Speaking of airlines lobbying Congress, I doubt the airlines are happy about this news:

Hate those hidden airline fees? A provision was added to the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill, passed by the Senate earlier this week, that would require airlines and online travel agencies to clearly disclose all fees associated with the cost of a ticket, including holiday surcharges, baggage fees and seat assignments. 

I think bait and switch tactics constitute fraud, so despite my general laissez faire attitude, I support the goal of this bill.

Day 0: Introduction: Perfecting My Trip to Europe Using United Miles

Day 1: LAX-YVR on Air Canada, Vancouver, and YVR-LHR on Air Canada

Day 2: BD Number One Lounge at Heathrow and London to Lisbon on TAP Portugal

Day 3: A Day of Sightseeing in Lisbon

Day 4: An Unexpected Extra Day + New Years in Lisbon

Day 5: 12-Hour Bus Trip from Lisbon to Algeciras, Spain via Seville

Day 6: Monkeying Around in British Gibraltar + Ferry to ...

The AP reports that United spent $600,000 lobbying government officials in the Fourth Quarter of 2009. Among United's concerns:

1. DOT Tarmac Delay Guidelines

United's lobbying disclosure report doesn't say which side it took on the legislation, but most airlines opposed new Transportation Department rules about tarmac delays that are set to take effect April 29. Airlines have said the new rules will further complicate matters when a plane is stuck on the ...

I won't get to witness UA's new UDU program first-hand until Friday (my upgrades are waitlisted, BTW), but my brother traveled from FRA-IAD-LAX on United yesterday. He is a Premier and was traveling on an H-fare--an upper-end Economy ticket.

Sunday is generally not a good day to travel from Europe to the U.S. if you want to upgrade, especially during the spring break period, so it came as no surprise when his SWU-sponsored upgrade did not clear for the transatlantic ...

Although he wrote it in January, the Philadelphia Inquirer just published a column our friend Christopher Elliott did on airline fees in this week's Sunday travel section.

Some of his analysis is spot-on, much of it is...not.

First, what makes airline fees reasonable? According to Elliott:

1. They're Optional

Everyone uses a credit card, so a “convenience” fee to pay with plastic isn’t a true choice. Neither is a fee for the first bag, ...