A method, program, and system for checking the availability of goods and
services by means of the Internet are provided. The invention comprises
compiling a customer profile, which may include information related to
business affiliation as well as personal preferences. The customer uses a
general search engine to submit a query regarding a desired good or
service, and the search engine returns a list of suppliers that satisfy
the search generic criteria. Special software on the client machine then
sends more detailed queries, along with the customer profile, directly to
certain suppliers selected from the list. These suppliers then return
information, which corresponds to the customer profile. This information
may include availability of specific accommodations, special discounts,
as well as exclusive goods or services not offered to the general public.