Airlines dump new fees on fliers

USA TODAY, June, 2008 by Dan Reed

Record oil prices' toll on air travel climbed Thursday as several airlines unleashed new fees, higher fuel surcharges and schedule cutbacks.

*US Airways said it will start charging $2 for a can of soft drink or juice, a bottle of water or a cup of coffee, starting Aug. 1. It's the first major U.S. airline to do that. Frequent fliers also will pay a fee to redeem miles for award tickets -- $25 to $50, depending on the destination, for travel booked on or after Aug. 6.

*US Airways and United said they will join American in charging $15 to check a single bag.

*Most big airlines matched American Airlines' $20 increase to domestic tickets' fuel surcharge, raising the total to $150 above the base fare.

*Continental said it will discontinue...