Travis Kelce-backed $200 million Six Flags agrees to $11.2 million deal after customers accuse company of sneaking in extra fees

Travis Kelce (Getty Images) Six Flags, the theme park giant associated with Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce, has agreed to an $11.2 million settlement after allegations that customers faced hidden fees when booking tickets online. The case could bring cash payments to more than 1.4 million eligible customers in California. Although Kelce is not personally involved in the lawsuit, his reported association with the company adds a celebrity angle to the dispute over airfares and consumer rights.The settlement also raises a familiar question for families planning a trip: How much should a plane ticket really cost? For some customers, the answer was said to have changed just before payment.

Six Flags faces $11.2 million settlement over hidden ticket fees

The legal dispute began in June 2024, when Sargis Isayan filed a class-action lawsuit against Cedar Fair, LP, which operated Knott’s Berry Farm and California-based Great America.According to court documents cited by PEOPLE, Isayan accused the operator of “the illegal practice of ‘drip pricing.'”The complaint alleged that customers saw one ticket price when browsing, but encountered an additional processing fee when paying.Isayan argued that the added fee offered no real benefit. By the time customers reached the payment page, many had already spent time selecting tickets and were less likely to cancel their purchase.Cedar Fair merged with Six Flags Entertainment Corporation in July 2024, bringing the parks into a joint venture.Six Flags has not admitted wrongdoing. Instead, the company agreed to resolve the dispute through an $11.2 million settlement, subject to court approval.The case highlights wider concerns about online pricing. When businesses reveal additional fees late in the transaction, customers may struggle to compare the true costs of different options.

Six Flags settlement tied to Travis Kelce: Who qualifies for $8 payout?

The settlement comes as Travis Kelce’s reported ambassador and investor ties to Six Flags draw attention to the theme park business. However, there is no indication that the Chiefs participated in the alleged pricing practices or played any role in the lawsuit.The proposed deal applies to California customers who purchased eligible off-season tickets online at Knott’s Berry Farm, Knott’s Soak City or California’s Great America between June 28, 2020 and July 1, 2024.Customers must also enter a California billing zip code and pay a processing fee.Approximately 1,405,235 people may qualify.Eligible customers who submit valid claims may receive $8 in cash. Those who don’t opt-in will automatically receive an $8 voucher toward future Six Flags purchases, provided they meet the terms of the settlement.Vouchers expire 36 months after issue.Customers seeking cash must submit their claims to December 22, 2026through the official website of the settlement, http://www.knottsgreatamericasettlement.com.A final approval hearing is scheduled for March 30, 2027. Until then, the deal remains subject to a court decision.