United Airlines to Require Minimum Stays on Cheapest Fares
United Airlines has raised fares for its cheapest seats. They will also require a "one-to three-night or weekend-night" minimum stay on these ticket purchases.
The rates are for travel starting Oct. 6, UAL Corp.'s United said today in an e-mailed statement. The cheapest fares, including those in direct competition with low-cost rivals, will require a one-to three-night or weekend-night minimum stay, Chicago-based United said.
The changes are parts of United's efforts to cope with an 81 percent jump in jet fuel prices over the past year that threatens to push U.S. carriers to a combined loss of as much as $13 billion in 2008. The nation's largest airlines are cutting at least 10,300 jobs, grounding 413 planes and raising fares and fees to help diminish the impact.
"This move is one of several changes the company is making to combat record high fuel prices while reducing capacity to improve profitability," said Robin Urbanski, a United spokeswoman.
This is all part of an overall trend of increasing air travel fees. Frequent travelers, such as business travelers, will be most impacted by these fee hikes and travel restrictions. The Canadian Press notes that business travelers often try to catch early morning flights so they can return in the evening. This method of travel obviously will not work with minimum stay requirements. United's main hubs are O'Hare International Airport and the Denver International Airport.
