Regal Cinemas has recently agreed to a $2.5 million settlement regarding its failure to disclose electronic ticket booking fees in New York. Initiated by Tim Jones and filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, the plaintiffs in the case are highlighting how ticket-selling institutions must have clear and transparent ticket pricing without any hidden costs. The settlement serves as a reminder to businesses that consumers have the right to know exactly what they are paying for upfront.
Advantages of class action lawsuits
Class action lawsuits provide several significant advantages for plaintiffs. Collective strength is the biggest benefit they have over individual lawsuits. They enable a group of people with related problems against a defendant to come together in a lawsuit, usually against a business or organization. This is especially helpful in situations when an individual’s claims might be too small to pursue on their own against a corporation with larger resources.
Additionally, class actions encourage transparency and accountability, particularly between consumers and businesses. Successful class action lawsuits can encourage and introduce policy reform as well as higher standards for workers and customers by holding companies, employers, or organizations accountable for damaging behaviors.
Regal Cinemas hides ticket costs
The lawsuit was brought forward by Tim Jones, who bought electronic tickets for a movie showing at a Regal Cinemas theatre in New York State. Jones has alleged that Regal Cinemas only showed the ticket price during the online buying procedure without highlighting the additional $1.80 booking fee. The cost was only disclosed at the end of the booking procedure. Jones argued that this method was deceptive as customers were not told up front how much the ticket would cost, including all costs.
The class lawsuit accuses Regal Cinemas of violating § 25.07(4) of the Arts and Cultural Affairs Law (ACAL) of New York. This law forbids price increases during the transaction process and mandates that entertainment venues fully disclose the complete ticket price before a purchase is made. The law also specifically states that your ticket price cannot increase at the point of purchase.
Who qualifies as part of the lawsuit settlement?
The following individuals qualify to receive compensation from the settlement for the lawsuit against Regal Cinemas:
- Purchase details: The ticket purchase must have been made electronically for a movie at a Regal Cinemas theater in New York State.
- Platform used: The tickets must have been purchased through Regal Cinema’s official website using the guest checkout option.
- Time frame: You must have purchased your electronic tickets between July 31, 2023, and July 15, 2024.
- Booking fee: You must have been charged a booking fee during the checkout process
Class members are to submit a valid claim before April 21
While Regal Cinemas has denied any wrongdoing on their part, they have agreed to settle the case with a $2.5 million compensation fund for plaintiffs. As part of the settlement, Regal Cinemas must disclose all ticket costs upfront going forward before customers select the tickets they would like to purchase online. The amount each plaintiff will receive in compensation will depend entirely on the number of valid claims you submitted, as well as the amount you paid in booking fees.
The deadline for exclusion and objection was February 14 of this year. In addition, the final hearing has also passed for the case, occurring on March 5. To secure your settlement claims, plaintiffs in the case must submit a valid claim before April 21. It is suggested that payouts for successful claims could range between $5-$25 per ticket purchased. For more information about this settlement, you can visit Top Class Actions and get informed about how to file a claim.
