DEJA NEW: For the third time in five weeks, US Airways changed its
same-day standby policy on nonrefundable fares, allowing customers on
those fares to pay $100 to stand by for a same-day flight beginning Oct.
10. To do so, they'll need to buy new standby coupons ($100 apiece),
valid for one-way travel on the originally scheduled travel date.

CUSTOMERS on nonrefundable fares used to be allowed to fly same-day
standby for free. But when US Airways unveiled its new restrictions on
nonrefundable fares Aug. 27, it immediately eliminated the standby option
for most of those travelers. Soon after, most other major U.S. airlines said
they would continue to allow free standby on nonrefundable fares through
year's end, but would begin charging $100 as of Jan. 1. US Airways
responded Sept. 6 by revising its rules so that it would continue to prohibit
standby until the end of the year, but allow it with a $100 fee as of Jan. 1.

THE COUPONS are something new, and were touted by US Airways
officials as a method for helping travelers avoid additional lines and gain
flexibility. The coupons can be bought in advance at unlimited quantities
and are transferable to other individuals, but they are nonrefundable, lose
their value after a year and cannot be replaced if lost. Customers can
purchase the coupons at any US Airways airport ticket counter or city
ticket office. By year's end, the airline said, customers would be able to
purchase them from US Airways reservations and via the airline's Web
site; the airline has not arranged for availability via travel agents.