Well if you choose to pay monthly then you make the choice to pay extra for your alts. Also your point about retainer does not really pertain to the topic you pay extra for each extra retainer you have, you don't pay per character like retainers are. A person can pay in advance to get lower sub yes it might not be a option for some people but the option still there just like the option to choose entry or standard sub. I do have a extra retainer but since I pay in advance I pay $14.99 a month for my account with alts and a retainer instead of $16.99