Washington residents who received promotional emails from Costco Wholesale Corporation between June 2, 2021 and July 7, 2026 were included in a proposed $14 million class action settlement. The court-authorized notice listed August 24, 2026 as the claim deadline; that deadline has passed as of August 26, 2026, so this draft should not be published as an open-claims article.
What the Costco email case is about
The settlement would resolve Michael Aaland v. Costco Wholesale Corporation, Case No. 25-2-16392-0 SEA, in the Superior Court of Washington for King County.
The lawsuit alleged that Costco sent commercial emails to Washington residents with false or misleading subject lines advertising temporary or limited-time promotions. The complaint claimed that some promotions continued or were extended after the deadline suggested in the email subject line, allegedly violating Washington's Commercial Electronic Mail Act and Consumer Protection Act.
Costco denies wrongdoing and maintains that it complied with the law. The company agreed to the settlement to avoid the cost and uncertainty of continued litigation. The court preliminarily approved the proposed settlement in June 2026.
Who may qualify
The settlement class generally covers people who:
- Received a commercial email sent by or on behalf of Costco between June 2, 2021 and July 7, 2026;
- Were Washington residents when they received the email; and
- Received the email at an address appearing in Costco's settlement data.
The court-authorized notice gives examples of subject lines at issue, including “Today is the last day to access Member-Only Saving” and “Hot Buys available for 5 Days Only.” Receiving one of those exact messages is not stated as a requirement; the official settlement website should be used to review the full terms.
What class members can claim
Costco agreed to establish a $14 million gross settlement fund. After court-approved attorneys' fees, litigation expenses and any service award are deducted, the remaining fund will be divided on a pro rata basis among class members who submit valid claims.
The settlement documents do not state a guaranteed payment amount. Each claimant's final payment will depend on the number of approved claims and court-approved deductions. The court-authorized notice states that no proof is required with the claim form.
Claim deadline has passed
Claims can be submitted through WashingtonCommercialEmailSettlement.com. People who received a settlement notice may use the claim ID and PIN included in that notice. The official process also provides options for people who do not have those credentials.
Online claims had to be submitted, and mailed claim forms had to be postmarked, by August 24, 2026. The same date applied to requests for exclusion and objections; all have passed as of August 26, 2026.
A final approval hearing is scheduled for October 2, 2026. Payments can be distributed only if the court grants final approval and the settlement becomes final after any appeals are resolved.
Frequently asked questions
Is this settlement limited to Costco members?
The settlement definition focuses on whether a person received a qualifying Costco commercial email while a Washington resident. Review the official settlement website if you are unsure whether the settlement records include your email address.
Do I need proof of purchase?
The court-authorized notice states that no proof is required to submit a claim. Claimants must still provide complete and accurate information and meet the settlement's eligibility requirements.
How much will each person receive?
The amount is not known yet. Payments will be calculated pro rata after valid claims and court-approved deductions are determined.
When was the claim deadline?
Claims had to be submitted online or postmarked by August 24, 2026; that deadline has passed as of August 26, 2026.
This article provides general information about a proposed settlement and is not legal advice. Eligibility and payment decisions are controlled by the settlement documents and administrator.