System and method for managing a loyalty program via an association network infrastructure

Abstract

A system and method for providing a loyalty program by utilizing a pre-existing association network. When a consumer is registered with the program, the consumer's personal information is stored in a database and associated with a token ID. The token is capable of initiating a transaction message request over an association network when used in conjunction with a merchant transaction system. A program manager is provided that includes an association network interface for receiving over the association network the transaction request message initiated by the token at a merchant, where the transaction request message includes a first set of transaction information regarding a consumer-initiated product purchase interaction. The program manager is then configured to store the first set of transaction information, transmit to the merchant a response message, and utilize the first set of transaction information to facilitate the identification of one or more rewards for the consumer.

1 . A method, comprising:
 storing personal information regarding a consumer;   associating the consumer with a token;   receiving a message from a merchant, wherein the message contains information sufficient to identify a transaction and the consumer;   obtaining from the merchant details of the transaction; and   using the information to match the transaction details with the token or the consumer.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of using the transaction details to administer offers and rewards to the consumer. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the token initiates the message from the merchant. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a second message from a second merchant, wherein the second message contains second information sufficient to identify a second transaction and the consumer;   obtaining from the second merchant details of the second transaction; and   using the second information to match the second transaction details with the token or the consumer.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the step of using the transaction details and the second transaction details to administer offers and rewards to the consumer. 
     
     
         6 . A method, comprising:
 storing personal information regarding a consumer;   associating the consumer with a token;   receiving a message from an association network, wherein the message contains information sufficient to identify the consumer and a transaction between the consumer and a merchant; and   obtaining from the merchant details of the transaction.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising the step of using the information to match the transaction details with the token or the consumer. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising the step of using the transaction details to administer offers and rewards to the consumer. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the token initiates the message from the merchant. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 receiving a second message from the association network, wherein the second message contains second information sufficient to identify the consumer and a second transaction between the consumer and a second merchant; and   obtaining from the second merchant details of the second transaction.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of using the second information to match the second transaction details with the token or the consumer. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of using the second transaction details to administer offers and rewards to the consumer. 
     
     
         13 . A method, comprising:
 storing personal information regarding a consumer;   associating the consumer with a token;   receiving a first message from an association network, wherein the first message contains first information sufficient to identify the consumer and a first transaction between the consumer and a first merchant;   obtaining from the first merchant details of the first transaction;   using the first information to match the first transaction details with the token or the consumer;   receiving a second message from the association network, wherein the second message contains second information sufficient to identify the consumer and a second transaction between the consumer and a second merchant;   obtaining from the second merchant details of the second transaction; and   using the second information to match the second transaction details with the token or the consumer.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising using the first transaction details and the second transaction details to administer offers and rewards to the consumer. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the token initiates the message from the merchant. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the first transaction details include a price of an identified product or an SKU number. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the second transaction details include a price of an identified product or an SKU number. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the transaction details include a price of an identified product or an SKU number. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the second transaction details include a price of an identified product or an SKU number. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the transaction details include a price of an identified product or an SKU number. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the second transaction details include a price of an identified product or an SKU number.