Millions of UK consumers are a step closer to receiving compensation from the £200 million Mastercard settlement after the final legal dispute holding up payments was resolved.
At least £100 million of the agreed settlement is set to be distributed to consumers, with eligible shoppers expected to receive between £45 and £70 each.
When will the Mastercard claims process open?
The claims process is expected to open in the coming months, with a nationwide campaign planned to make consumers aware that they may be eligible.
Once registration opens, consumers will have six months to submit a claim.
Payments are expected after that six-month period has ended, with the current timetable suggesting consumers should receive their money in the first half of 2027.
Who could receive Mastercard compensation?
Millions of people could qualify, including many who have never owned or used a Mastercard.
The original collective action alleged that Mastercard charged unlawful interchange fees which increased costs for retailers. It argued that those costs were then passed on to consumers through higher prices, regardless of whether they paid by Mastercard, another card or cash.
Most people who are now over 34 and shopped in supermarkets during the relevant period are likely to be eligible.
You could qualify if:
- You lived continuously for at least three months 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
- You were aged 16 or over during those three months
- You bought goods or services for personal use from UK businesses that accepted Mastercard during the relevant period
- You were living in the UK on 6 September 2016.
You do not need to have owned or used a Mastercard to claim.
How much could you receive?
At least £100 million of the settlement is being set aside for consumers.
The money will be divided between eligible consumers who register to receive a payment.
Payments are currently expected to be between £45 and £70 per person, depending on how many people register.
Consumers are expected to be able to receive their compensation by bank transfer or an emailed gift voucher.
The case is also exploring whether people could choose to donate their payment to one of a small number of national charities instead.
What happens next?
For consumers, the latest development is important because the legal disputes that delayed distribution have now come to an end.
The next stage is to get the claims process up and running.
You cannot submit your compensation claim yet, so be wary of anyone suggesting otherwise. Official details on how and when to claim are expected in the coming months.
Join the Claim will continue to follow developments and let you know when registration opens.
Join the Claim connects consumers with trusted, SRA-regulated law firms. For this claim, we’re not directly involved, but we’ll keep you informed. Where possible, we’ll share links to official claim websites or updates as they become available.
