After a test period last year in which United charged passengers $2 per bag for skycap service at big, hectic airports such as O'Hare, the airline now makes customers pay for curbside check-in on all flights. Northwest and Alaska Airlines also charge $2 for the service at select airports, as does American, which added on the fee at one of its main hubs, Dallas--Fort Worth, in December. Passengers can either pay the extra cash (along with a tip, because the new fees don't go directly to the skycaps) or wait in line inside the terminal.

Flying Standby

To officially switch a flight at the last minute, you used to be subject to a fee of $100 or more, even if you were only shifting departure times by a few hours. The other option was to fly standby, which was free but risky--if a flight was full, there was nothing you could do. American, Northwest, and US Airways are now charging $25 to confirm you'll be on an alternate flight leaving the same day. They heralded the $25 charge as a cheaper alternative to the full change fee, but they certainly could confirm standby seats for free if they were chiefly interested in providing better service and making customers happy. There's fine print for the new offer: American Airlines, for example, lets you make the $25 change only if your new flight is within three hours of the original one. Winging it remains an option--go to the airport, ask a nice agent what your chances are, and wait. Or fly JetBlue (change fees start at only $20) or Southwest (which doesn't charge at all).

Pillows and Blankets

Many airlines removed pillows and blankets as a money saver and now sell all kinds of things on flights, including (surprise) pillows and blankets. In November, Air Canada started offering a $2 kit that includes an inflatable plastic pillow, pillowcase, and lightweight blanket. In December, flight attendants on Ted, United's low-cost carrier, began hawking $10 sleep kits (earplugs, eyeshade, socks, and an inflatable pillow), as well as $20 bracelets, $25 sunglasses, and other merchandise. Independence Air defends its practice of selling blankets and U-shaped pillows for $10 apiece. "It's better to provide amenities à la carte so that they're not automatically added into the cost of services," says Rick DeLisi, director of corporate communications. "These are high-quality products, at prices that are less than those at the airport gift shop or a fancy store in the mall." The airline didn't save enough to keep it from filing for bankruptcy in November.

Upgrades and Using Miles

It'll sometimes cost more than just frequent-flier miles to get an upgrade--or even a seat. In the past, miles alone were enough to trade for a flight or upgrade. But American Airlines charges 25,000 miles and $250 for upgrades on some international flights, while you'll have to pay a $50 late fee for using miles within two weeks of departure on Continental, Delta, and others.

A few airlines sell mini-upgrades. For $15--$100 more than standard coach, Spirit Airlines offers Spirit Plus seats--which have 37 inches of legroom, leather seats, and priority boarding and check-in. Likewise, SAS, Virgin Blue (which flies Down Under and in the South Pacific), and Martinair (offering connections between Amsterdam and Florida) are all charging extra for roomier seats. United's Economy Plus seats, with three to five inches of extra legroom, used to go automatically to loyal customers, but now anyone can pay $299 annually for a shot at the first-come-first-served seats.

Instead of assigning seats, Southwest lets passengers choose their own in three rounds, based on who's checked in earliest. Now, even that's for sale. For $5, a company called Boardfirst.com ensures you're in the first round of seating.