Have you been unfairly charged for non-bank ATM fees? In a new class-action settlement, Visa and Mastercard have agreed to pay out $167.5 million to settle a lawsuit claiming they prohibited independent ATM operators from lowering their withdrawal fees.
Plaintiffs in Burke v. Visa Inc., et al., alleged that the payment networks violated federal and state antitrust laws by forcing cardholders to pay higher ATM access fees than they otherwise would have.
- Settlement amount: $167.5 million
- Claim deadline: Feb. 10, 2027
- Estimated cash payment: TBD
- Deadline to be excluded: Dec. 11, 2026
- Final approval date: Feb. 17, 2027
The result, the suit claimed, amounted to a "price fixing scheme across all ATMs."
The total number of claimants hasn't been determined but, given that the eligibility window is between 2007 and 2026, millions of consumers could qualify.
Visa and Mastercard non-bank ATM class-action settlement
Who's eligible for payment?
According to the settlement website, eligible claimants include consumers who were charged a fee after withdrawing cash from an independent ATM, at a non-bank, such as a convenience store, gas station, grocery store or bar, between Oct. 24, 2007 and Aug. 14, 2026.
Borrowers must have been assessed an ATM access fee or other charge fee that was not fully reimbursed by their bank. The transaction must also have been made using a PIN linked to a deposit account ATM or debit card.
There are also separate statewide class action suits in California, Illinois, Massachusetts and Michigan.
How much money can I get?
The two networks have agreed to pay $167.5 million in total, approximately $88.8 million from Visa and $78.7 million from Mastercard.
The final approval hearing for the ATM fees settlement is scheduled for Feb. 17, 2027. If the settlement is approved, attorney fees, payments to chief litigants and other expenses will be distributed first. The amount each class member will receive depends on the number of eligible claims.
Class members will receive an email offering the choice of being paid via PayPal, virtual debit card or mailed paper check.
How do I file a claim?
The deadline to submit a valid claim in the Visa and Mastercard settlement is midnight on Feb. 10, 2027. The deadline to be excluded from or object to the settlement is Dec. 11, 2026.
At this time, to qualify, you only need to file a claim form and state under oath that you paid an unreimbursed fee at a non-bank ATM between Oct. 24, 2007, and Aug. 14, 2026. However, the claims administrator reserves the right to request receipts, bank statements or other documentation later.
You'll also be asked to estimate how many times you paid a surcharge.
To file a claim, complete the form on the settlement website. You can also print, complete and mail a copy to:
Non-Bank ATM Surcharge Fee Settlement
c/o A.B. Data, Ltd.
P.O. Box 173053
Milwaukee, WI 53217
How to avoid out-of-network ATM fees
ATM charges have reached a record high, with the average fee for out-of-network withdrawals in 2025 hitting $4.86. That includes $3.22 charged by the ATM owner and $1.64 by the member's bank.
1. In-network ATMs
Many online banks and credit unions have large networks of no-fee ATMs. Ally Bank users are linked to more than 75,000 free Allpoint and MoneyPass ATMs and get reimbursed up to $10 per statement cycle for fees charged by other U.S. ATM operators. Alliant Credit Union provides free access to more than 80,000 third-party ATMs and refunds up to $20 in fees each month.
Ally Bank Spending Account
Monthly maintenance fee
$0
Minimum deposit to open
$0
Minimum balance
None
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
0.10% less than $15,000 minimum daily balance; 0.25% over $15,000 minimum daily balance
Free ATM network
43,000+ Allpoint® ATMs
ATM fee reimbursement
Up to $10 per statement cycle
Overdraft fee
$0
Mobile check deposit
Yes
Terms apply.
Alliant Credit Union High-Rate Checking
Monthly maintenance fee
$0
Minimum deposit to open
$25 when opening online or over the phone
Minimum balance
None
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
0.25% with paperless and recurring monthly electronic deposit
Free ATM network
80,000+ Alliant network ATMs
ATM fee reimbursement
Up to $20 per month
Overdraft fee
$0
Mobile check deposit
Yes
Terms apply.
2. Accounts that reimburse ATM fees
Chase Sapphire and Axos Bank checking account customers enjoy unlimited reimbursement of fees charged by other ATM operators.
Chase Sapphire℠ Banking
Combined account minimum to qualify
To waive $25 monthly fee, at least $75,000 daily balance in Chase checking or qualified linked Chase accounts
Eligible accounts
Chase checking, savings and other balances
Benefits
Zero foreign transaction fees, global ATM fee reimbursement, zero wire transfer fees, sports and entertainment lounge access, early ticket and priority event seating, relationship savings rates, Chase Offers, pairs with Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Terms apply.
- Unlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements mean you can use virtually any ATM without worrying about extra charges.
- Offers one of the highest APYs available for a checking account, so your everyday money can still grow.
- No monthly fees, no overdraft fees and no minimum balance requirement (meaning nothing’s eating into your balance)
- The high APY comes with requirements to qualify, so you’ll need to meet certain criteria each month to earn the top rate.
- No proprietary ATM network, meaning you’ll rely entirely on reimbursements rather than fee-free ATMs.
Axos Bank Rewards Checking is no longer available for new applications.
3. Cash back
If you use a debit card or prepaid card to make purchases at a store, requesting cash back is one way to avoid ATM fees. Stores like Walmart, Target and Walgreens have started placing caps on how much you take out for free, so check before making a withdrawal.
4. Peer-to-peer payment apps
Peer-to-peer apps like Venmo, PayPal or Zelle are an easy way to send money for free. Zelle is available on more than 2,000 banking apps.
Venmo
Cost
Free from a linked bank account, debit card or Venmo account; 3% fee if sending money by credit card
Transfer speed
Instant transfer to Venmo balance; 1 to 3 business days for free direct deposit or instant transfer to your bank account for 1.75% fee (minimum: 25 cents, maximum: $25)
Standout features
Venmo debit and credit cards; Users can interact with friends' payments (including with stickers and emojis). Venmo Teen Accounts available for kids 13 and up
Availability
Available for iOS and Android. Only compatible with U.S. bank accounts and phone numbers.
Security features
Multi-factor authentication when logging in, QR code reader to ensure you have the correct account before sending money.
Terms apply.
Pros
- Easy-to-use interface and large user base
- Can link to online merchants and apps like Uber and Seamless
- Free Venmo debit card
- Venmo credit card earns rewards in most popular spending categories
Cons
- 3% fee to use a linked credit card
- 1.75% fee for instant cashout
- Can't cancel sent payments
- No website interface
PayPal
Cost
Free to download the app; $0 to make purchases using a bank account or your PayPal balance; $0 to transfer money to friends and family; 2.9% + $0.30 transaction fee to pay business/contractor invoices
Transfer speed
1 business day or instant transfer with 1.75% fee
Standout features
PayPal Credit lets qualifying users pay for purchases over $149 over six months interest-free
Links to accounts
Yes, bank accounts and credit cards
Availability
iOS and Android; available in more than 200 countries and regions
Security features
Two-step authentication, data encryption, email confirmations for every transaction
See our methodology, terms apply.
Pros
- Widely used by individuals and businesses alike
- Flexible payment options with the ability to finance large purchases over six months interest-free with PayPal Credit (APRs vary)
- High transfer limits: send up to $60,000 in a single transaction (depending on eligibility)
Cons
- International transfers can get pricey ($2.99 to $4.99, plus 2.9% of the transaction amount and an additional fee based on location)
- Fee structure is more complex than other money transfer apps
FAQs
Who is eligible for the Visa and Mastercard ATM fee settlement?
You may be a class member if you used a U.S. non-bank ATM between Oct. 24, 2007 and Aug.14, 2026, and were charged an ATM access fee that was not fully reimbursed by your bank. The transaction needs to have involved a withdrawal from a deposit account using an ATM or PIN-debit card. Transactions involving a credit card cash advance or prepaid card are generally not eligible. The ATM must also have been independent, meaning it was not owned by a bank or other financial institution. There are also separate statewide cases involving residents of California, Illinois, Massachusetts and Michigan.
How much can I get from the Visa and Mastercard ATM fee settlement?
The amount each class member will receive depends on the total number of eligible claims. Visa has agreed to pay roughly $88.8 million and Mastercard $78.7 million. But attorney fees, payments to chief litigants and other expenses will be distributed first.
How much are ATM fees?
Fees for using an out-of-network ATM vary by bank policy, machine owner and the ATM's location. The average charge is $4.86 per transaction, according to Bankrate's Checking Account and ATM Fee Study. That breaks down to $3.22 on average, charged by the owner of the machine, and $1.64 on average, charged by users' financial institutions.
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