Beginning May 1, coach passengers on American's domestic flights that last more than two hours, as well as those on flights to Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America, will have to pay $8 for a blanket and inflatable neck pillow. The airline will throw in a $10 off coupon for purchases of more than $30 at Bed Bath & Beyond stores.

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On domestic flights of less than two hours, coach passengers won't have access to blankets at all. Premium-class passengers on all American flights and coach passengers on longer international flights will continue to get free blankets and pillows. "Everything we do is evaluated in terms of what's best economically for the company while still providing services customers want," says American spokeswoman Andrea Huguely.

"I don't think it's an unreasonable fee," says Henry Harteveldt, travel industry analyst at Forrester Research. "It gives the passenger some control. If they want a blanket they can pay extra for it; if not, they didn't pay for it as part of their fare."

Airlines are scrambling to find new and larger sources of "ancillary" revenue -- money paid for services or items other than a seat. The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation expects airlines globally to take in $58 billion in ancillary revenue this year -- 12% of their total expected revenue.

"The new Holiday Inn bed warmers service is a bit like having a giant hot water bottle in your bed," Holiday Inn spokeswoman Jane Bednall said in an emailed statement to Reuters.

The bed-warmer is equipped with a thermometer to measure the bed's required temperature of 20 degrees Celsius (68 Fahrenheit).

Holiday Inn said the warmer would be fully dressed and leave the bed before the guest occupied it. They could not confirm if the warmer would shower first, but said hair would be covered.

"Every once in a while, a product transcends advertising to become part of pop culture," says Scott Boilen, president and CEO of Allstar Products Group of Hawthorne, N.Y., which conceived and markets the China-made Snuggie.

Indeed, Snuggies seem to be everywhere. See them on Facebook — nearly 250 groups, pro and con; one fan club lists 5,999 members. Watch them on YouTube — nearly 300 parody videos posted, including one titled "The Cult of the Snuggie," with 146,000 views as of Tuesday.

Jay Leno makes fun of them: "Lard-ass quilt was the original name! Why not just put your robe on backwards?" Ellen DeGeneres spoofed them, trying one on during her show. Fox News even spotted someone wearing a Snuggie in the crowd at President Obama's inauguration last week.