I guess I learned my lesson buying my one-way intraEurope ticket from United.com. When I realized this, I noticed that united.com was selling Business class at just 2x the Light fare (buying Business from SWISS direct was much higher). So now it looks like Business is sold out. SWISS even removed a row out of Business from what used to show on the seat map and made it only 3 rows.
Originally united.com was selling Business at about 4X but then later offered it for 2X, but then that sold out quickly. I would have bought 2X Business fare and avoided the fees.
The Net -
1. For IntraEurope - buy the Classic fare direct from the carrier (not a third party), to avoid the Light Fare.
2. But check third parties for cheaper Business Class.
OK - since *Gold can still use Senator's Lounge on a Light Fare - can you still use First Class check in?