Mastercard

Mastercard £200m payout: How to claim £45-£70 compensation

You will soon be able to claim up to £70 from Mastercard – even if you have never had one.

Millions of consumers could receive up to £70 each after a tribunal approved a £200 million settlement in the long-running Mastercard case. A dispute with the case’s funder, which has held up the next stage, has now been resolved and preparations for paying consumers can move forward.

The UK’s biggest-ever consumer claim argued that Mastercard’s unlawful fees between 1992 and 2008 led to higher prices in shops and supermarkets. If you bought goods from a retailer that accepted Mastercard during that period, you could be entitled to £45 to £70 – even if you never had a Mastercard.

Consumers will need to register online when the claims process opens. It is expected to launch in coming months, with eligible consumers then given six months to make a claim. Get our alerts to stay updated and we’ll tell you as soon as you can register.

Mastercard accused of overcharging UK shoppers

The class action, led by former Financial Ombudsman Walter Merricks, claimed Mastercard charged retailers unlawful fees that were passed on to consumers through higher prices. These hidden costs were said to have affected almost every UK adult – whether you paid by cash, cheque, debit or credit card.

A £200 million settlement between Mastercard and former financial ombudsman Walter Merricks has been approved by the Competition Appeal Tribunal. Mastercard agreed to the settlement without any admission of liability.

The latest hurdle has now been cleared after Merricks defeated a judicial review brought by litigation funder Innsworth and a separate arbitration dispute between the two sides was resolved. The Tribunal has ordered that just over £63 million be paid to Innsworth, while Merricks says at least £100 million is expected to be distributed to consumers.

Am I eligible for compensation?

You can get money back if you’re 34 or older, lived in the UK at least three months between 1992 and 2008, and shopped here between 1992 and 2010. You don’t need to have paid with a Mastercard.

To qualify, you must have:

• Been aged 16 or over during a continuous period of at least three months living in Scotland between 22 May 1992 and 21 June 2008, or in England, Wales or Northern Ireland between 20 June 1997 and 21 June 2008.
• Bought goods or services from UK businesses that accepted Mastercard credit cards between 22 May 1992 and 21 June 2010 (Scotland), or 20 June 1997 and 21 June 2010 (elsewhere in the UK).
• Been living in the UK on 6 September 2016 and not previously excluded yourself from the group claim.

You can also claim on behalf of someone who met the eligibility criteria but has since died, provided they were alive on 6 September 2016. Authorised representatives can also claim on behalf of someone who lacks mental capacity.

How much could I get?

Eligible consumers are expected to receive between £45 and £70. You don’t need to have had a Mastercard to claim – the compensation is based on shopping habits, not card use. The final amount you receive will depend on how many people register.

How to claim your money

You’ll need to fill out a simple online form when the registration portal opens. The claims process is expected to open in the coming months and remain open for six months. Payments are currently expected in the first half of 2027, once the number of successful claims – and therefore the final amount each person will receive – is known.