sofa bed from Argos for delivery to a UK address. The item is delivered damaged and Argos refuses to collect or refund. A Section 75 claim against the card issuer is usually faster than small claims court, because the issuer wants to avoid the Financial Ombudsman Service complaint that would follow.

Insolvency of a UK travel company

You book a £900 holiday with a UK travel company and the company goes into administration before departure. ATOL covers many flight packages, but for the rest Section 75 is the cleanest route. The card issuer must refund the consumer and then file a claim against the administrator.

Section 75 vs chargeback at a glance

A useful rule of thumb in 2026:

• Use chargeback for purchases under £100 on a credit card, any debit card purchase, or a clear scheme-rule breach within 120 days.
• Use Section 75 for purchases over £100 paid on a UK credit card where the legal liability route is stronger.
• Run both in parallel when the case is borderline, since chargeback is usually faster and Section 75 is the fallback.

How to file a Section 75 claim in 2026

1. Write to the retailer first asking for a refund, repair, or replacement under the UK Consumer Rights Act 2015. Allow 14 days for a response.
2. If the retailer refuses or delays past a reasonable time, write to the credit card issuer. Cite Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 in the subject line.
3. Include the date of purchase, the amount, the credit card last four digits, copies of communication with the retailer, and proof the item is faulty or undelivered.
4. The card issuer has up to eight weeks to issue a final response. In practice most UK issuers respond within two to four weeks.
5. If the response is unfavourable, escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service within six months of the final response. The service is free and decisions are binding on the issuer.

Common Section 75 mistakes UK shoppers make

Paying the full amount by debit card or bank transfer

Section 75 only applies to credit cards. Paying by debit card, PayPal balance, or bank transfer removes the right. For any UK purchase over £100, putting at least £100 on a credit card preserves the protection on the full amount.

Letting the marketplace exclusion scare you off

Many UK shoppers assume that any Amazon.co.uk order through a third-party seller is excluded. In 2026 the Financial Ombudsman Service has ruled in consumer favour on multiple marketplace cases, especially when Amazon was the fulfilment provider. File the claim and let the issuer decide rather than assuming it will fail.

Missing the six-year limitation period

The limitation period in England and Wales is six years from the date the cause of action arose. Faulty goods that develop a fault two or three years after purchase are still covered. Latent defects on appliances and electronics are the most common late claims.

What to expect for a typical UK household

For a UK household spending around £6,000 a year on credit card purchases in 2026, the realistic outcome is:

• One or two genuine Section 75 cases per year on faulty appliances or undelivered online orders.
• £150 to £900 recovered per successful claim, often faster than small claims court.
• Zero cost to file, with no impact on credit score or future card benefits.

The benefit pairs well with UK deal alert channels. Buying a price error appliance from a UK retailer over £100 on a credit card means the consumer keeps Section 75 protection even on bargain prices, which is the safest way to chase aggressive UK deals.

For more on UK consumer rights, see our UK cashback sites guide and the best UK deal channels directory.