American Express Anti-Steering Rules Class Action Settlement
Illinois residents who used a non-rewards, no-annual-fee Visa, Mastercard, or Discover credit card at a qualifying merchant between January 29, 2016, and June 1, 2022.
Settlement Closed
Who’s Eligible
You may be eligible for the American Express settlement if you are among the class members who:
- Are a natural person (individual, not a business) who holds or held a credit card account
- Had a billing address in Illinois during all or part of the period January 29, 2016, to June 1, 2022
- Held a Visa, Mastercard, or Discover general purpose credit or charge card account that does not offer credit card rewards and does not charge an annual fee
- Used that card, or allowed an authorized user to use it, to make at least one in-person purchase at a Qualifying Merchant in Illinois between January 29, 2016, and June 1, 2022, while your billing address was also in Illinois
- Did not have an American Express credit or charge card account at any time during January 29, 2016, to June 1, 2022
Eligible States
Claim Deadline
What You Need to Do to Get Paid
To get paid from the American Express settlement:
Claim Online
- Go to amexantitrust.com and click the online claim form link.
- Fill out your contact information and confirm your Illinois billing address was in effect during all or part of January 29, 2016, to June 1, 2022.
- Certify that you held a qualifying non-rewards, no-annual-fee Visa, Mastercard, or Discover card and made at least one in-person purchase at a Qualifying Merchant in Illinois during the class period.
- Provide a valid email address and mobile phone number — payments will be sent digitally via PayPal, Amazon, or virtual debit card.
- Submit your claim no later than May 19, 2026.
Claim by Mail
- Download the claim form at amexantitrust.com or call 1-877-315-0587 to request one.
- Complete all required fields, including your Illinois billing address and card information.
- Sign and date the form under penalty of perjury.
- Mail to A.B. Data, Ltd. (the settlement administrator) so your envelope is postmarked no later than May 19, 2026. Visit amexantitrust.com for the mailing address.
As part of the claims review and audit process, claimants may be asked to provide proof to support their claim. Proof is not required with the initial Claim Form submission, but the Settlement Administrator may ask for additional documents to prove the claim during the review process. If asked to provide proof and the claimant does not, the claim will be rejected.
Settlement Payout
American Express settlement payments are an equal, per capita share of whatever remains in the $17.5 million fund after taxes, notice and administration costs, attorney fees of up to 33.3% of the fund, litigation expenses of up to $8 million, and service awards to class representatives are deducted. The exact amount per person is not yet known — it depends on how many valid claims are submitted. Payments will be distributed digitally via email or text message, with options including PayPal, Amazon, or a virtual debit card. Payments will not be issued until after the court grants final approval and any appeals are resolved.
- Taxes
- Notice and administration costs
- Attorneys’ fees up to 33% of the Settlement Fund, plus expenses up to $8 million
- Service awards for class representatives
- Other costs, fees, and expenses
- Money to eligible Class Members
Settlement Documents
Background of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit, known as Moskowitz v. American Express Co. (No. 19-CV-566), was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Plaintiffs alleged that American Express enforced anti-steering rules in its merchant agreements, prohibiting merchants from encouraging customers to pay with a competing card that carried lower fees. Because merchants were stuck absorbing higher Amex fees without being able to steer customers elsewhere, plaintiffs claimed merchants raised prices across the board, meaning customers who never used an Amex card still paid more than they would have otherwise.
The case went to trial. On August 28, 2025, the jury found that Amex violated Illinois law, but did not find violations of the laws of the other states in the lawsuit. The jury also found that only the Illinois non-rewards credit card class had suffered damages — the Illinois debit card class did not prevail. American Express denies any wrongdoing.
Before the court entered final judgment, both sides agreed to settle. Amex will pay $17.5 million into a settlement fund. For more information, visit the official settlement website. Only members of the Illinois non-rewards credit card class are eligible to file a claim for money. Members of all other certified classes release their claims against Amex but receive no cash payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to file a claim in the American Express anti-steering settlement?
How much money will I receive from the American Express settlement?
What is the deadline to file a claim in the American Express settlement?
How do I file a claim in the American Express anti-steering settlement?
I used a debit card at one of the qualifying stores. Can I get money from the American Express settlement?
How will the American Express settlement payment be sent to me?
What stores count as Qualifying Merchants in the American Express settlement?
When will the American Express settlement payments be issued?
Settlement Administrator
Amex Antitrust Settlement
c/o A.B. Data, Ltd.
P.O. Box 173092
Milwaukee, WI 53217
Case Details
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Disclaimer
The information on this website is free to access and provided for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not legal advice. We summarise settlement information from official notices, court documents, settlement websites, administrators, and other primary sources where available.
Settlement details and deadlines may change. Always refer to the official settlement website or consult a licensed attorney for advice specific to your situation.
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