Patent ID: 7742934
Filing Date: 2010-06-22
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method for providing information regarding savings associated with travel alternatives comprising the steps, performed by a processor, of: receiving a request from a user specifying a travel itinerary that includes a selected originating location and a selected destination location, wherein the request includes information identifying the selected originating and destination locations, and proximity tolerances specifying a user's acceptable distance range of at least one of the selected originating location or selected destination location for searching for alternative itineraries; analyzing the travel itinerary specified in the request, including the selected originating and destination locations, to determine a set of alternative itineraries different than the travel itinerary specified in the request, wherein the analyzing step includes identifying at least one alternative itinerary including an alternate originating location or destination location that is within the proximity tolerances and different than the selected originating location or destination location of the travel itinerary specified in the request; determining a value for the travel itinerary specified in the request; determining a value for of the alternative itineraries; and generating a report, based on the analysis and determination, including a value for each alternative itinerary reflecting a savings in travel costs in comparison with the travel itinerary reflected by the request.