Abstract: A computer-implemented method for customizing a travel itinerary for an account holder is provided. The method comprises receiving current transaction data when settling a current travel transaction initiated by the account holder with a current merchant; retrieving a plurality of historical transaction data relating to a plurality of historical transactions settled for the account holder prior to the current travel transaction; identifying one or more of the plurality of historical transactions that relate to the current transaction data to recognize preferences of the account holder; and customizing a travel itinerary based on the preferences of the account holder, the travel itinerary including at least one merchant with whom the account holder can initiate a future transaction.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for customising a travel itinerary for an account holder is provided. The method comprises receiving current transaction data when settling a current travel transaction initiated by the account holder with a current merchant; retrieving a plurality of historical transaction data relating to a plurality of historical transactions settled for the account holder prior to the current travel transaction; identifying one or more of the plurality of historical transactions that relate to the current transaction data to recognize preferences of the account holder; and customising a travel itinerary based on the preferences of the account holder, the travel itinerary including at least one merchant with whom the account holder can initiate a future transaction.

Abstract: The method includes generating a token using a token generator, the token being associated with time data and a transaction modifier, and using an advertiser system in communication with the token generator to associate the token with an advertisement displayed at a time of display corresponding with the time data. A transaction is then established using a payment gateway upon receiving a transaction request, relating to the advertised content. The transaction is then executed, through the payment gateway, with initial payment credentials if the token is not supplied while establishing the transaction, and executing a transaction, through the payment gateway, with modified payment credentials if the token is supplied while establishing the transaction. A data tuple is the received and stored, at a data repository, the data tuple comprising a record of the transaction, the advertised content and at least one of the time data and the time of display.

Abstract: Disclosed in a method for determining a fruition score in relation to a poverty alleviation program. The method includes selecting a geographical region on the basis that the poverty alleviation program is implemented in the geographical region for at least part of an analysis period. A processor is then used to determine, from a first data set stored in a memory device, a plurality of first data subsets applicable to the geographical region for a first period of time, the first period of time being at a commencement of the analysis time period. The processor subsequently determines, from a second data set stored in the memory device, a plurality of second data subsets applicable to the geographical region for a second period of time, the second period of time being at an end of the analysis time period.

Abstract: A computerized method for operating a loyalty account is proposed in which a customer registers a payment card with a loyalty program of a merchant, and a loyalty account is associated with the payment card. When the customer uses the payment card to make a payment transaction involving the merchant, loyalty points are credited to the loyalty account. Thus, the payment process is a single-step process from the point of view of the customer. The customer presents the payment card to the merchant to make a payment in the conventional manner, and the rest of the process steps to credit loyalty points to the corresponding loyalty account are performed without the involvement of the customer. Conveniently, some of those steps can be performed by computing equipment of the payment network associated with the payment card, which arranges for loyalty points to be credited to a loyalty account associated with the payment card.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for facilitating natural disaster relief planning, comprising: obtaining current payment-card transaction data after a natural disaster occurs; identifying distinct merchants whom payment-card holders have made payment-card transactions with after the natural disaster occurred based on the current payment-card transaction data; obtaining a location of each of the distinct merchants by referring to a database having stored thereon the location of each of the distinct merchants; and ranking each of the obtained locations based on the current payment-card transaction data, wherein natural disaster relief is provided at the obtained locations based on their ranking.