There is good news for budget travelers who hate the Saturday night stay rule.
Simply put, the tactic is not working as well for airlines these days!
Airlines like forcing as many business travelers as possible into expensive, short notice flights that generate huge revenue streams. But those travelers have more options--and pressures--than they did a decade ago.
The rise of budget carriers allows business people far more flexibility on price and flight times. These airlines generally offer simplified fares that do not require Saturday stays. Once a novelty, successful budget carriers like Southwest and AirTran now represent serious competition for the majors.
Another factor that could spell the end of Saturday stay requirements is the scrutiny expense accounts receive in many companies. Supervisors are discouraging those last-minute, $2000 flights when video conferencing and low-cost carriers prove to be easier on the bottom line.
So major carriers often find themselves at the crossroads: limit (or discontinue) the Saturday night stay requirement, or risk losing a significant portion of the business travelers.
Given that choice, many are rethinking Saturday night and a host of other equally restrictive and annoying policies.
Click "next" to see how this new trend is developing, and how you can take advantage of it.
