Character transfer extra service fee?

On all the posted information about character transfers, the $18 cost is clearly communicated, but when actually trying to go through the process in the Mog Station, you get this extra warning:

"The World Transfer Service is an optional paid service. Please note that aside from the World Transfer Service fee, service accounts that have suspended recurring payments will be charged a service fee when reactivated.

■World Transfer Service Fee*
・$18 per transfer*

■Service Fees*
・Standard 30 days $14.99"

If I pay month-to-month, manually through steam (no recurring payments), but my account is active currently, (less than 30 days remaining) am I getting charged an extra fee or not?

All that means is that you have to have an actively-subscribed account in order to use the World Transfer Service.
If you did not have an active account, you'd first have to pay for a sub before you would be able to use the World Transfer Service.