WO2001008024A2 - Systeme et procede permettant de fixer le prix d'un produit de voyage en fonction du degre de flexibilite donne d'un voyageur - Google Patents

Systeme et procede permettant de fixer le prix d'un produit de voyage en fonction du degre de flexibilite donne d'un voyageur Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001008024A2
WO2001008024A2 PCT/US2000/016924 US0016924W WO0108024A2 WO 2001008024 A2 WO2001008024 A2 WO 2001008024A2 US 0016924 W US0016924 W US 0016924W WO 0108024 A2 WO0108024 A2 WO 0108024A2
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
price
travel product
flexibility
flexibility range
traveler
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PCT/US2000/016924
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English (en)
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WO2001008024A8 (fr
Inventor
Jay S. Walker
Daniel E. Tedesco
James A. Jorasch
Keith Bemer
Kathleen Van Luchene
Original Assignee
Walker Digital, Llc
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Publication date
Application filed by Walker Digital, Llc filed Critical Walker Digital, Llc
Priority to AU54973/00A priority Critical patent/AU5497300A/en
Publication of WO2001008024A2 publication Critical patent/WO2001008024A2/fr
Publication of WO2001008024A8 publication Critical patent/WO2001008024A8/fr

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
    • G06Q10/02—Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to a system for processing the sale of travel products, such as airline tickets, and, more particularly, to a system for selling travel products based on a traveler's specified degree of flexibility.
  • Airline travelers can be generally classified into two broad groups, namely, business travelers and leisure travelers. Each group tends to exhibit different characteristics and expectations.
  • Business travelers for example, are generally willing to pay higher prices in exchange for a more flexible ticket.
  • business travelers generally purchase their tickets closer to the time of departure, and desire a fixed, convenient and reliable itinerary that can be changed without penalty.
  • business travelers are not especially price sensitive since business-related travel expenses are often reimbursed by a third party, such as an employer or a client.
  • Airlines generally deter business travelers from getting discounted fares by imposing restrictions on discounted airline tickets, such as requiring an advance purchase, a Saturday night stay, or imposing a penalty for itinerary changes.
  • Airlines have adopted a number of discount programs that are targeted for leisure travelers and generally offer a discount in exchange for demonstrated traveler flexibility. For example, many airlines attempt to fill empty seats with "standby" travelers. Standby travelers must typically present a standby voucher to an airline several hours before departure. The standby traveler is only permitted to board a flight if there is an available seat just before departure. Thus, standby travel can be inconvenient for the traveler because there is no guarantee that the traveler will be placed on a flight within a reasonable amount of time.
  • the Anytime Airline System sells an unspecified-time airline ticket to a traveler.
  • a particular flight is selected by an airline from among the flights that fulfill the terms of the unspecified-time airline ticket.
  • the flight-time flexibilities discourage business travelers who may be unwilling to risk losing a full day at one or both ends of their trip.
  • travelers can obtain additional discounts for further specified flexibilities, such as the airline or airports for one or both ends of their trip.
  • a method and apparatus for processing requests from a traveler for a travel product that is priced in accordance with a specified degree of flexibility.
  • the disclosed system evaluates the traveler's specified degree of flexibility and determines an appropriate price and corresponding customized restrictions.
  • each travel product is evaluated in terms of one or more variable components, each having a range of possible options.
  • the traveler specifies his or her degree of flexibility, if any.
  • the stated degree of flexibility is used to evaluate the traveler's tendency toward a business or leisure status and to determine appropriate restrictions for the individual traveler and a corresponding price.
  • the present invention permits customized restrictions to be tailored to a particular traveler.
  • customized restrictions are a set of restrictions established by the seller of a travel product that satisfy the individual traveler's specified degree of flexibility.
  • the customized restrictions are a subset of the traveler's specified degree of flexibility, containing only those restrictions that are significant to the airline. Travelers willing to be more flexible can be rewarded with a lower price.
  • airlines can extract more revenue from its customer base when restrictions are established in proportion to price and traveler-specified flexibilities.
  • the present invention allows airlines to reach price-sensitive yet flexible travelers who could not previously meet generalized restrictions or prices or both.
  • the clearly defined customized restrictions required of such price-sensitive yet flexible travelers allow the airline to more easily place such price-sensitive yet flexible travelers on a particular flight without necessarily displacing a higher paying traveler.
  • the traveler's degree of flexibility is evaluated and a corresponding price is determined based on the traveler's stated degree of flexibility.
  • the price may be obtained by, for example, discounting an established price, such as a published commercial fare, or applying a premium to a wholesale price.
  • the present invention allows a traveler who is closer to a leisure status to be rewarded with proportionally lower prices. Likewise, a traveler who is closer to a business status can be required to pay higher prices, albeit with less restrictions.
  • a flexibility rating can be compared to flexibility ratings for a hypothetical extreme leisure traveler (most flexible traveler) and a hypothetical extreme business traveler (least flexible traveler) to derive a proportional price.
  • the hypothetical extreme business traveler having the lowest flexibility rating may not be assigned any discount (thus, requiring full-fare).
  • an appropriate price can be obtained in proportion to the number of travel products that satisfy the traveler's specified degree of flexibility.
  • the present invention rewards a traveler that commits to a specified degree of flexibility for a travel product with a discounted fare, subject to one or more customized restrictions.
  • the traveler's commitment may be established, for example, by requiring the traveler to purchase a travel product that satisfies the specified degree of flexibility, or by charging a penalty if the traveler fails to purchase a travel product that satisfies the specified degree of flexibility.
  • a voucher is issued to a traveler that establishes a right to travel, subject to customized restrictions that are based in part on the specified degree of flexibility, and optionally further subject to availability.
  • the voucher can be exchanged for a confirmed ticket in accordance with the customized restrictions specified by the corresponding airline.
  • confirmed or reserved tickets are provided after the traveler's specified degree of flexibility has been evaluated and a corresponding price has been established.
  • the present invention also contemplates a "buyer-driven” embodiment and a "seller-driven” embodiment.
  • the traveler specifies a maximum price for which the traveler will commit to a specified degree of flexibility.
  • the seller determines a price for which the seller agrees to sell a travel product that satisfies a traveler's specified degree of flexibility .
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a network environment for processing the sale of travel products in accordance with the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary server of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a sample table from the inventory database of FIG. 2
  • FIGS. 4 A and 4B collectively, illustrate a sample table from the flexibility scoring database of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a sample table from the issued voucher database of FIG. 2
  • FIGS. 6 A through 6C collectively, are a flowchart describing an exemplary flexibility evaluation process implemented by the server of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary graphical user interface for receiving a request to purchase a travel product that is priced based on a specified degree of flexibility
  • FIG. 8 illustrates a voucher that can be exchanged for a confirmed ticket in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a network environment 100 for interconnecting one or more user devices 130-1 through 130-N, hereinafter collectively referred to as user devices 130, a server 200, discussed below in conjunction with FIG. 2, and an optional conventional payment processor server 110.
  • the communications network 120 may be embodied, for example, as the Internet, public switched telephone network (PSTN), dedicated data lines, cellular network, Personal Communication Systems ("PCS”) network, microwave network, satellite network or a combination of the foregoing. While the invention is illustrated in an airline travel environment, the present invention could be utilized to sell any travel-related products, such as car rentals, hotel rooms, or cruises, as would be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art.
  • PSTN public switched telephone network
  • PCS Personal Communication Systems
  • each travel product is evaluated in terms of one or more variable components.
  • a variable component is any portion of a travel product having a range of possible options.
  • the variable components may be the times and dates of departure or arrival, origination and destination airports, number of stops and seat position (location assignment).
  • the traveler specifies his or her degree of flexibility, if any, which are collectively referred to as the traveler's specified degree of flexibility. Thereafter, the traveler's tendency toward business or leisure status is evaluated. In this manner, the seller of a travel product can utilize the specified degree of flexibility to determine appropriate customized restrictions for the individual traveler and a corresponding price.
  • the traveler's degree of flexibility is evaluated and a resulting flexibility rating is utilized to determine a corresponding price.
  • the price may be obtained, for example, by discounting a published commercial fare, a published sale price, or a forecasted price based on, for example, historical sales information. Alternatively, the price may be obtained by applying a premium to a wholesale price.
  • the present invention allows an airline to more accurately address and accommodate the tendency of the traveler toward business or leisure status. In this manner, a traveler who is closer to a leisure status can be rewarded with lower prices, albeit with more restrictions. Likewise, a traveler who is closer to a business status can be required to pay higher prices, albeit with less restrictions.
  • a flexibility continuum is established between a hypothetical extreme leisure traveler (most flexible traveler) and a hypothetical extreme business traveler (least flexible traveler).
  • the hypothetical extreme business traveler and hypothetical extreme leisure traveler are assigned a minimum and maximum flexibility rating, respectively, and a corresponding discount.
  • the hypothetical extreme business traveler may be assigned the lowest flexibility rating and not be assigned any discount (thus, requiring full-fare).
  • a traveler's specified degree of flexibility is then evaluated, and the flexibility rating is prorated relative to the leisure- business traveler continuum to obtain an applicable price.
  • an appropriate price is obtained in proportion to the number of travel products that satisfy the traveler's specified degree of flexibility.
  • the traveler is rewarded for his or her flexibility with a price that is discounted in proportion to the number of travel products that satisfy the traveler's specified degree of flexibility.
  • a traveler is rewarded with a percentage discount that increases in accordance with the number of available flights that satisfy the traveler's specified degree of flexibility .
  • a traveler who commits to a specified degree of flexibility for a travel product is rewarded for such flexibility with a discounted fare, subject to one or more customized restrictions.
  • the traveler's commitment may be established, for example, by requiring the traveler to purchase a travel product that satisfies the specified degree of flexibility, or by charging a penalty if the traveler fails to purchase a travel product that satisfies the specified degree of flexibility.
  • the seller of the travel product evaluates the traveler's flexibilities to determine a set of applicable customized restrictions.
  • customized restrictions are restrictions established by the airline that satisfy the individual traveler's specified degree of flexibility.
  • the customized restrictions are a subset of the traveler's specified degree of flexibility, containing only those restrictions that are significant to the airline.
  • a traveler's specified degree of flexibility may permit two stops on each end of a traveler's itinerary
  • the customized restrictions established by the airline may only require one stop.
  • the present invention permits customized restrictions to be tailored to a particular traveler, and thereby benefits both travelers and sellers of travel products alike. Specifically, when restrictions are commensurate with price and traveler- specified flexibilities, the travel product fits the needs of each traveler more closely. In this manner, travelers willing to be more flexible can be rewarded with a lower price.
  • airlines can extract more revenue from their customer bases when restrictions are established in proportion to price and traveler-specified flexibilities.
  • the airline can reach price-sensitive yet flexible travelers who could not previously meet generalized restrictions or prices or both. Meanwhile, the clearly defined customized restrictions required of such price-sensitive yet flexible travelers allow the airline to more easily place such price-sensitive yet flexible travelers on a particular flight without necessarily displacing a higher paying traveler.
  • a voucher is issued to a traveler that establishes a right to travel, subject to customized restrictions that are based in part on the specified degree of flexibility, and optionally further subject to availability.
  • the voucher can be exchanged for a confirmed ticket in accordance with the customized restrictions specified by the corresponding airline.
  • confirmed or reserved tickets are provided after the traveler's specified degree of flexibility has been evaluated and a corresponding price has been established.
  • the present invention also contemplates a "buyer-driven” embodiment and a “seller-driven” embodiment.
  • the traveler specifies a maximum price for which the traveler will commit to a specified degree of flexibility.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the architecture of an illustrative server 200.
  • the server 200 processes requests from travelers for travel products in accordance with a specified degree of flexibility, and determines an appropriate price and corresponding customized restrictions.
  • the server 200 includes certain well-known hardware components, such as a data storage device 210, a processor 250, an input device 260, an output device 270 and a communications port 280.
  • the processor 250 may be linked to each of the other listed elements, either by means of a shared data bus, or dedicated connections, as shown in FIG. 2.
  • the communications port 280 connects the server 200 to each user device 130 and payment processor server 110, as shown in FIG. 1.
  • the communications port 280 can include multiple communication channels for simultaneously establishing a plurality of connections.
  • the data storage device 210 is operable to store a program 220 that includes one or more instructions, such as those discussed further below in conjunction with FIGS. 6A through 6C, which the processor 250 is operable to retrieve, interpret and execute.
  • the data storage device 210 may store instructions representing processes to accomplish the transfer of required payments, charges and debits. The execution of such accounting transactions can be secured in a conventional manner, for example, using well-known cryptographic techniques.
  • the data storage device 210 includes an inventory database 300, a flexibility scoring database 400 and an issued voucher database 500.
  • the inventory database 300 stores information on the travel products that are available for sale by the server 200.
  • the inventory database 300 stores flight data information, such as the flight data information that is typically accessible through a computer reservation system (CRS) or airline reservation system (ARS).
  • the flexibility scoring database 400 stores information that is used to evaluate the traveler's specified degree of flexibility and derive an appropriate price, in the illustrative implementation.
  • the exemplary flexibility scoring database 400 indicates the degrees to which each variable component of an airline product can be customized for flexibility, and the corresponding relative importance of the component to the airline.
  • the issued voucher database 500 stores information on each voucher that has been issued in accordance with the "voucher-sale" embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary inventory database 300 that stores information on the travel products that are available for sale, such as flight data information for a number of representative flights in the illustrative airline embodiment.
  • the exemplary inventory database 300 maintains a plurality of records, each associated with a different flight. For each flight number listed in field 310, the seller database 300 indicates the corresponding origination and destination (O&D) cities (or airports), departure date and time, stop-over information, and arrival date and time in fields 320 through 350, respectively.
  • the inventory database 300 records the current availability for each flight, for example, by class of service or seat location, in field 360, and the corresponding retail price and available meal options in fields 370 and 380, respectively.
  • the retail price recorded in field 360 may be obtained dynamically or periodically from a revenue management system (RMS) (not shown) that dynamically allocates inventory to each available fare.
  • RMS revenue management system
  • the discounted prices calculated in accordance with the present invention may reflect fluctuations in market forces.
  • FIGS. 4A and 4B collectively, illustrate an exemplary flexibility scoring database 400 that stores information that is used to evaluate the customer's specified degree of flexibility and derive an appropriate discount.
  • the exemplary flexibility scoring database 400 shown in FIGS. 4 A and 4B indicates the degrees to which each variable component of an airline product can be customized according to the flexibility of a given traveler, and the corresponding relative importance of the component to the airline.
  • the illustrative flexibility scoring database 400 may be associated, for example, with one or more O&D pairs of a given airline.
  • the data recorded in the illustrative flexibility scoring database 400 may only be applicable for certain periods of time.
  • multiple versions of the illustrative flexibility scoring database 400 may be maintained by an airline, with each version corresponding to a different O&D pair and applicable time frame.
  • the flexibility scoring database 400 shown in FIGS. 4 A and 4B maintains a plurality of records, each associated with a different variable component of an airline product, such as a flight.
  • the flexibility scoring database 400 includes the possible user selections and corresponding points in field 420 and a corresponding weighting factor relative to other variable components is recorded in field 430.
  • each of the degrees of flexibility for each variable component are assigned a corresponding number of points (recorded in field 420), that can be earned by a given traveler for selecting a particular degree of flexibility.
  • an airline or another seller of a travel product can weight the variable components in accordance with the economic importance of each variable component to the airline (or seller).
  • variable components and corresponding possible user selections and associated points may vary, for example, for different airlines, for different O&D pairs of the same airline or for different applicable time periods.
  • the "number of stops" may not be an applicable variable component for an O&D pair having only direct flights, such as flights between New York and Boston.
  • Fields 440 and 450 indicate the score for each variable component for the hypothetical most flexible traveler and hypothetical least flexible traveler, respectively. In other words, the score for the hypothetical most flexible traveler for a given variable component is obtained by multiplying the selection with the highest number of corresponding points from field 420 by the weighting factor recorded in field 430.
  • the score for the hypothetical least flexible traveler for a given variable component is obtained by multiplying the selection with the lowest number of corresponding points from field 420 by the weighting factor recorded in field 430.
  • Other methods of obtaining such scores will be understood by those skilled in the art to be within the scope of the present invention.
  • the flexibility scoring database 400 also indicates the corresponding total number of points for the hypothetical most flexible traveler and hypothetical least flexible traveler, respectively, in record 460.
  • a percentage of the full retail price for each of the hypothetical most flexible traveler and hypothetical least flexible traveler is recorded in the corresponding entry in record 470.
  • the hypothetical most flexible traveler will pay the lowest price, in accordance with the maximum discount set forth in record 470
  • the hypothetical least flexible traveler will pay the highest price, in accordance with the minimum discount set forth in record 470.
  • the hypothetical most flexible travelers will be awarded a fifty percent (50%) discount off of the retail price.
  • the total flexibility score of a traveler, relative to the most and least flexible scores is used to calculate the price that a given traveler should pay for a travel product meeting their specified degree of flexibility.
  • the possible user selections for each variable component of a travel product can be assigned a corresponding monetary amount.
  • a discount for a traveler can be calculated by, for example, totaling all of the applicable monetary discount amounts and subtracting the total discount from the estimated commercial fare.
  • the possible user selections and corresponding monetary amount for each variable component can be presented to the traveler with "buyout" provisions. For example, the traveler could buyout a date restriction for an indicated price. In theory, if the traveler bought out all the restrictions, the traveler would pay full retail price.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary issued voucher database 500 that stores information on each voucher that has been issued in accordance with the "voucher-sale" embodiment of the present invention.
  • the issued voucher database 500 maintains a plurality of records, each associated with a different voucher. For each voucher identified by a voucher identifier in field 510, the issued voucher database 500 includes the corresponding price paid in field 520 and the corresponding customized restrictions in field 530.
  • the server 200 executes a flexibility evaluation process 600, shown in FIGS. 6 A through 6C, to process requests from travelers for discounted tickets in accordance with a specified degree of flexibility, and determine an appropriate price and corresponding customized restrictions.
  • the flexibility evaluation process 600 evaluates the specified degree of flexibility associated with a purchase request.
  • the flexibility evaluation process 600 initially receives a purchase request from a traveler during step 605 that includes the traveler's specified degree of flexibility and a payment identifier, for example, by means of a graphical user interface (GUI), such as the GUI discussed further below in conjunction with FIG. 7.
  • GUI graphical user interface
  • a buyer-driven embodiment of the present invention allows the traveler to name a price for a travel product that falls within the traveler's specified degree of flexibility.
  • the purchase request also includes a maximum offer price that the traveler is willing to pay for the specified degree of flexibility.
  • the traveler's flexibilities are specified in terms of a preferred or target selection for each variable component, together with a tolerance or window for each variable component. For example, if a traveler wishes to depart within a four hour time window between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. on a given day, the traveler can specify 8 a.m. as a target departure time, and specify a two hour time tolerance (target time plus or minus two hours). Alternatively, the traveler can specify an acceptable window of 6 a.m. through 10 a.m., without providing a target departure time.
  • the payment identifier received during step 605 can optionally be used to establish the traveler's commitment, for example, by requiring the traveler to purchase a travel product that satisfies the specified degree of flexibility, or by charging a penalty if the traveler fails to purchase a travel product that satisfies the specified degree of flexibility.
  • the traveler is optionally pre-authorized for the estimated transaction price during step 610, for example, by verifying an account status, credit availability or account balance information.
  • the estimated transaction price should be the maximum offer price specified by the traveler.
  • the estimated transaction price may be, for example, the actual retail price or an estimated price obtained from historical sales information.
  • the inventory database 300 is queried during step 615 to determine if there are any possible retail products, such as specific flights, that fall within the traveler's specified degree of flexibility. If it is determined during step 615 that there are no retail products that fall within the traveler's specified degree of flexibility, then a rejection message is transmitted to the traveler during step 620. If, however, it is determined during step 615 that there are retail products that fall within the traveler's specified degree of flexibility, then the magnitude of a discount for which the traveler may be eligible is determined during step 625.
  • a total flexibility score is calculated during step 625 using the user- specified selection and corresponding point assignments from the flexibility scoring database 400 (FIG. 4) for each variable component of the travel product. As discussed further below in conjunction with FIG. 7, a percentage discount for the current traveler is derived using the total flexibility score, prorated relative to the leisure-business traveler continuum discussed above.
  • the qualifying products that meet the traveler's specified degree of flexibility and offer price are identified during step 630 from among the otherwise possible retail products identified during step 615.
  • the products meeting the traveler's offer price are identified by multiplying the retail prices of the possible retail products, as obtained from the appropriate entry of the inventory database 300 (FIG. 3) by the calculated percentage discount for the current traveler obtained during step 625 and comparing the result to the offer price.
  • the customized restrictions applicable to the individual traveler are identified by the airline (or another seller of travel products) during step 635, for example, by identifying restrictions that are common to the qualifying retail products meeting the traveler's offer price (identified during step 630).
  • the customized restrictions are a subset of the traveler's specified degree of flexibility.
  • the customized restrictions may be, for example, (i) a list of the flights that are qualifying retail products meeting the traveler's specified degree of flexibility and offer price (if any); or (ii) a subset of the flights that are qualifying retail products meeting the traveler's specified degree of flexibility and offer price (if any) that additionally satisfy one or more additional customized restrictions, such as at least one layover or a Saturday night stay.
  • the customized restrictions may be further filtered to ensure that the traveler does not receive the requested target or preferred travel product at a discount. For example, one or more flights from among the list of qualifying flights may be selected randomly, to maximize airline revenue, for example, through load balancing, or such that the most dissimilar travel products within the specified degree of flexibility are selected.
  • the customized restrictions applicable to the individual traveler are presented to the traveler during step 640 (FIG. 6B). Thereafter, a test is performed during step 645 to determine if the present transaction is a voucher-sale or a confirmed- sale. In other words, the test performed during step 645 determines whether the traveler is seeking a voucher, that can be exchanged for a confirmed ticket in accordance with the customized restrictions specified by the corresponding airline, or a confirmed or reserved ticket.
  • vouchers are issued to a traveler that establish a right to travel, subject to customized restrictions that are based in part on the specified degree of flexibility, and optionally further subject to availability.
  • a given airline can implement a pure "voucher-sale” embodiment, a pure “confirmed-sale” embodiment, or a combination of both embodiments.
  • the test performed during step 645 is for illustration only and contemplates a combination of both the "voucher-sale” and “confirmed-sale” embodiments. If it is determined during step 645 that the present transaction is a confirmed-sale, then a further test is performed during step 650 to determine if the traveler accepts any identified qualifying products. If it is determined during step 650 that the traveler has rejected all of the identified qualifying products, then a penalty is levied against the traveler, for example, during step 652 using the received payment identifier before program control terminates.
  • step 650 If, however, it is determined during step 650 that the traveler has accepted one or more of the identified qualifying products, then the selected travel product is identified during step 655.
  • the payment is processed during step 660 at the selling price.
  • the payment processor server 110 can process the payment transaction in a known manner.
  • electronic currency payments can be processed in a known manner.
  • the selling price will be the maximum offer price specified by the traveler, and in a seller-driven embodiment the selling price will be a price specified by the airline, such as a price based on the specified degree of flexibility.
  • the confirmed ticket (or reservation) is issued using a computer reservation system (CRS) or an airline reservation system (ARS) during step 665, before program control terminates.
  • CRM computer reservation system
  • ARS airline reservation system
  • step 645 If, however, it was determined during step 645 that the present transaction is a voucher-sale, then a further test is performed during step 670 (FIG. 6C) to determine if the traveler accepts the customized restrictions. If it is determined during step 670 that the traveler has rejected the customized restrictions, then a penalty is levied against the traveler using the received payment identifier during step 675, before program control terminates.
  • the penalty amount may be a fixed amount stored in memory, or a predefined percentage of the estimated transaction price determined during step 610.
  • step 670 If, however, it is determined during step 670 that the traveler has accepted the customized restrictions, then payment is processed during step 680 at the selling price, in the manner described above.
  • the selling price will be the maximum offer price specified by the traveler, and in a seller-driven embodiment the selling price will be a price specified by the airline, such as a price based on the specified degree of flexibility.
  • a voucher such as the voucher discussed below in conjunction with FIG. 8, is generated during step 685, for example, by creating an electronic representation of the voucher 800 or by printing a paper version of the voucher 800, and a voucher identifier and related information is stored in the issued voucher database 500.
  • the voucher containing the appropriate customized restrictions for the traveler is provided (electronically or by means of a conventional mail delivery system) to the user device 130, before program control terminates.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary graphical user interface (GUI) 700 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention for receiving a request to purchase a discounted travel product according to a specified degree of flexibility.
  • the graphical user interface (GUI) 700 is an example of one or more Web pages that may be utilized by a traveler to enter his or her purchase request, including a specified degree of flexibility and an offer price (in a buyer-driven implementation). It is noted that fields of the graphical user interface (GUI) 700 that are to be populated with traveler-specified data, such as fields 711-718, may be configured to accept any data from the traveler, or may provide suggested data, for example, in the form of pull-down menus or check-off boxes.
  • GUI graphical user interface
  • the traveler will be allowed to purchase a voucher for 25% off the retail price.
  • the traveler's offer will be accepted if the offer price is greater than or equal to the retail price multiplied by .75.
  • the traveler will be presented with an opportunity to purchase a travel product that meets the specified degree of flexibility for 25% off of the retail price.
  • FIG. 8 illustrates a voucher 800 that can be exchanged by a traveler for a confirmed ticket in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • the voucher 800 represents a redeemable right to purchase the corresponding travel product, subject to the indicated customized restrictions 820, including availability.
  • the illustrative data on the voucher 800 of FIG. 8 corresponds to a voucher issued to the traveler associated with the data set forth in the exemplary graphical user interface (GUI) 700 of FIG. 7.
  • GUI graphical user interface

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Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé et un dispositif permettant de traiter les demandes d'un voyageur relatives à un produit de voyage dont le prix est fixé en fonction d'un degré de flexibilité donné. On évalue le degré de flexibilité donné d'un voyageur afin de déterminer un prix adéquat et des restrictions spécifiques correspondantes. Chaque produit de voyage est évalué en termes d'une ou de plusieurs composantes variables comprenant chacune un éventail d'options possibles. Pour chaque composante variable applicable, le voyageur ou la voyageuse indique, le cas échéant, son degré de flexibilité. Le degré de flexibilité indiqué permet d'évaluer le voyageur afin de définir une tendance le rangeant plutôt du côté du voyageur d'affaires ou du côté du voyageur de loisirs, et de définir les restrictions adéquates pour ce voyageur individuel ainsi qu'un prix correspondant. On évalue le degré de flexibilité du voyageur et on utilise l'indice de flexibilité résultant pour déterminer un prix, comprenant par exemple un rabais sur un prix fixé tel qu'un tarif commercial publié d'un produit de voyage. L'indice de flexibilité obtenu peut être comparé aux indices de flexibilité d'un voyageur de loisirs extrême hypothétique (voyageur le plus flexible) et d'un voyageur d'affaires extrême hypothétique (voyageur le moins flexible) afin de définir un prix correspondant. Cette invention permet de récompenser par un tarif réduit un voyageur qui s'engage à accepter un degré de flexibilité donné pour un produit de voyage soumis à une ou plusieurs restrictions spécifiques. Dans un mode de mise en oeuvre à </= vente de bons >/= , le voyageur reçoit un bon établissant un droit de voyage soumis à des restrictions spécifiques fondées en partie sur le degré de flexibilité indiqué, et éventuellement soumis en outre à des restrictions de disponibilité. Dans un mode </= à vente confirmée >/= des billets confirmées ou réservés sont fournis après que le degré de flexibilité indiqué du voyageur a été évalué et qu'un prix correspondant a été défini. Enfin dans un mode à prix fixé par l'acheteur, le voyageur indique un prix maximal pour lequel il s'engage à un degré de flexibilité donné.
PCT/US2000/016924 1999-07-22 2000-06-20 Systeme et procede permettant de fixer le prix d'un produit de voyage en fonction du degre de flexibilite donne d'un voyageur WO2001008024A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU54973/00A AU5497300A (en) 1999-07-22 2000-06-20 System and method for pricing a travel product based on a traveler's specified degree of flexibility

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US35926599A 1999-07-22 1999-07-22
US09/359,265 1999-07-22

Publications (2)

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WO2001008024A2 true WO2001008024A2 (fr) 2001-02-01
WO2001008024A8 WO2001008024A8 (fr) 2007-10-25

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AU (1) AU5497300A (fr)
WO (1) WO2001008024A2 (fr)

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WO2003012715A1 (fr) * 2001-07-31 2003-02-13 Sigmazen Limited Systeme et procede de determination de prix
US8301495B2 (en) 2009-05-05 2012-10-30 Groupon, Inc. System and methods for discount retailing
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US10304091B1 (en) 2012-04-30 2019-05-28 Groupon, Inc. Deal generation using point-of-sale systems and related methods
WO2020016246A1 (fr) * 2018-07-18 2020-01-23 Airbus (Sas) Système pour améliorer le remplissage d'aéronefs avec des voyageurs
US10664876B1 (en) 2013-06-20 2020-05-26 Groupon, Inc. Method and apparatus for promotion template generation
US10664861B1 (en) 2012-03-30 2020-05-26 Groupon, Inc. Generating promotion offers and providing analytics data
US10692039B2 (en) 2016-09-20 2020-06-23 International Business Machines Corporation Cargo logistics dispatch service with integrated pricing and scheduling
US11386461B2 (en) 2012-04-30 2022-07-12 Groupon, Inc. Deal generation using point-of-sale systems and related methods

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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Cited By (26)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2003012715A1 (fr) * 2001-07-31 2003-02-13 Sigmazen Limited Systeme et procede de determination de prix
AU2002326236B2 (en) * 2001-07-31 2008-04-10 Sigmazen Limited Pricing system and method
US8301495B2 (en) 2009-05-05 2012-10-30 Groupon, Inc. System and methods for discount retailing
US8355948B2 (en) 2009-05-05 2013-01-15 Groupon, Inc. System and methods for discount retailing
US8650072B2 (en) 2009-05-05 2014-02-11 Groupon, Inc. System and methods for providing location based discount retailing
US8903733B2 (en) 2009-05-05 2014-12-02 Groupon, Inc. System and methods for discount retailing
US11023914B2 (en) 2009-05-05 2021-06-01 Groupon, Inc. System and methods for discount retailing
US11017440B2 (en) 2012-03-30 2021-05-25 Groupon, Inc. Method, apparatus, and computer readable medium for providing a self-service interface
US10664861B1 (en) 2012-03-30 2020-05-26 Groupon, Inc. Generating promotion offers and providing analytics data
US9996859B1 (en) 2012-03-30 2018-06-12 Groupon, Inc. Method, apparatus, and computer readable medium for providing a self-service interface
US11475477B2 (en) 2012-03-30 2022-10-18 Groupon, Inc. Generating promotion offers and providing analytics data
US10304091B1 (en) 2012-04-30 2019-05-28 Groupon, Inc. Deal generation using point-of-sale systems and related methods
US11386461B2 (en) 2012-04-30 2022-07-12 Groupon, Inc. Deal generation using point-of-sale systems and related methods
US10713707B1 (en) 2012-09-27 2020-07-14 Groupon, Inc. Online ordering for in-shop service
US10147130B2 (en) 2012-09-27 2018-12-04 Groupon, Inc. Online ordering for in-shop service
US11615459B2 (en) 2012-09-27 2023-03-28 Groupon, Inc. Online ordering for in-shop service
US10304093B2 (en) 2013-01-24 2019-05-28 Groupon, Inc. Method, apparatus, and computer readable medium for providing a self-service interface
US11100542B2 (en) 2013-01-24 2021-08-24 Groupon, Inc. Method, apparatus, and computer readable medium for providing a self-service interface
US11481814B2 (en) 2013-06-10 2022-10-25 Groupon, Inc. Method and apparatus for determining promotion pricing parameters
US10878460B2 (en) 2013-06-10 2020-12-29 Groupon, Inc. Method and apparatus for determining promotion pricing parameters
US10192243B1 (en) 2013-06-10 2019-01-29 Groupon, Inc. Method and apparatus for determining promotion pricing parameters
US10664876B1 (en) 2013-06-20 2020-05-26 Groupon, Inc. Method and apparatus for promotion template generation
US11093980B2 (en) 2013-06-27 2021-08-17 Groupon, Inc. Fine print builder
US10255620B1 (en) 2013-06-27 2019-04-09 Groupon, Inc. Fine print builder
US10692039B2 (en) 2016-09-20 2020-06-23 International Business Machines Corporation Cargo logistics dispatch service with integrated pricing and scheduling
WO2020016246A1 (fr) * 2018-07-18 2020-01-23 Airbus (Sas) Système pour améliorer le remplissage d'aéronefs avec des voyageurs

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WO2001008024A8 (fr) 2007-10-25

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