Vitamin and supplement chain GNC escaped a potential class action over the abrupt discontinuation of its Gold Card customer discount program.

U.S. District Judge Nora Barry Fischer of the Western District of Pennsylvania granted GNC's motion to dismiss five plaintiffs' class action complaint against the company and upheld a previous ruling sending the case to arbitration.

The plaintiffs alleged breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and breaches of several state business codes. GNC responded, arguing that the terms of the Gold Card contract, which was purchased by paying a $15 annual membership, allowed GNC to alter or terminate the program at any time.