How to Claim £70 from Mastercard – Even If You've Never Owned One

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Millions of UK consumers are now eligible to claim up to £70 from Mastercard following a landmark £200 million settlement approved by the Competition Appeal Tribunal. This class action, led by former financial ombudsman Walter Merricks, addresses allegations that Mastercard's transaction fees indirectly led to higher prices for shoppers between 1992 and 2008.

Why Is Mastercard Paying Out?

In 2007, the European Commission determined that Mastercard had breached competition laws by imposing unlawful “multilateral interchange fees” on retailers. Although these fees were charged to businesses, the lawsuit argued that the costs were passed on to consumers through increased prices. This collective action, initiated in 2016, culminated in a £200 million settlement in 2025, marking one of the UK's most significant consumer group litigation outcomes.

Who Is Eligible to Claim?

You may qualify for a payout even if you've never owned a Mastercard. Eligibility criteria include:

• Residency: Lived in the UK for at least three consecutive months during the specified periods.

  • England, Wales, or Northern Ireland: Between June 1997 and June 2008.

  • Scotland: Between May 1992 and June 2008.

• Age: Were aged 16 or over during the relevant period i.e. born before 21st June 1992

• Purchases: Bought goods or services from UK businesses that accepted Mastercard credit cards during the specified timeframe.

• Residency on 6 September 2016: Were older than 18 and were a UK resident on this date. 

How Much Could You Receive?

The exact payout depends on the number of claimants:

• If approximately 2.5 million people (about 5% of those eligible) submit claims, each would receive £45.

• Should fewer individuals come forward, payments could be as high as £70 per person.

• The total fund allocated for consumers is £100 million, with the remainder covering legal and administrative costs.

How to Make a Claim

Eligible consumers can register for their payout by completing an online form which will be available soon. Mastercard are expected to pay the money within 28 days but customers have until the end of 2025 to put in the claim. We will update this guide when its clear how you can claim.