US Airways will charge for bags, drinks

US Airways will begin charging travelers for their first checked bag and for their drinks.

The fee of $15 each way for a single checked bag (weighing under 50 pounds) is effective for tickets booked on or after July 9, 2008. The fee applies to travel to and from Latin America, the Caribbean and Canada, as well as travel within the United States. Additional bags and bags that weigh more have additional fees.

Several types of travelers are exempt from the baggage fee, including travelersgoing to and from Europe and Asia, Dividend Miles Preferred members, and Star Alliance Gold and Silver status members. More details about the baggage fees are available online.

US Airways also will begin charging for nonalcoholic beverages after August 1, 2008. Soft drinks, juice, water, coffee and tea will cost $2; the charge for alcoholic beverages increases to $7. The beverage fee does not apply for travelers in First Class and Envoy Class, or to US Airways Shuttle flights.

The new fees are part of a larger "pay-for-what-you-use" model that includes changes to ticketing fees and the Dividend Miles program. You can read more information about the changes on the airline’sWeb site.

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