Abstract: Methods and systems of electronic messaging for verification and/or authentication purposes using a point of sale terminal and a card transaction processing network involve, for example, receiving data consisting at least in part of a consumer's identifier that is processable through a transaction card processing network and a nominal monetary amount which is an indicator that the data relates at least in part to a coupon redemption for a consumer. Other aspects include, for example, using different nominal amounts to distinguish between multiple promotions and processing overcharges. Additional aspects involve, for example, receiving data consisting at least in part of an identifier for a registrant that is processable through a transaction card processing network and a nominal monetary amount which serves at least in part to identify a command message on behalf of the registrant.

Abstract: Methods and systems for communicating information from a specially programmed smart point-of-sale terminal involve receiving transaction information at the terminal, recognizing that the transaction relates to a redemption function, adjusting the transaction amount accordingly, and routing an approval request for the adjusted amount to a card issuer processor via a card association transaction processing network. In another aspect, information is received at the terminal which recognizes that the information relates to a third party function and routes a message to the third party processor via a merchant acquirer processor while bypassing the card association transaction processing network. Thereafter, the third party processor performs the third party function and returns a message related at least in part to the performance of the third party function to the smart point-of-sale terminal processor via the merchant acquirer processor.