Linking loyalty reward programs
First Claim
1. A method for linking loyalty reward accounts comprising the steps of:
- a) receiving, by a computer-implemented linking engine, a selection of loyalty reward accounts from a loyalty reward account holder, wherein each account holder associated with the selection of loyalty reward accounts has a confirmed relationship with the other account holders, the relationship comprising at least one of;
a family relationship, a business relationship, and a personal relationship;
b) validating, by the computer-implemented linking engine, the loyalty reward account holder'"'"'s access to the selection of loyalty reward accounts;
c) in response to validating the loyalty reward account holder'"'"'s access to the selection of loyalty reward accounts, assigning via the computer-implemented linking engine a unique cross-reference number to the selection of loyalty reward accounts;
d) pooling via the computer-implemented linking engine a balance of reward points associated with each of the selection of loyalty reward accounts assigned the unique cross-reference number, by combining the balance of reward points from each of the selection of loyalty reward accounts into a single balance of pooled reward points; and
e) storing, by the computer-implemented linking engine, the cross-reference number in association with each of the selection of loyalty reward accounts in a database.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Linking loyalty programs by use of a new and unique cross-reference number. Reward points from the linked accounts are pooled. Redemption of reward points associated with the linked accounts can be restricted using restriction rules. Restriction rules restrict redemption of points from an individual'"'"'s account; from the pooled rewards, and/or restrict redemption for a predetermined reward type. Reward points in the linked accounts can also be converted from one reward account to another using a conversion table, which holds a liability ratio for each account. A processing platform, typically comprising a computer-implemented linking engine and an account files database, is logically connected to a network to receive linking instructions from an account holder. The linking engine can assign the cross-reference number; apply restriction rules; and convert reward points using the conversion tables.
-
Citations
30 Claims
-
1. A method for linking loyalty reward accounts comprising the steps of:
-
a) receiving, by a computer-implemented linking engine, a selection of loyalty reward accounts from a loyalty reward account holder, wherein each account holder associated with the selection of loyalty reward accounts has a confirmed relationship with the other account holders, the relationship comprising at least one of;
a family relationship, a business relationship, and a personal relationship;b) validating, by the computer-implemented linking engine, the loyalty reward account holder'"'"'s access to the selection of loyalty reward accounts; c) in response to validating the loyalty reward account holder'"'"'s access to the selection of loyalty reward accounts, assigning via the computer-implemented linking engine a unique cross-reference number to the selection of loyalty reward accounts; d) pooling via the computer-implemented linking engine a balance of reward points associated with each of the selection of loyalty reward accounts assigned the unique cross-reference number, by combining the balance of reward points from each of the selection of loyalty reward accounts into a single balance of pooled reward points; and e) storing, by the computer-implemented linking engine, the cross-reference number in association with each of the selection of loyalty reward accounts in a database. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method for linking loyalty reward accounts comprising the steps of:
-
a) receiving, by a linking engine, instructions from a loyalty reward account holder, the instructions comprising a selection of loyalty reward accounts, wherein the loyalty reward account holder has a confirmed relationship to each account holder of the selection of loyalty reward accounts and the linking engine comprises a computer operable to execute instructions stored in a machine-readable medium. b) assigning, by the linking engine, a unique cross-reference number to the selection of loyalty reward accounts, wherein the selection of loyalty reward accounts assigned the unique cross-reference number are linked accounts, linked accounts having a pooled reward point balance, wherein the pooled reward point balance comprises a total of a balance of reward points associated with each of the linked accounts; and c) storing, by the linking engine, the unique cross-reference number in association with each of the linked accounts in a database. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
-
23. An apparatus for linking reward accounts, comprising:
-
means for receiving instructions from a loyalty reward account holder, the instructions comprising a selection of loyalty reward accounts, wherein account holders of the selection of loyalty reward accounts are associated with the loyalty reward account holder through a confirmed relationship; means for assigning a unique cross-reference number to the selection of loyalty reward accounts, the selection of loyalty reward accounts assigned the unique cross-reference number being linked accounts having a pooled reward point balance, wherein the pooled reward point balance comprises a total amount of points from each of the linked accounts; means for receiving instructions from the loyalty reward account holder, the instructions defining a restriction rule, wherein the restriction rule defines the ability of an account holder associated with the linked accounts to redeem reward points associated with the linked accounts; means for applying the restriction rule in connection with a reward redemption associated with the linked accounts; and means for performing the reward redemption if the reward redemption is permitted under the restriction rule. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
-
Specification