MSE Forum Poll: What contactless spending limit would you be comfortable with?

MSE_JC

From today (Thursday 19th March 2026) the Financial Conduct Authority is changing the rules on contactless spending, removing the £100 limit. Instead, banks and payment providers will be able to set their own thresholds.

Some banks already allow their customers to set an individual limit for those who felt £100 was too high. Setting a safe limit is good way to prevent (or minimise the impact of) potential fraud.

What do you think a sensible limit would be?

Vote in the poll then share your thoughts in the thread.

QrizB

It has to be …

MattMattMattUK

I am not going to vote, mostly because I almost never use contactless. I pretty much only use my phone for payments which is "User device verified" and secured with biometrics, so the actual "contactless" limit is irrelevant to me.

I do not see many banks raising it without the account holder pushing for it though as it just increases their potential risk.

Baldytyke88

I lost my card last week, just awaiting a replacement. When I get it back I will set the limit to £50

No money was taken from my account. I have been using my phone for payments, but I don't like it. The card fell out of my mobile wallet, I believe. I need to stop keeping it with my mobile and buy a small wallet.

twopenny

IIt would make sense for people to be able to set their own limit according to what they can afford to loose.

It should be easy enough to arrange that surely.

Rob5342

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81929335#Comment_81929335

What do you do with your cards though, it's what someone else can do with them if they get hold of them that really matters.

MattMattMattUK

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81932322#Comment_81932322

Debit and most credit cards are locked in a hidden fire safe, I carry two credit cards in a wallet. Does not matter if someone else gets hold of them, I am not liable for that spending and the money does not come out of my account, just goes on a statement before being suspended and removed.

Jemma01

For me, no more than 70, the highest I'd pay in groceries is around the 60.

My phone on the other hand keeps triggering fingerprint authentication lately, more often than not, which is good

Vitor

I've set mine at £100 which is sufficient for a good bottle of red wine.

rowan222

I've never seen the point of contactless payments TBH and refuse to use it. The bank sent me one a few years ago abd I gave it back and demanded a chip and pin only. If I were to drop it anyone picking it up could use it until I realised and cancelled it. Whereas now if I drop it no one can do a thing with it. Really how long does it take to enter four digits on the key pad?

Dizzycap

I set my contactless payment to a max of £20. You can't buy much with that and as I get instant notifications of any spends, I can freeze my card in a click on my banking App should I not be the one spending on it.