United to Reinstate Minimum Stay Rules in October

[Matt Molnar]

United Airlines to require minimum stays from Oct. (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20080620/ap_tr_ge/travel_brief_airlines_fares)

By ADAM SCHRECK, AP Business Writer 21 minutes ago

NEW YORK - United Airlines said Friday it will start requiring minimum stays for nearly all domestic flights beginning in October. It is also raising its cheapest fares by as much as $90 one-way.

The second-largest U.S. carrier said the moves are among a number of changes it is making to combat record high fuel prices. The Chicago-based airline has been among the most aggressive in the industry in pushing fares and fuel surcharges higher in recent months, and its latest policy could prompt other carriers to consider following suit.

Starting Oct. 6, most United fares will require a one- to three-night or weekend-night minimum stay, spokeswoman Robin Urbanski said. [Full Article (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20080620/ap_tr_ge/travel_brief_airlines_fares)]

[G-BOAD]

:?:
Just wondering, how does the minimum stay help the airlines? It looks as if it could hurt them, because the business travelers would like not to stay, and other will need to factor in the price of a hotel room to their trip, and this will make United look less favorable and people will choose other airlines.

[Matt Molnar]

:?:
Just wondering, how does the minimum stay help the airlines? It looks as if it could hurt them, because the business travelers would like not to stay, and other will need to factor in the price of a hotel room to their trip, and this will make United look less favorable and people will choose other airlines.
I think it's a safe bet the other legacies will follow this, while Southwest and JetBlue pick up more pax.

[BigAppleCoder]

The hotel industry should be happy that they'll be renting more rooms for Friday and Saturday nights....assuming of course business travel doesn't slow to a trickle.