Abstract: A acquirer system used for credit card transaction processing includes a loyalty server to manage issuance of loyalty points as transactions are processed and to provide settlement features. The loyalty server uses loyalty qualifying criteria and assigned point values stored in an associated database. When points are awarded, the loyalty server records the value of the points and electronically transfers amounts from an account of a merchant to an account of the loyalty point issuer. The merchant may be multi-tiered, with the point value allotted between a central merchant organization and individual retail stores.

Abstract: Surplus payments are added to credit card and other retail transactions. The surplus payments are handled by surplus payment server within a credit card processing system. A cardholder may select a surplus payment amount to be added to each transaction, the account to which surplus payments are to be deposited, and a maximum amount (e.g., monthly) that the surplus payments are not to exceed.

Abstract: An electronic system for processing a redemption of loyalty points from a coalition of merchants. The system may include a database to store loyalty point information about a loyalty account associated with an account holder. The loyalty point information may include the amounts of loyalty points accumulated with each of the merchants in the coalition. The system may also include a processor and memory to execute a computer readable program to calculate a number of loyalty points to redeem from each of the merchants when the account holder makes the redemption. The system may further include a communications output for sending electronic messages to one or more of the merchants requesting redemption amounts based on the calculated number of loyalty points redeemed from each of the merchants.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for enrolling candidate participants in loyalty programs. In one embodiment, the method comprises obtaining an enrollment rule for a loyalty program, the enrollment rule including one or more conditions for the loyalty program, obtaining at least one attribute for a candidate participant and evaluating the enrollment conditions using the at least one attribute. If the enrollment conditions are satisfied, the candidate participant is automatically enrolled in the loyalty program.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and machine-readable mediums are disclosed for administering loyalty programs. In one embodiment, the loyalty system comprises an interface to receive transaction information, the transaction information including a participant identifier identifying a participant in a loyalty program, and a rules data store including a reward rule having a reward calculation algorithm and an exclusion rule having at least one condition to exclude participants from accruing loyalty rewards based on one or more participant attributes. The system also includes logic to obtain the participant attributes, to evaluate the exclusion rule condition using the participant attributes, and if the participant is not excluded, to evaluate one or more conditions associated with the reward rule to determine whether to apply the reward calculation algorithm to the transaction.

Abstract: A method of communicating a renewal incentive for an expiring account to a user of the account. The method includes the steps of identifying a renewal date for the account with a host computer, and calculating whether the account qualifies for the renewal incentive based on account history accessible by the computer. The method also includes sending renewal data to the user about the renewal date, and the renewal incentive, for the account. The renewal incentive is effective upon renewal of the account, and the renewal incentive includes an enhancement over a current feature for the account.