If you paid for event tickets with a credit card, you have one of the strongest consumer protections available in the UK: Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. This gives your credit card company equal liability with the seller if something goes wrong. Here is everything you need to know about using it for ticket purchases.
This article provides general guidance on Section 75. For specific legal or financial advice, speak to Citizens Advice or a qualified adviser.
What is Section 75?
Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 states that your credit card provider is jointly and severally liable with the supplier for any breach of contract or misrepresentation. In plain English, if the seller fails to deliver what you paid for, your credit card company is equally responsible for putting things right.
This is a legal right, not a goodwill gesture. Your credit card company cannot refuse a valid Section 75 claim just because they do not want to pay.
Eligibility requirements
For Section 75 to apply, the following conditions must be met:
- You paid by credit card -- Debit cards, PayPal, and bank transfers are not covered by Section 75 (though chargeback may still be available).
- The item cost between £100 and £30,000 -- This is the cash price of the goods or service, not necessarily the amount you put on the card. Even if you only paid a deposit on the credit card, the full purchase is covered as long as the total price falls within this range.
- There was a breach of contract or misrepresentation -- The event was cancelled, the tickets were not delivered, or the event was significantly different from what was advertised.
How it applies to event tickets
Section 75 is particularly useful in the following ticket scenarios:
- Event cancelled, organiser not refunding -- If the organiser or platform has gone bust or is refusing to refund, your credit card company must step in.
- Tickets not delivered -- You paid but never received your tickets.
- Fraudulent seller -- You bought tickets that turned out to be fake or from a scam website.
- Event significantly different from advertised -- The headliner was changed, the venue was downgraded, or the experience was materially different.
The £100 threshold
The £100 minimum catches some people out. Many event tickets cost less than £100 individually. However, if you bought multiple tickets in a single transaction and the total exceeded £100, Section 75 should cover the entire purchase.
There is some debate about whether the £100 threshold applies per item or per transaction. The Financial Ombudsman has generally taken the view that it applies to the individual item. For high-value tickets -- concerts, festivals, VIP packages -- this is rarely an issue. For cheaper tickets, chargeback may be the better route.
How to make a Section 75 claim
- Gather your evidence -- Collect your order confirmation, proof of cancellation or non-delivery, and records of any attempts to get a refund from the seller.
- Contact your credit card provider -- Call the number on the back of your card and ask to make a Section 75 claim. Many providers also have online claim forms.
- Explain the situation clearly -- State that there has been a breach of contract (event cancelled, tickets not received, etc.) and that you are claiming under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.
- Submit your evidence -- Send them everything you have. The more documentation, the stronger your case.
- Wait for a response -- The credit card company should investigate and respond. There is no strict legal timeline, but 8 weeks is the standard for financial complaints. If they reject your claim or do not respond, you can escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
What if your claim is rejected?
If your credit card provider rejects your Section 75 claim, do not give up. Ask for a written explanation of why it was rejected. Common reasons include:
- The purchase was under £100 (check the total transaction value)
- The provider claims there was no breach of contract (challenge this with evidence)
- The claim was made outside the time limit (Section 75 claims must generally be made within 6 years of the breach)
If you disagree with the decision, escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service. This is free and the Ombudsman has the power to order the credit card company to pay.
Section 75 vs chargeback
You can pursue both Section 75 and chargeback at the same time. Section 75 is stronger because it is a legal obligation, but chargeback can be faster. Use whichever gets you a result -- or try both simultaneously.
Buying from transparent platforms
The best way to avoid refund disputes is to buy from platforms with clear, fair refund policies. Tickts operates with full transparency -- no hidden fees, clear refund terms, and direct communication between fans and organisers. If something goes wrong, you should not need Section 75 to get your money back. But it is reassuring to know the protection is there.
Summary
Section 75 is one of the most powerful consumer protections available to UK credit card holders. If you paid more than £100 for event tickets and something went wrong, your credit card company is legally obligated to help. Keep your evidence, make your claim, and escalate to the Financial Ombudsman if needed.
