Abstract: Process for implementing redemption of accrued rewards from a loyalty rewards account for a benefit that is instantaneously fulfilled. The process includes linking a financial transaction instrument to the loyalty rewards account of a customer and receiving from the customer a request to redeem rewards from the loyalty rewards account for a benefit. In addition, the process automatically authorizes use of the financial transaction instrument to fulfill the benefit requested by the customer, and recognizes, across a computer network, fulfillment of the benefit by a merchant. The loyalty rewards account is automatically updated to reflect fulfillment of the benefit obtained by the customer.

Abstract: A browser-based simulator may be used to create and send test messages to one or more transaction processing facilities (TPFs) to determine the response of the TPF system. It allows a user or plurality of users to create ISO 8583 messages, send the messages to the TPF systems, receive a response, and display the results to the users. Messages created by the simulator are stored within an ANSI queryable SQL database to make test selection simple. The TPF test messages and results are thus available worldwide. Further, the simulator is server-based, so desktop licenses are not required. The simulator allows a user to either select a preformatted message or derive a new message by selecting the data of interest.