TLDR:
- American households are paying an estimated $2,400 more over two years due to “sneakflation” — hidden fees and reduced product quality that companies hope consumers won’t notice.
- Airlines earned $12.4 billion from seat selection fees alone between 2018 and 2023, while hotels add “resort fees” and restaurants impose surprise service charges.
- The practice intensified over the past five years as companies offset rising labor costs, shipping fees and tariffs from both the Trump and Biden administrations.
- Consumer advocates say the best defense is noticing changes, complaining directly to companies and shifting business to more transparent competitors.
Companies are quietly draining American wallets through “sneakflation” — a surge in hidden fees and product downgrades that consumer analysts warn is costing households roughly $2,400 in extra expenses over two years.
“Sneakflation is an everyday erosion of value,” said Alexander Ketter, a U.S. consumer expert at Coupons.com. “It’s largely a business choice driven by difficult economic conditions.”
The term describes companies passing post-pandemic inflation to consumers through creative methods: airlines charging for seat selections that once cost nothing, hotels adding “resort fees” for Wi-Fi access, and candy makers replacing real chocolate with cheaper substitutes.
A Senate report found airlines earned $12.4 billion from seat selection fees between 2018 and 2023.
Tariffs have raised U.S. import costs by about 5% and domestic goods by 3%, some analysts estimated.
White House spokesman Kush Desai blamed the Biden administration Tuesday, saying inflation means “Americans are getting less for their money.”
Consumer advocates recommend noticing price changes, complaining directly to companies and sharing deceptive practices on social media.
“Complain to the company directly if you think they are being unfair,” said Edgar Dworsky, founder of Consumer World.
Read more:
• Consumer analysts warn of ’sneakflation’ as more companies hide price increases
This article is written with the assistance of generative artificial intelligence based solely on Washington Times original reporting and wire services. For more information, please read our AI policy or contact Ann Wog, Managing Editor for Digital, at awog@washingtontimes.com
The Washington Times AI Ethics Newsroom Committee can be reached at aispotlight@washingtontimes.com.
