Prefunding for money transfer send transactions

Abstract

A computer is configured to facilitate prefunding a number of money transfer transaction fees. Each prefunded money transfer transaction fee is usable to pay for a transaction fee associated with a future money transfer send transaction. The computer is further configured to charge an amount for each prefunded money transfer transaction fee based on the number of money transfer transaction fees prefunded. A server connected to the computer is configured to store information related to the prefunded money transfer transaction fees.

The following is claimed: 
     
         1 . A system for sending money transfer transactions, the system comprising:
 a computer configured to facilitate prefunding a plurality of money transfer transaction fees, each prefunded money transfer transaction fee for pay a transaction fee charged in association with a future money transfer send transaction, wherein each of the money transfer transaction fees is prefunded in a transaction separate from the future money transfer send transactions to which the prefunded money transfer transaction fee is applied, and wherein the computer is further configured to charge an amount for said each prefunded money transfer transaction fee based on the number of money transfer transaction fees prefunded; and   a server connected to the computer configured to store information related to the prefunded money transfer transaction fees.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the computer is further configured to facilitate prefunding one or more money transfer send transactions for use in association with one or more future send purchase requests, wherein each of the money transfer send transactions are prefunded in a transaction separate from the one or more future send purchase requests. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the computer is configured to receive information about the prefunded one or more future money transfer send transactions, the information about each future money transfer send transaction includes a send date, a prefunded amount, and recipient information for said each future money transfer send transaction. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the amount charged by the computer for said each prefunded money transfer transaction fee is further based on whether one or more future money transfer send transactions are being prefunded. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said each prefunded money transfer transaction fee further locks an exchange rate for a money transfer send transaction, and wherein the server is configured to store the locked exchange rate for said each prefunded money transfer transaction fee. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the locked exchange rate for said each prefunded money transfer transaction fee further includes an expiration date, and wherein the exchange rate associated with the prefunded money transfer transaction fee reverts from the locked exchange rate to a current exchange rate after the expiration date. 
     
     
         7 . A method for operating a computer system for sending money transfers, the method comprising:
 receiving a request on a computer to prefund a plurality of money transfer transaction fees, each prefunded money transfer transaction fee for pay a transaction fee charged in association with a future money transfer send transaction, wherein each of the money transfer transaction fees is prefunded in a transaction separate from the future money transfer send transactions to which the prefunded money transfer transaction fee is applied;   charging an amount calculated by the computer and presented on a user interface on the computer for said each prefunded money transfer transaction fee based on the number of money transfer transaction fees prefunded;   receiving funds to pay for the prefunded money transfer transaction fees; and   storing information related to the prefunded money transfer transaction fees on a server.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , and further comprising:
 receiving a request on the computer to prefund one or more money transfer send transactions;   receiving funds to pay for the prefunded one or more money transfer send transactions for use in association with one or more future send purchase requests, wherein each of the money transfer send transactions are prefunded in a transaction separate from the one or more future send purchase requests; and   storing information related to the prefunded one or more future money transfer send transactions on the server.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein storing information about each prefunded future money transfer send transaction includes storing a send date, a prefunded amount, and recipient information for said each money transfer send transaction. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the charging step further comprises charging an amount for said each prefunded money transfer transaction fee further based on whether one or more future money transfer send transactions are being prefunded. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , and further comprising: locking an exchange rate for said each prefunded money transfer transaction fee such that the locked exchange rate applies to a future money transfer send transaction to which the prefunded money transfer transaction fee is applied. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , and further comprising: associating an expiration date with the locked exchange rate for said each prefunded money transfer transaction fee, wherein the exchange rate associated with the prefunded money transfer transaction fee reverts from the locked exchange rate to a current exchange rate after the expiration date. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , and further comprising: receiving a request for a money transfer send transaction; receiving funds in an amount of the money transfer send transaction; and applying a prefunded money transfer transaction fee to the money transfer send transaction. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the applying step comprises: confirming the amount of the prefunded money transfer transaction fee is sufficient for the amount of the money transfer send transaction. 
     
     
         15 . A method for operating a computer system for sending money transfers, the method comprising:
 receiving a request on a computer to prefund either (a) a plurality of money transfer transaction fees each for paying a transaction fee charged in association with a future money transfer send transaction, wherein each of the money transfer transaction fees is refunded in a transaction separate from the future money transfer send transactions to which the prefunded money transfer transaction fee is applied, or (b) a plurality of money transfer send transactions and associated money transfer transaction fees for use in association with one or more future send purchase requests, wherein the money transfer send transactions and associated money transfer transaction fees are prefunded in a transaction separate from the one or more future send purchase requests;   charging an amount calculated by the computer and presented on a user interface on the computer for said each prefunded money transfer transaction fee that is based on (a) the number of money transfer transaction fees prefunded and (b) whether money transfer send transactions are being prefunded;   receiving funds to pay for the prefunded money transfer transaction fees and any prefunded money transfer send transactions; and   storing information related to the prefunded money transfer transaction fees and any prefunded money transfer send transactions on a server.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the charging step comprises charging a lower amount for each prefunded money transfer transaction fee when money transfer send transactions are prefunded. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein storing information about any prefunded money transfer send transactions includes storing a send date, a prefunded amount, and recipient information for each prefunded money transfer send transaction. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , and further comprising: locking an exchange rate for said each prefunded money transfer transaction fee such that the locked exchange rate applies to a future money transfer send transaction to which the prefunded money transfer transaction fee is applied. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , and further comprising: associating an expiration date with the locked exchange rate for said each prefunded money transfer transaction fee, wherein the exchange rate associated with the prefunded money transfer transaction fee reverts from the locked exchange rate to a current exchange rate after the expiration date. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , and further comprising: receiving a request for a money transfer send transaction; applying a prefunded money transfer transaction fee to the money transfer send transaction.