Remember When These Everyday Items Were Free?

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13 Things That Used to Be Free But Now Cost Money (cheapism.com)

From Freebies to Fees: The Growing List of Everyday Items Now Costing You Extra

It seems like nearly everything comes with a higher price tag these days, but perhaps the most frustrating changes are those involving things that once came free but now demand an extra charge. From grocery bags to in-flight meals and even social media verification, a surprising number of everyday amenities are no longer complimentary.

Here’s a look at some of the items and services that used to be free, but will now cost you:

Grocery Bags

In over 100 U.S. cities and towns, shoppers who forget their reusable totes at home are now subject to a per-bag fee for plastic grocery bags. This legislation aims to curb single-use plastic pollution. For instance, Boulder, Colorado, has seen a 70% drop in plastic bag use since implementing its fee, raising over $1 million for community services by 2023.

Hotel Amenities

Remember when your hotel room rate covered everything? Pools, gyms, Wi-Fi, and even a newspaper were once standard.

However, since the late 1990s, “resort fees” have become commonplace, initially for luxury amenities but now extending to budget hotels. In 2023, the average resort fee in U.S. hotels was nearly $39.

While the FTC announced new rules in late 2024 requiring clearer disclosure of these fees, their enforcement remains to be seen.

Extra Sauce

Many restaurants have started charging for additional condiments, including specialty sauces and even fast-food packets. Taco Bell, for example, provides one packet of its avocado verde salsa with Cantina Chicken menu items, but additional packets will set customers back 20 cents each.

Air for Your Tires

Compressed air for vehicle tires was once a ubiquitous free amenity at gas stations. Today, many stations charge around $1.50 to use the pump.

According to AAA, the cost of energy and pump repairs has led some stations to adopt pay models or partner with vendors. However, some states still legally require gas stations to provide free air to customers who purchase gas or other services.

Television

The only cost associated with watching TV used to be the purchase of the set and enduring commercials. Now, beyond basic cable, premium channels, and streaming platforms, we have FAST (free ad-supported TV), which still comes with ads. Americans spend an average of $46 monthly on streaming services, while smart TVs increasingly serve ads not just during breaks, but on home screens, screensavers, and even via remote control buttons.

In-Flight Meals

Free domestic in-flight meals became a thing of the past for major airlines when Continental Airlines ceased the practice in 2010. Following the events of September 11th, U.S. airlines faced immense pressure to cut costs amid declining demand, leading to a reduction in many passenger services. Today, unless you’re flying first class, expect to pay for any food beyond a basic snack.

X (Formerly Twitter) Verification

Once a free badge of authenticity for public figures, journalists, and celebrities, the blue verification checkmark on X (formerly Twitter) now comes with a price tag. Following Elon Musk’s acquisition, the platform began charging for verification, starting at $7 per month.

Notably, some public figures saw their checkmarks randomly reinstated in April 2024. Meta has also introduced paid verification subscriptions for Facebook and Instagram users.

COVID-19 Vaccines

Initially, the U.S. government purchased and distributed COVID-19 vaccines and boosters free of charge to all Americans. While the CDC’s Bridge Access Program later helped ensure continued free access, a lack of funding now means uninsured Americans may face costs ranging from $150 to $200 for the latest vaccine at a local pharmacy, according to NPR.

Room Service

Cruise lines are notorious for adding extra fees, inflating the total cost with taxes, gratuities, and port charges. However, some have extended this practice to room service, which was once complimentary. Royal Caribbean, for instance, now charges $7.95 for room service, regardless of order size, plus an additional gratuity.

Disney World Amenities

A family trip to Disney World has become significantly more expensive over the years, and not just due to ticket prices. Many previously free perks now incur charges, including MagicBand bracelets (which store tickets and room keys), resort parking, and even the FastPass system, which offered expedited access to attractions.

Hangers

In a move to reduce plastic waste, Tesco stores in the UK began piloting a 10p charge (about $0.13) for hangers last year. Previously, hangers were included free with apparel purchases. The supermarket hopes this small fee will encourage customers to leave unwanted hangers at the store for reuse.

Directory Assistance

For older generations in the U.S. and Canada, dialing 411 for directory assistance (phone numbers and addresses) was a free service until the 1970s, when AT&T began charging to deter misuse. Today, AT&T no longer offers 411 service, and major carriers that do provide it charge a fee. Of course, most modern users simply turn to online search engines like Google.

ATM Service

When the first ATM launched in London in 1967, only customers of that specific bank could use it. Inter-bank communication networks in the 1970s expanded access, but it wasn’t until 1988 that Valley Bank of Nevada pioneered service fees for non-customers.

By 1996, major ATM operators Cirrus and Plus also allowed surcharges, making them a common expectation today. The average out-of-network ATM fee now stands at $4.77, according to Bankrate.