Method and apparatus for the sale of airline-specified flight tickets

• US 20020156659A1
• Filed: 03/03/2000
• Published: 10/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/1997
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Jay S. Walker, Thomas M. Sparico, T. Scott Case
• Original Assignee: Jay S. Walker, Thomas M. Sparico, T. Scott Case
• Inventors: Sparico, Thomas M., Walker, Jay S., Case, T. Scott
• Application Number:
  US09/518,495
• Publication Number:
  US 20020156659A1
• 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 20/00 Payment architectures, schemes or protocols apparatus for performing or posting payment transactions G07F7/08, G07F19/00; electronic cash registers G07G1/12
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/02 involving a neutral party, e.g. certification authority, notary or trusted third party [TTP]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/045 using payment protocols involving tickets
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/0855 involving a third party
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/24 Credit schemes, i.e. "pay after"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/403 Solvency checks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/42 for ticket printing or like apparatus , e.g. apparatus for dispensing of printed paper tickets or payment cards
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/00 Cash registers alarm indicators G07G3/00

Abstract

An unspecified-time airline ticket representing a purchased seat on a flight to be selected later, by the airlines, for a traveler-specified itinerary (e.g., NY to LA on March 3rd) is disclosed. Various methods and systems for matching an unspecified-time ticket with a flight are also disclosed. An exemplary method includes: (1) making available an unspecified-time ticket; (2) examining a plurality of flights which would fulfill the terms of the unspecified-time ticket to determine which flight to select; and (3) providing notification of the selected flight prior to departure. The disclosed embodiments provide travelers with reduced airfare in return for flight-time flexibility and, in turn, permits airlines to fill seats that would have otherwise gone unbooked. Because of the flexibilities required of the unspecified-time traveler, unspecified-time tickets are likely to attract leisure travelers unwilling to purchase tickets at the available published fares and, at the same time, are likely to “fence out” business travelers unwilling to risk losing a full day at either end of their trip. Moreover, the flexibilities required of the unspecified-time traveler need not be limited to a departure time; the flexibilities may also include the airline, the departing airport, the destination airport, or any other restriction that increases the flexibility afforded the airline in placing the traveler aboard a flight. The disclosed embodiments thus permit airlines to fill otherwise empty seats in a manner that stimulates latent and unfulfilled leisure travel demand while leaving their underlying fare structures intact.

Claims

1. A method comprising the steps of:

transmitting a request to purchase a ticket to travel from a specified departure location to a specified destination location within a specified time range;

receiving a commitment for carriage that satisfies said request but does not specify a departure time;

accepting said commitment for carriage; and

receiving at a time subsequent to said commitment an identification of said departure time.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of accepting said commitment for carriage includes one of reserving a ticket or purchasing a ticket.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said transmitting a request includes transmitting a request to purchase a ticket for a group of two or more travelers.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiving a commitment for carriage includes receiving a commitment for carriage that further does not specify a price term.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising the steps of:

transmitting a bid for said ticket; and

receiving an acceptance of said bid.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said bid is a guaranteed bid.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiving a commitment for carriage includes receiving a commitment for carriage that further does not specify an airline.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiving a commitment for carriage includes receiving a commitment for carriage that further does not specify a parameter selected from the group consisting of a departing airport, a destination airport, a total travel time, a number of stops, and a number of plane changes.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving a ticket without a departure time printed thereon.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said step of receiving at a later time an identification of said departure time includes receiving a ticket with said departure time printed thereon.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein said buyer is a travel agent.

11. A method comprising the steps of:

receiving a request to purchase a ticket to travel from a specified departure location to a specified destination location within a specified time range;

querying a central reservation system to determine a special fare listing that satisfies said request but does not specify a departure time;

receiving said special fare listing;

booking a ticket relating to said special fare listing;

receiving at a time subsequent to said commitment an identification of said departure time; and

initiating a notice of said departure time.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said receiving a request includes receiving a request to purchase a ticket for a group of two or more travelers.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein said receiving a special fare listing includes receiving a special fare listing that further does not specify a price term.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of:

transmitting a bid for said ticket; and

receiving an acceptance of said bid.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said bid is a guaranteed bid.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein said receiving a special fare listing includes receiving a special fare listing that further does not specify an airline.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein said receiving a special fare listing includes receiving a special fare listing that further does not specify a parameter selected from the group consisting of a departing airport, a destination airport, a total travel time, a number of stops, and a number of plane changes.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of receiving a ticket without said departure time printed thereon.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said step of receiving at a later time an identification of said departure time includes receiving a ticket with said departure time printed thereon.

20. A method comprising the steps of:

creating a special fare listing for air travel to a specified destination location from a specified departure location within a specified time range, said special fare listing excluding a specified departure time;

making available said special fare listing via an electronic reservation system;

examining a plurality of flights which would fulfill the specified terms of a ticket relating to said special fare listing to determine which of said plurality of flights to select for said ticket, each of said plurality of flights including a specified departure time;

selecting one of said plurality of flights; and

providing notification of flight information, including a specified departure time, corresponding to said selected flight.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said step of examining a flight is performed after booking of said ticket.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein said step of examining a flight is performed prior to booking of said ticket.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein said booking of said ticket specifies groups of two or more travelers.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein said creating a special fare listing includes creating a special fare listing that further does not specify a price term.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising the steps of:

receiving a bid for said ticket; and

transmitting an acceptance of said bid.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein said bid is a guaranteed bid.

27. The method of claim 20, wherein said creating a special fare listing includes creating a special fare listing that further does not specify an airline.

28. The method of claim 20, wherein said creating a special fare listing includes creating a special fare listing that further does not specify a parameter selected from the group consisting of a departing airport, a destination airport, a total travel time, a number of stops, and a number of plane changes.

29. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of:

upon booking of said ticket, printing a ticket without a departure time indicated thereon.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein said step of providing notification includes the step of printing a ticket with said departure time indicated thereon.

31. A method comprising the steps of:

receiving a special fare listing for air travel to a specified destination location from a specified departure location within a specified time range, said special fare listing excluding a specified departure time;

providing said special fare listing to a buyer;

receiving a booking of a ticket corresponding to said special fare listing from said buyer;

transmitting said booking information to an airline;

receiving an identification of a flight selected by said airline which fulfills the terms of said ticket, said selected flight including a specified departure time.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein said airline includes a revenue management system.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein said booking of a ticket is limited in terms of availability to groups of two or more travelers.

35. The method of claim 31, wherein said receiving a special fare listing includes receiving a special fare listing that further does not specify a price term.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising the steps of:

after providing said special fare listing but before receiving a booking of said ticket, receiving a bid for said ticket from said buyer; and

transmitting an acceptance of said bid to said buyer.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein said bid is a guaranteed bid.

38. The method of claim 31, wherein said receiving a special fare listing includes receiving a special fare listing that further does not specify an airline.

39. The method of claim 31, wherein said receiving a special fare listing includes receiving a special fare listing that further does not specify a parameter selected from the group consisting of a departing airport, a destination airport, a total travel time, a number of stops, and a number of plane changes.

40. A method comprising the steps of:

receiving a booking of a ticket to a specified destination location from a specified departure location within a specified time range, said ticket excluding a specified departure time;

examining a plurality of flights which would satisfy the specified terms of said ticket to determine which of said plurality of flights to select for said ticket;

selecting one of said plurality of flights; and

providing notice of said selected flight, wherein said selected flight includes a specified departure time.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein said receiving a booking of a ticket includes receiving said booking limited to groups of two or more travelers.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein receiving a booking of a ticket includes receiving said booking from a central reservation system.

43. The method of claim 40, wherein said receiving a booking of a ticket includes receiving said booking from an airline reservation system.

44. The method of claim 40, wherein said step of examining a plurality of flights includes examining an actual quantity of tickets booked within a fare class on each of said plurality of flights relative to a forecasted quantity of tickets booked within said fare class.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein said step of selecting a flight includes selecting a flight for which said expected quantity of tickets booked exceeds said actual quantity of tickets booked.

46. The method of claim 40, wherein said receiving a booking of a ticket includes receiving a booking of a ticket that further does not include a specified airline.

47. The method of claim 40, wherein said receiving a booking of a ticket includes receiving a booking of a ticket that further does not specify a flight parameter selected from the group consisting of a departing airport, a destination airport, a total travel time, a number of stops, and a number of plane changes.

48. The method of claim 40, further comprising the steps of:

analyzing route-based information for actual flights; and

allocating inventory to a special fare listing relating to said ticket at a different fare/class than currently available on said actual flights, based on said step of analyzing.

50. The system of claim 49, wherein said means for examining a flight examines said flight after booking of said ticket.

51. The system of claim 50, wherein said booking of said ticket is limited to groups of two or more travelers.

52. The system of claim 49, wherein said means for creating a special fare listing includes means for creating a special fare listing that further does not specify a price term.

53. The system of claim 52, further comprising:

means for receiving a bid for said ticket; and

means for transmitting an acceptance of said bid.

54. The system of claim 53, wherein said bid is a guaranteed bid.

55. The system of claim 49, wherein said means for creating a special fare listing includes means for creating a special fare listing that further does not specify an airline.

56. The system of claim 49, wherein said means for creating a special fare listing includes means for creating a special fare listing that further does not specify a parameter selected from the group consisting of a departing airport, a destination airport, a total travel time, a number of stops, and a number of plane changes.

57. The system of claim 49, further comprising:

upon booking of said ticket, means for printing a ticket without a departure time indicated thereon.

59. The system of claim 58, wherein said airline includes a revenue management system.

60. The system of claim 58, wherein said booking of a ticket is limited in terms of availability to groups of two or more travelers.

61. The system of claim 58, wherein said buyer is a travel agent.

62. The system of claim 58, wherein said means for receiving a special fare listing includes means for receiving a special fare listing that further does not specify a price term.

63. The system of claim 62, further comprising:

means for receiving a bid for said ticket from said buyer; and

means for transmitting an acceptance of said bid to said buyer.

64. The system of claim 63, wherein said bid is a guaranteed bid.

65. The system of claim 58, wherein said means for receiving a special fare listing includes means for receiving a special fare listing that further does not specify an airline.

66. The system of claim 58, wherein said means for receiving a special fare listing includes means for receiving a special fare listing that further does not specify a parameter selected from the group consisting of a departing airport, a destination airport, a total travel time, a number of stops, and a number of plane changes.

68. The system of claim 67, wherein said receiving a booking of a ticket includes receiving said booking limited to groups of two or more travelers.

69. The system of claim 67, wherein said means for receiving a booking of a ticket receives said booking from a central reservation system.

70. The system of claim 67, wherein said means for receiving a booking of a ticket receives said booking from an airline reservation system.

71. The system of claim 67, wherein said means for examining a plurality of flights includes means for examining an actual quantity of tickets booked within a fare class on each of said plurality of flights relative to a forecasted quantity of tickets booked within said fare class.

72. The system of claim 71, wherein said means for selecting a flight includes means for selecting a flight for which said expected quantity of tickets booked exceeds said actual quantity of tickets booked.

73. The system of claim 67, wherein said means for receiving a booking of a ticket includes means for receiving a booking of a ticket that further does not include a specified airline.

74. The system of claim 67, wherein said means for receiving a booking of a ticket includes means for receiving a booking of a ticket that further does not specify a flight parameter selected from the group consisting of a departing airport, a destination airport, a total travel time, a number of stops, and a number of plane changes.

75. The system of claim 67, further comprising:

means for analyzing route-based information for actual flights; and

means for allocating inventory to a special fare listing relating to said ticket at a lower fare/class than currently available on said actual flights.

49. A system comprising:

means for creating a special fare listing for air travel to a specified destination location from a specified departure location within a specified time range, said special fare listing excluding a specified departure time;

means for making available said special fare listing via an electronic reservation system;

means for examining a plurality of flights which would fulfill the specified terms of a ticket relating to said special fare listing to determine which of said plurality of flights to select for said ticket, each of said plurality of flights including a specified departure time;

means for selecting one of said plurality of flights; and

means for providing notification of flight information, including a departure time, corresponding to said selected flight.

58. A system comprising:

means for receiving a special fare listing for air travel to a specified destination location from a specified departure location within a specified time range, said special fare listing excluding a specified departure time;

means for providing said special fare listing to a buyer;

means for receiving a booking of a ticket corresponding to said special fare listing from said buyer;

means for transmitting said booking to an airline;

means for receiving an identification of a flight selected by said airline which fulfills the terms of said ticket, said selected flight including a specified departure time.

67. A system comprising:

means for receiving a booking of a ticket to a specified destination location from a specified departure location within a specified time range, said ticket excluding a specified departure time;

means for examining a plurality of flights which would satisfy the specified terms of said ticket to determine which of said plurality of flights to select for said ticket;

means for selecting one of said plurality of flights; and

means for initiating notice of said selected flight, wherein said selected flight includes a specified departure time.

76. A system comprising:

a memory device having embodied therein information relating to a plurality of flights;

a processor in communication with said memory device, said processor configured to;

create a special fare listing for air travel to a specified destination location from a specified departure location within a specified time range, said special fare listing excluding a specified departure time;

make available said special fare listing;

examine a plurality of flights which would fulfill the specified terms of a ticket relating to said special fare listing to determine which of said plurality of flights to select for said ticket, each of said plurality of flights including a specified departure time;

select one of said plurality flights; and

provide notification of flight information, including a departure time, corresponding to said selected flight.

77. The system of claim 76, wherein said processor examines said flight after booking of said ticket.

78. The system of claim 77, wherein said booking of said ticket is limited to groups of two or more travelers.

79. The system of claim 76, wherein said processor is configured to make available flight information that further does not specify a price term.

80. The system of claim 78, wherein said processor is further configured to:

receive a bid for said ticket; and

transmit an acceptance of said bid.

81. The system of claim 80, wherein said bid is a guaranteed bid.

82. The system of claim 76, wherein said processor is configured to create a special fare listing that further does not specify an airline.

83. The system of claim 76, wherein said processor is configured to create a special fare listing that further does not specify a parameter selected from the group consisting of a departing airport, a destination airport, a total travel time, a number of stops, and a number of plane changes.

84. The system of claim 76, further comprising:

means for printing a ticket without a departure time indicated thereon.

85. A system comprising:

a memory device having embodied therein information relating to a plurality of flights;

a processor in communication with said memory device, said processor configured to;

receive a special fare listing for air travel to a specified destination location from a specified departure within a specified time range, said special fare listing excluding a specified departure time;

provide said special fare listing to a buyer;

receive a booking of a ticket corresponding to said special fare listing from said buyer;

transmit said booking to an airline; and

receive an identification of a flight selected by said airline which fulfills the terms of said ticket, said selected flight including a specified departure time.

86. The system of claim 85, wherein said booking of a ticket is limited in terms of availability to groups of two or more travelers.

87. The system of claim 85, wherein said buyer is a travel agent.

88. The system of claim 85, wherein said processor is configured to receive a special fare listing that further does not specify a price term.

89. The system of claim 88, wherein said processor is further configured to:

receive a bid for said ticket from said buyer; and

transmit an acceptance of said bid to said buyer.

90. The system of claim 88, wherein said bid is a guaranteed bid.

91. The system of claim 85, wherein said processor is configured to receive a special fare listing further does not specify an airline.

92. The system of claim 85, wherein said processor is configured to receive a special fare listing that further does not specify a flight parameter selected from the group consisting of a departing airport, a destination airport, a total travel time, a number of stops, and a number of plane changes.

93. A system comprising:

a memory device having embodied therein information relating to a plurality of flights;

a processor in communication with said memory device, said processor configured to;

receive a booking of a ticket to a specified destination location from a specified departure within a specified time range, said ticket excluding a specified departure time;

examine a plurality of flights which would satisfy the specified terms of said ticket to determine which of said plurality of flights to select for said ticket;

select one of said plurality of flights; and

provide notice of said selected flight, wherein said selected flight includes a specified departure time.

94. The system of claim 93, wherein said receiving a booking of a ticket includes receiving said booking limited to groups of two or more travelers.

95. The system of claim 93, wherein said processor is configured to receive said booking from a central reservation system.

96. The system of claim 93, wherein said processor is configured to receive said booking from an airline reservation system.

97. The system of claim 93, wherein said processor is configured to examine an actual quantity of tickets booked within a fare class on each of said plurality of flights relative to a forecasted quantity of tickets booked within said fare class.

98. The system of claim 97, wherein said processor is configured to select a flight for which said expected quantity of tickets booked exceeds said actual quantity of tickets booked.

99. The system of claim 93, wherein said means for receiving a booking of a ticket includes means for receiving a booking of a ticket that further does not include a specified airline.

100. The system of claim 93, wherein said processor is configured to receive a booking of a ticket that further does not specify a flight parameter selected from the group consisting of a departing airport, a destination airport, a total travel time, a number of stops, and a number of plane changes.

101. The system of claim 93, wherein said processor is further configured to:

analyze route-based information for actual flights; and

allocate inventory to a special fare listing relating to said ticket at a different fare/class than currently available on said actual flights.

102. A method comprising the steps of:

creating an alias flight record based on an actual flight, said alias flight record excluding a carrier name; and

making available said alias flight record for electronic posting in a central reservation system.

103. The method of claim 102, wherein said alias flight record is made available for electronic posting through the Airline Tariff Publishing Company.

104. The method of claim 102, wherein said alias flight record includes a range of departure times.

105. The method of claim 104, further comprising the step of:

receiving information relating to a booking of a ticket corresponding to said alias flight record, said information including an identification of a customer who booked said ticket.

106. The method of claim 105, further comprising the step of:

transmitting to said customer an actual flight number corresponding to said actual flight after receiving said booking.

107. The method of claim 106, further comprising the step of:

transmitting to said customer a departure time of said actual flight after receiving said booking.

108. The method of claim 107, wherein said departure time is within said range of departure times.

109. The method of claim 107, wherein said steps of transmitting are performed through a travel agent.

110. A method of electronically posting in a central reservation system flight records for airline flights having discount seats available for booking, comprising the steps of:

posting an alias flight record based on an actual flight, said alias flight record excluding a carrier name;

receiving a booking of a ticket relating to said alias flight record.

111. The method of claim 110 wherein said alias flight record includes an alias flight number.

112. The method of claim 110 wherein said alias flight record includes a range of departure times.

113. The method of claim 110, further comprising the steps of:

correlating said alias flight record with said actual flight to determine said name of said carrier; and

transmitting booking information relating to said booking of said ticket to said carrier.

114. The method of claim 110, further comprising the step of:

updating inventory information relating to said alias flight record to reflect said booking.

115. The method of claim 110, further comprising the step of:

updating inventory information relating to said actual flight to reflect said booking.

117. The method of claim 116, wherein said alias flight record includes an alias flight number.

118. The method of claim 116, wherein said alias flight record includes a range of departure times.

119. The method of claim 116, further comprising the step of:

receiving confirmation of said booking without receiving an identification of said carrier.

120. The method of claim 116, wherein said identification of said carrier is said name of said carrier.

121. The method of claim 119, further comprising the step of:

receiving confirmation of said booking without receiving a departure time of said actual flight.

122. The method of claim 121, further comprising the step of:

receiving an identification of said carrier and said departure time, a predetermined period of time prior to departure of said actual flight.

124. The system of claim 123, wherein said CPU makes available said alias flight record for electronic posting through the Airline Tariff Publishing Company.

125. The system of claim 123, wherein said alias flight record includes a range of departure times.

126. The system of claim 125, wherein said processor is further configured to:

receive information relating to a booking of a ticket corresponding to said alias flight record, said information including an identification of a customer who booked said ticket.

127. The system of claim 126, wherein said processor is further configured to:

transmit an actual flight number corresponding to said actual flight after receiving said booking.

128. The system of claim 127, wherein said processor is further configured to:

transmit a departure time of said actual flight after receiving said booking.

129. The system of claim 128, wherein said departure time is within said range of departure times.

130. The system of claim 128, wherein transmission of said actual flight number and departure time is to said customer is performed through a travel agent.

132. The system of claim 131 wherein said alias flight record includes an alias flight number.

133. The system of claim 131 wherein said alias flight record includes a range of departure times.

134. The system of claim 131, wherein said processor is further configured to:

correlate said alias flight record with said actual flight to determine said name of said carrier; and

transmit booking information relating to said booking of said ticket to said carrier.

135. The system of claim 131, wherein said processor is further configured to:

update inventory information relating to said alias flight record to reflect said booking.

136. The system of claim 131, wherein said processor is further configured to:

update inventory information relating to said actual flight to reflect said booking.

138. The system of claim 137, wherein said alias flight record includes an alias flight number.

139. The system of claim 137, wherein said alias flight record includes a range of departure times.

140. The system of claim 137, wherein said processor is further configured to:

receive confirmation of said booking without receiving an identification of said carrier.

141. The system of claim 137, wherein said identification of said carrier is said name of said carrier.

142. The system of claim 140,.wherein said processor is further configured to:

receive confirmation of said booking without receiving a departure time of said actual flight.

143. The method of claim 142, wherein said processor is further configured to:

receive an identification of said carrier and said departure time, a predetermined period of time prior to departure of said actual flight.

116. A method of purchasing an airline ticket comprising the steps of:

accessing a central reservation system having stored therein an alias flight record based on an actual flight, said alias flight record excluding a carrier name; and

booking a ticket corresponding to said alias flight record.

123. A system comprising:

a memory device;

a processor in communication with said memory device; and

said processor configured in accordance with program instructions in said memory device to;

create an alias flight record based on an actual flight, said alias flight record excluding a carrier name; and

make available said alias flight record for electronic posting in a central reservation system.

131. A system for electronically posting in a central reservation system flight records for airline flights having discount seats available for booking, comprising:

a memory device;

a processor in communication with said memory device; and

said processor configured in accordance with program instructions in said memory device to;

post an alias flight record based on an actual flight, said alias flight record excluding a carrier name;

receive a booking of a ticket relating to said alias flight record.

137. A system for purchasing an airline ticket comprising:

a memory device;

a processor in communication with said memory device; and

said processor configured in accordance with program instructions in said memory device to;

access a central reservation system having stored therein an alias flight record based on an actual flight, said alias flight record excluding a carrier name; and

book a ticket corresponding to said alias flight record.