Northwest doubles fees on many transactions

Northwest Airlines has doubled the fees it charges travelers who purchase tickets with the help of a live person, part of an industrywide effort to direct travelers to airline Web sites, which process tickets more cheaply.

Northwest – which is operating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection – increased its fees to $10 from $5 for tickets purchased through its reservation lines. Fees on tickets purchased at airport ticket counters increased to $20 from $10, and frequent fliers who obtain award tickets through an airport ticket agent will pay $30 instead of $15.

American Airlines recently raised its fees on tickets purchased through its reservation center to $10 from $8. American also charges $15 for tickets purchased at the airport, and for award tickets through its call center.

US Airways charges a $5 fee for tickets sold through its reservation agents and $10 for tickets sold at the airport. Delta Air Lines’ fee is $10 for tickets purchased over the phone, $15 at the airport.