MSE News: Banks and payment firms can now scrap the £100 contactless limit – here's what's happening

MSE_Abby

Banks and payment providers can set their own limits for contactless card payments from today (Thursday 19 March) under new rules from the financial regulator. In theory, it means you can spend more than £100 simply by tapping your contactless card – though in reality, most providers we spoke to won't be offering this from launch. Here's what you need to know…

Read the full story:

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2026/03/contactless-card-payment-limit/

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oldagetraveller1

I have a Lloyds account for which I may change the contactless limit. Personally, I'm with the people who want to keep the £100 limit. I have my Lloyds set at £60.

I also have a Co-op (not Coop where chickens are housed) Bank account where the limit cannot be changed. If they opt to scrap the limit I will transfer the account to a bank where the limit may be set by the customer. Or possibly use chip and p.i.n., not contactless

MattMattMattUK

You (MSE) just posted poll/post with pretty much the same subject, it might be worth combining them.

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

flaneurs_lobster

Not entirely clear to me, is the suggestion that the contactless limit may be raised to any number the bank sees fit without any control being available to the account holder?

Don't mind if the limit is set up to the current limits for chip'n'pin but I'd like the ability to set it lower if I want.

And, of course, the limits don't apply to cardless payments.

Rob5342

I can't remember the last time I used a card to pay for anything, I always use my phone or my watch, but I always carry a couple of cards as a backup.

Any decent bank will let you set your own contactless limit in their app.

SH88SH88

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81929341#Comment_81929341

Don't worry too much about the Co-op doing anything rash. Or anything at all, come to think of it. The Co-op seem to be stuck somewhere in the late 90s, just about to start preparing for the 'millennium bug'. Contactless limits might be off their radar for some time yet ......

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81929713#Comment_81929713

Their insurance arm didnt used to be much better… call them as the representative of the other driver in an accident, "Is John available to discuss this claim?", "Mr Sanderson is not available", "So in the absence of John can I discuss liability with you and the diagram you sent us?", "Sorry, Mr Borough is using the computer at the moment so I can't look up the case".

Why the formality of names? Why does your claims department appear to have one shared computer?

Nasqueron

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81929401#Comment_81929401

Assuming the bank app lets you change it, you can set to whatever you want

I highly doubt any bank is going to change it from £100 to anything without asking

Kim_13

If firms are being encouraged to allow customers to set their own limits, fail to so and then drag their heels on refunding unauthorised use of the card, it will reflect very badly on them.

I'd personally prefer £50 - have my NatWest set at £5 as that's only used for very small payments for roundup purposes. Stops me accidentally paying with the wrong card.

My Chase contactless never works anyway even though it is on in the app.

MSE haven't contacted First Direct (fair enough, probably the same as HSBC) but did contact Royal Bank of Scotland (who haven't responded) and NatWest (who have so we probably know the RBoS answer.)

Shakin_Steve

What real difference does the contactless limit on the physical card make? I paid a bill for £575 today by tapping my phone using Apple Pay. I should imagine it would be the same with google pay. So…load the card on to your phone and there's no contactless limit at all…..within reason.

Eco_Miser

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81930143#Comment_81930143

If someone else get hold of your card, they can spend up to the contactless limit without needing your pin or any other info. A big limit could mean your account getting cleared out, with all the hassle that involves, even if you eventually get the money back.