System for corporate travel planning and management

Claim 2

The client-server system for corporate travel planning, expense reporting and travel management as recited in claim 1 wherein the relational database server stores traveler and corporate profiles which interface between the travel planning, expense reporting and travel management system and the computerized reservation system.

Claim 3

The client-server system for corporate travel planning, expense reporting and travel management as recited in claim 1 Wherein the travel planning, expense reporting and travel management system further comprises a travel planning module and a travel expense reporting module.

Claim 4

The client-server system for corporate travel planning, expense reporting and travel management as recited in claim 3 wherein the travel planning module includes means for automated approval of travel requests before travel expenses are incurred.

Claim 5

The client-server system for corporate travel planning, expense reporting and travel management as recited in claim 3 wherein the travel planning module includes a series of graphical user interfaces for the planning and booking of a non-routine trip including air, hotel and car accommodations.

Claim 6

The client-server system for corporate travel planning, expense reporting and travel management as recited in claim 3 wherein the travel planning module includes a series of graphical user interfaces for the planning and booking of a repeat trip including air, hotel and car accommodations.

Claim 7

The client-server system for corporate travel planning, expense reporting and travel management as recited in claim 3 wherein the travel expense reporting module further comprises means for automated expense report approval.

Claim 8

The client-server system for corporate travel planning, expense reporting and travel management as recited in claim 3 wherein the travel expense reporting module further comprises means for automated expense report approval.

Claim 9

The client-server system for corporate travel planning, expense reporting and travel management as recited in claim 3 wherein the travel expense reporting module includes a series of graphical user interfaces for providing corporate policy information from the relational database server.

Claim 10

The client-server system for corporate travel planning, expense reporting and travel management as recited in claim 3 wherein the travel expense reporting module includes a series of graphical user interfaces that are pre-populated with trip data from the relational database server.

Claim 11

The client-server system for corporate travel planning, expense reporting and travel management as recited in claim 3 wherein the travel planning, expense reporting and travel management system further comprises a travel decision maker module that incorporates information from the trip planning module and the expense reporting module for providing pre-travel and post-travel reporting.

Claim 13

The method for corporate travel planning, expense reporting and travel management as recited in claim 12 wherein the step of preparing a travel request further comprises the steps of: energizing a new trip icon; providing corporate policy data from the relational database; specifying a purpose for the trip; selecting an origination point and a destination point; selecting a flight time to travel from the origination point and the destination point; selecting a flight time for the return flight from the destination point to the origination point; creating a record of the flight information; energizing a hotel icon; requesting hotel information; selection a hotel; creating a record of the hotel information; energizing a car icon; requesting car information; selection a car; creating a record of the car information; energizing a cost icon; searching for a cheaper flight; selecting a cheaper flight; and sending the travel request to a travel agency for booking.

Claim 14

The method for corporate travel planning, expense reporting and travel management as recited in claim 12 wherein the step of preparing a travel request further comprises the steps of: energizing a frequent trip icon; selecting a frequent trip; inputting a date for the trip; and sending the travel request to a travel agency for booking.

Claim 15

The method for corporate travel planning, expense reporting and travel management as recited in claim 12 wherein the step of obtaining approval for travel further comprises the steps of: electronically sending the travel request to an approver; providing the approver with corporate policy data from the relational database; electronically approving the travel request; and electronically notifying the traveler of approval.

Claim 16

The method for corporate travel planning, expense reporting and travel management as recited in claim 12 wherein the step of preparing an expense report further comprises the steps of: energizing a new expense report icon; specifying the date and purpose of the expense; detailing the air, car, hotel, meal and business entertainment expenses; calculating expense totals; checking for corporate policy compliance; creating an expense report; and electronically routing the expense report for approval.

Claim 17

The method for corporate travel planning, expense reporting and travel management as recited in claim 12 wherein the step of obtaining approval for the expense report further comprises the steps of: electronically sending the expense report to an approver; providing the approver with corporate policy data from the relational database; electronically approving the the expense report; and electronically notifying the traveler of approval.

Claim 18

A client-server system for corporate travel planning, expense reporting and travel management comprising: a computerized reservation system; a relational database server communicably linked to the computerized reservation system; and a travel planning, expense reporting and travel management system resident within a personal computer providing a graphical user interface for communication between the computer user, the travel planning, expense reporting and travel management system and the relational database server, the travel planning, expense reporting and travel management system comprising a travel planning module, a travel expense reporting module and a travel decision maker module, the travel planning module includes means for automated approval of travel requests before travel expenses are incurred and a series, of graphical user interfaces for the planning and booking of routine and non-routine trips including air, hotel and car accommodations, the travel expense reporting module includes means for automated expense report approval and means for automated expense report approval and routing, and the travel decision maker module incorporates information from the trip planning module and the expense reporting module for providing pre-travel and post-travel reporting.

Claim 19

The client-server system for corporate travel planning, expense reporting and travel management as recited in claim 18 wherein the relational database server stores traveler and corporate profiles which interfaces between the travel planning, expense reporting and travel management system and the computerized reservation system.