System and methods for providing a multi-merchant loyalty program

• US 20020082920A1
• Filed: 11/13/2001
• Published: 06/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Don Mastrangelo, Kermit Austin
• Original Assignee: Don Mastrangelo, Kermit Austin
• Inventors: Mastrangelo, Don, Austin, Kermit
• Application Number:
  US10/008,712
• Publication Number:
  US 20020082920A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0224 based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0229 Multi-merchant loyalty card systems

Abstract

The invention provides a loyalty system for awarding incentives to a customer based on a multi-merchant loyalty system. The loyalty system includes a master loyalty program associated with the multi-merchant loyalty system, at least one merchant specific loyalty program associated with the multi-merchant loyalty system, a means for providing a merchant access to the multi-merchant loyalty system, and a means for providing a customer choice of an incentive. In addition, the invention provides a method for promoting merchant loyalty. The method defines a master loyalty program for a multi-merchant loyalty system, registers a merchant specific loyalty program for the multi-merchant loyalty system, and provides a merchant access to the multi-merchant loyalty system.

Claims

1. A loyalty system for awarding incentives to a customer based on a multi-merchant loyalty system, comprising:

a master loyalty program associated with the multi-merchant loyalty system;

at least one merchant specific loyalty program associated with the multi-merchant loyalty system;

a means for providing a merchant access to the multi-merchant loyalty system; and

a means for providing a customer choice of an incentive.

2. The loyalty system of claim 1 further comprising a means for enabling a customer to track incentives.

3. The loyalty system of claim 1 wherein the means for providing a merchant access is a merchant module.

4. The loyalty system of claim 1 wherein the means for providing a customer choice is a master loyalty module.

5. The loyalty system of claim 2 wherein the means for enabling is a customer module.

6. The loyalty system of claim 1 wherein a merchant may define an incentive parameter for the multi-merchant loyalty system.

7. The loyalty system of claim 6 wherein the incentive parameter comprises a trigger.

8. The loyalty system of claim 6 wherein the incentive parameter comprises a customer segment.

9. The loyalty system of claim 6 further comprising a means for tracking customer data.

10. The loyalty system of claim 1 further comprising a means for generating a certificate when a predetermined parameter is fulfilled.

11. A method for promoting merchant loyalty, comprising:

defining a master loyalty program for a multi-merchant loyalty system;

registering a merchant specific loyalty program for the multi-merchant loyalty system; and

providing a merchant access to the multi-merchant loyalty system.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising providing data to a customer for enabling the customer to track an amount of points earned.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising sending a loyalty reward incentive to a customer.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the loyalty reward is sent electronically to a merchant.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the loyalty reward is sent electronically to the customer.

16. The method of claim 13 further comprising tracking customer data to create a customer profile.

17. The method of claim 13 further comprising tracking customer data to determine an incentive promotion.

18. The method of claim 11 further comprising registering a merchant for the master loyalty program.