Abstract: The method and system permits for searching of rates offered by travel accommodation providers and comparing the retrieved rates. The methodology searches both the host site and third party sites to obtain a result listing. Based on this listing, the rates between that of the host site and the third party site are compared for discrepancies between the same or similar listings. If a discrepancy is found that makes the offering on the third party site less expensive than is offered on the host site for the same or similar accommodations, a best rate guarantee methodology is triggered. This takes into account the accommodations and pricing of each listing and based on predetermined constraints enables automatic price matching, incentives, discounts, and so forth to encourage a user to select the host site's accommodation.

Abstract: A system and method for managing time-dependent inventory such as hotel rooms, rental automobiles, and airline seats as well as associated items is disclosed. The system and method may be used to manage the price of inventory, the type of inventory, and the dates the inventory is offered for sale. The disclosed system and method simplify the management of inventory across multiple inventory types, inventory prices, and inventory availability dates by creating hierarchies and allowing changes to one element of a hierarchy to cause changes to other elements in the hierarchy.