METHOD, APPARATUS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR RESERVATIONS, INVENTORY CONTROL, SHOPPING, AND BOOKING WITH ATTRIBUTE BASED PRICING

摘要

A method is provided for booking a hotel room that improves the satisfaction level for a consumer and increases revenue for the hotelier. Consumers may benefit from being able to select property-specific and room-specific attributes for which they perceive enhanced value, while property-specific and room-specific attributes that a consumer does not particularly value may be avoided in an effort for the consumer to spend on features they desire. Further, hoteliers may benefit from being able to offer room-specific attributes and add-on features that create additional revenue streams for the hotel. Additionally, the transparency afforded the consumer of the room-specific attributes available versus those selected provides the consumer with a level of expectation that is more aligned with the hotel and the specific room they selected, thereby improving customer satisfaction.

主权项

1. A method for operating a hotel reservation system comprising:
storing, in a database, hotel rate structure by room type and rate level for one or more properties; storing, in the database, room-specific attribute pricing structures for one or more room-specific attributes; receiving at a processor a room request comprising request parameters, wherein request parameters include at least one room-specific attribute; analyzing inventory to determine availability of a room that satisfies the request parameters; calculating a rate for a room satisfying the request parameters in response to a room being available that satisfies the request parameters; receiving a booking request to book the room satisfying the request parameters; updating inventory to reflect the booking of the room satisfying the request parameters; and providing for transmission of a forced sell message.