Patents Assigned to American Express Travel Related Services Company
  • Publication number: 20070185782
    Abstract: A method and system for facilitating the purchase of goods and services anonymously from an e-commerce website is provided. The method includes providing a plurality of transaction account numbers, each of which is associated with a monetary load value. The transaction account numbers are stored in a database having a plurality of records. Each of the records corresponds to one of the transaction account numbers. None of the records are configured to store identifying information of a purchaser of one of the transaction numbers. A request for an authorization of a purchase transaction having a purchase value is received from a remote computer terminal. The request is associated with a transaction account number. If the purchase value does not exceed the monetary value associated with the transaction account number, an authorization message is sent to the remote computer terminal granting the request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Applicant: AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Analydia Shooks, Kimberly Hibler
  • Publication number: 20070185781
    Abstract: A method and system for facilitating the purchase of goods and services anonymously from an e-commerce website is provided. The method includes providing a plurality of transaction account numbers, each of which is associated with a monetary load value. The transaction account numbers are stored in a database having a plurality of records. Each of the records corresponds to one of the transaction account numbers. None of the records are configured to store identifying information of a purchaser of one of the transaction numbers. A request for an authorization of a purchase transaction having a purchase value is received from a remote computer terminal. The request is associated with a transaction account number. If the purchase value does not exceed the monetary value associated with the transaction account number, an authorization message is sent to the remote computer terminal granting the request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Applicant: AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Analydia Shooks, Kimberly Hibler
  • Publication number: 20070185791
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are used to automatically post substantially all transactions associated with a transaction account into a general ledger. Recent transaction data associated with the transaction account is received. The recent transaction data is compared (e.g., matched) to stored and categorized transaction data in the general ledger to determine a new transaction data portion of the recent transaction data. The new transaction data portion is categorized. The categorized new transaction data portion is stored in the general ledger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Applicant: AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Cheung Chan, Andrew Gorrin
  • Publication number: 20070185769
    Abstract: A service provider can increase customer loyalty to their brand by offering branded products related to their business for sale to the general consumer. Points may be awarded in the service provider's rewards program at an accelerated earning rate when the consumer purchases a branded retail product using a transaction account linked to the rewards program. Accumulated points may then be used in exchange for goods and services provided by the service provider. A discount rate certificate may be awarded to the customer when an account is opened in the rewards program. Once the customer has spent a certain monetary amount using the transaction account, the customer may be awarded preferred membership status in the service provider's rewards program. The preferred membership status is awarded regardless of whether the spending is direct spend or non-direct spend, and does not require a minimum amount of direct spend with the service provider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Applicant: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Nancy Hood, Bess Spaeth, Gregg Hirano
  • Publication number: 20070181671
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods and computer program products for updating a reference magnetic signature of a magstripe card. In one embodiment, magnetic signatures from a magstripe card, each previously captured from a terminal during a transaction are retrieved from a database. The magnetic signatures are examined to identify if the magnetic properties of the magstripe card have changed. If a change is detected, a new reference magnetic signature is selected and/or created based on the magnetic signatures examined to identify the change and assigned to the magstripe card.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Applicant: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Donovan, Michael Mulder, Douglas Myers, Ian Webb
  • Publication number: 20070185780
    Abstract: A method and system for facilitating the purchase of goods and services anonymously from an e-commerce website is provided. The method includes providing a plurality of transaction account numbers, each of which is associated with a monetary load value. The transaction account numbers are stored in a database having a plurality of records. Each of the records corresponds to one of the transaction account numbers. None of the records are configured to store identifying information of a purchaser of one of the transaction numbers. A request for an authorization of a purchase transaction having a purchase value is received from a remote computer terminal. The request is associated with a transaction account number. If the purchase value does not exceed the monetary value associated with the transaction account number, an authorization message is sent to the remote computer terminal granting the request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Applicant: AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Analydia Shooks, Kimberly Hibler
  • Publication number: 20070185856
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product to manage attestations. The attestations may be required for documents that include, for example, balance sheet accounts including financial information related to one or more business units of an organization. The system includes a database and one or more user interfaces. The database includes information related to one or more documents. The user interfaces are connected to the database and enable the users to interact with the database. The users may provide a positive or negative attestation corresponding to each document. Further, the users may add comments related to, for example, the positive or negative attestation. The attestations made by the users may be recorded in the database for future reference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Applicant: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Manish Mittal, Puspendra Jaitly, Ranbir Choudhary, Vinod Bahl
  • Publication number: 20070175977
    Abstract: An image-based check processing software has the ability to create an electronic check form to be displayed, printed and/or exported to a file. Using various text fonts, such as the Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) font, a new electronic form has been created from text data that has all the characteristics of a preauthorized draft. As computer and phone payments are processed by a financial institution, the virtual draft will be created if the routing/transit numbers of the paying institution accept images of checks as presentment through, for example, an image exchange program or the eventual printing of a substitute check. The transactions will then be routed to the financial institution who will import the necessary data to create the virtual check. The image will then be presented for payment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Applicant: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Bauer, Vernon Marshall, Greg Sterner
  • Publication number: 20070179836
    Abstract: Consumer, merchant, and transactional data from a closed loop network and external sources may be leveraged to increase demand of a merchant's inventory during normally low-demand periods. Extensive data mining is used to determine the excess merchant inventory and demand patterns at different times and different locations for merchants and groups of merchants. Similar data mining is used to analyze cardmember demand patterns to identify the cardmember preferences regarding when and where they which to purchase goods and/or services. Cardmembers may also be grouped based on their demand patterns. Using pricing as a lever, cardholders with specific preferences are targeted to shift the demand from peak periods and locations to non-peak periods and locations, and to increase the non-peak demand by location as well as time period. Higher precision may be obtained using product level transaction data from point-of-sale terminals used by merchants wherever applicable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Applicants: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: David Juang, Rajendra R. Rane
  • Publication number: 20070179865
    Abstract: A method and system for facilitating the purchase of goods and services anonymously from an e-commerce website is provided. The method includes providing a plurality of transaction account numbers, each of which is associated with a monetary load value. The transaction account numbers are stored in a database having a plurality of records. Each of the records corresponds to one of the transaction account numbers. None of the records are configured to store identifying information of a purchaser of one of the transaction numbers. A request for an authorization of a purchase transaction having a purchase value is received from a remote computer terminal. The request is associated with a transaction account number. If the purchase value does not exceed the monetary value associated with the transaction account number, an authorization message is sent to the remote computer terminal granting the request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Applicant: AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Kimberly Hibler, Analydia Shooks
  • Publication number: 20070179850
    Abstract: A service-related merchant may link its rewards program to a transaction account held by a consumer. Points may be awarded to the transaction account at an accelerated earning rate for various types of spend by the consumer, such as every day spend and direct spend. Additionally, points earned through any use of the transactional card are deposited directly into the rewards program offered by the service provider, rather than a generic rewards program offered by the transactional card company. Accumulated points in the rewards program may then be used directly in exchange for goods and services provided by the merchant. Such exchange occurs directly between the customer and the service provider. VIP status in the service provider's reward program may be earned solely on the basis of spend using the transactional card, and does not require a minimum amount of direct spend with the service provider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Applicant: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Ganjon, Gregg Hirano, Nancy Hood
  • Publication number: 20070175982
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are used to issue and track debit cards. A system comprises an enrolling system that verifies an enrollee, associates an enrollee's main and overdraft account, and issues a debit card, an authentication system that receives information regarding a requested transaction of a debit card and that receives information regarding the main and overdraft account associated with the debit card and accepts or rejects the requested transaction based thereon, and a settlement system that generates a periodic report of at least one of the transactions, the main account, and the overdraft account. The overdraft account can be a charge or credit account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Applicant: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: David Bonalle, Emily Chong, I-Hsin Chuang, Lauren Dardick, Jennifer Elwood, William Gray, David Wong
  • Publication number: 20070175985
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method to facilitate a purchase utilizing a flexible spending account, comprising the steps of: receiving, at a host computer, a request for payment authorization for an item; determining whether the item qualifies for pre-tax treatment; and when the item qualifies for pre-tax treatment: determining at least partial payment authorization for the item, transmitting the at least partial payment authorization for the item to a point of sale device; causing the flexible spending account to be debited for at least a portion of the purchasing amount of the item based on the payment authorization; and debiting a non-flexible spending account for an item not qualifying for pre-tax treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Applicant: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Barnes, Michal Bliman, Sarah Harrison, Jason Jagatic, Dana Klaboe, Leigh Malnati
  • Publication number: 20070175973
    Abstract: Information such as financial information related to one or more accounts of one or more business units is compiled. The compiled information is converted into a predefined format and is uploaded on a database. One or more views of the information included in the database are generated based on user privileges. Customized views of the information are used by one or more users to monitor the performance of business units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Applicant: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Manish Mittal, Puspendra Jaitly, Sushil Keswani, Puneet Chhabra
  • Publication number: 20070179886
    Abstract: A method for receiving payment from an account holder that does not require the account holder to write a check. The method includes the following steps: (a) issuing a periodic statement to the account holder, the statement including an amount owed by the account holder, checking account information of the account holder, and means for the account holder to authorize a deduction of a payment amount from the account holder's checking account; (b) receiving the periodic statement from the account holder, the received periodic statement including the account holder's authorization to deduct the payment amount from the account holder's checking account; and (c) deducting the payment amount from the account holder's checking account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Applicant: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Bailo, Douglas DiPaola
  • Publication number: 20070179866
    Abstract: A method and system for facilitating the purchase of goods and services anonymously from an e-commerce website is provided. The method includes providing a plurality of transaction account numbers, each of which is associated with a monetary load value. The transaction account numbers are stored in a database having a plurality of records. Each of the records corresponds to one of the transaction account numbers. None of the records are configured to store identifying information of a purchaser of one of the transaction numbers. A request for an authorization of a purchase transaction having a purchase value is received from a remote computer terminal. The request is associated with a transaction account number. If the purchase value does not exceed the monetary value associated with the transaction account number, an authorization message is sent to the remote computer terminal granting the request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Applicant: AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Analydia Shooks, Kimberly Hibler
  • Publication number: 20070179895
    Abstract: Consumers may utilize computing devices to assist in the purchase and/or loyalty process, and in particular, the consumer may utilize a PDA to facilitate the purchase and/or loyalty process. During the purchase and/or loyalty process, the consumer may need to insure that any content downloaded or used in association with the PDA is secure in how it is collected, assembled, and delivered to the PDA device. This system and method secures the data from its source to when it is actually viewed or used by the authorized user. The PDA may have direct access to an Internet web site portal that offers secure personal content from a content provider, such as, for example, an on-line banking or financial institution. Using the web site portal, the content provider may offer personal or confidential data, such as financial information, to PDA users in a secure (e.g., encrypted) environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Applicant: AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Fred Bishop, Trey Neemann, Theodore Voltmer, Fauziah Ariff
  • Publication number: 20070174184
    Abstract: Credit applicants may apply for instant credit, and use an instant account number (“IAN”) to make purchases after the instant credit has been granted. Fraud control methods may be used in authorizing the instant credit. When the IAN is issued to purchase airline tickets, it can be ensured that the applicant's last name matches the passenger's last name for the airline ticket being purchased, and that the ticket will not be renamed or sold. When the IAN is issued in conjunction with a partner's loyalty or rewards program, the applicant's account information with the rewards program is captured. It is ensured that the applicant has some tenure with the partner and that data submitted by the applicant is consistent with data on file with the partner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Stacey Crawford, Danielle Crop, Glade Erikson, Kristin Gomes, Sejal Vora
  • Publication number: 20070174208
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for mitigating identity theft risk by restricting shipment of merchandise purchased with instant credit to a verified address. Customer authentication information associated with instant credit is identified. The customer authentication information is verified. Shipment of merchandise purchased with the instant credit is restricted to a verified address to mitigate identity theft risk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Catherine Black, Glade Erikson, Diane Farrell, Chin Khor, Vernon Marshall, Sandeep Sacheti, Tracy Steiner
  • Publication number: 20070174189
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for facilitating commercial transactions involving the exchange of monetary value for goods, services, or other value between remote individuals, as in the case of transactions between users of a distributed computer network such as the Internet. Remote individuals are provided with a convenient, cost-efficient, and secure means for engaging in commercial transactions with one another. The invention provides remote sellers with an irrevocable means of receiving funds from a remote purchaser; means for improving purchaser willingness to transact with an unknown party; transaction tracking; and rapid funds availability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Fred Bishop, Michael Barrett, David Armes, Lee Wojciechowski, Madhukar Madhineni, Vilayanur Krishnan, Joshua McKay, Lucas Gebb