If a company refuses to refund you for faulty goods, a cancelled holiday, or a service that never arrived, your credit card might be your best backup route.
Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 makes your card provider jointly liable with the seller in qualifying cases. That means you may be able to claim a Section 75 refund directly from your bank or card issuer.
What Is Section 75?
Section 75 protects credit card purchases where:
- You paid between £100 and £30,000 (total — deposits can count if the full item is in range)
- There is a direct link between your card payment and the supplier
- The goods or services were faulty, not supplied, or misdescribed
In simple terms: if the trader breaks the contract and will not put it right, your card company may have to.
When Section 75 Applies
| Scenario | May qualify? |
|---|---|
| Faulty laptop, company refuses refund | Often yes |
| Holiday cancelled, tour operator unresponsive | Often yes |
| Item never delivered | Often yes |
| Service not provided as described | Often yes |
| You simply changed your mind | No |
| Paid by debit card | No — use chargeback instead |
| Paid through some third-party wallets | May break the direct link — check carefully |
Important: The £100 threshold applies to the cash price of the goods or services, not just what you put on the card.
Section 75 vs Chargeback UK
| Section 75 | Chargeback | |
|---|---|---|
| Card type | Credit card | Debit or credit |
| Legal right? | Yes (UK law) | Scheme rules (Visa/Mastercard) |
| Minimum amount | £100 | No minimum |
| Time limit | Usually 6 years (England & Wales) | Often ~120 days |
| Burden of proof | Card provider investigates | You provide evidence |
If you paid by credit card and qualify, Section 75 is often stronger than chargeback.
How to Make a Section 75 Claim
- Exhaust your complaint with the retailer first — card providers expect you to try (keep records).
- Gather evidence — contract, receipts, correspondence, photos, and the retailer's refusal.
- Contact your card provider — ask for a Section 75 claim form or dispute process.
- Explain the breach clearly — what you bought, what went wrong, and what refund you want.
- Follow up in writing if you do not get a clear response.
Document every step — card providers need a clear timeline of what happened
Common Reasons Claims Fail
- Payment went through a payment intermediary with no direct link to the supplier
- Purchase was under £100
- You cannot show the goods or services were faulty or not provided
- You waited too long without keeping records
- You accepted a voucher when you could have rejected the goods
What If Your Bank Refuses?
Ask for the refusal in writing and review their reasons. You can complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service if you believe they mishandled a valid claim.
A clear, factual letter format works for card providers too
Using Refundly for Section 75 Claims
Refundly flags Section 75 as an escalation option when your payment method and issue qualify. It helps you:
- Build a timeline of what happened
- Gather the right evidence
- Draft a structured claim letter
- Track deadlines so you do not miss limits
Final Tip
Paying even a small deposit on a credit card can bring the full purchase under Section 75 if the total price is between £100 and £30,000 and the link to the supplier is direct. Worth remembering for holidays and large purchases.