CUSTOMER LOYALTY PROGRAMS AND SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SUCH PROGRAMS

摘要

The invention encompasses a customer loyalty investment program system and method. The invention is used in e-commerce, or in any commerce using an identification (id) card recognizable as a standard payment card and preferably tracks member transactions. Members (27) receive rebates (29) and other incentives (29) sponsored by program participants (51) for transactions involving participants' goods and services (32). The method allocates rebates and other incentives among one or more loyalty vehicles, preferably to a fund that invests in securities of at least one participant. The invention also provides for direct incentives immediately available for use and other incentive vehicles. The system includes a web server, a website (37), a database server with information on members, purchases, participants, incentives and funds for investments, and an input/output means (25). In the credit card embodiment, incentives come from a card issuer and/or other participants. In the id card embodiment, the card's payment functions may be disabled.