Unfortunately, the situation faced by the OP is not unique to the airline industry. Very few choose to read an entire set of mortgage documents, car rental agreements, software licensing agreements, etc., etc., etc.. Unfortunately, that does not give one the excuse to cry "It's not fair", when one chooses not to understand (or even bother to read) the applicable information the vendor is providing, or has provided. I can guarantee you I've fallen into that pit. It's no fault other than my own.