TRAVEL DISCOVERY AND RECOMMENDATION METHOD AND SYSTEM

• US 20130041696A1
• Filed: 08/10/2011
• Published: 02/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Signature Systems LLC
• Original Assignee: Signature Systems LLC
• Inventors: Richard, Postrel
• Application Number:
  US13/206,577
• Publication Number:
  US 20130041696A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/5
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/14 Travel agencies

Abstract

A suggestive intelligent recommendation engine enabling customers to discover new travel and entertainment opportunities tied to value enhanced offers from travel service providers through a static or dynamic bid/offer system internal to a travel reservation system. The customer inputs various travel criteria and preferences, and a computer generates travel predictors. A series of master travel itineraries are generated, which include various travel segments for each master itinerary. Each segment includes a number of options for the customer to review, consider, select and delete, and request revisions. The master itineraries are shuffled on an iterative based on the selections of the customer from the segments of the master itinerary. Prices for each selected option are requested form various travel service providers, which are then discounted prior to presentation to the customer. A proposed itinerary payment solution is generated, which may include a monetary portion and a promotional portion.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of a travel discovery and reservation computer generating a master travel itinerary for a customer comprising the steps of:

sending to a customer computer a web page comprising a plurality of input controls for inputting a plurality of travel criteria,

receiving from the customer computer a plurality of travel criteria input by a customer via the web page;

analyzing the travel criteria provided by the customer computer to generate a set of predictors that recommend at least one proposed travel itinerary that satisfies the travel criteria;

generating a plurality of proposed travel segments, each of the proposed travel segments associated with a different part of the proposed travel itinerary,

sending the proposed travel segments to the customer computer for acceptance or rejection by the customer;

receiving an indication from the customer computer as to which of the proposed travel segments are accepted;

compiling a master travel itinerary comprising the accepted travel segments, and

sending the master travel itinerary to the customer computer.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising, for each accepted travel segment, transmitting to at least one travel service provider computer a request for a travel offer related to the accepted travel segment.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising receiving from each requested travel service provider computer a travel offer responsive to the request specifying a retail price normally charged for the accepted travel segment and a load factor associated with the accepted travel segment.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising generating, for each received travel offer, a discounted travel offer having a discounted price less than the retail price normally charged for the accepted travel segment.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of generating, for each received travel offer, a discounted travel offer having a discounted price less than the retail price normally charged for the accepted travel segment comprises:

referencing a predetermined load factor discount rate table for the associated travel service provider computer to retrieve a predetermined discount for the associated load factor, and

applying the retrieved predetermined discount to the retail price to generate the discounted price.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of generating, for each received travel offer, a discounted travel offer having a discounted price less than the retail price normally charged for the accepted travel segment comprises:

transmitting, to the travel service provider computer that provided the travel offer, a request for a discount;

receiving a real-time discount from the travel service provider computer; and

applying the received real-time discount to the retail price to generate the discounted price.

7. The method of claim 4 wherein the discounted price is generated based on the season of travel in the travel offer.

8. The method of claim 4 wherein the discounted price is generated based on the proximity to an expiration date of the travel offer.

9. The method of claim 4 wherein the discounted price is generated based on a desirability factor of the customer.

10. The method of claim 4 further comprising including at least one discounted travel offer for each accepted travel segment in the master travel itinerary sent to the customer computer.

11. The method of claim 10 comprising the further step of receiving from the customer computer, for each accepted travel segment, an acceptance of a discounted travel offer associated with the accepted travel segment of the master travel itinerary.

12. The method of claim 11 comprising the further steps of:

for each accepted segment offer, generating a proposed payment solution comprising a monetary portion and a promotional portion, the monetary portion payable by the customer with legal tender and the promotional portion payable by the customer with promotional currency; and

transmitting the proposed itinerary payment solution to the customer computer for review by the customer.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the monetary portion is a minimum monetary portion that specifies a minimum amount of legal tender required.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the promotional currency comprises reward points, a coupon, or a rebate.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising the steps of:

receiving customer acceptance of the proposed payment solution, and

causing payment to be made in accordance with the monetary portion and the promotional portion of the proposed payment solution.

16. The method of claim 12 further comprising the steps of:

receiving from the customer computer a modified payment solution, and

causing payment to be made in accordance with the monetary portion and the promotional portion of the modified payment solution.

17. The method of claim 10 further comprising the steps of

receiving from the customer computer a request for an alternate travel offers;

requesting alternate travel offers from associated travel service provider computers,

receiving from each of the travel service provider computers an alternate travel offer,

generating, for each received alternate travel offer, a discounted alternate travel offer having a discounted price; and

presenting the discounted alternate travel offers to the customer computer.

18. The method of claim 10 comprising the further step of receiving from the customer computer, for each accepted travel segment, a rejection of a discounted travel offer associated with the accepted travel segment of the master travel itinerary.

19. The method of claim 18 comprising the further steps of

generating a counteroffer for the each of the rejected discounted travel offers;

and

sending the counteroffers to each of the associated travel service provider computers.

20. The method of claim 19 comprising the further steps of

receiving from each of the associated travel service provider computers an acceptance or rejection of the counteroffers generated by the travel discovery and reservation computer, and

sending the accepted counteroffers to the customer computer.

21. The method of claim 18 comprising the further steps of

receiving from the customer a counteroffer for the each of the rejected segments of the discounted travel offers;

and

sending the counteroffers to each of the associated travel service provider computers.

22. The method of claim 21 comprising the further steps of

receiving from each of the associated travel service provider computers an acceptance or rejection of the counteroffers made by the customer, and

sending the accepted counteroffers to the customer computer.

23. The method of claim 1 further comprising, for each proposed travel segment, transmitting to at least one travel service provider computer a request for a travel offer related to the proposed travel segment.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising receiving from each requested travel service provider computer a travel offer responsive to the request specifying a retail price normally charged for the proposed travel segment and a load factor associated with the proposed travel segment.

25. The method of claim 24 further comprising generating, for each received travel offer, a discounted travel offer having a discounted price less than the retail price normally charged for the proposed travel segment.

26. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing criteria modification input controls alongside the proposed travel segments at the customer computer,

receiving modified or additional criteria from the criteria modification input controls at the customer computer,

generating a new set of proposed travel segments based on the modified or additional criteria, and

sending the new set of proposed travel segments to the customer computer for acceptance or rejection by the customer.

27. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing keyword input controls alongside the proposed travel segments at the customer computer,

receiving selected keyword inputs from the keyword input controls at the customer computer,

generating a new set of proposed travel segments based on the received keyword, and

sending the new set of proposed travel segments to the customer computer for acceptance or rejection by the customer.

28. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of receiving from the customer computer a request for an alternate master travel itinerary, and sending an alternate set of proposed travel segments to the customer computer for acceptance or rejection by the customer.

29. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of storing in memory one or more master travel itineraries for subsequent retrieval and review by the customer.

30. The method of claim 1 comprising the further step of receiving from the customer computer a selection of proposed segments of the master travel itinerary in which the customer has indicated an interest.

31. The method of claim 30 further comprising the step of providing a shuffle control to the customer computer enabling the customer to retrieve additional or replacement proposed segments to supplement the selection of proposed segments in which the customer has indicated an interest.

32. The method of claim 1 wherein previously stored preferences of the customer is additionally used by the travel discovery and reservation computer to generate the set of predictors.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein the preferences are provided by the customer computer during a registration process.

34. The method of claim 32 wherein the preferences are determined by analyzing previously entered travel criteria.

35. The method of claim 32 wherein the preferences are obtained from external sources.

36. The method of claim 1 wherein a plurality of previously stored preference files associated with a group of customers are additionally used by the travel discovery and reservation computer to generate the set of predictors.

37. The method of claim 1 wherein the criteria provided by the customer overrides the previously stored preference file of the customer.

38. The method of claim 1 wherein a previously stored travel history of the customer is additionally used by the travel discovery and reservation computer to generate the set of predictors.

39. The method of claim 1 wherein the input controls comprise a slider control.

40. The method of claim 1 wherein the input controls comprise a plurality of radio buttons.

41. The method of claim 1 wherein the input controls comprise a plurality of check boxes.

42. The method of claim 1 wherein the criteria comprise a budget amount criteria specifying the amount of money the customer is willing to pay for the master travel itinerary.

43. The method of claim 1 wherein the criteria comprise a desired travel time criteria when the customer desires to travel.

44. The method of claim 43 wherein the desired travel time comprises a desired beginning date and a desired end date.

45. The method of claim 43 wherein the desired travel time comprises a desired season.

46. The method of claim 43 wherein the desired travel time comprises a desired length of time.

47. The method of claim 43 wherein the desired travel time is an open travel option.

48. The method of claim 1 wherein the criteria comprise a desired travel location criteria specifying where the customer would like to travel.

49. The method of claim 48 wherein the desired travel location comprises a desired geographic region.

50. The method of claim 48 wherein the desired travel location comprises a desired climate.

51. The method of claim 48 wherein the desired travel location comprises a desired type of location.

52. The method of claim 1 wherein the criteria comprise a travel type criteria specifying the type of travel the customer would like to experience.

53. The method of claim 52 wherein the travel type criteria enables the customer to indicate a level of adventure.

54. The method of claim 52 wherein the travel type criteria enables the customer to indicate a level of novelty.

55. The method of claim 52 wherein the travel type criteria enables the customer to indicate a level of incontinence.

56. The method of claim 52 wherein the travel type criteria enables the customer to indicate a level of pampering.

57. The method of claim 52 wherein the travel type criteria enables the customer to indicate a level of service quality.

58. The method of claim 52 wherein the travel type criteria enables the customer to indicate a level of food quality.

59. The method of claim 52 wherein the travel type criteria enables the customer to indicate a level of local content importance.

60. The method of claim 52 wherein the travel type criteria enables the customer to indicate a level of eco-travel importance.

61. The method of claim 52 wherein the travel type criteria enables the customer to indicate a level of excitement.

62. The method of claim 52 wherein the travel type criteria enables the customer to indicate a level of human interaction importance.

63. The method of claim 52 wherein the travel type criteria enables the customer to indicate a type of interaction.

64. The method of claim 52 wherein the travel type criteria enables the customer to indicate a level of shopping.

65. The method of claim 52 wherein the travel type criteria enables the customer to indicate a level of entertainment.

66. The method of claim 52 wherein the travel type criteria enables the customer to indicate a level of convenience.

67. The method of claim 52 wherein the travel type criteria enables the customer to indicate a type of view from a hotel room.

68. The method of claim 52 wherein the travel type criteria enables the customer to indicate a level of proximity to predefined facilities including a beach, a pool, a restaurant, and an entrance.

69. The method of claim 52 wherein the travel type criteria enables the customer to indicate a level of security.

70. The method of claim 52 wherein the travel type criteria enables the customer to indicate a level of child friendly elements.

71. The method of claim 52 wherein the travel type criteria enables the customer to indicate a level of pet friendly elements.

72. The method of claim 52 wherein the travel type criteria enables the customer to indicate a level of handicapped facilities.

73. The method of claim 52 wherein the travel type criteria enables the customer to indicate a level of medical facilities.

74. The method of claim 52 wherein the travel type criteria enables the customer to indicate the desirability of obtaining connecting rooms.

75. The method of claim 52 wherein the travel type criteria enables the customer to indicate the desirability of obtaining a private villa.

76. The method of claim 52 wherein the travel type criteria enables the customer to indicate the desirability of obtaining a specified number of beds.

77. The method of claim 52 wherein the travel type criteria enables the customer to indicate the number of people that will travel.

78. The method of claim 52 wherein the travel type criteria enables the customer to indicate a level of language translation.

79. The method of claim 52 wherein the travel type criteria enables the customer to indicate the desirability of obtaining business services including secretarial, video conferencing, telephone service, internet connectivity.

80. The method of claim 3 wherein at least one of the travel service provider computers is a transportation provider computer, and wherein the travel offer received from the transportation provider computer specifies a travel segment that provides transportation that is responsive to the request by the travel discovery and reservation computer.

81. The method of claim 80 wherein the transportation provider computer is an airline flight reservation computer, and wherein the travel offer received from the airline flight reservation computer specifies a travel segment of an airline flight responsive to the request by the travel discovery and reservation computer.

82. The method of claim 80 wherein the transportation provider computer is a railroad reservation computer, and wherein the travel offer received from the railroad reservation computer specifies a travel segment of an railroad trip responsive to the request by the travel discovery and reservation computer.

83. The method of claim 80 wherein the transportation provider computer is an automobile rental reservation computer, and wherein the travel offer received from the automobile rental reservation computer specifies a travel segment of an automobile rental responsive to the request by the travel discovery and reservation computer.

84. The method of claim 3 wherein at least one of the travel service provider computers is a lodging service provider computer, and wherein the travel offer received from the lodging service provider computer specifies a travel segment that provides lodging that is responsive to the request by the travel discovery and reservation computer.

85. The method of claim 84 wherein the lodging service provider computer is a hotel reservation computer, and wherein the travel offer received from the hotel reservation computer specifies a travel segment of a hotel room reservation responsive to the request by the travel discovery and reservation computer.

86. The method of claim 3 wherein at least one of the travel service provider computers is a meal service provider computer, and wherein the travel offer received from the meal service provider computer specifies a travel segment that provides meals that is responsive to the request by the travel discovery and reservation computer.

87. The method of claim 3 wherein at least one of the travel service provider computers is an event service provider computer, and wherein the travel offer received from the event service provider computer specifies a travel segment of a reservation for an event responsive to the request by the travel discovery and reservation computer.

88. The method of claim 87 wherein the event service provider computer is a theme park reservation computer, and wherein the travel offer received from the theme park reservation computer specifies a travel segment of a theme park admission responsive to the request by the travel discovery and reservation computer.

89. The method of claim 87 wherein the event service provider computer is a theater reservation computer, and wherein the travel offer received from the theater reservation computer specifies a travel segment of a theater admission responsive to the request by the travel discovery and reservation computer.

90. The method of claim 87 wherein the event service provider computer is a sporting event service provider computer, and wherein the travel offer received from the sporting event service provider computer specifies a travel segment of a sporting event admission responsive to the request by the travel discovery and reservation computer.

91. The method of claim 87 wherein the event service provider computer is a tour group reservation computer, and wherein the travel offer received from the tour group reservation computer specifies a travel segment of a tour group admission responsive to the request by the travel discovery and reservation computer.

92. The method of claim 3 wherein at least one of the travel service provider computers is a third party aggregator reservation computer, and wherein the travel offer received from the third party aggregator reservation computer specifies any of the following:

a travel segment of a transportation reservation responsive to the request by the travel discovery and reservation computer, a lodging reservation responsive to the request by the travel discovery and reservation computer, a meals reservation responsive to the request by the travel discovery and reservation computer, or an event reservation for an event responsive to the request by the travel discovery and reservation computer

93. A travel discovery and reservation system for generating a master travel itinerary for a customer comprising:

A. a customer computer;

B. a travel discovery and reservation computer interconnected with the customer computer via at least one network; and

C. a plurality of travel service provider computers interconnected with the travel discovery and reservation computer via at least one network;

wherein the travel discovery and reservation computer is programmed to;

send to a customer computer a web page comprising a plurality of input controls for inputting a plurality of travel criteria,

receive from the customer computer a plurality of travel criteria input by a customer via the web page;

analyze the travel criteria provided by the customer computer to generate a set of predictors that recommend at least one proposed travel itinerary that satisfies the travel criteria;

generate a plurality of proposed travel segments, each of the proposed travel segments associated with a different part of the proposed travel itinerary,

send the proposed travel segments to the customer computer for acceptance or rejection by the customer;

receive an indication from the customer computer as to which of the proposed travel segments are accepted;

compile a master travel itinerary comprising the accepted travel segments, and

send the master travel itinerary to the customer computer.

94. The system of claim 93, wherein the travel discovery and reservation computer is further programmed to, for each accepted travel segment, transmit to at least one travel service provider computer a request for a travel offer related to the accepted travel segment.

95. The system of claim 94, wherein the travel discovery and reservation computer is further programmed to receive from each requested travel service provider computer a travel offer responsive to the request specifying a retail price normally charged for the accepted travel segment and a load factor associated with the accepted travel segment.

96. The system of claim 95, wherein the travel discovery and reservation computer is further programmed to generate, for each received travel offer, a discounted travel offer having a discounted price less than the retail price normally charged for the accepted travel segment.

97. The system of claim 96, wherein the travel discovery and reservation computer is programmed to generate, for each received travel offer, a discounted travel offer having a discounted price less than the retail price normally charged for the accepted travel segment by:

referencing a predetermined load factor discount rate table for the associated travel service provider computer to retrieve a predetermined discount for the associated load factor, and

applying the retrieved predetermined discount to the retail price to generate the discounted price.

98. The system of claim 96, wherein the travel discovery and reservation computer is programmed to generate, for each received travel offer, a discounted travel offer having a discounted price less than the retail price normally charged for the accepted travel segment by:

transmitting, to the travel service provider computer that provided the travel offer, a request for a discount;

receiving a real-time discount from the travel service provider computer; and

applying the received real-time discount to the retail price to generate the discounted price.

99. The system of claim 96, wherein the travel discovery and reservation computer is programmed to include at least one discounted travel offer for each accepted travel segment in the master travel itinerary sent to the customer computer.

100. The system of claim 99, wherein the travel discovery and reservation computer is programmed to receive from the customer computer, for each accepted travel segment, an acceptance of a discounted travel offer associated with the accepted travel segment of the master travel itinerary.

101. The system of claim 100, wherein the travel discovery and reservation computer is programmed to:

for each accepted segment offer, generate a proposed payment solution comprising a monetary portion and a promotional portion, the monetary portion payable by the customer with legal tender and the promotional portion payable by the customer with promotional currency; and

transmit the proposed itinerary payment solution to the customer computer for review by the customer.

102. The system of claim 101, wherein the travel discovery and reservation computer is programmed to:

receive customer acceptance of the proposed payment solution, and

cause payment to be made in accordance with the monetary portion and the promotional portion of the proposed payment solution.

103. The system of claim 101, wherein the travel discovery and reservation computer is programmed to:

receive from the customer computer a modified payment solution, and

cause payment to be made in accordance with the monetary portion and the promotional portion of the modified payment solution.

104. The system of claim 99, wherein the travel discovery and reservation computer is programmed to receive from the customer computer, for each accepted travel segment, a rejection of a discounted travel offer associated with the accepted travel segment of the master travel itinerary.

105. The system of claim 104, wherein the travel discovery and reservation computer is programmed to

generate a counteroffer for the each of the rejected discounted travel offers;

and

send the counteroffers to each of the associated travel service provider computers.

106. The system of claim 105, wherein the travel discovery and reservation computer is programmed to

receive from each of the associated travel service provider computers an acceptance or rejection of the counteroffers generated by the travel discovery and reservation computer, and

send the accepted counteroffers to the customer computer.

107. The system of claim 104, wherein the travel discovery and reservation computer is programmed to

receive from the customer a counteroffer for the each of the rejected segments of the discounted travel offers;

and

send the counteroffers to each of the associated travel service provider computers.

108. The system of claim 107, wherein the travel discovery and reservation computer is programmed to

receive from each of the associated travel service provider computers an acceptance or rejection of the counteroffers made by the customer, and

send the accepted counteroffers to the customer computer.

109. The system of claim 93, wherein the travel discovery and reservation computer is programmed to, for each proposed travel segment, transmit to at least one travel service provider computer a request for a travel offer related to the proposed travel segment.

110. The system of claim 109, wherein the travel discovery and reservation computer is programmed to receive from each requested travel service provider computer a travel offer responsive to the request specifying a retail price normally charged for the proposed travel segment and a load factor associated with the proposed travel segment.

111. The system of claim 110, wherein the travel discovery and reservation computer is programmed to generate, for each received travel offer, a discounted travel offer having a discounted price less than the retail price normally charged for the proposed travel segment.

112. The system of claim 93, wherein the travel discovery and reservation computer is programmed to

provide criteria modification input controls alongside the proposed travel segments at the customer computer,

receive modified or additional criteria from the criteria modification input controls at the customer computer,

generate a new set of proposed travel segments based on the modified or additional criteria, and

send the new set of proposed travel segments to the customer computer for acceptance or rejection by the customer.

113. The system of claim 93, wherein the travel discovery and reservation computer is programmed to

provide keyword input controls alongside the proposed travel segments at the customer computer,

receive selected keyword inputs from the keyword input controls at the customer computer,

generate a new set of proposed travel segments based on the received keyword, and

send the new set of proposed travel segments to the customer computer for acceptance or rejection by the customer.

114. The system of claim 93, wherein the travel discovery and reservation computer is programmed to receive from the customer computer a request for an alternate master travel itinerary, and send an alternate set of proposed travel segments to the customer computer for acceptance or rejection by the customer.

115. The system of claim 93, wherein the travel discovery and reservation computer is programmed to store in memory one or more master travel itineraries for subsequent retrieval and review by the customer.

116. The system of claim 93, wherein the travel discovery and reservation computer is programmed to receive from the customer computer a selection of proposed segments of the master travel itinerary in which the customer has indicated an interest.

117. The system of claim 116, wherein the travel discovery and reservation computer is programmed to provide a shuffle control to the customer computer enabling the customer to retrieve additional or replacement proposed segments to supplement the selection of proposed segments in which the customer has indicated an interest.

118. The system of claim 93, wherein the travel discovery and reservation computer is programmed to additionally use previously stored preferences of the customer to generate the set of predictors.

119. The system of claim 118, wherein the travel discovery and reservation computer is programmed to store the preferences provided by the customer computer during a registration process.

120. The system of claim 118, wherein the travel discovery and reservation computer is programmed to determined the preferences by analyzing previously entered travel criteria.

121. The system of claim 118, wherein the travel discovery and reservation computer is programmed to obtain the preferences from external sources.

122. The system of claim 93, wherein the travel discovery and reservation computer is programmed to use a plurality of previously stored preference files associated with a group of customers to generate the set of predictors.

123. The system of claim 93, wherein the travel discovery and reservation computer is programmed to use the criteria provided by the customer to override the previously stored preference file of the customer.

124. The system of claim 93, wherein the travel discovery and reservation computer is programmed to additionally use a previously stored travel history of the customer to generate the set of predictors.

125. The system of claim 93 wherein the input controls comprise a slider control.

126. The system of claim 93 wherein the input controls comprise a plurality of radio buttons.

127. The system of claim 93 wherein the input controls comprise a plurality of check boxes.

128. The system of claim 95 wherein at least one of the travel service provider computers is a transportation provider computer, and wherein the travel offer received from the transportation provider computer specifies a travel segment that provides transportation that is responsive to the request by the travel discovery and reservation computer.

129. The system of claim 128 wherein the transportation provider computer is an airline flight reservation computer, and wherein the travel offer received from the airline flight reservation computer specifies a travel segment of an airline flight responsive to the request by the travel discovery and reservation computer.

130. The system of claim 128 wherein the transportation provider computer is an automobile rental reservation computer, and wherein the travel offer received from the automobile rental reservation computer specifies a travel segment of an automobile rental responsive to the request by the travel discovery and reservation computer.

131. The system of claim 95 wherein at least one of the travel service provider computers is a lodging service provider computer, and wherein the travel offer received from the lodging service provider computer specifies a travel segment that provides lodging that is responsive to the request by the travel discovery and reservation computer.

132. The system of claim 131 wherein the lodging service provider computer is a hotel reservation computer, and wherein the travel offer received from the hotel reservation computer specifies a travel segment of a hotel room reservation responsive to the request by the travel discovery and reservation computer.

133. The system of claim 95 wherein at least one of the travel service provider computers is a meal service provider computer, and wherein the travel offer received from the meal service provider computer specifies a travel segment that provides meals that is responsive to the request by the travel discovery and reservation computer.

134. The system of claim 95 wherein at least one of the travel service provider computers is an event service provider computer, and wherein the travel offer received from the event service provider computer specifies a travel segment of a reservation for an event responsive to the request by the travel discovery and reservation computer.

135. The system of claim 134 wherein the event service provider computer is a theme park reservation computer, and wherein the travel offer received from the theme park reservation computer specifies a travel segment of a theme park admission responsive to the request by the travel discovery and reservation computer.

136. The system of claim 134 wherein the event service provider computer is a theater reservation computer, and wherein the travel offer received from the theater reservation computer specifies a travel segment of a theater admission responsive to the request by the travel discovery and reservation computer.

137. The system of claim 134 wherein the event service provider computer is a sporting event service provider computer, and wherein the travel offer received from the sporting event service provider computer specifies a travel segment of a sporting event admission responsive to the request by the travel discovery and reservation computer.

138. The system of claim 134 wherein the event service provider computer is a tour group reservation computer, and wherein the travel offer received from the tour group reservation computer specifies a travel segment of a tour group admission responsive to the request by the travel discovery and reservation computer.

139. The system of claim 95 wherein at least one of the travel service provider computers is a third party aggregator reservation computer, and wherein the travel offer received from the third party aggregator reservation computer specifies any of the following:

a travel segment of a transportation reservation responsive to the request by the travel discovery and reservation computer, a lodging reservation responsive to the request by the travel discovery and reservation computer, a meals reservation responsive to the request by the travel discovery and reservation computer, or an event reservation for an event responsive to the request by the travel discovery and reservation computer

140. A discovery and reservation computer for generating a master travel itinerary for a customer comprising communications circuitry for communicating via at least one network with a customer computer and with a plurality of travel service provider computers, and processing circuitry programmed to:

send to the customer computer a web page comprising a plurality of input controls for inputting a plurality of travel criteria,

receive from the customer computer a plurality of travel criteria input by a customer via the web page;

analyze the travel criteria provided by the customer computer to generate a set of predictors that recommend at least one proposed travel itinerary that satisfies the travel criteria;

generate a plurality of proposed travel segments, each of the proposed travel segments associated with a different part of the proposed travel itinerary,

send the proposed travel segments to the customer computer for acceptance or rejection by the customer;

receive an indication from the customer computer as to which of the proposed travel segments are accepted;

compile a master travel itinerary comprising the accepted travel segments, and

send the master travel itinerary to the customer computer.

141. The travel discovery and reservation computer of claim 140, wherein the processing circuitry is further programmed to, for each accepted travel segment, transmit to at least one travel service provider computer a request for a travel offer related to the accepted travel segment.

142. The travel discovery and reservation computer of claim 141, wherein the processing circuitry is further programmed to receive from each requested travel service provider computer a travel offer responsive to the request specifying a retail price normally charged for the accepted travel segment and a load factor associated with the accepted travel segment.

143. The travel discovery and reservation computer of claim 142, wherein the processing circuitry is further programmed to generate, for each received travel offer, a discounted travel offer having a discounted price less than the retail price normally charged for the accepted travel segment.

144. The travel discovery and reservation computer of claim 143, wherein the processing circuitry is programmed to generate, for each received travel offer, a discounted travel offer having a discounted price less than the retail price normally charged for the accepted travel segment by:

referencing a predetermined load factor discount rate table for the associated travel service provider computer to retrieve a predetermined discount for the associated load factor, and

applying the retrieved predetermined discount to the retail price to generate the discounted price.

145. The travel discovery and reservation computer of claim 143, wherein the processing circuitry is programmed to generate, for each received travel offer, a discounted travel offer having a discounted price less than the retail price normally charged for the accepted travel segment by:

transmitting, to the travel service provider computer that provided the travel offer, a request for a discount;

receiving a real-time discount from the travel service provider computer; and

applying the received real-time discount to the retail price to generate the discounted price.

146. The travel discovery and reservation computer of claim 143, wherein the processing circuitry is programmed to include at least one discounted travel offer for each accepted travel segment in the master travel itinerary sent to the customer computer.

147. The travel discovery and reservation computer of claim 146, wherein the processing circuitry is programmed to receive from the customer computer, for each accepted travel segment, an acceptance of a discounted travel offer associated with the accepted travel segment of the master travel itinerary.

148. The travel discovery and reservation computer of claim 147, wherein the processing circuitry is programmed to:

for each accepted segment offer, generate a proposed payment solution comprising a monetary portion and a promotional portion, the monetary portion payable by the customer with legal tender and the promotional portion payable by the customer with promotional currency; and

transmit the proposed itinerary payment solution to the customer computer for review by the customer.

149. The travel discovery and reservation computer of claim 148, wherein the processing circuitry is programmed to:

receive customer acceptance of the proposed payment solution, and

cause payment to be made in accordance with the monetary portion and the promotional portion of the proposed payment solution.

150. The travel discovery and reservation computer of claim 148, wherein the processing circuitry is programmed to:

receive from the customer computer a modified payment solution, and

cause payment to be made in accordance with the monetary portion and the promotional portion of the modified payment solution.

151. The travel discovery and reservation computer of claim 146, wherein the processing circuitry is programmed to:

receive from the customer computer a request for an alternate travel offers;

request alternate travel offers from associated travel service provider computers,

receive from each of the travel service provider computers an alternate travel offer,

generate, for each received alternate travel offer, a discounted alternate travel offer having a discounted price; and

present the discounted alternate travel offers to the customer computer.

152. The travel discovery and reservation computer of claim 146, wherein the processing circuitry is programmed to receive from the customer computer, for each accepted travel segment, a rejection of a discounted travel offer associated with the accepted travel segment of the master travel itinerary.

153. The travel discovery and reservation computer of claim 152, wherein the processing circuitry is programmed to

generate a counteroffer for the each of the rejected discounted travel offers;

and

send the counteroffers to each of the associated travel service provider computers.

154. The travel discovery and reservation computer of claim 153, wherein the processing circuitry is programmed to

receive from each of the associated travel service provider computers an acceptance or rejection of the counteroffers generated by the processing circuitry, and send the accepted counteroffers to the customer computer.

155. The travel discovery and reservation computer of claim 152, wherein the processing circuitry is programmed to

receive from the customer a counteroffer for the each of the rejected segments of the discounted travel offers;

and

send the counteroffers to each of the associated travel service provider computers.

156. The travel discovery and reservation computer of claim 155, wherein the processing circuitry is programmed to

receive from each of the associated travel service provider computers an acceptance or rejection of the counteroffers made by the customer, and

send the accepted counteroffers to the customer computer.

157. The travel discovery and reservation computer of claim 140, wherein the processing circuitry is programmed to, for each proposed travel segment, transmit to at least one travel service provider computer a request for a travel offer related to the proposed travel segment.

158. The travel discovery and reservation computer of claim 157, wherein the processing circuitry is programmed to receive from each requested travel service provider computer a travel offer responsive to the request specifying a retail price normally charged for the proposed travel segment and a load factor associated with the proposed travel segment.

159. The travel discovery and reservation computer of claim 158, wherein the processing circuitry is programmed to generate, for each received travel offer, a discounted travel offer having a discounted price less than the retail price normally charged for the proposed travel segment.

160. The travel discovery and reservation computer of claim 140, wherein the processing circuitry is programmed to

provide criteria modification input controls alongside the proposed travel segments at the customer computer,

receive modified or additional criteria from the criteria modification input controls at the customer computer,

generate a new set of proposed travel segments based on the modified or additional criteria, and

send the new set of proposed travel segments to the customer computer for acceptance or rejection by the customer.

161. The travel discovery and reservation computer of claim 140, wherein the processing circuitry is programmed to

provide keyword input controls alongside the proposed travel segments at the customer computer,

receive selected keyword inputs from the keyword input controls at the customer computer,

generate a new set of proposed travel segments based on the received keyword, and

send the new set of proposed travel segments to the customer computer for acceptance or rejection by the customer.

162. The travel discovery and reservation computer of claim 140, wherein the processing circuitry is programmed to receive from the customer computer a request for an alternate master travel itinerary, and send an alternate set of proposed travel segments to the customer computer for acceptance or rejection by the customer.

163. The travel discovery and reservation computer of claim 140, wherein the processing circuitry is programmed to store in memory one or more master travel itineraries for subsequent retrieval and review by the customer.

164. The travel discovery and reservation computer of claim 140, wherein the processing circuitry is programmed to receive from the customer computer a selection of proposed segments of the master travel itinerary in which the customer has indicated an interest.

165. The travel discovery and reservation computer of claim 164, wherein the processing circuitry is programmed to provide a shuffle control to the customer computer enabling the customer to retrieve additional or replacement proposed segments to supplement the selection of proposed segments in which the customer has indicated an interest.

166. The travel discovery and reservation computer of claim 140, wherein the processing circuitry is programmed to additionally use previously stored preferences of the customer to generate the set of predictors.

167. The travel discovery and reservation computer of claim 166, wherein the processing circuitry is programmed to store the preferences provided by the customer computer during a registration process.

168. The travel discovery and reservation computer of claim 166, wherein the processing circuitry is programmed to determined the preferences by analyzing previously entered travel criteria.

169. The travel discovery and reservation computer of claim 166, wherein the processing circuitry is programmed to obtain the preferences from external sources.

170. The travel discovery and reservation computer of claim 140, wherein the processing circuitry is programmed to use a plurality of previously stored preference files associated with a group of customers to generate the set of predictors.

171. The travel discovery and reservation computer of claim 140, wherein the processing circuitry is programmed to use the criteria provided by the customer to override the previously stored preference file of the customer.

172. The travel discovery and reservation computer of claim 140, wherein the processing circuitry is programmed to additionally use a previously stored travel history of the customer to generate the set of predictors.

173. The travel discovery and reservation computer of claim 140 wherein the input controls comprise a slider control.

174. The travel discovery and reservation computer of claim 140 wherein the input controls comprise a plurality of radio buttons.

175. The travel discovery and reservation computer of claim 140 wherein the input controls comprise a plurality of check boxes.