Quick Answer: Tinder secretly charged users over 30 up to twice as much for Tinder Plus and Gold subscriptions. A $60.5 million settlement is now available for California users who paid these higher prices between March 2015 and September 2025. If you subscribed and were 30 or older, you may be owed money.
Age discrimination isn’t just a workplace issue. Tinder got caught charging older users more for the exact same dating service, and now they’re paying $60.5 million to settle the class action lawsuit. If you were over 30 and paid for Tinder Plus or Tinder Gold in California, money may be coming your way.
What Tinder Did
Here’s what happened: Tinder charged users 30 and older more money for the same premium features that younger users got at a lower price. Same app. Same features. Different price tag based solely on your age.
Claiming money you are owed is one good day. What you do over the following year is what actually changes your position.
In the latest issue (Sep 16): The truck was $28,999 online. At the desk it’s $31,400. As of yesterday, the FTC says the ad was the lie.
I write Your Money Actually most weekdays — actionable money information you will not find anywhere else, and the small decisions that compound. It is free, I sell nothing, and I take no money from any company I write about.
The lawsuit (Allan Candelore v. Tinder Inc., Case No. BC583162) was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court and has now received preliminary approval for a $60.5 million settlement.
Key Insight: The class collectively overpaid approximately $16.144 million. The $60.5 million settlement represents 160-376% of the actual economic harm. This is a strong recovery for a class action.
Who Qualifies for Payment
You may be eligible if you meet ALL of these criteria:
- You were a California resident when you subscribed
- You purchased Tinder Plus or Tinder Gold
- You were 30 years old or older at the time
- Your subscription was purchased between March 2, 2015 and September 30, 2025
Approximately 268,000 California users are estimated to qualify.
Why This Matters Beyond Dating Apps
Companies routinely test what different customer segments will pay. The difference is Tinder got caught.– Steve Rhode
This case is a reminder that price discrimination based on age is real and happens more often than people realize. Companies use algorithms and data to determine what different groups of customers will tolerate paying. Age-based pricing isn’t always illegal, but in this case, California law drew the line.
Watch for Scams: Legitimate settlements never ask you to pay money upfront. If anyone contacts you demanding payment to “release your settlement funds,” it’s a scam. The real claim process will be through the official settlement website once it launches.
How to Claim Your Money
The settlement website has not yet launched. Here’s what you need to do:
- Check your records for Tinder Plus or Gold subscriptions during the covered period
- Monitor your email for official notice from the settlement administrator
- Watch for the official settlement website to launch
- File your claim before the deadline (to be announced)
Not Sure What to Do Next? If you’re dealing with debt from subscription services, dating apps, or other recurring charges that snowballed, use Find Your Path to explore your options.
The Bigger Picture on Consumer Rights
What I find interesting about this case is that it took a decade to resolve. The practices started in 2015. The lawsuit was filed, fought, appealed, and finally settled. During all that time, Tinder kept collecting higher fees from older users.
This is why I encourage people to pay attention to what they’re being charged and why. You might not have the resources to file a class action lawsuit yourself, but being aware of these practices helps you make informed decisions about where you spend your money.
If you’re the type who files settlement claims (good for you), check whether you qualify for Apple’s $250 million iPhone settlement too — up to $95 per eligible device.
Key Takeaways
- Tinder charged users 30+ more for the same premium features
- $60.5 million settlement covers California users from March 2015 to September 2025
- About 268,000 users may be eligible for payment
- Settlement website coming soon – watch for official notice
- Never pay anyone claiming to help you get settlement money
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money will I get from the Tinder settlement?
Individual payment amounts haven’t been announced yet. The total settlement is $60.5 million covering approximately 268,000 users. Your share will depend on how long you subscribed, what you paid, and how many people file claims. Class actions typically pay more to those who file claims since many eligible people never do.
I don’t live in California anymore. Can I still claim?
Yes. What matters is that you were a California resident at the time you purchased your Tinder Plus or Gold subscription between March 2015 and September 2025. Where you live now doesn’t affect your eligibility.
What if I don’t have records of my Tinder subscription?
Check your Apple App Store or Google Play purchase history. Credit card and bank statements from the covered period may also show Tinder charges. The settlement administrator may have some subscription records from Tinder as well.
Is this settlement final?
The settlement has received preliminary approval, which means the court has allowed it to move forward. A final approval hearing will be scheduled where the judge makes the final decision. Assuming no major objections, settlements like this typically receive final approval.
Why did Tinder charge older users more?
Tinder’s position was that younger users had less disposable income, so they offered lower prices to attract that demographic. California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act prohibits arbitrary age-based discrimination in business practices. The court found Tinder’s pricing crossed that line.
Dealing With Debt? Understanding your options is the first step. See how all your debt relief options compare — including ones most sites won’t tell you about. The Find Your Path quiz gives a recommendation based on your actual numbers, and the Scam-O-Meter checks any company’s complaint history before you sign. Federal Reserve research shows bankruptcy filers recover faster than those who don’t file.
