U.S. patent application number 09/991503 was filed with the patent office on 2002-03-28 for computerized apparatus and method for awarding credits to persons for travel related purchases.
This patent application is currently assigned to Radisson Hotels International, Inc.. Invention is credited to Heintzeman, Scott B., Malark, Gregory A., Medina, Steven J., Monson, Barbara, Storey, Thomas W..
Application Number | 20020038250 09/991503 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22504143 |
Filed Date | 2002-03-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020038250 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Heintzeman, Scott B. ; et
al. |
March 28, 2002 |
Computerized apparatus and method for awarding credits to persons
for travel related purchases
Abstract
A computerized system provides incentives for travel agents and
similar persons to book particular travel-related reservations. The
system achieves this by awarding cumulative credits to travel
agents based upon bookings of travel-related reservations. The
system receives a booking format which identifies a travel-related
reservation. The system further receives a code which identifies a
travel agent or other person who entered the travel-related
reservation. Upon receiving the travel-related reservation, the
system assigns cumulative credits to the travel agent identified by
the code based upon the travel-related reservation. Travel agents
can thus build up credits over time based upon their bookings of
travel-related reservations and use those credits to receive a
particular award or prize.
Inventors: |
Heintzeman, Scott B.;
(Plymouth, MN) ; Storey, Thomas W.; (Minneapolis,
MN) ; Monson, Barbara; (Oceanside, CA) ;
Medina, Steven J.; (San Diego, CA) ; Malark, Gregory
A.; (Maple Grove, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Attn: Alan G. Gorman
MERCHANT & GOULD P.C.
P.O. Box 2903
Minneapolis
MN
55402-0903
US
|
Assignee: |
Radisson Hotels International,
Inc.
Minneapolis
MN
|
Family ID: |
22504143 |
Appl. No.: |
09/991503 |
Filed: |
November 20, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09991503 |
Nov 20, 2001 |
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09598586 |
Jun 21, 2000 |
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09598586 |
Jun 21, 2000 |
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08892563 |
Jul 14, 1997 |
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08892563 |
Jul 14, 1997 |
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08439626 |
May 12, 1995 |
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08439626 |
May 12, 1995 |
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08385381 |
Feb 7, 1995 |
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5483444 |
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08385381 |
Feb 7, 1995 |
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08143453 |
Oct 26, 1993 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/5 ;
705/14.27; 705/14.35 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/02 20130101;
G06Q 30/0239 20130101; G06Q 30/0212 20130101; G06Q 30/0235
20130101; G06Q 30/0225 20130101; G06Q 30/0236 20130101; G06Q
30/0226 20130101; G06Q 10/02 20130101; G06Q 30/0241 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/14 ;
705/5 |
International
Class: |
G06F 017/60 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A computerized system for awarding credits to persons who book
travel-related reservations, comprising: a) receive means for
receiving information, comprising: i) means for receiving a booking
format which includes a plurality of fields, one or more of the
fields including information identifying a travel-related
reservation; and ii) means for receiving a code identifying a
person who booked the travel-related reservation; and b) record
means for awarding incentives based on travel-related reservations,
comprising: i) means for specifying an identification of the person
corresponding to the code; and ii) assignment means for assigning
cumulative credits to the person identified by the code based upon
the travel-related reservation.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the record means further comprises
verification means for classifying the credits as pending credits
until a predetermined event occurs and for converting the pending
credits to redeemable credits after the occurrence of the
event.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the record means further comprises
verification means for classifying the credits as pending credits
for a predetermined amount of time after the assignment of the
credits and for converting the pending credits to redeemable
credits after the predetermined amount of time.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the record means further
comprises: a) first verification means for classifying the credits
as pending credits until a predetermined event occurs; and b)
second verification means for maintaining the credits as pending
credits for a predetermined amount of time after the occurrence of
the event and for converting the pending credits to redeemable
credits after the predetermined amount of time.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein the means for receiving a code
comprises means for receiving the code from one of the fields of
the booking format.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein the means for receiving a code
comprises means for receiving the code from a special instruction
field of the booking format.
7. The system of claim 5 wherein the means for receiving a code
comprises means for receiving the code from a log-in identifier
related to the person.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein the record means further comprises
report means for reporting the cumulative credits assigned to the
person.
9. The system of claim 8 wherein the report means comprises means
for reporting on-line the cumulative credits assigned to the
person.
10. The system of claim 8 wherein the report means comprises means
for reporting in a hard copy format the cumulative credits assigned
to the person.
11. The system of claim 8 wherein the report means comprises means
for reporting a cumulative total pending credits assigned to the
person.
12. The system of claim 8 wherein the report means comprises means
for reporting a cumulative total redeemable credits assigned to the
person.
13. The system of claim 1 wherein the assignment means comprises
means for assigning the credits to the person based upon the
monetary value of the travel-related reservation.
14. The system of claim 1 wherein the assignment means comprises
means for identifying on-line whether the person has previously
received credits.
15. The system of claim 1 wherein the assignment means comprises
means for assigning bonus credits to the person based upon a
predetermined activity in conjunction with the travel-related
reservation.
16. The system of claim 15 wherein the assignment means comprises
means for assigning the bonus credits to the person based upon one
or more of the following: a product booked by the person; lodging
booked by the person; when the person books the travel-related
reservation; when a customer who requested the travel-related
reservation uses the travel-related reservation; how the customer
pays for the travel-related reservation; how the customer
guarantees the travel-related reservation; a class of the customer;
or a class of the person.
17. The system of claim 1 wherein the means for receiving a code
comprises means for receiving a character string identifying the
person.
18. The system of claim 1 wherein the means for specifying an
identification of the person comprises means for linking the code
to an identifier for an agency which engages the person.
19. The system of claim 1 wherein the assignment means comprises
means for modifying the credits in response to adjustment or
cancellation of the travel-related reservation.
20. The system of claim 1 wherein the assignment means comprises
means for storing a cumulative number of credits assigned to the
person following entry of the travel-related reservation.
21. A computerized method of awarding credits to persons who book
travel-related reservations, comprising the steps of: a) receiving
information, comprising the steps of: i) receiving electronically a
booking format which includes a plurality of fields, one or more of
the fields including information identifying a travel-related
reservation; and ii) receiving electronically a code identifying a
person who entered the travel-related reservation; and b) awarding
incentives based on travel-related reservations, comprising the
steps of: i) specifying electronically an identification of the
person corresponding to the code; and ii) assigning electronically
cumulative credits to the person identified by the code based upon
the travel-related reservation.
22. The method of claim 21 wherein the awarding incentives step
further comprises the step of classifying the credits as pending
credits until a predetermined event occurs and converting the
pending credits to redeemable credits after the occurrence of the
event.
23. The method of claim 21 wherein the awarding incentives step
further comprises the step of classifying the credits as pending
credits for a predetermined amount of time after the assignment of
the credits and converting the pending credits to redeemable
credits after the predetermined amount of time.
24. The method of claim 21 wherein the awarding incentives step
further comprises the steps of: a) classifying the credits as
pending credits until a predetermined event occurs; and b)
maintaining the credits as pending credits for a predetermined
amount of time after the occurrence of the event and converting the
pending credits to redeemable credits after the predetermined
amount of time.
25. The method of claim 21 wherein the receiving a code step
comprises the step of receiving the code from one of the fields of
the booking format.
26. The method of claim 25 wherein the receiving a code step
comprises the step of receiving the code from a special instruction
field of the booking format.
27. The method of claim 25 wherein the receiving a code step
comprises the step of receiving the code from a log-in identifier
related to the person.
28. The method of claim 21 wherein the awarding incentives step
further comprises the step of reporting the cumulative credits
assigned to the person.
29. The method of claim 28 wherein the reporting step comprises the
step of reporting on-line the cumulative credits assigned to the
person.
30. The method of claim 28 wherein the reporting step comprises the
step of reporting in a hard copy format the cumulative credits
assigned to the person.
31. The method of claim 28 wherein the reporting step comprises the
step of reporting a cumulative total pending credits assigned to
the person.
32. The method of claim 28 wherein the reporting step comprises the
step of reporting a cumulative total redeemable credits assigned to
the person.
33. The method of claim 21 wherein the assigning step comprises the
step of assigning the credits to the person based upon the monetary
value of the travel-related reservation.
34. The method of claim 21 wherein the assigning step comprises the
step of identifying on-line whether the person has previously
received credits.
35. The method of claim 21 wherein the assigning step comprises the
step of assigning bonus credits to the person based upon a
predetermined activity in conjunction with the travel-related
reservation.
36. The method of claim 35 wherein the assigning step comprises the
step of assigning the bonus credits to the person based upon one or
more of the following: a product booked by the person; lodging
booked by the person; when the person books the travel-related
reservation; when a customer who requested the travel-related
reservation uses the travel-related reservation; how the customer
pays for the travel-related reservation; how the customer
guarantees the travel-related reservation; a class of the customer;
or a class of the person.
37. The method of claim 21 wherein the receiving a code step
comprises the step of receiving a character string identifying the
person.
38. The method of claim 21 wherein the specifying an identification
step comprises the step of linking the code to an identifier for an
agency which engages the person.
39. The method of claim 21 wherein the assigning step comprises the
step of modifying the credits in response to adjustment or
cancellation of the travel-related reservation.
40. The method of claim 21 wherein the assigning step comprises the
step of storing a cumulative number of credits assigned to the
person following entry of the travel-related reservation.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a system for providing
incentives to persons who book travel-related reservations by
awarding credits to those persons based upon the travel-related
reservations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Travel agents and similar persons book most travel-related
reservations. As an example, consider hotel reservations. Many
customers book hotel reservations through a travel agent when the
customer, for example, reserves airline tickets. Travel agents have
a certain amount of discretion to recommend various hotels to
travelers. Therefore, hotel companies have a strong interest in
providing incentives for travel agents to recommend their
hotels.
[0003] An incentives system that provides rewards to travel agents
on a random basis is the World of Winners sweepstakes program,
developed by Radisson Hotels International, Inc., the assignee of
the present application. In the World of Winners sweepstakes
program, for example, every tenth reservation booked in a
particular hotel results in the travel agent receiving a reward or
prize. The random nature of the World of Winners sweepstakes
programs, however, reduces the incentive of travel agents to book
travel-related reservations for particular hotels. When
participating in such programs, travel agents do not know with
certainty whether booking a hotel reservation for a particular
hotel will result in an award.
[0004] Some systems have provided incentives to travel agencies
based on booked reservations. These systems, however, do not
necessarily provide personal incentives to individual travel
agents, since the systems are not on-line and the agency itself
receives any awards or prizes based on booked reservations.
Companies providing travel services thus do not necessarily gain
significant benefits from these programs, since the individual
travel agents have much discretion in making reservations and are
not necessarily motivated by incentives and awards for the
agency.
[0005] Therefore, a need exists for a system which provides
incentives for travel agents and similar persons to book particular
travel-related reservations by awarding cumulative credits to those
travel agents based upon the bookings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A computerized system and method awards credits to persons
who book travel-related reservations. The system receives a booking
format which includes a plurality of fields. At least one of the
fields includes information identifying a travel-related
reservation. The system further transmits a code which identifies a
person who created or initiated the travel-related reservation.
Upon receiving the travel-related reservation, the system assigns
cumulative credits to the person identified by the code based upon
the travel-related reservation. Therefore, persons who enter
travel-related reservations may build up credits over time and use
those credits to receive a particular incentive such as an award or
prize.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating how a system which
implements the present invention typically interfaces with a
reservation system.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a booking process.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a process for awarding
credits.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a process for calculating
credits.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a system which administrates
credits and awarding of prizes.
[0012] FIG. 6 is an example of a user interface, showing an
"unsuccessful enrollment" message, for a system that implements the
present invention.
[0013] FIG. 7 is an example of a user interface, showing a
"successful enrollment" message, for a system that implements the
present invention.
[0014] FIG. 8 is an example of a user interface, showing a message
for credits earned following enrollment, for a system that
implements the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 9 is an example of a hard copy report of credits
awarded to a travel agent.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0016] In the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiment, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which
form a part hereof and in which is shown by way of illustration a
specific embodiment in which the invention may be practiced. This
embodiment is described in sufficient detail to enable those
skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be
understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that
structural or logical changes may be made without departing from
the scope of the present invention. The following detailed
description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and
the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended
claims.
Overview
[0017] The present invention is an awards system that provides
incentives to travel agents or other persons who book
travel-related reservations. The system typically interacts with a
travel agent on-line to assign credits for travel-related
reservations and thus provide the travel agent with immediate
feedback regarding the credits earned. A travel agent can
continually earn credits during a period of time. Each credit
earned by the travel agent is added into a cumulative total number
of credits for the travel agent.
[0018] Therefore, the travel agent can "build up" credits over time
and then "cash in" the credits for an award. The available awards
are typically structured so that, as the value of the award
increases, more credits are required to earn the award. An award
offered to a travel agent may include, for example, a free stay at
an hotel or a free travel package. The present invention thus
provides incentives for travel agents to repeatedly book particular
travel-related reservations, which can significantly increase
bookings for those companies which provide the awards.
[0019] A key to making the present invention commercially viable
involves determining how to implement the invention. Since most
travel agents work through reservation systems (described below)
that are already established, implementing such a system involves
determining how to interact with the existing reservation
systems.
[0020] A commercial system which has achieved a successful
implementation of the present invention is the LOOK TO BOOK travel
agent incentives program, developed by Radisson Hotels
International, Inc. (hereinafter Radisson), the assignee of the
present application. The incentives which the LOOK TO BOOK program
provides to travel agents, and the corresponding increase in
travel-related reservations, are evident from the following
statistics. After introduction of the LOOK TO BOOK program by
Radisson, travel agents began immediately enrolling in the program
at a rate of approximately 350 travel agents per day. As of October
1993, approximately 52,000 travel agents have enrolled in the LOOK
TO BOOK program, which is about one-sixth of the world's population
of automated travel agents. Furthermore, travel agent bookings for
Radisson have increased by approximately 60% following introduction
of the LOOK TO BOOK program. This has occurred without any
particular change in advertising or other marketing efforts for
Radisson. A travel agent research project conducted for Radisson by
a local university showed that travel agents were much more willing
to book Radisson Hotels because of the LOOK TO BOOK program.
Travel Reservations Network
[0021] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing how a system which
implements the present invention typically interfaces with a
reservation system. A travel agent uses a terminal 10 to enter a
travel-related reservation. The present application describes the
invention with respect to a travel agent reservation system for
illustrative purposes. Persons other than travel agents may also
enter travel-related reservations. Travel-related reservations
include, for example, reservations for the following: cruise ships;
car rental; lodging; theater; travel insurance; airline tickets;
and trains.
[0022] A travel agent terminal 10 transmits the travel-related
reservation to a computerized reservation system 12. Computerized
Reservation Systems (CRS) are well known in the art and include,
for example, CRS's known by the following trademarks and companies:
AMADEUS; SABRE; WORLDSPAN; SYSTEM ONE; APOLLO; GEMINI; GALILEO; and
AXESS.
[0023] A CRS allows a travel agent or other person to enter a
travel-related reservation in a particular availability format. An
availability format depends on the type of CRS used and typically
comprises a plurality of fields joined together to form a database
element. An availability format may include, for example, fields
for the following information: rate availability; hotel chain code;
city code; arrival date; checkout date; number of nights; category
code; action code; and all rates. An example of an availability
format is shown on line 100 in FIG. 6.
[0024] A conversion system 14 receives an availability format,
which identifies a travel-related reservation, from CRS 12.
Conversion system 14 then converts the travel-related reservation
contained within an availability format into a standard booking
format. An example of a conversion system is the PIERRE computer
system, developed by Radisson, the assignee of the present
application. Therefore, regardless of which CRS 12 a travel agent
uses, conversion system 14 preferably converts availability formats
into a standardized booking format. An example of a booking format
is shown on line 102 in FIG. 6. In addition to receiving
travel-related reservations from a travel agent terminal, via a
CRS, awards system 16 can also receive travel-related reservations
from other sources, such as the following examples: a phone (modem)
link; an automatic teller machine; a kiosk, and an interactive
television system.
[0025] Conversion system 14 can then transmit a booking format to a
particular reservation facility 18. Reservation facility 18 may
include, for example, a particular hotel, cruise ship line, or car
rental company identified by a travel-related reservation contained
within a booking format.
Awards System
[0026] The present invention is preferably implemented by an awards
system 16 which interacts with conversion system 14, as shown in
FIG. 1. Awards system 16 receives information regarding
travel-related reservations from conversion system 14 and awards
credits (also referred to as "points") to travel agents or other
persons who book the travel-related reservations.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a booking process, which is
typically a main processing loop, of awards system 16. Awards
system 16 typically first processes a booking format at step 20. At
step 22, awards system 16 checks the booking format for an
identification of a travel agent or other person who entered the
travel-related reservation. If the booking format does not have
such an identification, awards system 16 then calculates credits
which would have otherwise been assigned to the person (step 24)
and then displays a message (step 26) to the person at terminal 10,
indicating the number of credits which were lost by the individual.
An example of a user interface for this transaction is shown in
FIG. 6. Lines 104 in FIG. 6 show an example of an "unsuccessful
enrollment" message.
[0028] If the booking format includes an identification, awards
system 16 checks to determine if the identification is a new travel
agent not already within a database for awards system 16 (step 28).
Awards system 16 typically receives an identification of a travel
agent or other person from one of the fields of a booking format.
For example, a travel agent can enter a character string
identification into a special instruction (SI) field 110 (see FIG.
7) of a booking format. In the example shown, the character string
comprises the first initial, middle initial, and last name of the
travel agent. Other character strings or codes may be used as an
identification of the travel agent or other person who made the
booking. Alternatively, awards system 16 may receive an
identification from a log-in identifier corresponding to a travel
agent or other person. In some systems which may interface awards
system 16, a person who enters bookings must log on to the system
with an identifier. Therefore, awards system 16 can receive such a
log-in identifier and will not require a separate identification of
the travel agent or other person.
[0029] If the identification is not a new travel agent, awards
system 16 then calculates the credits (step 30) and displays the
credits awarded (step 32) to the travel agent, along with a
corresponding message. An example of a user interface for this
transaction is shown in FIG. 8. Lines 108 in FIG. 8 show an example
of a message for indicating the number of credits awarded. The "0"
redeemable credits shown in lines 108 of FIG. 8 preferably becomes
incremented with each booking to show a cumulative credits awarded
to the corresponding travel agent or similar person. Awards system
16 preferably stores cumulative credits, as shown displayed in FIG.
8, from one booking to the next so that awards system 16 can
increment or decrement total credits as new booking are made. In
addition to displaying credits or points awarded directly on-line
to a travel agent, as shown in FIG. 8, awards system 16 can "park"
such information in the background so that credits awarded
information is accessible to a travel agent via a terminal.
[0030] Otherwise, awards system 16 determines at step 34 if the
travel agent is eligible for the program. If the travel agent is
not eligible, awards system 16 displays a standard message at step
40, such as lines 104 in FIG. 6. If the travel agent is eligible,
awards system 16 then calculates the credits (step 36) and displays
a new enrollment message (step 38). An example of an interface for
this transaction is shown in FIG. 7. Lines 106 in FIG. 7 show an
example of a "new enrollment" message.
[0031] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a process for awarding or
assigning credits. At step 42, awards system 16 begins processing a
travel-related reservation. Awards system 16 verifies the credits
with the actual travel-related reservation at step 44. Verification
is performed to prevent fraud and to ensure that the credits are
issued for a travel-related reservation which was actually used by
a customer requesting the reservation. When awards system 16
initially assigns credits, those credits are typically classified
as "pending" until awards system 16 performs a verification
process. A travel agent preferably may not "cash in" credits while
the credits are classified as pending. If awards system 16
determines in the verification that the credits comply with the
actual reservation (step 46), then awards system 16 converts the
credits from pending to redeemable or spendable at step 48.
Otherwise, awards system 16 typically transfers the credits to an
error queue at step 50 for manual processing.
[0032] A verification of the credits is typically based upon both
an event and time. For example, with respect to hotel reservations,
awards system 16 typically waits until a customer who requested the
hotel reservation checks out of the corresponding hotel.
Subsequently, awards system 16 typically waits for a predetermined
period of time, such as ten days, to verify that the customer
indeed used the hotel reservation. Finally, after the waiting
period, awards system 16 converts the pending credits to redeemable
credits. Alternatively, verification may be based solely upon
either an event or time.
[0033] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a process for calculating credits.
Awards system 16 typically awards credits based upon the revenue
for a particular travel-related reservation booking, which occurs
at step 52. Other types of calculations for credits are possible.
For example, awards system 16 may simply award a predetermined
number of credits for any particular booking. For lodging
reservations, awards system 16 may, for example, award credits
based on how many nights of lodging a customer has requested. At
step 54, awards system 16 determines whether bonus credits apply.
Bonus credits supply additional incentives to the travel agents by
increasing the number of credits that the travel agent may receive
for a particular booking. If bonus credits apply, awards system 16
then calculates the bonus credits at step 56 for each particular
bonus program. Awards system 16 also calculates the standard
credits available for the booking (step 58).
[0034] Awards system 16 uses bonus programs to award additional
credits to a travel agent based upon a predetermined activity in
conjunction with a booking. Examples of predetermined activities,
which may increase credits awarded, include the following: a
product booked by a travel agent (for example, a travel package);
lodging booked by a travel agent (for example, a type of hotel);
when a travel agent books the travel-related reservation; when a
customer who requested the travel-related reservation uses the
travel-related reservation; how a customer pays for the
travel-related reservation (for example, using a particular type of
credit card); how a customer guarantees the travel-related
reservation; a class of a customer (for example, age); or a class
of a travel agent (for example, travel agent credit level or group
affiliation).
[0035] At step 60, awards system 16 determines whether the travel
agent who entered the reservation is a new travel agent or a travel
agent already within a database for awards system 16. If the travel
agent is already in a database, awards system 16 calculates the
total pending credits at step 62 and then retrieves the total
redeemable credits for the corresponding travel agent at step 64.
Awards system 16 also preferably modifies cumulative credits as
bookings are adjusted or cancelled.
[0036] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing how awards system 16
interfaces with an administrative system 94 for administrating and
awarding prizes based upon the credits. In addition to on-line
reporting of credits through CRS's, awards system 16 may also
generate printed documents reporting credits via system 94. An
example of a hard copy report of credits is shown in FIG. 9.
[0037] Periodically, typically every 30 days, awards system 16
transmits a storage medium (step 66) which includes information
related to processing within awards system 16. A storage medium may
be transmitted to an outside vendor or, alternatively, functions of
administrative system 94 may be performed by awards system 16.
Submodule 70 receives the information and performs audit programs
on the data. A travel agent master file 72 preferably maintains a
database of the travel agents stored within awards system 16 and
the corresponding credits awarded to the travel agents. File 72
also preferably maintains identifiers for agencies which engage the
travel agents, which may be work addresses for travel agents.
Submodule 78 adds new travel agents to the master file. Submodule
86 performs the function of sending enrollment kits to the new
enrollees, which includes information on the program and rules for
receiving prizes and awards based upon credits earned.
[0038] Submodule 74 receives and processes mail and telephone
orders. Submodule 76 receives certificate orders. A travel agent
typically submits an order for the purpose of redeeming earned
credits for an award or prize. Submodule 80 updates the database
for new addresses of enrollees. Submodule 82 updates the master
file with new credits awarded, based upon credits calculated by
submodule 84. Submodule 90 generates summary reports of credits
and, based upon this information, submodule 92 generates statements
of credits for reporting to travel agents. These statements are
then typically mailed to participating travel agents in order to
report their credits. At step 68, system 94 periodically, typically
every 30 days, sends updated information to awards systems 16.
[0039] While the present invention has been described in connection
with the preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that
many modifications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the
art, and this application is intended to cover any adaptations or
variations thereof. It is manifestly intended that this invention
be limited only by the claims and equivalents thereof.
* * * * *