I had a similar situation and suspect I'm SOL.

I booked a trip for my family and my son had enough miles to get his own award ticket. I blindly paid the $25 fee. I received the receipt via e-mail today and noticed the "Direct Ticketing Charge" of $20 on top of the $5 tax.

I'm pretty sure that since my son has NO status, even though I booked it (as GE), I'm SOL here. Had I known I was going to get charged a direct ticket fee, I may have booked his online and avoided the fee. I'm not sure, but I'm pretty sure the agent just said "that'll be $25, ok?" to which I said "sure". If she would have indicated that "it's going to be $5 for taxes and $20 for direct ticketing fee, is that ok?", I might have just said, "sure" for convenience (i was already on the phone and needed to book same itinerary for my wife and myself).

I've not called to contest, but probably won't either. *SHRUG*