Abstract: Systems and methods herein are related to augmented reality (AR) experiences in connection with items offered by entities. One exemplary method includes receiving, at a computing device, an AR search request from a user where the AR search request includes a search criteria and a location. The computing device then searches in a memory for at least one entity consistent with the search criteria and the location. In turn, the computing device returns an AR search response to the user, at an application of a communication device associated with the user. The AR search response includes an AR quotient indicative of a level of an AR experience at the at least one entity, thereby permitting the user to identify the level of the AR experience at the at least one entity prior to deciding to visit the at least one entity.

Abstract: Systems and methods herein are related to augmented reality (AR) experiences in connection with items offered by entities. One exemplary method includes receiving, at a computing device, an AR search request from a user where the AR search request includes a search criteria and a location. The computing device then searches in a memory for at least one entity consistent with the search criteria and the location. In turn, the computing device returns an AR search response to the user, at an application of a communication device associated with the user. The AR search response includes an AR quotient indicative of a level of an AR experience at the at least one entity, thereby permitting the user to identify the level of the AR experience at the at least one entity prior to deciding to visit the at least one entity.

Abstract: An application for a payment card account is received from a consumer. A positive determination is made on the application. In response to the positive determination, a virtual payment card account is made instantly available for use by the consumer in a digital wallet accessible to the consumer.

Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods are provided for incentivizing consumers to adjust utility usage at their premises. One exemplary method includes receiving, at a computing device, from a utility provider, a challenge defining a reduction in a utility usage by a consumer, in exchange for an incentive, and causing, by the computing device, the challenge to be delivered to the consumer. Then, when the challenge is completed, the method includes causing the incentive to be awarded to the consumer, whereby the utility provider is able to affect utility usage by the consumer through the incentive-based challenge.

Abstract: A method for managing payment transactions between a merchant and a payment-service-provider (PSP) using a payment management device in communication with a memory device. Each payment transaction is initiated by a consumer using a payment card. It involves (a) sending, to a PSP device associated with the PSP, a request for an authorization for a payment transaction; (b) receiving, from the PSP device, authorization for the payment transaction; (c) saving, in the memory device, data relating to the consumer and the payment transaction on a condition that the authorization for the payment transaction is received from the PSP device; (d) repeating steps (a), (b) and (c) for each of the plurality of payment transactions for a pre-determined period of time; and (e) aggregating the plurality of payment transactions into an aggregated payment transaction based on the data relating to the consumer and each of the plurality of payment transactions.