Amex Appeal Rejected as Arbitration Bid in Merchants' Case Fails

Amex has failed in its appeal to compel arbitration in an antitrust case filed by merchants over non-discrimination. The Court of Appeals for the First Circuit ruled that American Express had waived its right to compel arbitration, upholding a lower court's decision.

The case involves allegations of anticompetitive practices by Amex, including restrictions on merchants' ability to offer competing credit card promotions. Merchants have claimed that these practices harm competition and inflate prices for consumers.

Amex had sought to move the case to arbitration, but the court has now ruled against it, allowing the case to proceed in a US district court.