Millions of people could receive up to £70 in compensation following a £200million settlement involving Mastercard, with payouts expected to begin in the first half of 2027. The payments follow a long-running legal case that has now been resolved after a challenge that had delayed the claims process.
Who can claim and how much could they get
An online portal is expected to open in the coming months, giving eligible consumers six months to submit a claim. The case centred on claims that fees charged by Mastercard increased the cost of accepting card payments for retailers, with businesses then passing those additional costs on to shoppers through higher prices.
Crucially, people do not need to have owned or used a Mastercard to qualify. The claim covers purchases regardless of how customers paid. Mastercard has not admitted liability as part of the settlement.
Eligibility conditions and required information
Customers must have lived in the UK for at least three consecutive months during the relevant period. For England, Wales and Northern Ireland, this runs from June 20, 1997, to June 21, 2008. In Scotland, the period stretches from May 22, 1992, to June 21, 2008.
They must also have been aged 16 or over throughout those three months, meaning anyone born on or after March 22, 1992, will not qualify. During the same period, claimants must have bought goods or services from a business selling in the UK for personal rather than business use. They must also have been living in the UK on September 6, 2016, and must not have previously opted out of the legal action.
No old receipts or bank statements are expected to be required. Instead, people will be asked to confirm that they meet the criteria and provide details, including their name, date of birth, address and bank information, so any compensation can be paid.
Payment estimates and next steps
Exactly how much each successful claimant receives will depend on the number of applications. Current estimates suggest that if around 2.2 million people claim, payments would be about £45 each. If fewer people come forward, the payout could rise to a maximum of £70. However, if significantly more people apply, individual payments could be much lower.
The claims portal is not yet open, so consumers do not need to take action immediately. Once launched, eligible people are expected to have six months to make their claim.
