I think that this is the issue of the day. It's Delta who broke through re domestic "free" tickets becoming "discount" tickets. (Actually, it was the government, first. At one time, there were no taxed or fees on freebies.) Anyway, back on topic, not only does DL have the $49 surcharge, but they also charge a $25 fee for using SkyMiles on a partner airline. (Plus all the other close-in, change, reserve with a human etc. fees.) And nearly all of the 25,000 mi. awards left are on (I was looking on the web at going cross-country this fall) ....Continental! (And some on NW.) Otherwise, it's 35,000, 37,500 and up on DL metal.

In fact, one of the FF gurus has written that he believes that once the ice is broken on domestic flights, fees just for use (whatever they're called) will never go away. And they will float on their own demand curve.