System for concurrent optimization of business economics and customer value

Abstract

A computer-implemented system and method for an airline to enhance customers' experience. A computer-implemented service is operated that delivers to a customer an option to upgrade on up to n of m selected products, where n is less than m. Information is recorded in a data store, pertaining to said option. In addition, a system is operated to define each of the n chosen products, whereby after each of the n chosen products is defined, the customer can be upgraded to said chosen product. The information pertaining to said defined products is recorded in a data store.

1 . A computer-implemented system to sell products, comprising:
 a. a data processor adapted to receive at least one input that allows a company to sell at least one product that allows a customer to receive a conditional upgrade without separately identifying a price for the inclusion of said conditional upgrade within the total product price;   b. a data processor adapted to record information pertaining to said conditional upgrade in a computer-readable data store   c. a data processor adapted to receive at least one input to process the information in a computer-readable data store, and allows the company to upgrade the customer if:   
       i. at least one condition on said conditional upgrade is satisfied, and 
       ii. the company receives the payment for said upgrade;
 wherein the customer accepting said product confers upon the company the right to enforce said payment on the customer; and 
 d. a data processor adapted to record information pertaining to said upgrade in a computer-readable data store. 
 
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least two of said data processors are a same processor. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein both the said data stores are a same data store. 
     
     
         4 . A computer-implemented method to sell products, comprising:
 a. operating a data processor to receive at least one input that allows a company to sell at least one product that allows a customer to receive a conditional upgrade without separately identifying a price for the inclusion of said conditional upgrade within the total product price;   b. record information pertaining to said conditional upgrade in a computer-readable data store   c. operating a data processor to receive at least one input that processes the information in a computer-readable data store, and allows the company to upgrade the customer if   
       i. at least one condition on said conditional upgrade is satisfied, and 
       ii. the company receives the payment for said upgrade,
 wherein the customer accepting said product confers upon the company the right to enforce said payment on the customer; and 
 d. recording information pertaining to said upgrade in a computer-readable data store. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein both the data processors are a same processor. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein both the data stores are a same data store. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4  wherein a condition on the option is a price the customer pays for the upgrade if offered. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the price the customer is willing to pay may be modified before a specified notification date. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the product price includes a price for an upgrade, which is not separately identified within the total product price. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said price for the conditional upgrade is paid at the time the product is sold to the customer. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said price for the conditional upgrade is paid any time after the product is sold to the customer. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said condition include at least one condition in addition to the availability of a higher ranked product. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said upgrade will upgrade the customer to more than one upgraded product. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said option confers on an entity other than said company the right to enforce the upgrade provided at least one condition on the option has been satisfied. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 4  wherein a standby customer is assigned to a standby product as a base product from which an upgrade is possible to a product having availability. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 4  wherein a non-paying passenger is assigned to a non-revenue product as a base product from which an upgrade is possible to another product. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 4  wherein exercise of an upgrade option provides multiple upgrade products to the customer. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said company allocates at least one product to at least one entity other than said company, and said entity delivers said option on at least one of said allocated products. 
     
     
         19 . A computer-implemented method to sell tickets on an airline, comprising:
 a. operating a data processor to receive at least one input that allows an airline to sell at least one ticket that allows a passenger to receive a conditional cabin upgrade without separately identifying a price for the inclusion of said conditional upgrade within the total ticket price;   b. record information pertaining to said conditional upgrade in a computer-readable data store   c. operating a data processor to receive at least one input that processes the information in a computer-readable data store, and allows the airline to upgrade the passenger if   
       i. at least one condition on said conditional upgrade is satisfied, and 
       ii. the airline receives the payment for said upgrade,
 wherein the passenger accepting said ticket confers upon the airline the right to enforce said payment on the passenger; and 
 d. recording information pertaining to said upgrade in a computer-readable data store. 
 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein both the data processors are a same processor. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18  wherein a condition on the option is indication of price the passenger pays for the upgrade if offered. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the passenger is given an opportunity to modify the price before a specified notification date.