SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING BOOKING AND EXPENSING OF TRAVEL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
First Claim
1. A method for managing booking of travel products and services by a traveler, comprising:
- receiving request criteria from the traveler;
retrieving at least one option that relates to the request criteria by searching multiple data sources at the same time, the multiple data sources comprising;
a global distribution system data source;
a public Web site;
a travel aggregation public Web site; and
a data source privately connected to a vendor.displaying the at least one option to the traveler in a common interface regardless of the data source;
presenting the at least one option and information on whether the at least one option is an in-policy option, compliant with a policy entered by a managing entity;
receiving at least one selection for booking from the at least one option; and
directing the user to one of the multiple data sources for booking of the at least one selection when the at least one selection is an in-policy option; and
storing booking information for the at least one selection in a record with a common interface regardless of the data source.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for booking and expensing travel products and services utilizing multiple data sources and presenting information pulled from the multiple data sources in one user-friendly format. The following features are included: graphical city selection; policy enforcement; request and approval queues: in-browser agent support; request prioritization; email confirmation and integration; data incorporation into expense reports; and expense report audits. For example, an employee books a ticket, has the booking approved by a manager if needed, receives email confirmation and integrates the booking information into the employee'"'"'s calendar. The employee also submits, for example, the booking information into an expense report, which can be audited by an employer.
152 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for managing booking of travel products and services by a traveler, comprising:
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receiving request criteria from the traveler; retrieving at least one option that relates to the request criteria by searching multiple data sources at the same time, the multiple data sources comprising; a global distribution system data source; a public Web site; a travel aggregation public Web site; and a data source privately connected to a vendor. displaying the at least one option to the traveler in a common interface regardless of the data source; presenting the at least one option and information on whether the at least one option is an in-policy option, compliant with a policy entered by a managing entity; receiving at least one selection for booking from the at least one option; and directing the user to one of the multiple data sources for booking of the at least one selection when the at least one selection is an in-policy option; and storing booking information for the at least one selection in a record with a common interface regardless of the data source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification