When I go to their site to book a ticket, the initial fare display shows the price ($26.50 for my date) and there's a choice to select "Is the credit card holder traveling?". There's no indication of the effect of that selection. But when I choose "no" and click to purchase, on the credit card info page right above the purchase button, it clearly shows:
Purchase Price
Subtotal: $26.50
Gift Ticket Fee: $18.00
Total: $44.50
The
info page says
Credit card holder not traveling: The reference number and valid photo ID are required to pick up tickets. As an option, you can create a pick-up password for the traveler to use as ID when picking up the tickets. Please arrive at the counter at least one hour before departure to receive your ticket and check luggage, if applicable.
A non-refundable gift ticket fee is applied to each Will Call transaction where the credit card holder purchasing tickets is not traveling on that trip.
Yes, it's an absurd fee, but it is disclosed (relatively clearly) before purchase.