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

• US 7,676,429 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2006
• Issued: 03/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. (JP Morgan Chase & Co)
• Original Assignee: JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. (JP Morgan Chase & Co)
• Inventors: Boyle, Kevin, Maistre, Marty
• Primary Examiner(s): Felten; Daniel S
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rankins; William E
• Application Number:
  US11/390,177
• Publication Number:
  US 20060167782A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,442 Days
• Field of Search: 705/38
• US Class Current: 705/38
• 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 to a cardholder, the services including access to credit and access to multiple clubs associated with a service partner, the method comprising:

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

(a) credit card application data, and

(b) membership application data for an applicant to join multiple clubs associated with the service partner;

processing the multiple-service card application using an application processor system to identify that the applicant desires to join the multiple clubs associated with the service partner;

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

processing the credit card application data from the multiple service card application by implementing the application processor system;

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

establishing a credit account;

receiving auto-charge data at a central server system indicating selected clubs for auto-charging to the applicant and storing the auto-charge data in a credit card database module; and

issuing to the applicant the requested multiple-service card that includes (a) credit account information providing cardholder access to credit services, wherein the credit account information is linked to the auto-charge data stored in the credit card database module, and that further includes (b) club information stored on the multiple-service card providing cardholder access to the multiple clubs associated with the service partner by allowing the cardholder to physically enter the multiple clubs associated with the service partner upon reading of the club information stored on the multiple-service card.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising canceling a membership in at least one of the multiple clubs associated with the service partner club in accordance with a cancelation policy.

3. 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.

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 when the cardholder moves to a new location.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising establishing membership in a second service partner club and closing membership in a 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.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising storing at least one of credit card application data and membership application data in the credit card database module.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the service partner club information stored on the card comprises a merchant code.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the service partner solicits applications for the credit instrument and invites the applicant to join the multiple clubs.