WO2003090144A1 - Targeted traveler communications - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a computer network system and method for receiving reservations information from a traveler (410), determining useful information for that traveler based at least upon that traveler's reservation information (410), and providing to the traveler a targeted communication (420, 430) containing the useful information. The invention also includes a computer network system and method in which the useful information depends upon linking the traveler's information with additional information about the traveler, and determining useful information for the traveler based upon analysis of the additional information.

Description

Targeted Traveler Communications

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 USC 119(e) to United States provisional application serial number 60/372,085, filed April 15, 2002, entitled "Targeted Traveler

Communications," attorney docket number PIP-121-DIAM-PR. The entire contents of that application are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to marketing, and more particularly to targeted marketing to travelers.

DISCUSSION OF THE BACKGROUND Travel service providers (TSPs) are businesses which provide transportation and lodging to travelers. Travel service providers generally use reservation systems to track availability of their services. A reservation system of a travel service provider is a system that records and allocates the travel service provider's travel service resources to individuals and groups of individuals. For example, a reservation systems of a travel service provider may store allocation of a hotel room, aiφlane seat, bus seat, or car, for a specified traveler. A reservation system usually stores reservations in a computer format. A reservation system enables a reservation to be created, accessed, and changed. A reservation stored in a reservation system identifies the allocation by specifying dates, associated services, and optionally additional information. Travel service providers, such as hotels, airlines, car rental agencies, and travel agencies, generally utilize reservation systems. One example of a reservation system is "Travelocity", at the URL www.travelocity.com. Travelocity enables a traveler to reserve and pay for airline, car rental, and lodgings.

A targeted communication means a communication intended for delivery to a person in which information contained in the communication depends upon information about that person.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of this invention is to provide useful targeted communications to travelers.

Another object of this invention is to provide targeted communications to a traveler in which the communication contains information relatively more useful to that traveler than to another traveler. Another object of this invention is to collect information about travelers.

These and other objects of the invention are provided by a computer network system and method for receiving reservations information from a traveler, determining useful information for that traveler based at least upon that traveler's reservation information, and providing to the traveler a targeted communication containing the useful information. The invention also includes a computer network system and method in which the useful information depends upon linking the traveler's information with additional information about the traveler, and determining useful information for that traveler based upon analysis of the additional information. The linking may be performed by associating the traveler's reservation with other computer records in a database relating to the same traveler, such as a record containing the traveler's prior product purchases, dates of purchase, and locations of purchase (ie, shopping history data). Determination of what constitutes relatively useful information may be based upon statistical analysis of purchase, reservation, or redemption activity groups of people having similar reservations or shopping history data, and upon rational analysis of traveler's data. In one aspect, the invention provides a computer network system and method for receiving a traveler's reservation information; generating a targeted communication based at least in part upon said traveler's reservation information; and providing said targeted communication to said traveler. The system and method may include means for generating said targeted communication at least in part upon said traveler's prior travel history, means for generating said targeted communication at least in part upon said traveler's prior shopping history, and means for generating said targeted communication based at least in part upon predicted changes in traveler's use of TSP services.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Embodiments of the systems and methods of the invention are described below in reference to the following figures.

Fig. 1 is a schematic of a computer network system of the invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic of a TSP network computer system; Fig. 3 is a schematic showing data elements of a traveler/trip reservation record; Fig. 4 is a high level flow chart showing steps of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a mid level flow chart showing the steps involved in receiving a traveler's reservation information;

Fig. 6 is a mid level flow chart showing steps involved in generating targeted communications for travelers; and Fig. 7 is a mid level flow chart showing steps involved in providing targeted communications to travelers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Fig. 1 depicts system 1. System 1 includes Internet 10, hotel computer system 20, targeted marketing computer system 30, traveler's computer 40, central reservation computer system 50, travel agent computer system 60, transportation provider computer system 70, targeted service's computer system 80; and databases for: targeted marketing computer system (database 100), traveler's computer (database 110), central reservation computer system (database 120), travel agent computer system (database 130), and targeted service's computer system (database 150).

Fig. 1 shows a data communication line connecting hotel computer system 20 to Internet 10, and similar data communication lines connecting each one of computer or computer system 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 to Internet 10.

Fig. 1 shows a data communication line connecting marketing computer system 30 to database 100 via which marketing computer system 30 controls input and output of data in database 100. Similarly, data communication lines connect each one of computer or computer systems 40, 50, 60, and 80 to respective database 110, 120, 130, and 150, and data input and output of each database is controlled by the database's associated computer. Each one of the computers shown in Fig. 1 preferably includes a central processing unit, memory for storing data in machine readable form such as RAM, ROM, and magnetic disc, input/output devices such as a monitor, keyboard, and mouse, communications hardware such as a modem and network interface, and is installed with an operating system for controlling operation of the computer and specially programmed to provide the functions discussed below. Hotel computer system 20 manages hotel reservations and other types of hotel related information.

Marketing computer system 30 manages data useful in determining marketing information for transmission to consumers. Marketing computer system 30 stores and retrieve marketing information from database 100. Information stored in database 100 may include the information discussed herein below with reference to Fig. 3. Preferably, database 100 stores records of customer's prior shopping history in association with an identification of that customer (a CED). The CID may be a frequent shopper card identification or such an identification in conjunction with a store identification (SID), part or all of a credit card number, or a biometric measurement such as retinal pattern, fingeφrint, or voice pattern of the customer.

Marketing computer system 30 represents a computer system for storing information potentially useful for target marketing to consumers, including travelers. Marketing computer system 30 preferably receives consumer purchase information from online and retail stores (not shown) and stores that information in database 100. Marketing computer system 30 may use the stored information to determine target marketing information specific to each consumer. In the context of this invention, marketing computer system 30 may store prior travel history date, and prior shopping history data. In addition, marketing computer system 30 may interact with any of the computers and computer systems 20, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 to receive reservations information and traveler information, to generate targeted communications based upon that information, and to provide to those computers the targeted communications.

Traveler's PC 40 represents a personal computer, which may be a desktop laptop, or palmtop, or PDA, so long as it can act as an input output device for a reservation system of the invention or an email receiving unit. Central reservation computer system 50 represents a computer system storing reservations information for a plurality of distinct businesses. One example of such a system is the Travelocity web site, which primarily servers non-business travelers, and another is the SABRE travel network, which primarily services business travelers. The primary business of the central reservation computer system 50 is to facilitate reservations as opposed to providing transportation or lodging services. Central reservation computer system 50 is programmed to receive reservations from entities such as travel agents or on line consumers, to update its reservation database 120 and communicate the reservations information with the corresponding hotel chain's hotel computer system 20 and corresponding air, train, bus line, or car rental transportation provider computer system's reservation system.

Travel agent computer system 60 stores travel records in database 130, and is programmed or may be connected to access reservations systems, such as the reservations systems of computer or computer systems 20, 50, and 70.

Transportation provider computer system 70 provides a reservation system for at least one transportation provider, such as an airline.

Targeted service's computer system 80 represents a computer system accounting for transactions at an organization which provides a service identified in the targeted communication. For example, a restaurant or theater's point of sale system is such a computer system. In practice, a traveler may receive a coupon from a targeted newsletter while checking into a hotel. The traveler may then redeem the coupon at a local restaurant. Database 150 stores transaction information for that system's corresponding services.

Fig. 1 shows only one of each type of reservations system. However, there are a large number of reservations systems, including one for each transportation company and one for each hotel chain, connected via the Internet. Most hotel chains have computer systems for taking reservations at both the local and central level. Company-wide connections via the Internet or a private network would allow the local computer to update the information in the central computer database and vice versa.

Fig. 2 shows a travel service provider (TSP) network computer system 200. Fig. 2 shows system 200 including a TSP central computer system 210, printer 215, TSP central database 220, private network 225, TSP local computer systems 230, 235, 240, local printer 245, local database 250, front desk terminal 255, concierge/kiosk terminal 260, and Internet 10.

Printer 245, local database 250, front desk terminal 255, and concierge/kiosk terminal 260 are representative of data storage and data input/output hardware associated with a TSP local computer system.

TSP computer system 200 is representative of the preferred structure of hotel computer system 20 and transportation computer system 70. Computer systems 20 and 70 each preferably include a central computer and central database (TSP computer system 210 and TSP central database 220) for storing reservations for a plurality of geographically distinct travel service facility locations, and local computers or computer systems (230, 235, 240) each one of which is associated with one of the geographically distinct local service facilities, typically co-located with its associated local service facility, and typically stores reservation information for its associated local facility. Each one of the TSP's local computer systems 230, 235, 240, is preferably programmed to perform the functions of a reservation system. Preferably, each local computer systems 230, 235, 240 is programmed to account for reservations at its associated local facility and store information for such reservations in its local database, such as database 250. In addition, each local computer system preferably is capable of performing reservations functions for each one of the other local facilities associated with the TSP network computer system 200. Preferably, central TSP database 220 stores reservations information for all local facilities associated with TSP network computer system 200. Preferably, computer or computer systems 210, 230, 235, and 240 are programmed to exchange and update reservations information. Alternatively, reservations information for all of the associated local service facilities may be stored only in TSP central database 220, or in a subset of all associated databases. The reservations software may be network or non-network software.

Each of the computers and computer systems shown in Figs. 1 and 2 are preferably programmed with software for transmitting and receiving data via Internet 10. Computers of system 200 may exchange data via either private network 225 or Internet 10.

Fig. 3 is a schematic showing a partial listing of the data fields that are or may be stored in association with a traveler's trip. The listed fields are traveler name 305, travel conference code 310, postal address 315, telephone number 320, email address 325, credit card type 330, credit card number 335, credit card expiration number 340, frequent flyer codes 345, a set of reservation 1 fields 350, a set of reservation 2 fields 355, a set of reservation 3 fields 360, travel type 365, rate type 370, class 375, a set of shopping history fields 380, and a set of hotel use history fields 385. The data fields shown in Fig. 3 represent the field names for data records stored in a database, such as any of the databases shown in Fig. 1. Each one of the set of reservation fields 350, 355, 360 may include fields for a separate reservation, including: arrive date, arrive day, departure date, departure date, room type, number of adults, number of children, special rate, weekday rate, weekend rate, rate code, credit card number, address, special request codes (e.g., wheelchair access, nonsmoking room, crib), guest ID, special rate plan code, coφorate account ID, kids under 18, kids under 12, kids under 3, kids under 2, originating property, number of rooms, additional rate, extra person, rate change date, guarantee code (e.g., reservation lapses if no check-in by 6PM, or guaranteed payment), telephone number (particularly area code), hotel name, hotel address, hotel phone, flight seat type (first class, business class, or coach class), airline, origination location, airline preferences (e.g., special meal selection), airline rate type, airline frequent flyer number, booking type (booked via Internet, via travel agent, or via airline telephone booking service). In addition, in a preferred embodiment loyalty information data fields exist for traveler age, gender, income level, loyalty points, number of hotel stays per location, preferred airlines, preferred car rental companies, fields for hobbies including golf, tennis, etc., career or occupation, for example including IT, executive, truck driver, and dinning preferences such as vegetarian, meat eater, dieter, wine drinker, beer drinker, etc. The prior shopping history fields 380 includes fields for customer purchase transaction dates, amounts of each transaction, items purchased on those dates, class of store at which the purchase occurred (e.g., convenience store, fuel store, or supermarket). The identifications of items purchased may include identifications by categories of items purchased and where they were purchased, such as gasoline purchases, convenience items, ready to eat food (fast food), frozen food, diet, children, health and beauty, produce, canned goods, brand, and grocery type store.

The hotel use history fields include data on prior hotel stays of the same type indicated above for reserved hotel stays, and specifically includes the dates of the prior stays and identification of the hotel or hotel chain.

Many of the fields stored in the reservation system can be used as the basis to distinguish between what information to provide to a traveler via a targeted communication. Prior shopping history fields 380 can also be used for this puφose.

Fig. 4 is a flow chart showing an overview of the method steps of the invention. Step 410 is receiving traveler's reservation information, step 420 is generating a targeted communication, and step 430 is providing the targeted communication to the traveler.

In step 410, a reservation system receives a traveler's reservation information. The traveler may be interacting with the reservation system in a number of different ways. The traveler may have a reservation entered into a reservation system via commands entered into web browser software running on traveler's computer 40, by having a travel agent use travel agent computer system 60 to enter the traveler's reservation information, via an automated telephone prompt system, and via verbal requests to any person having control of a reservations system input output device, such as front desk terminal 255 and concierge/kiosk terminal 260. Fig. 5 is a flow chart that details step 410 in Fig. 4: receiving traveler's reservation information. Step 510 is entering/updating traveler information and entering/updating trip information, step 520 is updating local computer reservation system with traveler/trip information, step 530 is providing confirmation to the traveler, and step 540 is transmitting traveler/trip data to a third-party computer system. In step 510, a user of an input/output device (i.e., a computer terminal, a pointing device, an audio command prompt telephone system, etc.) enters reservation information. That information may be identified as changing or updating an existing reservation along with an identification of that record in which reservation system receiving the input updates the corresponding reservations record or records. In step 520, local computer reservation system with new traveler/trip information.

In step 530, if the new reservations information corresponds to a reservation stored locally, such as a record in local database 250, and globally, such as in TSP central database 220, the reservations system transmits the changes in the record or the revised record to TSP central computer system 210 which updates the corresponding record in TSP central database 220.

In step 530, essentially concurrently with record updating, the reservations system generates a reservation update communication and transmits that communication to one or more designated input output devices to notify the traveler of the update. The designated addresses of the reservation update communication may include the network address of the traveler's computer, the traveler's telephone, the traveler's postal address, as well as the travel agent computer system, front desk terminal 255, or concierge/kiosk terminal 260.

Moreover, a targeted communication may be included with each reservation communication, or reservation update communication. Thus, a traveler may receive a targeted communication each time he interacts with the reservation system, such as when first making a reservation, when checking into a transportation provider, such as at an airline or car rental counter, when checking into a hotel, etc.

In step 540, traveler/trip data is transmitted by the reservation system to one or more third parties' computer systems. If the reservations computer system receiving the reservation data is central reservations computer system 50 then the third party could be the ultimate service provider or providers' computer systems 70, 20.

In addition, the third party computer system of step 540 may be targeted service's computer system 80. For example, if a targeted communication includes an incentive to shop at the service provided by the business associated with targeted service's computer system 80, the reservations system may send that information to service's computer system 80. In addition, the targeted service's computer system 80 may transmit redemption information to marketing computer system 30 to provide targeting information as a basis for determining future targeted communications and incentives to offer to the selected traveler/consumer.

Fig. 6 is a flow chart that details step 420 in Fig. 4: generating a targeted communication. Step 610 is getting a profile record to compare to a traveler/trip record, step 620 is determining whether there is a match, step 630 is adding the profile's communication to the traveler/trip record, and step 640 is checking to see if there are more profile records.

Any of the computer systems noted above that have access to reservations information may perform the targeting analysis identified in Fig. 5. Preferably, this analysis is performed by marketing computer system 30.

In step 610, marketing computer system 30 receives for comparison a traveler/trip data record and a profile record. The profile record contains criteria for one or more traveler/trip data record fields. An example of a criteria is the presence of children under 18 years of age. Another example is a request for a non-smoking room.

In step 620, marketing computer system 30 determines whether the corresponding fields of the traveler/trip data record matches the criteria in the profile record. If there is a match, processing proceeds to step 630 and if not, processing proceeds to step 640.

In step 630, marketing computer system 30 associates a targeted communication associated with the profile criteria with the traveler/trip record. For example, at the time of booking a trip, the traveler may communicate to a travel agent that the traveler needs a crib for his hotel room. The travel agent would include this information when making the hotel reservation. This information would match the criteria of having a baby younger than two years and the system could prompt the hotel to provide a coupon for a free in- room movie when the traveler checks in, since the tendency is for parents of babies to stay in with the baby at night. The movie could be preceded with television commercials for infant products.

Another targeting example would be the system distinguishing between a business traveler, a leisure traveler, and a traveler with children and providing each with a check-in newsletter containing different editorial and advertising content. The business traveler might receive information on hotel amenities such as conference space and telecommunications access, while the leisure traveler might receive information on the hotel's pool and spa, along with offers from local attractions. The system generating the targeted newsletter would insert the targeted information in one section, effectively merging targeted and non-targeted information.

Moreover, for either a newsletter, email, postal mail, or web page containing the targeted information, the system could be designed to rearrange the formatting of the targeted and non-targeted information depending upon the amount of targeted information to be included, so that all targeted information could be included. Furthermore, the system could be designed to exclude certain non- targeted information to enable inclusion of all targeted information if, for example, a traveler's data generated a large amount of targeted information. In addition, the system could be programmed to prioritize inclusion and display location of targeted information depending upon several factors. These factors may include whether the information includes a financial incentive, such as a coupon or a redemption voucher, and whether an entity (such as a restaurant, a service facility, or a product manufacturer) has paid a premium for display of targeted information for their service or product.

In step 640, marketing computer system 30 determines whether more profile records exist. If more records exist, processing returns to step 610 wherein the next profile record is retrieved.

The algorithm of Fig. 6 is exemplary. There are different algorithms for determining whether to provide a targeted communication to a traveler.

Additional criteria for targeted communications are existence and frequency of prior purchase of specified product brand items, prior purchase history in specified product categories, prior travel use of specified hotel chains, hotel facilities including hotel restaurants, hotel gift shops, and hotel spas, recency and frequency of prior hotel usage, prior purchase history for specified product brand items, product categories, and loyalty information fields.

Additional criteria for targeted communications are those which indicate the existence of a relatively high probability that the traveler will stop using a specified travel service, such as hotel or transportation service provider. The mechanism for determining this type of criteria are expressly disclosed in copending provisional patent application attorney docket number PIP-120-DAVI-PR, serial number 60/365,546, filed March 20, 2002, the contents of which are hereby incoφorated by reference. That application does not disclose applying predictive ability to TSPs, and this extension is provided by using the traveler record fields instead of consumer product purchase history fields taught in 60/365,546.

Fig. 7 is a flow chart that details step 430 in Fig. 4: providing targeted communication to the traveler. Step 710 is determining whether to download remote communications, step 720 is getting the remote communications, step 730 is delivering communications, including targeted communications to the traveler, and step 740 is updating the traveler/trip record.

Step 710 is typically performed by a computer that accesses the traveler/trip record in response to commands received from an input output device, such as a computer terminal. These computers include computers and computer systems 20, 40, 50, 60, 70.

In step 710, the accessing computer system determines whether to check for remote targeted communications, meaning targeted communications associated with the traveler/trip record located on another computer or computer system, preferably marketing computer system 30. If there are remote targeted communications, processing proceeds to step 720.

In step 720, the accessing computer system contacts marketing computer system 30, providing identification of the traveler or traveler/trip record and receives from marketing computer system 30 any targeted communications associated with the traveler/trip record. In step 730, the accessing computer system delivers the targeted communications to the traveler. The targeted communication may be included in a printed targeted publication printed at the site where the traveler is currently located, such as a hotel front desk or a travel agent's office. In addition, the targeted communication may be delivered via email or regular mail to the consumer, or posted onto a personal web site, including on a personal web page, accessible by the traveler, and also postal mailed to the traveler. The method of informing the traveler and the form of the communication are numerous, including promotional material (coupons, vouchers, promotional merchandise and samples, offers, tips, or suggestions) mailed (via the post office) in response to general travel queries by the traveler, an email at the time a confirmation number or itinerary is delivered, a coupon booklet mailed with tickets, an automatic and automated telephone call to provide follow-up information, targeted commercials via in-room television, and a targeted newsletter provided to the traveler at the time the traveler checks in or checks out at a hotel, airline, or car rental company.

An example of targeted communications are upgrade offers that can be presented to a traveler as he checks into a hotel or rental car agency based on data in the traveler's information fields. A hotel key in the form of a smart card, which can store purchase information for items being charged to the hotel room, can collect a traveler's data during his stay and be used at checkout to generate targeted communications, such as a newsletter, based on the purchasing tendencies of the traveler. Following a traveler's stay at a hotel or trip via a TSP, the system can generate targeted communications in the form of a survey or extended marketing as rewards or incentives to the traveler, or to gain additional information for the marketing computer system database.

Finally, the traveler's used of targeted information that is recorded, which will typically be transaction information such as hotel, airline, train, or rental car, transactions, but may include transaction information recorded by other entities, can be used in further analyzing the traveler's preferences in order to subsequently issue the traveler a targeted communication, such as via postal mail, email, direct telephone marketing, or when the traveler makes another reservation.

Embodiments of the invention have been described above. However, the scope of the invention is defined by the claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. A computer network implemented method, comprising: receiving in a computer system a traveler's reservation information; generating in a computer system a targeted communication based at least in part upon said traveler's reservation information; and providing said targeted communication to said traveler.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said generating comprises generating said targeted communication at least in part upon said traveler's prior travel history.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein generating comprises generating said targeted communication based at least in part upon said traveler's prior shopping history.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said generating comprises generating said targeted communication based at least in part upon predicted changes in said traveler's use of TSP services.

5. The method of claim 1 said receiving further comprises inputting said traveler's reservation information in an input device.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said receiving further comprises transmitting said traveler's reservation information over a network connection.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said receiving further comprises storing said traveler's reservation information in a database.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said generating comprises generating said targeted communication based at least in part upon data for said traveler in one of said one of the following fields: traveler age, gender, income level, loyalty points, total number of stays in a hotel, number of stays in hotel per time period, hotel stay locations, preferred airline, preferred car rental, hobbies, occupation, dining preferences.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said generating comprises generating said targeted communication based at least in part upon data for conference code.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said generating comprises generating based at least in part upon existence or number of accompanying children.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein said generating comprises generating based at least in part upon reservation type.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein said generating comprises generating based at least in part upon said traveler's guarantee code.

13 The method of claim 1 wherein said generating comprises generating based at least in part upon said traveler's reservation information guarantee code.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein said generating comprises generating based at least in part upon said traveler's reservation information flight seat type.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein said generating comprises generating based at least in part upon said traveler's reservation information airline.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein said generating comprises generating based at least in part upon said traveler's reservation information origination location.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein said generating comprises generating based at least in part upon said traveler's reservation information airline preferences.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein said generating comprises generating based at least in part upon said traveler's reservation information airline rate type.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein said generating comprises generating based at least in part upon said traveler's reservation information car rental type.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein said generating comprises generating based at least in part upon said traveler's income level.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein said generating comprises generating based at least in part upon said traveler's occupation.

22. The method of claim 1 wherein said generating comprises generating based at least in part upon said traveler's dinning preferences.

23. The method of claim 1 wherein said generating comprises generating based at least in part upon said traveler's hobbies.

24. The method of claim 1 wherein said generating comprises generating based at least in part upon said traveler's preferred airline.

25. The method of claim 1 wherein said generating comprises generating based at least in part upon said traveler's prior retail store shopping history.

26. The method of claim 1 wherein said generating comprises generating based at least in part upon said traveler's prior grocery purchase history.

27. The method of claim 1 wherein said generating comprises generating based at least in part upon said traveler's prior purchase history in selected categories.

28. The method of claim 1 wherein said generating comprises generating based at least in part upon said traveler's prior hotel usage history.

29. The method of claim 1 wherein said generating comprises generating based at least in part upon said traveler's anticipated changes in hotel usage.

30. The method of claim 1 wherein said generating comprises generating based at least in part upon said traveler's anticipated changes in airline usage.

31. The method of claim 1 wherein said generating comprises generating based at least in part upon said traveler's anticipated changes in car rental usage.

32. The method of claim 1 wherein said providing comprises concurrently providing said traveler's reservation information and said targeted communication to said traveler.

33. The method of claim 1 wherein said providing comprises one of printing, emailing, postal mailing, and posting a web page.

34. The method of claim 1 wherein said providing comprises merging non-targeted and targeted communications into one document.

35. The method of claim 1 further comprising prioritizing targeted information and merging targeted information into one document in a format depending upon said prioritization.

36. The method of claim 1 further comprising distributing said traveler's reservation information between at least two computer systems.

37. The method of claim 1 wherein said providing comprises checking for targeted communication with at least two computer systems.

38. The method of claim 1 wherein said targeted communications comprise upgrade offers.

39. The method of claim 1 wherein said traveler's reservation information comprises a special event flag.

40. The method of claim 1 wherein said targeted communication depends upon said traveler's nationality, visa, or passport information.

41. The method of claim 1 wherein said targeted communication comprises information regarding at least one of infant products and services.

42. The method of claim 1 wherein said targeted communication is for an incentive directed to business travelers.

43. The method of claim 1 wherein said targeted communication is for an incentive directed to leisure travelers.

44. The method of claim 1 wherein said targeted communication depends at least in part upon a name of said traveler's credit card provider.

45. The method of claim 1 wherein said targeted communication depends at least in part upon the existence and frequency of prior purchase of specified product brand items.

46. The method of claim 1 wherein said targeted communication depends at least in part upon the existence and frequency of prior travel use of specified hotel chains.

47. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of providing comprises providing to a hotel room assigned to said traveler.

48. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of providing comprises providing to said traveler over electronic media in a hotel room assigned to said traveler.

49. The method of claim 1 wherein said providing comprises providing to said traveler via a targeted newsletter at the time the traveler checks in or out of a hotel, airline, train, or rental car company.

50. A computer network system, comprising: means for receiving a traveler's reservation information; means for generating a targeted communication based at least in part upon said traveler's reservation information; and means for providing said targeted communication to said traveler.

51. The system of claim 50 wherein said means for generating comprises means for generating said targeted communication based at least in part upon said traveler's prior travel history.

52. The system of claim 50 wherein said means for generating comprises means for generating said targeted communication based at least in part upon said traveler's prior shopping history.

53. The system of claim 50 wherein said means for generating comprises means for generating said targeted communication based at least in part upon predicted changes in said traveler's use of TSP services.

54. A computer network implemented method, comprising: receiving in a computer system a traveler's reservation information; generating in a computer system a targeted communication based at least in part upon said traveler's prior travel history; and providing said targeted communication to said traveler.

55. A computer network implemented method, comprising: receiving in a computer system a traveler's reservation information; generating in a computer system a targeted communication based at least in part upon said traveler's prior shopping history; and providing said targeted communication to said traveler.

56. A computer network implemented method, comprising: receiving in a computer system a traveler's reservation information; generating in a computer system a targeted communication based at least in part upon anticipated changes in said traveler's use of TSP services; and providing said targeted communication to said traveler.

57. A computer network implemented method, comprising: receiving in a computer system a traveler's reservation information; generating in a computer system a targeted communication based at least in part upon traveler disability information; and providing said targeted communication to said traveler.

58. A computer network system, comprising: means for receiving in a computer system a traveler's reservation information; means for generating in a computer system a targeted communication based at least in part upon said traveler's prior travel history; and means for providing said targeted communication to said traveler.

59. A computer network system, comprising: means for receiving in a computer system a traveler's reservation information; means for generating in a computer system a targeted communication based at least in part upon said traveler's prior shopping history; and means for providing said targeted communication to said traveler.

60. A computer network system, comprising: means for receiving in a computer system a traveler's reservation information; means for generating in a computer system a targeted communication based at least in part upon anticipated changes in said traveler's use of TSP services; and means for providing said targeted communication to said traveler.

61. A computer network system, comprising: means for receiving in a computer system a traveler's reservation information; means for generating in a computer system a targeted communication based at least in part upon traveler disability information; and means for providing said targeted communication to said traveler. 61. A computer network method, comprising: receiving in a computer system a traveler's reservation information; linking said reservation information to additional information about said traveler; generating in a computer system a targeted communication based at least in part upon said linked information; and providing said targeted communication to said traveler.

62. A computer network system, comprising: means for receiving in a computer system a traveler's reservation information; means for linking said reservation information to additional information about said traveler; means for generating in a computer system a targeted communication based at least pon said linked information; and providing said targeted communication to said traveler