MONEY expert Martin Lewis has offered a lifeline to beleaguered Southern commuters.

The consumer rights’ expert has told his social media followers they could be entitled to a refund on their season tickets if they bought it on credit card.

Mr Lewis believes the “floodgates” could open for commuters looking to get a full refund on season tickets after enduring more than a year of poor service.

One commuter was reported this week as having successfully received a 50 per cent refund from American Express on his £4,800 season ticket because half of his journeys had been cancelled or disrupted.

If confirmed, the consumer victory which could potentially pave the way for many more to follow in his footsteps.

Mr Lewis believes commuters will be far more likely to succeed with claims to their credit card companies than Southern who would fight claims “tooth and nail”.

Claiming through credit card companies is the same route which has seen hundreds of consumers receive full refunds for PIP breast implants and low cost holidays.

The consumer expert is advising commuters to use section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act which makes credit card companies jointly liable as a retailer for purchases of between £100 and £30,000.

Mr Lewis said that commuters' only recourse if Southern rejected their claim was to go to court. Unsuccessful claims to credit card companies go to the financial ombudsman who would take into consideration legislation but also standard industry practice and whether purchasers have been treated fairly.

The successful claim for £2,400 made by one commuter could then set the precedent for many more to follow.

In December, Southern announced that commuters would get a month’s refund on season tickets as part of a £15 million package.

Mr Lewis said: “You don’t have to go to Southern Rail first, you can equally choose to go to credit card companies who have exactly the same rights and responsibilities as if you had bought from it.

“Quite obviously Southern Rail don’t want the floodgates to open on season ticket refunds, it would be devastating for it, and it might be fighting it claim tooth and nail.

“But credit card companies, the impact on them is more diffuse because they won’t have all Southern passengers so their potential liability is much smaller and they have very deep pockets.

“By the fact that one credit card company has agreed to pay out, it could open the floodgates.”

Mr Lewis has encouraged his followers to spread the news to all commuters that have been affected.

A Govia spokesman said they had not received any claims for refunds from credit card companies through section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.

For more information visit facebook.com/mrmartinlewis.