V-Flyer

Looking at going to Boston for a midweek trip and have found G availability (hooray).
Can't seem to secure a L or B to allow my employer to save a few quid over a Y fare. Looking at the grid I suspect this must be because an L or B requires a Saturday night stay.
Seems to be the same if I try to book NY midweek.
Can a guru confirm? - I can't find this info listed elsewhere.

Might just have to stay 'til Sunday ):

Thanks

One of the golden rules for cheap fares is the Saturday night rule. Without that you usually end up paying the same as a full fare.

And if you book via the contact centre you can go outbound in G and return in X, N or even O if available..

Why does a Saturday night stay over qualify for a lower fare? Always wanted to know...

Because people travelling on business don't want to stay a weekend. thus their companies are prepared.to pay through the nose for it. leisure customers are more flexible and usuallyvwant to include a weekend away.

Yep, it's a case of, if you want to do a Monday to Friday, we'll make you pay more. Most people traveling for leisure will cave and stay a weekend. People whose jobs are willing to pay for them to do a Mon-Fri, will usually pick up the extra 1500 bucks (give or take) for a Y/B fare without too much stress. So it's a case of extracting money from people who are willing to pay for it.

BTW, the difference between Y and B is normally no more than a couple of hundred dollars. Most US airlines will let you fly on a B fare without a Sat night stay, so interestingly VS will do an ex-US as a B only (I had done it before with them). I assumed this would work both ways, and was about to chime in with a perplexed ?, but apparently not, ex-UK you are forced into Y (at least online). It's $1950+taxes for a B fare ex-US NY-LHR, and 1250+taxes for a Y fare ex-UK, so it seems the difference is minimal anyway. No chance ever with an L.

Thanks for the helpful responses.

It will be an extra night for me in Boston but at least I see the Sox are at home.