Consumers using their credit cards abroad will no longer be able to claim money back from their card company if something goes wrong.

The High Court has said Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 only applies to purchases made in the UK.

Under the rule - the concept of equal liability where a credit card issuer has joint liability with a supplier if things go wrong - shoppers have the right to claim against the card issuer if a purchase is unsatisfactory, faulty, or the seller refuses to compensate them.

The court case follows action by the Office of Fair Trading to seek clarification over Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.

The OFT had argued that the same law applied when a UK credit card was used, whether the purchase was in the UK or elsewhere, but some credit card firms including Lloyds TSB, Tesco Personal Finance and American Express Services Europe disagreed.

Following the ruling, Citizens Advice director of policy Teresa Perchard said: "This ruling that Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act is not valid for overseas credit card purchases is extremely disappointing."

"It means that travellers and holiday-makers buying goods and services in another country will not automatically have the same protection as those making purchases at home. We believe credit card companies should protect their customers wherever they buy."

It's likely that transactions made abroad or on goods purchased from overseas suppliers through the internet, over the telephone or via mail order are also not covered and the OFT is considering challenging the ruling.

Prospective purchasers are advised to check their terms and conditions before they purchase by credit card and to switch to those companies who have said they will provide this protection.