Patent ID: 8615425
Filing Date: 2013-12-24
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method executed in a computer-based network, the method comprising: receiving, by one or more computer systems, rules encoded in fare by rule data structures defined by a third-party non-airline carrier, said fare by rule data structures including rules for at least one frequent travel award redemption program; receiving, by the one or more computer systems, a travel planning query, the travel planning query including both a departure location and a request associated with redemption of award credits; determining, by the one or more computer systems, using the rules encoded in the fare by rule data structures, a plurality of travel itineraries in response to the travel planning query, said plurality of travel itineraries comprising flights meeting both the requirements of availability for an award redemption and the departure location; determining, for the plurality of travel itineraries, by the one or more computer systems, using the rules encoded in the fare by rule data structures, a deficit in award credit; calculating, by the one or more computer systems, using the rules encoded in the fare by rule data structures, a cost expressed in currency for the determined deficit in award credit; and providing instructions by the one or more computer systems to present the plurality of travel itineraries and the associated cost expressed in award credit, and expressed in currency for the determined deficit in award credit.