USAIRWAYS and UNITED INCREASE CHANGE FEES from $150 to $200

From USAirways with a heading: "News you can use":

Our new change fee policy

We've increased some of our change fees for customers who purchase non-refundable tickets yet need to adjust their travel plans. This increase only applies to new ticket purchases. New fees Domestic and Canada: $200 Caribbean: $200 Mexico: $200 Central America: $200 Puerto Rico/Virgin Islands: $200 Transatlantic: No change ($250) Brazil: $300

If you are not already fed up with the bad customer service, surly TSA agents, FAA delays due to sequestrations and exhorbitant taxes and fares paid by travelers, USAirways today piles on with an increase of $50 if you want to make a change on your itinerary.  Nevermind that flights go full anyway and that they do fill up the cancelled seats, they want more.

The timing is puzzling, considering that a merger is pending with American.  All the more reason why a combination of those two carriers will be harmful for travelers at Reagan National where the combined carrier will account for over 70 percent of flights.www.premieretravel.com

Update: Very discreetly, and without informing the agency community, United raised their change fees on April 18.