Credit instrument and system providing multiple services including access to credit services and access to a service provider club

• US 20060167782A1
• Filed: 03/28/2006
• Published: 07/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. (JP Morgan Chase & Co)
• Original Assignee: First USA Bank N.A. (JP Morgan Chase & Co)
• Inventors: Boyle, Kevin, Maistre, Marty
• Granted Patent: US 7,676,429 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/35
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 5/00 Methods or arrangements for verifying the correctness of markings on a record carrier; Column detection devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/02 involving a neutral party, e.g. certification authority, notary or trusted third party [TTP]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/0855 involving a third party
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/14 specially adapted for billing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/24 Credit schemes, i.e. "pay after"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/34 using cards, e.g. integrated circuit [IC] cards or magnetic cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/405 Establishing or using transaction specific rules
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/03 Credit; Loans; Processing thereof

Abstract

An apparatus and methods for a card that allows a cardholder to set up auto-charge payment of dues and fees to a series of clubs, merchants or service providers. The card also may be used for other transactions that accept credit cards. The apparatus includes a database containing information of the associated clubs, merchants and service providers, so that applicants and cardholders can easily configure auto-charging for multiple business concerns in one sitting. The apparatus may process auto-charge transactions in an automated fashion without requiring a cardholder to submit payment authorization or the business concern to submit a charge for each payment. Inconvenience and administrative costs to the cardholder and the business concern are reduced. The system and method provide a competitive advantage to the associated business concerns to secure the initial account and then to maintain it. The system and method encourages card loyalty of both the card members and the business concerns to the card provider.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for providing a multiple-service card providing multiple services including access to credit and access to a service partner club, comprising:

receiving an application at a service partner for a multiple-service card, the application including;

(a) credit card application data, and

(b) membership application data for the applicant to join the service partner club;

processing the multiple-service card application to identify that the applicant desires to join the service partner club;

providing the service partner club with data stored on the multiple-service card that gives the cardholder access to the service partner club;

processing the credit card application data from the multiple-service card application;

receiving a determination as to whether the applicant is approved for the credit card;

establishing a credit account; and

issuing to the consumer the requested multiple-service card that includes (a) credit account information providing cardholder access to credit services, and that further includes (b) service partner club information providing cardholder access to the service partner club.

2. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the service partner club information is read to allow the cardholder to enter the service partner club.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising canceling the membership in the service partner club.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising establishing membership in a new service partner club and closing membership in an existing service partner club.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising establishing membership in a new service partner club and closing membership in an existing service partner club when the cardholder moves to a new location.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising establishing membership in a second service partner club and dosing membership in an first service partner club, the multiple-service card being updated or reissued to have second service partner club information providing cardholder access to the second service partner club

7. A multiple-service card providing multiple services including access to credit and access to a service partner club, said card being associated with a card issuer, the service partner club, and a cardholder, comprising:

a multiple-service transaction card comprising a first side and a second side;

the first side having first data of the card issuer;

the second side having second data of the service partner club;

wherein the multiple-service card is issued by the card issuer as a result of;

(1) receiving an application at a service partner for a multiple-service card, the application including (a) credit card application data, and (b) membership application data for the applicant to join the service partner club;

(2) processing the multiple-service card application to identify that the applicant desires to join the service partner club;

(3) providing the service partner club with data stored on the multiple-service card that gives the cardholder access to the service partner club;

(4) processing the credit card application data from the multiple-service card application;

(5) receiving a determination as to whether the applicant is approved for the credit card;

(6) establishing a credit account; and

(7) issuing to the consumer the requested multiple-service card that includes (a) credit account information providing cardholder access to credit services, and that further includes (b) service partner club information providing cardholder access to the service partner club.

8. The multiple-service card of claim 7, wherein the second data is accessed in order to allow the cardholder to enter the service provider club.