NewWHAT’S
The percentage of people
45 through 59 who always or
sometimes worry they can’t
pay family expenses.
Source: Marist Poll
If it feels as if companies are picking your pockets—they are Trends Fed Up With Fees
B Y LAURA DAIL Y
ILLUSTRATION BY ZOHAR LAZAR
Charging for services that used to be free is now “good
business.” Need to speak with a United or American
Airlines agent to book your flight by phone? That’ll be
$25, please. And if you call your doctor for after-hours
advice, you could be charged up to $25.
Welcome to the new America—the land of the fee—
where businesses eagerly lift their recession-depleted
incomes by lowering yours. “There’s been a large uptick
