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Associated Press
A United Airlines plane takes off from San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco on April 21
Changing an airline ticket is getting more expensive at US Airways and United Airlines.
Last week United quietly boosted the fee to change a ticket in advance to $200, from $150. A spokesman for United Continental Holdings Inc. says the fee helps cover the cost to the airline when a traveler gives up a reserved seat.
On Wednesday US Airways did the same thing. The website for US Airways Group Inc. also shows that the airline now charges up to $300 to change some international tickets.
The airlines also make travelers pay the higher fare if they switch to a more expensive flight.
Fees for changing tickets and for baggage have become a major source of revenue for the biggest U.S. airlines, although Southwest doesn’t charge to change a ticket.
