Systems and methods for trading contingency based options and futures for a travel-related item

Abstract

Disclosed herein are methods and systems for establishing a network-based system for purchase and sale of at least one of an option contract and a futures contract to acquire a travel-related item. The contract may be exercisable upon occurrence of a contingency and tradable in an online marketplace. In some instances, the contract may be exercisable upon future existence of the travel-related item, occurrence of a weather condition, or the outcome of a contest, any of which may be uncertain at the time of the purchase and sale of the contract.

1 . A method of electronic commerce, comprising:
 establishing a network-based system for purchase and sale of at least one of an option contract and a futures contract to acquire a travel-related item, the contract being exercisable upon occurrence of a contingency, wherein the contract is tradable in an online marketplace.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the contract obligates the purchaser to acquire the travel-related item upon occurrence of the contingency. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the purchaser is automatically billed for the travel-related item upon occurrence of the contingency. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the contract obligates the contract provider to provide the travel-related item upon occurrence of the contingency. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the contract is tradable for a different contract. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the contract is tradable for a payment. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the travel-related item is at least one of a hotel accommodation, and airline ticket, and a car rental. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the contingency relates to the future existence of the travel-related item. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the contingency relates to an outcome of a contest. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the contingency relates to a weather condition. 
     
     
         11 . A system of electronic commerce, comprising:
 a network-based system for purchase and sale of at least one of an option contract and a futures contract to acquire a travel-related item, the contract being exercisable upon occurrence of a contingency, wherein the contract is tradable in an online marketplace.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the contract obligates the purchaser to acquire the travel-related item upon occurrence of the contingency. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the purchaser is automatically billed for the travel-related item upon occurrence of the contingency. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the contract obligates the contract provider to provide the travel-related item upon occurrence of the contingency. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the contract is tradable for a different contract. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the contract is tradable for a payment. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the travel-related item is at least one of a hotel accommodation, and airline ticket, and a car rental. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the contingency relates to the future existence of the travel-related item. 
     
     
         19 . A system of electronic commerce, comprising:
 a network-based system for purchase and sale of at least one of an option contract and a futures contract to acquire a travel accommodation, the contract being exercisable upon availability of the travel accommodation, wherein the availability of the travel accommodation is uncertain at the time of the purchase and sale.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the contract is tradable in an online marketplace.