[PHXFlyer]

Originally Posted by airhead

Domestically and since the 80s, a weekend stay of 3 days also yields a better price in many markets. The logic comes from the local city Chamber of Commerce that makes agreements on behalf of the local tourist industry which benefit the hotels, and other attractions. The longer you stay, the more likely the more money you will spend in that local economy.

Well, yes and no. Yes many domestic leisure markets, such as Hawaii and Las Vegas, do have thos 3 day minimums to entice one to stay and spend money at the destination. The Saturday night stay requirement is to preclude business travelers who usually fly home anytime from Thursday evening to early Saturday from getting the lowest fares. Some airlines have adopted the LCC model of pricing with one-way fares so there are many destinations where a minimum stay is a moot point.

This still doesn't address the issue of a MAXIMUM stay rstriction on many INTERNATIONAL fares. As I said before many destinations will cost less if the return segment is 30 days or less from the outbound. If you book one of those and then extend beyond the 30 days there is a hefty fare difference to pay.