Patent ID: 7805323

Claim:
A method for processing a trip request having trip information, comprising the steps of: connecting, using a connection, to a plurality of global distribution systems (GDS), travel vendor databases, multi-use terminals of a plurality of travel counselors, and travel websites such that the plurality of travel counselors have access to the travel vendor databases and the plurality of GDSs, wherein the connection is accomplished via a frame relay network having hubsites and using an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) backbone and multiple redundant data centers; wherein the connection further includes a translation server configured to communicate natively with the plurality of GDSs, travel vendor databases, multi-use terminals of a plurality of travel counselors, and travel websites; wherein the translation server is configured to communicate with the plurality of GDSs, travel vendor databases, multi-use terminals of a plurality of travel counselors, and travel websites via at least one of: (i) XML, (ii) a native application programming interface (API), and (iii) an open standard alliance; wherein the translation server is configured to communicate with each of the hubsites; receiving the trip request, using the connection, via email; parsing, by a trip module, the trip request to obtain trip request data; selecting, using the trip module comprising a processor and a data store, among GDSs for the trip request, using the connection, based upon a comparison of a prior trip request and a contractual requirement, wherein the contractual requirement is embodied in a configuration item; storing, in the data store of the trip module, the selected GDS; receiving, using the connection, a weightings policy for a traveler; receiving, using the connection, a plurality of travel policies for an employer of the traveler; receiving the trip request from the traveler; automatically building a plurality of travel options for a trip utilizing the plurality of travel policies of the employer of the traveler, wherein the plurality of travel policies comprise a plurality of criteria including negotiated contract pricing information and flight window timing, and wherein the plurality of travel options are determined by applying the negotiated contract pricing information and the flight window timing; sorting the plurality of travel options in a weighted hierarchy based on the weightings policy; automatically routing the trip request and the plurality of sorted options to a travel counselor; checking, using the connection, for other trip requests for the traveler; and completing the trip request utilizing the trip information and the plurality of sorted options; verifying that the trip request is fulfilled without modification; achieving compliance with a negotiated contract; and processing a second trip request, using the trip module, based upon the selected GDS and the contractual requirement.