Executing and processing corporate travel search results

Abstract

A technique is described for executing and displaying search results, such as for a travel search engine. The technique includes the generation of search results by querying the one or more databases based on a search request for a travel reservation by a user, who is a member of an organization having a travel expense policy. A target cost associated with the search request is determined based on the generated search results and on the travel expense policy. One or more of the search results can be annotated with a positive weight or with a calculated reward amount based on a comparison of the corresponding cost and the target cost. A graphical user interface is created having a listing of the search results, wherein the search results are rendered for display in an order based on at least one annotation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for executing and displaying search results, comprising:
 receiving, from a user, a search request for a travel reservation, wherein the user is a member of an organization having an associated travel expense policy;   generating search results by querying one or more databases based on the search request for the travel reservation, wherein each search result comprises a candidate travel reservation and a respective cost;   determining a target cost associated with the search request based on the generated search results and on the travel expense policy;   in response to determining that at least one of the search results has a corresponding cost that is less than the target cost of the search request by a threshold amount, annotating the at least one search result with a positive weight; and   generating a graphical user interface comprised of a listing of the search results, wherein the search results are rendered for display in an order based on at least one annotation.