Abstract: A system and method configured to use an authorization messaging system for payment processing to communicate, in real time during authorization of a payment transaction, loyalty reward information, such as reward balance and conversion rate between a loyalty currency and a payment currency. For example, loyalty currency conversion rate is provided in real time via the authorization response that also provides the loyalty currency balance that is redeemable for the payment transaction. The system and method allows the conversion rate to be customized and/or personalized based on the identities of the user, the merchant and the loyalty program. Merchant may provide add-on offers for certain users.

Abstract: A system includes a rule engine to determine details of loyalty reward currency redemption from one or more reward accounts as part of the processing of a payment transaction in a payment account of a user. The redemption details are determined based on user preferences and rules of the loyalty programs, and transmitted to the user during the authorization of the payment transaction. During the authorization and/or within a time window after the authorization, but before the settlement of the payment transaction, the user may provide a confirmation message that may accept, reject, or modify the redemption details. A transaction handler is configured to authorize and/or settle the payment transaction, as modified by the redemption details initially computed by the rule engine and subsequently confirmed, rejected or modified by the user via an optional confirmation message.

Abstract: A system including a transaction handler configured to split a transaction, initiated between an acquirer processor representing a merchant and an issuer processor representing a user of a payment account, into separate transactions with the issuer processor and one or more sponsor processors in control of reward accounts of the user for the redemption of loyalty rewards. The transaction handler may communicate with the sponsor processors in parallel or in sequence to reserve and release rewards, and may provide a partial authorization for the transaction in response to each authorization for reward redemption from a respective reward account without a subsequent, updated authorization request for the transaction in the payment account of the user.

Abstract: A system including a transaction handler configured to split a transaction, initiated between an acquirer processor representing a merchant and an issuer processor representing a user of a payment account, into separate transactions with the issuer processor and one or more sponsor processors in control of reward accounts of the user for the redemption of loyalty rewards. User preferences and rules of the loyalty programs for the redemption of the loyalty rewards are stored to facilitate the determination of the redemption details in an automated way, such that the user (and/or the merchant) does not have to specify the redemption details. A portal may optionally notify the user of the award/redemption of the benefit of an offer using a communication channel separate from the transaction terminal that initiates and approves the transaction between the account holder and the merchant.

Abstract: A system includes a transaction terminal that is configured to examine an authorization response for an indicator, which, when set, causes the transaction terminal to communicate with a portal to obtain content relevant to the receipt for the transaction approved by the authorization response. The content may identify the benefit of an offer applied to the transaction, which is not reflected in the authorization response. The content may direct the user to select an option regarding the delivery of the receipt. Options presented for selection include suppression of the printing of the paper receipt in favor of an electronic receipt transmitted to a communication reference of the user, printing a mini paper receipt in addition to transmitting an electronic receipt, and/or printing the full paper receipt at the transaction terminal.

Abstract: A system includes a transaction terminal that is configured to examine an authorization response for an indicator, which, when set, causes the transaction terminal to communicate with a portal to obtain content relevant to the receipt for the transaction approved by the authorization response. The content may identify the benefit of an offer applied to the transaction, which is not reflected in the authorization response. The content may direct the user to select an option regarding the delivery of the receipt. Options presented for selection include suppression of the printing of the paper receipt in favor of an electronic receipt transmitted to a communication reference of the user, printing a mini paper receipt in addition to transmitting an electronic receipt, and/or printing the full paper receipt at the transaction terminal.

Abstract: A system and method to provide a universal loyalty currency, facilitate exchange of loyalty benefits, and allow payments using loyalty benefits. A method includes: receiving registration information to associate account information of a payment account with at least one loyalty account to enable conversion of first loyalty benefits to second loyalty benefits; receiving, for a transaction, an authorization request identifying the account information and requesting the use of the second loyalty benefits to fund at least a portion of the transaction; and processing the transaction using the second benefits converted from the first loyalty benefits hosted in the loyalty account and funds from the payment account.

Abstract: Systems and methods configured with a user interface to allow a user to request automated periodic offers that provide benefits to the consumer account of the user in exchange for a loyalty currency (e.g., loyalty points) the user has earned.

Abstract: A system and method to provide a universal loyalty currency, facilitate exchange of loyalty benefits, and allow payments using loyalty benefits. A method includes: receiving registration information to associate account information of a payment account with at least one loyalty account to enable conversion of first loyalty benefits to second loyalty benefits; receiving, for a transaction, an authorization request identifying the account information and requesting the use of the second loyalty benefits to fund at least a portion of the transaction; and processing the transaction using the second benefits converted from the first loyalty benefits hosted in the loyalty account and funds from the payment account.

Abstract: A system includes a transaction terminal that is configured to examine an authorization response for an indicator, which, when set, causes the transaction terminal to communicate with a portal to obtain content relevant to the receipt for the transaction approved by the authorization response. The content may identify the benefit of an offer applied to the transaction, which is not reflected in the authorization response. The content may direct the user to select an option regarding the delivery of the receipt. Options presented for selection include suppression of the printing of the paper receipt in favor of an electronic receipt transmitted to a communication reference of the user, printing a mini paper receipt in addition to transmitting an electronic receipt, and/or printing the full paper receipt at the transaction terminal.