Watercooler: Airlines adding $10 surcharge on 3 busy days

Several big airlines are adding $10 surcharges for most of their tickets for travel on three busy days around Thanksgiving and New Year's holidays.

» American and United airlines added the charge for most of their fares for travel on Nov. 29, the Sunday after Thanksgiving, as well as Jan. 2 and 3. US Airways matched the surcharge, and FareCompare.com said Delta added it, too.

» For now, Southwest and Continental Airlines are holding off, but that could change any minute.

» Rick Seaney of FareCompare.com noted the airlines probably added the charge rather than raise base fares because it was a quick, targeted way to charge more on busy travel days.

» Holiday fares are still running 15 percent to 20 percent lower than last year, with prices to bigger cities carrying the bigger discount from a year ago.