Systems and methods for facilitating network requests

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for facilitating network requests regarding transit by users. One example computer-implemented method includes receiving a request for a subscription plan for a user from a communication device, where the subscription plan includes a subscription fee payable by the user for the subscription plan, and requesting issuance of a transit account from an issuing entity and provision of a credential specific to the transit account to a transit application implemented on the communication device. The computer-implemented method also includes initiating a transaction for the subscription fee indicated by the subscription plan from a funding account, associated with the user, to a common account and directing funds from the common account to the transit account, based on the subscription plan and the credential, thereby enabling the transit account to fund transit services consistent with the subscription plan at multiple different transit providers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented method for use in facilitating network requests, the method comprising:
 receiving, at a computing device, a request for a subscription plan for a user from a communication device, the subscription plan including a subscription fee payable by the user for the subscription plan;   requesting, by the computing device, issuance of a transit account from an issuing entity and provision of a credential specific to the transit account to a transit application implemented on the communication device, the transit account specific to the user for purchase of transit services;   initiating a transaction for the subscription fee indicated by the subscription plan from a funding account, associated with the user, to a common account; and   directing, by the computing device, funds from the common account to the transit account, based on the subscription plan and the credential, thereby enabling the transit account to fund transit services consistent with the subscription plan at multiple different transit providers.   
     
     
         2 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising initiating a recurring transaction for an amount indicated by the subscription plan, from the common account to the funding account associated with the user, at an interval indicated by the subscription plan. 
     
     
         3 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining, by the computing device, that a balance of the transit account is below a defined threshold; and   directing, by the computing device, additional funds from the common account to the transit account in response to determining that the balance of the transit account is below the defined threshold.   
     
     
         4 . The computer-implement method of  claim 1 , wherein the transit account includes a prepaid account. 
     
     
         5 . The computer-implement method of  claim 1 , further comprising, for a transaction initiated by the user at a first transit provider using the transit account, determining, by the computing device, whether a merchant category code (MCC) of the first transit provider is a permitted MCC for the transit account based on the subscription plan; and
 in response to the MCC of the first transit provider being a permitted MCC for the transit account, directing funds from the transit account to the first transit provider in connection with the transaction initiated by the user at the first transit provider.   
     
     
         6 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 5 , wherein the computing device is associated with a transit service host. 
     
     
         7 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 5 , further comprising, for a transaction initiated by the user at a second transit provider using the transit account, determining, by the computing device, whether a MCC of the second transit provider is not a permitted MCC for the transit account, based on the subscription plan; and
 in response to the MCC of the second transit provider not being a permitted MCC for the transit account, declining to direct funds from the common account to the second transit provider in connection with the transaction initiated by the user at the second transit provider.   
     
     
         8 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein directing funds from the common account to the transit account based on the subscription plan includes replenishing funds in the transit account using funds in the common account based on at least one rule determined free of any input from the user. 
     
     
         9 . A system for use in facilitating requests by users for transit, the system comprising a service host, which is configured to:
 receive a request for a subscription plan for a user from a communication device, the subscription plan including a subscription fee payable by the user for the subscription plan;   request issuance of a transit account from an issuing entity and provision of a credential specific to the transit account to a transit application implemented on the communication device, the transit account specific to the user for purchase of transit services;   initiate a transaction for the subscription fee indicated by the subscription plan from a funding account, associated with the user, to a common account; and   direct funds from the common account to the transit account, based on the subscription plan and the credential, thereby enabling the transit account to fund transit services consistent with the subscription plan at multiple different transit providers.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the service host is configured, for a transaction initiated by the user at a merchant using the transit account, to determine whether a merchant category code (MCC) of the merchant is permitted by the subscription plan. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the service host is configured, when the MCC of the merchant is permitted, to direct funds from the transit account to the merchant in connection with the transaction initiated by the user at the merchant. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the transit account includes a prepaid account. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the service host is configured, in connection with directing funds from the common account to the transit account, to replenish funds in the transit account using funds in the common account based on at least one rule of the subscription plan determined free of any input from the user. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the service host is further configured to initiate a recurring transaction from the common account to the transit account for an amount indicated by the subscription plan at an interval indicated by one or more rules for the transit account. 
     
     
         15 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including executable instructions for use in facilitating requests by users for transit, which, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to:
 receive a request for a subscription plan for a user from a communication device, the subscription plan including a subscription fee payable by the user for the subscription plan;   request issuance of a transit account from an issuing entity and provision of a credential specific to the transit account to a transit application implemented on the communication device, the transit account specific to the user for purchase of transit services;   initiate a transaction for the subscription fee indicated by the subscription plan from a funding account, associated with the user, to a common account; and   direct funds from the common account to the transit account, at the issuing entity, based on the subscription plan and the credential, thereby enabling the transit account to fund transit services consistent with the subscription plan at multiple different transit providers.   
     
     
         16 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 15 , wherein the executable instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the at least one processor to:
 determine a replenishment schedule, based on the subscription plan, to replenish funds in the transit account using funds in the common account independent of any contemporaneous input from the user; and   replenish funds in the transit account using funds in the common account based on the replenishment schedule.