Pennsylvania Moviegoer Lawsuit: AMC’s Convenience Fee Case Moves to Federal Court
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The Pennsylvania moviegoer lawsuit is Burkey v. AMC Entertainment Holdings, a proposed class action over the “Convenience Fee” AMC adds late in online ticket checkout. It was filed in Allegheny County on August 26, 2026, and on September 30, 2026 AMC moved it to federal court in Pittsburgh. As of October 8, 2026 there is no settlement, no fund and no claim form. If you paid the fee, there is nothing to file.
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What the Lawsuit Says AMC Does
According to reports of the complaint, AMC’s website shows a per-ticket price, and only later in the online purchase flow adds a mandatory “Convenience Fee” of $2.69 per ticket — with a countdown running. The only way to avoid it online, the lawsuit alleges, is to pay $17.99 a year for AMC Stubs Premiere. The complaint calls this “drip pricing” and alleges AMC never explains what the fee is for.
The sharpest point is a comparison: the plaintiff alleges that where a state law requires it, such as New York, AMC shows the all-in price from the start — but not in Pennsylvania. The suit seeks damages, refunds of the fees and an injunction. These are allegations; AMC has not been found liable for anything.
Case Details
The case began as Burkey v. AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc., No. GD-26-008641, in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, filed August 26, 2026 by a Pennsylvania moviegoer represented by Lynch Carpenter LLP. On September 30, 2026 AMC filed a notice of removal, and the case is now Burkey v. AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc., No. 2:26-cv-02149 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania (docket on CourtListener). The removal papers sit behind PACER, and the free docket we could read does not show the assigned judge, so we do not name one. Our earlier report on the filing and the fee-law background is here.
Status: Early Federal Case, No Settlement
Why this case is harder than the New York ones: the FTC’s fee rule, in force since May 12, 2025, covers live-event tickets and hotels, and the FTC says film screenings generally are not live events. Pennsylvania’s own junk-fee bill, HB 1216, passed the House 108–95 on June 23, 2025 and has stalled in a Senate committee. So the plaintiff is relying on general state consumer law, not a price-display statute.
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Who Would Be in the Class
The case targets AMC’s online ticket sales to Pennsylvania consumers. The exact class definition is in the complaint, which has not been published in the reports we could read — so we cannot tell you the class period.
The practical test: did you buy AMC tickets online or in the app, in Pennsylvania, and pay a convenience fee rather than a Stubs Premiere membership? If so, you are the kind of customer the case is about. You do not need to sign up. If a class is ever certified or a settlement reached, the notice comes from a court-appointed administrator. Your AMC account’s order history is your best record — keep it.
What You Could Get — Honestly
For scale, not prediction: AMC’s New York fee case, Awad, settled for $7 cash or a free year of Stubs Premiere per class member, with a claim deadline of November 8, 2024 that has long passed. A refund here would be measured in fees paid — $2.69 a ticket by the complaint’s account — so even frequent moviegoers are talking about tens of dollars, not hundreds. Every cinema-fee settlement you could have claimed from, including the Fandango nationwide deal that closed August 17, 2026, is already closed.
Pennsylvania Moviegoer Lawsuit Timeline
- 1
November 8, 2024 — New York AMC Claims Close
The claim deadline passes in Awad v. AMC, the New York convenience-fee settlement: $7 cash or a free Stubs Premiere year.
- 2
May 12, 2025 — FTC Fee Rule Takes Effect
The federal rule requires all-in pricing for live-event tickets and short-term lodging. The FTC says film screenings generally are not covered.
- 3
August 26, 2026 — Complaint Filed in Allegheny County
Burkey v. AMC Entertainment Holdings, No. GD-26-008641, is filed in the Court of Common Pleas, challenging the $2.69 online convenience fee.
- 4
September 30, 2026 — AMC Removes to Federal Court
AMC files a notice of removal. The case becomes No. 2:26-cv-02149 in the Western District of Pennsylvania.
- 5
October 5, 2026 — Initial Scheduling Order
The federal court enters its initial scheduling order. No ruling on the merits has been made.
- 6
Now — Pleading Stage, No Settlement
As of October 8, 2026 there is no class certification, no settlement, no fund and no claim form.
Three Things to Watch For
A fee case with millions of ticket buyers and no claim form attracts imitators:
“Claim your AMC fee refund” sites
There is no settlement in the Pennsylvania case and no claims portal. A site asking for your AMC login, card number or a processing fee to “recover your convenience fees” is not connected to the court.
Old AMC settlement notices recirculating
The $7 Awad settlement was real, but it was a New York case and its deadline was November 8, 2024. Posts or emails presenting it as open, or as the Pennsylvania case, are wrong.
Fake “AMC Stubs” reward or refund emails
A lawsuit in the news makes refund-themed phishing more believable. AMC account credit or Premiere refunds offered through a link asking you to sign in are a classic account-takeover lure — go to the AMC app directly instead.
Pennsylvania Moviegoer Lawsuit — Questions People Actually Ask
What is the Pennsylvania moviegoer lawsuit?
It is Burkey v. AMC Entertainment Holdings, a proposed class action filed August 26, 2026 in Allegheny County and removed on September 30, 2026 to federal court as No. 2:26-cv-02149 (W.D. Pa.). It alleges AMC hides a mandatory online convenience fee until late in checkout.
Is there an AMC settlement I can claim from?
Not in this case. As of October 8, 2026 there is no settlement, no fund and no claim form. The earlier New York AMC settlement, Awad, closed for claims on November 8, 2024.
How much is the AMC convenience fee?
The complaint, as reported, describes a $2.69-per-ticket fee, avoidable online only by paying $17.99 a year for AMC Stubs Premiere.
Why does it matter that the case moved to federal court?
Defendants in class actions often prefer federal court. It changes the judge and the procedural rules, not the claims. The case is still at its first stage, and removal is not a ruling for either side.
Doesn’t the FTC junk-fee rule already ban this?
No. The FTC rule, effective May 12, 2025, covers live-event tickets and short-term lodging, and the FTC states that film screenings generally are not live events. That is why this case relies on Pennsylvania consumer law instead.
Why does AMC show the full price in some states?
The lawsuit alleges that AMC shows the all-in price where a state law requires it, such as New York, but not in Pennsylvania, which has no such law. Pennsylvania’s junk-fee bill, HB 1216, passed the House on June 23, 2025 but has not become law.
Do I need to sign up or hire a lawyer to be included?
No. If a class is certified, members are included automatically unless they opt out, and notice comes from a court-appointed administrator. Keeping your AMC order history is the useful step for now.
Is there more than one AMC lawsuit right now?
Yes. Rodriguez v. AMC Entertainment Holdings, No. 3:26-cv-01825, was filed in the District of Oregon on September 1, 2026, but its subject has not been reported. See our AMC lawsuit overview for other cases.
Separate from this case: were you injured in the last 2 years?
Class-action payouts are fixed amounts through an administrator. A personal injury claim is a different case — and often worth far more. Free estimate, no obligation.
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