Category 6 (Minimum Stay) specifies the earliest time travel may commence from the point specified by the To Geographic Specification Table (bytes 37-44). The From and To Geographic Specification Tables (bytes 29-36, 37-44) define the points to be used when measuring the minimum stay. Minimum stay provisions are not processed on one way pricing units. If data exists in Category 6 applicable for a one way fare that is being used on a one way pricing unit, then processing will not validate the minimum stay; however, if a one way fare is used in a round trip, open jaw, or circle trip pricing solution, then the minimum stay provisions will apply.
In order to validate Category 6, it is essential to know:
When there is no data present for Category 6:
When there is no Category 6 information (no Category 6 Record 2 that resolves to the fare), the assumption is that there are no minimum stay requirements.
When there is data present for Category 6:
Minimum Stay is calculated from the departure from the point specified in the From Geographic Specification Table to travel commencing from the point specified in the To Geographic Specification Table. When validating minimum stay provisions, processing must first mark the points specified in the From and To Geo Spec Tables and then calculate the minimum stay. Minimum stay will be counted from the day after departure from the point specified in the From Geo Spec Table, unless the provision is specified in months. If the provision is specified in months, then minimum stay will be counted from the day of departure from the point specified in the From Geo Spec Table.
Based on the category assumption, when the point from which the minimum stay count begins is not defined in the rule, the ‘From’ portion of travel will be entered as ‘Departure from Fare Origin’ (TSI 01). If the point from which travel may commence is not defined in the rule the ‘To’ portion will be entered as the ‘Last point of stopover’ (TSI 05). Likewise, if outward destination is not defined it will be assumed that outward destination, point of turnaround, is the last point of stopover.
Calculation of minimum stay is done by going outside the fare component being validated and looking at the entire pricing unit. Processing will mark the points specified in the From and To Geo Spec Tables, on the pricing unit. The minimum stay is then counted from the departure from the point specified in the From Geo Spec Table to travel commencement from the point specified in the To Geo Spec table.
As the provision is calculated by looking at the entire pricing unit, any minimum stay restrictions based on directionality require the use of value 3 (Origin Loc 1) or value 4 (Origin Loc 2). Use of directionality value (From Loc 1), value 2 (To Loc 1), Inbound or Outbound is illogical.
