Computer program and system for recording and processing bonus credits

Abstract

A method whereby credit card companies can program their computers to record and award Bonus Program Credits offered by airlines, hotels, rental car companies, etc. and relieve the latter of the burden of maintaining such records. This Abstract is not to be construed as a complete description of the invention or to limit the scope of the disclosure of the invention or of the claims.

1 . A method of processing transactions by a customer who has been issued a credit or debit card by a card issuing company which has a computer system, wherein said customer uses the card to purchase goods or services from a plurality of vendors, wherein at least two of said vendors are not commonly owned or controlled, and wherein two or more of said vendors maintain a bonus program, said method comprising: 
 a) entering data in the computer system representative of the value of each purchase transaction by said customer from each of said vendors;    b) instructing the computer system to convert and individually itemize the value of such purchases as credits earned by said customer;    c) upon request of said customer, transferring some or all of said credits to one of said bonus program vendors whereby said customer obtains goods or services pursuant to such vendor's bonus plan in exchange for said credits.    
     
     
         2 . A method of programming a credit card company computer wherein the company issues and maintains accounts for a plurality of cardholders, comprising the steps of: 
 a) assigning a credit card account number to each cardholder;    b) entering in the program names of bonus vendors who grant cardholders goods and services in exchange for bonus points earned by cardholders for purchasing goods or services using the card;    c) converting the value of purchases by said cardholders into bonus points.    
     
     
         3 . A method of programming a credit card company computer wherein the company issues and maintains accounts for a plurality of cardholders, comprising the steps of: 
 a) assigning a credit card account number to each cardholder;    b) entering in the program names of bonus vendors who, by plan, grant cardholders goods and services in exchange for bonus points earned by cardholders for purchasing goods or services using the card;    c) converting the value of purchases by said customers into bonus points and crediting the same to the cardholder;    d) upon the request of a cardholder, transferring bonus points credited to the cardholder to a bonus vendor designated by the cardholder, whereby said cardholder obtains goods or services pursuant to such vendor's bonus plan in exchange for said bonus points.