Abstract: A method and system for enabling use of loyalty program points as form of payment. In one preferred embodiment, the method may include the steps of receiving from an e-commerce agent, a request for a loyalty points price along with a transaction information package comprising a cash price and user identification information; sending the user identification information to a loyalty program and requesting user account authentication from the loyalty program; querying the loyalty program for a user information package comprising a cash-to-points conversion factor; calculating a loyalty points price based on the cash price and the cash-to-points conversion factor; sending to the e-commerce agent, the loyalty points price; receiving from the e-commerce agent, confirmation of transaction completion and a number of loyalty points utilized; and sending instructions to the loyalty program to debit from the updated loyalty program points balance the number of loyalty points utilized in the transaction.

Abstract: A method and system for conducting semi-opaque sales transactions associated with a loyalty program. In one preferred embodiment, the method may include the steps of receiving from the loyalty program, an identification of an inventory item eligible for discount; receiving from the loyalty program, a discounted cash price of the inventory item; determining a pricing factor corresponding to at least one of the inventory item, the discounted cash price, and a user; converting, in a manner hidden from the user, the discounted cash price of the inventory item into a number of loyalty program points having an equivalent value to the discounted cash price based on the pricing factor; and displaying the number of loyalty program points having an equivalent value to the discounted cash price while obscuring the discounted cash price. The system may include a controller, a rules engine, a processor, and a user interface.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling use of loyalty program points as a stored value payment device. In one preferred embodiment, the method may include the steps of receiving, from a first computer associated with a user, a desired value of the stored value payment device; determining a pricing factor applicable to at least one of the user and the desired value of the stored value payment device; converting the desired value of the stored value payment device based on the pricing factor to an equivalent value; sending, to the first computer associated with the user, the determined equivalent value; debiting a number of loyalty program points from user's loyalty program account; and creating a stored value payment device having an initial real-time debitable balance equal to a cash value. In one preferred embodiment, the system may include a controller, a rules engine, and a payment device.

Abstract: A method and system for offering a loyalty program deal to a target customer and for enabling use of points from a loyalty program as payment. In one preferred embodiment, the method may include the steps receiving from the loyalty program, information related to a loyalty program deal; storing the received loyalty program deal information on a server; notifying at least one target customer from the target customer segment of the loyalty program deal; receiving from a merchant, a points price request for a product selected for a purchase transaction; determining an initial points price for the selected product based on a cash-to-points pricing factor; determining an updated points price for the selected product based on the loyalty program deal; debiting a number of points from a loyalty program account of the target customer; and notifying the loyalty program that the loyalty program deal has been claimed by the customer.