A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOYALTY PROGRAM DISTRIBUTION AND SETTLEMENT

摘要

A system and method, as shown in fig. 1, for facilitating the distribution and settlement of electronic loyalty programs to users (1) and retailers (100) is provided. A host system (200) facilitates the distribution of electronic punch card loyalty programs from an offerer (250) to a user (1) and/or retailer (100). The user (1) downloads the electronic punch card to a loyalty applet maintained on a microchip-enabled device such as a smart card (14). This smart card (14) may then be used at various retailers (100) to take advantage of the offerer's loyalty program. Alternatively, the host system (200) may maintain the loyalty punch card without downloading to the user (1) and provide access to a retailer (100) upon the occurrence of a transaction with the user (1).