An $11.2 million settlement over online ticket processing fees covers some Knott’s Berry Farm and California’s Great America buyers. Do nothing and you get an $8 credit; file by Dec. 22 for cash.
If you bought Knott’s Berry Farm tickets online in the last few years, you may have money coming.
A class action settlement worth about $11.2 million will resolve a lawsuit over processing fees on online ticket sales for Knott’s Berry Farm and California’s Great America, ClassAction.org reports. Eligible buyers can get $8 in cash or an $8 credit.
The deadline to choose cash is Dec. 22, 2026.
What is the Knott’s Berry Farm settlement about?
The lawsuit claimed the parks’ operators charged processing fees on online ticket purchases without clearly telling buyers, in violation of California law, according to Top Class Actions.
The fees applied to tickets bought through knotts.com and cagreatamerica.com.
The case is Isayan v. Cedar Fair. It names Cedar Fair and Six Flags Entertainment Corp. Cedar Fair owned both parks before it merged with Six Flags.
The companies denied doing anything wrong but agreed to settle to avoid the cost and risk of a trial, Claim Depot reports.
The parks stopped charging the processing fees on July 1, 2024, according to court papers.
How much can you get from the Knott’s settlement?
Each class member gets $8, Open Class Actions reports. It is $8 per person, not per ticket.
Class counsel’s numbers show the average fee on a class member’s first purchase was about $8.07, according to the court’s order.
The total value of the cash and credits is $11,241,880.
Do you need to file a claim?
Only if you want cash.
If you do nothing, you will automatically get an $8 credit for sixflags.com after the settlement becomes final. The credit can be combined with other deals, has no blackout dates and expires 36 months after it is issued, Claim Depot reports.
If you want $8 in cash instead, you must file a claim by Dec. 22, 2026.
Cash payment options include:
Virtual prepaid card
PayPal
Venmo
Zelle
Mailed check
How do you file a Knott’s settlement claim?
Claims can be filed online at the official settlement website, KnottsGreatAmericaSettlement.com, or by mail.
You will need the Notice ID and confirmation code from the email notice you received. The online form and the paper form both require that ID, Open Class Actions reports.
Paper claims go to: Isayan v. Cedar Fair, c/o Settlement Administrator, 1650 Arch St., Suite 2210, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
Only file if you qualify. Claims are made under penalty of perjury.
Who qualifies for the settlement?
The settlement covers people who bought tickets online for Knott’s Berry Farm or California’s Great America and paid a processing fee during the class period. The class period ends July 1, 2024, when the fees stopped.
Some coverage notes the settlement applies to buyers with a California billing address at checkout. Check your notice or the settlement site for the exact rules.
About 1.88 million qualifying purchases are estimated to be covered, according to All About Lawyer.
When will Knott’s settlement payments go out?
The final approval hearing is set for March 30, 2027. Payments and credits will go out after the court gives final approval and any appeals are resolved.
Attorneys’ fees of up to about $1.96 million, a $10,000 award for the lead plaintiff and up to $89,500 in admin costs will be paid separately from the class benefits, All About Lawyer reports.
Why are theme park fees under scrutiny?
Hidden fees have drawn more attention across live entertainment. A federal rule from the Federal Trade Commission, in effect since May 2025, requires total-price disclosure for live-event tickets and short-term lodging.
That rule is separate from the Knott’s case. But it shows why add-on fees at checkout have become a bigger issue for buyers.
Knott’s is also busy with the holidays, with Knott’s Merry Farm running now.
Did you get a settlement email? Tell us if you are taking the cash or the credit.
Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.
Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Hat Tips:
ClassAction.org (Oct. 29, 2026), the settlement value and the Dec. 22 deadline
Top Class Actions (Nov. 6, 2026), the lawsuit’s claims and the final approval hearing date
Claim Depot (2026), the credit terms, the denial of wrongdoing and the mailing address
Open Class Actions (Oct. 20, 2026), the per-person payment, the average fee and the Notice ID requirement
All About Lawyer (2026), payment options, the number of purchases, fees and the FTC rule
ClassAction.org (2026), the court order on the July 1, 2024, end of fees
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