Published
February 19, 2026
Updated
July 25, 2026
The credit card antitrust settlement covered certain Illinois non-rewards Visa, Mastercard, and Discover card purchases. The May 19, 2026 claim deadline has passed.
Status
Closed to New Claims
May 19, 2026 deadline passed
Claim Deadline
May 19, 2026
Filing period is closed
Benefit
Pro Rata Cash
$17.5 Million
Proof Required
Yes
See the proof section below
Status: Closed to New Claims
Deadline: May 19, 2026 (Passed)
Settlement Amount: $17,500,000
Proof Required: No
Illinois residents who used a qualifying non-rewards Visa, Mastercard, or Discover credit card at listed retailers between January 2016 and June 2022 may have qualified for this $17.5 million settlement. No proof of purchase was required with the initial claim. The May 19, 2026 filing deadline has passed.
This open class action settlement comes after a jury found American Express liable under Illinois consumer protection law for its "anti-steering" rules.
Amex had rules that prevented stores from encouraging customers to pay with a cheaper card. Because stores could not steer customers away from expensive Amex cards, stores raised prices for everyone — including people who never even had an Amex card. The jury awarded $12.5 million in damages. Amex and the plaintiffs then agreed to a $17.5 million settlement before the court entered a final judgment.
Who Qualifies for the Visa Mastercard Discover Credit Card Settlement?
Only one group of people can file a claim for money: the Illinois non-rewards credit card class. This is the only class that won at trial.You qualify if all of the following are true: you are an individual (not a business), your credit card billing address was in Illinois during January 29, 2016 to June 1, 2022, you have a Visa, Mastercard, or Discover general purpose credit card that does not offer rewards and does not charge an annual fee, you used that card to make a purchase at one of the 38 qualifying merchants in Illinois during that time period, and you did not hold an American Express credit or charge card (including co-branded Amex cards) at any time during the class period.
A non-rewards credit card means a basic credit card with no cashback, no points, no miles, and no annual fee. If your card offered any type of rewards program or charged an annual fee, you do not qualify.
Who Does Not Qualify for the Credit Card Overcharge Settlement?
You cannot file a claim if you currently hold or previously held an American Express credit or charge card (including co-branded cards) during the class period. Debit card holders are not eligible for payment even though debit card classes were certified in the lawsuit — the jury did not find damages for debit card users. Non-rewards credit card holders in Washington D.C. and Kansas are also part of the settlement class but cannot file claims for money. Purchases of prescription drugs or medical services where you only paid a flat insurance copay are excluded.How Much Money Will I Get from the $17.5 Million Credit Card Settlement?
The exact payout per person is unknown at this time. After taxes, notice and administration costs, attorney fees (up to 33.3% of the $17.5 million fund), and litigation expenses (up to $8 million) are deducted, the remaining money will be divided equally among all valid claimants.Your payment will depend entirely on how many people file valid claims. Fewer claims filed means a bigger check for each person. The settlement does not use a pro rata formula based on spending — every valid claimant gets an equal share.
What is Anti-Steering, Exactly?
Anti-steering is a rule that stops a business from telling customers to use a cheaper way to pay, especially with credit card merchants that charge fees. It means a company such as Visa, MasterCard or Amex might say, “You are not allowed to push customers toward another payment method, even if it costs you less.”How to File a Claim for the Visa, Mastercard, Discover Credit Card Settlement (Step by Step)
Claims could be filed online at AmexAntitrust.com or by mail through May 19, 2026. Claimants had to provide their name, address, and Illinois billing address for the non-rewards credit card. The form did not require receipts, but the administrator could request documentation later to verify eligibility.If filing by mail, send your completed claim form to the Settlement Administrator, A.B. Data, Ltd. — the paper claim form and mailing instructions are on the official settlement website. Mailed claims must be postmarked by May 19, 2026.
Full List of 38 Qualifying Stores: Walmart, Target, Home Depot, CVS, Walgreens, Kroger, Best Buy, and More
You must have made at least one purchase at one of these retailers in Illinois using your non-rewards credit card during the class period. The 38 qualifying merchants and their store brands include:Academy Sports + Outdoors, Advance Auto Parts, Albertsons (including Safeway, Jewel-Osco, Vons, Pavilions, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Carrs, Acme, Shaw's, Star Market, United Supermarkets, Market Street, Haggen, Kings Food Markets, Balducci's), American Eagle Outfitters (including Aerie), Bed Bath & Beyond (including buybuy BABY), Best Buy (including Geek Squad, Magnolia), Big Lots, BI-LO, BJ's Wholesale Club, Burlington (including Baby Depot, Burlington Coat Factory), Camping World (including Good Sam Club), Circle K, CVS Pharmacy, Dick's Sporting Goods (including Golf Galaxy), Foot Locker, GameStop, Gap (including Old Navy, Banana Republic, Athleta), H&M (including COS), Home Depot, Hy-Vee, IKEA, Kohl's, Kroger, Lowe's, Meijer, Michaels, Publix, Rite Aid, Ross Dress for Less, Sprouts Farmers Market, Target, TJ Maxx (including Marshalls, HomeGoods), Tractor Supply Company, Ulta Beauty, SuperValu (United Natural Foods), Walgreens, Walmart (including Sam's Club), and Williams-Sonoma (including Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, West Elm).
Why Were Visa, Mastercard, and Discover Card Users Overcharged Because of American Express?
American Express charges merchants higher processing fees than other card networks. To prevent stores from steering customers toward cheaper cards, Amex included anti-steering provisions (also called non-discrimination provisions) in its merchant agreements. These rules prevented merchants from offering discounts, expressing preferences, or otherwise encouraging customers to use a Visa, Mastercard, or Discover card instead of Amex.Because merchants could not steer customers, plaintiffs alleged that stores raised their prices across the board to cover the higher Amex fees and charged all customers the same amount. This meant that even customers who did not have an Amex card — people using basic Visa, Mastercard, or Discover cards — ended up paying inflated prices caused by Amex's higher merchant fees.
The case went to a three-week jury trial that concluded on August 28, 2025. The jury found that Amex violated the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act and awarded $6 million in compensatory damages and $6.5 million in punitive damages ($12.5 million total). However, the jury did not find antitrust violations under federal law or the laws of the other eight states with certified classes. Only the Illinois non-rewards credit card class was found to have suffered damages.
American Express denies all wrongdoing. Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and the 38 qualifying merchants are not accused of anything.
Why Is the Credit Card Settlement $17.5 Million When the Jury Awarded $12.5 Million?
The $12.5 million was the jury verdict. Before the court entered a final judgment on that verdict, Amex and the plaintiffs agreed to settle the entire case for $17.5 million. This higher amount resolved all claims across all certified classes (not just Illinois), avoided the cost and uncertainty of post-trial motions and appeals, and provided a guaranteed fund for the Illinois non-rewards credit card class.Credit Card Settlement Deadlines: When to File Your Claim, Object, and Get Paid
Claim Deadline: May 19, 2026Objection Deadline: April 29, 2026
Final Approval Hearing: June 17, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.
Court: U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, 225 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Judge: Nicholas G. Garaufis
Payments will be issued after the court grants final approval and any appeals are resolved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need receipts or proof of purchase to file a claim for the credit card settlement?
No. You do not need to submit receipts or proof of purchase with your claim. You provide your Illinois billing address on the claim form. The settlement administrator may later request documentation to verify eligibility.Can I file a claim if I used a rewards credit card with cashback or points?
No. Only non-rewards credit cards qualify. If your Visa, Mastercard, or Discover card offered cashback, points, miles, or any other rewards, or if it charged an annual fee, you are not eligible.Can I file a claim if I used a Visa or Mastercard debit card at Walmart or Target?
No. The jury found that debit card holders did not suffer damages. Debit card class members are bound by the settlement and release their claims against Amex, but they cannot file for payment.I live outside Illinois. Can I get money from the Visa Mastercard credit card settlement?
No. Only Illinois non-rewards credit card class members can file claims. Debit card classes in Alabama, D.C., Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oregon, and Utah, and non-rewards credit card classes in D.C. and Kansas release their claims but receive no payment.Can I still opt out of the Visa Mastercard Discover credit card settlement?
No. The deadline to exclude yourself (opt out) has passed. You are bound by the settlement whether you file a claim or not.Is this the same as the Visa Mastercard $5.5 billion merchant swipe fee settlement?
No. This is a completely separate case. The Visa/Mastercard interchange fee case involves merchants suing over swipe fees. This case involves consumers who were overcharged because Amex prevented merchants from steering customers to cheaper cards. Visa, Mastercard, and Discover are not defendants here.What happens if I do nothing and don't file a claim for the credit card settlement?
People who did not file by May 19, 2026 will not receive money and remain bound by the settlement unless they previously excluded themselves.Who are the lawyers in this case?
The court-appointed class counsel includes Berman Tabacco, Gordon Ball PLLC, Stearns Weaver Miller, Kahn Swick & Foti, Lovell Stewart Halebian Jacobson, Miller Law LLC, Stamell & Schager, Saltz Mongeluzzi & Bendesky, and Wagstaff & Cartmell. They will request attorney fees of up to 33.3% of the settlement fund plus expenses of up to $8 million.I live in Chicago. Do I qualify for the Visa Mastercard credit card settlement?
Chicago residents who met the eligibility requirements could submit a claim through May 19, 2026. The deadline has passed. See AmexAntitrust.com for official case updates.What is a non-rewards credit card? How do I know if my Visa or Mastercard qualifies?
A non-rewards credit card is a basic credit card that does not offer cashback, points, miles, or any other rewards program and does not charge an annual fee. Think of it as a plain, no-frills card. If your Visa, Mastercard, or Discover card earns any type of reward when you make purchases, or if it charges you an annual fee, it does not qualify for this settlement. Only basic cards with no rewards and no annual fee are eligible.Settlement Notice
Sources
• AmexAntitrust.com (Official Settlement Website)• Bloomberg Law, "American Express Inks $17.5 Million Post-Verdict Antitrust Deal" (Jan. 26, 2026)
• Bienert Katzman Littrell Williams LLP, "$12.5 million jury verdict against American Express" (Sep. 9, 2025)
• Squire Patton Boggs, "American Express Verdict Highlights Growing Risk of State Competition Law Claims" (Sep. 2025)
Case Details
Case: Moskowitz v. American Express Co., No. 19-CV-566Court: U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
Judge: Nicholas G. Garaufis
Settlement Amount: $17,500,000
Claims Administrator: A.B. Data, Ltd.
Official Website: AmexAntitrust.com
Email: [email protected]
Class Action Settlement Information
This page is for informational purposes. OpenClassActions.com is not a law firm and is not a claims administrator. For legal advice speak with an attorney licensed in your state.Free settlement alerts
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Status
Closed to New Claims
Deadline
May 19, 2026
Passed
Settlement Amount
$17.5 Million
Benefit
Pro Rata Cash
Proof Required
Yes
Official Website
Amex Antitrust Settlement
