Customer activated multi-value (CAM) card

Abstract

The Customer Activated Multi-Value (CAM) card provides a customer with a primary use as a transaction card which can be further activated to have a secondary use as a credit card. The CAM card can be activated as a transaction card or as a transaction card with a credit card feature. Activation of the CAM card as a transaction card allows the customer to purchase goods and services from one specific vendor and to establish a relationship with that vendor for the goods or services rendered (for example, telephone calling card or gasoline product purchasing card) while enjoying reward benefits based on those purchases. Activation of the credit feature of the card allows the customer to interact with any merchant that accepts traditional credit cards such as VISA®, MASTERCARD®, AMERICAN EXPRESS®, or DISCOVER®. The combination of features allows a customer to purchase various goods and services from several different merchants. If the customer chooses to activate the CAM card as both a transaction card and a credit card, the customer is given the benefit of using the card in both manners described above.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method using a computer system for a real-time customer activation of a value card wherein the system automatically processes a customer's application for a transaction card wherein said system includes a data entry processing center, a workstation, a graphical user interface, and a data storing means comprising the steps of: 
 a) receiving said customer's request into said system;    b) providing at least one or more safety features to determine whether said customer is the person whose name is printed on said transaction card; and    c) offering said customer the options of activating the transaction card by: 
 1) confirming the customer's desire to activate the primary transaction card use;  
 2) determining the customer's election to add a secondary credit card feature; and  
 3) identifying the customer's request to activate any additional use features.  
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the transaction card use and the secondary credit card feature perform different types of card functions and the use of the transaction card use and the secondary credit card feature enables the customer to establish different relationships with different types of businesses and industries.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the additional use features has a rewards feature.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the rewards feature can be redeemed or spent at a specific vendor.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the rewards feature can be redeemed or spent at several different vendors.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the rewards feature can be redeemed or spent at any vendor or merchant who accepts the logo printed on the transaction card.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the rewards feature is used as a credit against the secondary credit feature to reduce the balance of the secondary credit card feature.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the customer must agree to establish a credit account with a payment amount source in order to activate the primary transaction card use.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the payment amount source is a check.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the payment amount source is a credit card.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the payment amount source is a debit card.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the payment amount source is at least one of a check, a credit card account and debit card account.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the customer may automatically recharge the primary amount source when the payment source is depleted.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the customer may recharge the primary amount source when the payment source is depleted.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the payment amount source is the secondary credit card feature.  
     
     
         16 . A method using a computer system for a real-time customer activation of a value card wherein the system automatically processes a customer's application for a transaction card wherein said system includes a data entry processing center, a workstation, a graphical user interface, and a data storing means comprising the steps of: 
 a) receiving said customer's request into said system;    b) offering said customer the options of activating the transaction card by: 
 1) confirming the customer's desire to activate the primary transaction card use; and  
 2) determining the customer's election to add a secondary credit card feature.