Your Wallet Might Hate You After This New Airline Fee Change
That new airline fee you just saw could cost you an extra $50 per ticket, starting next month. In a move that's squeezing passengers from every angle, multiple major airlines have quietly introduced a "loyalty devaluation" fee that reduces the value of miles you’ve already earned by 20%, making it harder to book free flights. But here’s the kicker: this fee isn't just for redemption; it’s now baked into the base fare for anyone without a premium credit card. For a family of four taking a summer vacation, that's an unexpected $200+ hit per ticket, effectively turning your loyalty into liability. The only way to dodge it? Pay $99 extra per person to "opt out" at booking. Consumer advocates are calling it a "stealth tax on loyalty," and warned that this could spark a domino effect across budget carriers. Before you book your next trip, check the fare breakdown—or risk paying for "free" miles you can never use.