Section 75 vs chargeback: how to get your money back
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Quick answer: Section 75 makes your credit-card issuer jointly liable for purchases between £100.01 and £30,000. Chargeback is a weaker card-scheme process that also covers debit cards, usually within about 120 days.
Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 makes your credit card provider jointly liable with the retailer when something goes wrong — for purchases over £100 and up to £30,000. Chargeback is a separate, weaker protection offered through Visa, Mastercard and Amex schemes for debit and credit cards.
Skip this if: Skip Section 75 if you paid by debit card, PayPal balance or Klarna — those use chargeback or scheme rules instead. This is not a claims service.
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Read the full credit cards & loans guide →Primary source: www.gov.uk/government/publications/consumer-credit-act/the-consumer-credit-act
What does Section 75 cover?
Section 75 applies when you buy goods or services priced between £100.01 and £30,000 using a credit card (not a debit card, not a charge card, normally not a prepaid card). The card provider is then jointly and severally liable with the retailer for any breach of contract or misrepresentation.
It is most useful when the retailer has gone bust, refuses to honour the contract, or has misrepresented something. You can claim from either the retailer or the card provider — most people start with the retailer.
You only need to have paid part of the cost (e.g. a deposit) on the card for the full purchase to be covered, as long as the cash price of the item is between £100.01 and £30,000.
What does chargeback cover?
Chargeback is a process operated by the card scheme (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) that lets your bank reverse a transaction in defined scenarios — non-delivery, faulty goods, fraud, or services not provided as described.
Unlike Section 75, chargeback is not a legal right — it is a scheme rule, and your card issuer is the gateway. It applies to debit and credit cards alike, and has no minimum or maximum value.
Time limits are tight: typically 120 days from the transaction date or expected delivery, with scheme-specific maximums (e.g. 540 days total).
How do I make a Section 75 or chargeback claim?
Try to resolve it with the retailer first. Then contact your card provider in writing (web form, secure message or letter), describing the problem and what you want them to do.
Provide evidence: receipts, order confirmations, screenshots of communications, proof of attempts to resolve.
If your provider rejects a Section 75 claim and you disagree, you can escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service free of charge.
Common questions
Do PayPal or Klarna purchases count for Section 75?
Generally no — the relationship is between you and PayPal/Klarna, not directly with the retailer, which breaks the 'debtor-creditor-supplier' chain Section 75 needs. Always check the exact route the money took.
What if a flight or holiday is cancelled?
If the airline or holiday firm collapses and you paid by credit card, Section 75 normally lets you claim the cost back from your card provider. For delayed or cancelled flights that still operate, use UK261 compensation first (claim free via the airline). For lower-cost or debit-card payments, chargeback (if within time) and the ATOL/ABTA schemes are the main routes. TravelShifu covers [when booking airline-direct](travelshifu.com/guides/when-booking-direct-with-airline-wins) is safer for disruption handling.
Can the card provider refuse a Section 75 claim?
Yes, if they believe there is no valid breach of contract or misrepresentation, or the purchase is outside the £100.01–£30,000 range. You can then escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service.