METHOD OF BUNDLING ACTIVATION AND SALES OF GIFT CARDS

• US 20090283594A1
• Filed: 05/19/2009
• Published: 11/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Citizens Financial Group Incorporated, Kroger Company
• Original Assignee: Kroger Company
• Inventors: Reilly, Clare, Cosco, Gregg, Walton, Gretchen
• Application Number:
  US12/468,502
• Publication Number:
  US 20090283594A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/383
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions

Abstract

A method for bundling the activation and sale of gift cards is provided whereby a plurality of gift cards is packaged together into a multi-pack that is then purchased and activated in a single transaction. In this manner, electronic transaction cards are bundled such that there is more than one card in a single package. The customer is then presented with a variety of the electronic transaction card multi-packs for consideration and purchase. Upon making their selection, the customer takes the multi-pack to a cashier to complete a traditional checkout and purchase operation. The cards are then bulk activated at an activation terminal. This allows a person purchasing a multi-pack, for example to purchase three $25.00 gift cards for their face value plus one activation fee and then distribute each of those cards to a different individual as a gift.

Claims

1. A bundled package for electronic transaction cards comprising:

a plurality of electronic transaction cards each having a value and requiring activation;

a package for receiving and retaining said plurality of electronic transaction cards; and

a code that represents the number and value of all of the electronic transaction cards in said plurality of electronic transaction cards.

2. The bundled package for electronic transaction cards of claim 1, wherein each of the cards in said plurality of electronic transaction cards is activated in a single transaction via said code.

3. The bundled package for electronic transaction cards of claim 1, wherein said code is on said package.

4. The bundled package for electronic transaction cards of claim 1, wherein said code is on at least one of said electronic transaction cards, said code being readable through an opening provided in said package.

5. The bundled package for electronic transaction cards of claim 1, wherein said value represented by said code is the sum of the value of each of the transaction cards.

6. The bundled package for electronic transaction cards of claim 1, wherein said value represented by said code is the sum of the value of each of the transaction cards less a discount value.

7. The bundled package for electronic transaction cards of claim 1, wherein the value of each of the transaction cards is equal to one another.

8. The bundled package for electronic transaction cards of claim 1, wherein the value of at least one of the transaction cards is different from the value of the remaining transaction cards.

9. The bundled package for electronic transaction cards of claim 1, wherein each of the transaction cards can be used separately from the remaining plurality of transaction cards after said plurality of transaction cards has been activated.

10. The bundled package for electronic transaction cards of claim 1, wherein the transaction cards are selected from the group consisting of:

gift cards, prepaid cards for goods and services and reloadable transaction cards.

11. A method of purchasing a bundled package for electronic transaction cards comprising:

selecting a prepackaged transaction card bundle comprising;

a plurality of electronic transaction cards each having a value and requiring activation;

a package for receiving and retaining said plurality of electronic transaction cards; and

a code that represents the number and value of all of the electronic transaction cards in said plurality of electronic transaction cards;

presenting said prepackaged transaction card bundle for a purchase transaction at a terminal;

scanning said code on prepackaged transaction card bundle at said a terminal, wherein each of said plurality of transaction cards is upon completion of said transaction; and

paying the required value to complete said transaction.

12. The method claim 11, wherein each of the cards in said plurality of electronic transaction cards is activated in a single transaction via said code.

13. The method claim 11, wherein said code is on said package.

14. The method claim 11, wherein said code is on at least one of said electronic transaction cards, said code being readable through an opening provided in said package.

15. The method claim 11, wherein said value represented by said code is the sum of the value of each of the transaction cards.

16. The method claim 11, wherein said value represented by said code is the sum of the value of each of the transaction cards less a discount value.

17. The method claim 11, wherein the value of each of the transaction cards is equal to one another.

18. The method claim 11, wherein the value of at least one of the transaction cards is different from the value of the remaining transaction cards.

19. The method claim 11, wherein each of the transaction cards can be used separately from the remaining plurality of transaction cards after said plurality of transaction cards has been activated.

20. The method claim 11, wherein the transaction cards are selected from the group consisting of:

gift cards, prepaid cards for goods and services and reloadable transaction cards.