System and method for unbundling baggage costs from airfare prices

• US 20050251430A1
• Filed: 10/12/2004
• Published: 11/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Satish Jindel
• Original Assignee: Satish Jindel
• Inventors: Jindel, Satish
• Granted Patent: US 7,613,622 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/5
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/025 Coordination of plural reservations, e.g. plural trip segments, transportation combined with accommodation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination

Abstract

A system and method is provided for categorizing airline passengers traveling with and without baggage and unbundling the baggage costs associated with the airfare to encourage separate parcel service use. In one embodiment, based on information from an online booking system, the traveler is allowed to choose from a variety of options addressing modes of baggage handling, and an online routine determines the associated costs for the options chosen, providing travel rates that vary from the typical base airfare.

Claims

9-1. The system of claim 9, further comprising a security screening option.

17. An airline transportation booking model including unbundled baggage costs, comprising:

means for allowing a passenger to input baggage information for a baggage;

means for allowing said passenger to choose one or more transportation options for said baggage;

means for generating quotes for prices resulting from the transportation options chosen;

means for displaying said prices; and

means for allowing said passenger to choose different modes of transportation for said baggage based on said prices.

18. The airline transportation booking model of claim 17, further comprising a means for confirming the inputted baggage information.

19. The airline transportation booking model of claim 17, further comprising a means for inputting a starting and destination address for said baggage.

20. A method using a computer to make an airline transportation booking including unbundled baggage costs, comprising:

linking to a baggage information page concurrent with or subsequent to booking a flight;

inputting baggage information for a baggage on said baggage information page;

choosing one or more transportation options for said baggage;

retrieving quotes for prices resulting from the transportation options chosen; and

choosing different modes of transportation for said baggage based on said prices.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of confirming accuracy of the inputted baggage information.

22. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of inputting a starting and destination address for said baggage.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein for the step of inputting said baggage information, dimensions for said luggage are inputted.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein for the step of inputting said baggage information, icons representing standard luggage pieces displayed on a chart are clicked.

25. An airline transportation booking model including unbundled baggage costs, comprising:

a baggage information page displayable concurrent with or subsequent to booking a flight, said baggage information page including a means for categorizing types of baggage being transported by a passenger;

a baggage information and transportation window displayable to said passenger, wherein options for price quotes are selected by said passenger for retrieval thereof; and

a baggage transportation pricing matrix displayable as output to said options selected by said passenger in said baggage information and transportation window, wherein a total travel cost may be generated including a price for transporting said passenger coupled with a price for transporting said baggage.

26. The model of claim 25, further comprising a baggage data collection means for matching the bags that are transported for said passengers for enhanced security and allocation of specific cost to those imposing such cost for handling, transportation and security screening.

27. The model of claim 25, further comprising an address screen, wherein said passenger can input a starting and destination address if a separate parcel service is used.