Visa U.s.a. Inc.

Mastercard International Incorporated

Christopher P Aguas

Raghav Lal

Brigette A White

Hugh Herrick Birch

James E Pastrana

Theresa Ann Erickson

Brian O'Neale Bettinger

Bruno D Perreault

Donald W Kemp

Thomas G Romary

Jay A Coisman

A computer-based method and system for tracking a price change of a purchase made using a transaction card over an interchange network is provided. The interchange network includes a price tracking computer device in communication with a memory device. The method includes receiving, at the interchange network, transaction data associated with a purchase of an item by a cardholder using the transaction card, transmitting via the interchange network an authorization message in response to the purchase of the item, directing at least some of the transaction data to the price tracking computer device including a purchase price of the item, and using the price tracking computer device to track changes in a current asking price of the item, and compare the purchase price of the item to the current asking price of the item.

Methods and systems for tracking a price change for a purchase made using a transaction card

Methods and systems for receiving purchase transaction data and identifying the purchase transactions that qualify for customer rebates. In an embodiment, a transaction clearing computer of a payment processing network receives the purchase transaction data from a plurality of acquirer financial institutions. A rewards system computer of the payment processing network identifies individual purchase transactions that qualify for customer rebates pursuant to rewards programs and based on the purchase transaction data, and then initiates crediting of rebate amounts from acquirer financial institutions to payment card accounts of cardholders at issuer financial institutions. The rewards system computer also initiates charging of the rebate amounts to merchant accounts of merchants associated with the individual purchase transactions that qualified for customer rebates.

Method and apparatus for reward calculation and disbursement

A method for conducting a business transaction using a payment processing network is disclosed. The method includes sending an authorization request message including an authorization request to an issuer, where the authorization request message originates from a business consumer purchasing goods or services from an oligopolistic business entity. The issuer sends an authorization response message indicating that the authorization request is approved or not approved. Economic incentives associated with the business transaction is provided to the oligopolistic business entity or the business consumer for conducting the business transaction, wherein the incentive would not be available in a transaction between a non-oligopolistic business entity and the business consumer. A method for encouraging use of electronic payment methods is also disclosed, wherein an oligopolistic entity and a group of business consumers in an industry vertical are identified based on sales information, and an economic incentive is provided to the oligopolistic business entity after it agrees to accept electronic payment transactions for conducting business with the group of business consumers.

Method and system for conducting transactions with oliogopolistic entities

Method and system for conducting transactions with oligopolistic entities

A method for conducting a business transaction using a payment processing network is disclosed. The method includes sending an authorization request message including an authorization request to an issuer, where the authorization request message originates from a business consumer purchasing goods or services from an oligopolistic business entity. The issuer sends an authorization response message indicating that the authorization request is approved or not approved. Economic incentives associated with the business transaction are provided to the oligopolistic business entity or the business consumer for conducting the business transaction, wherein the incentive would not be available in a transaction between a non-oligopolistic business entity and the business consumer. A method for encouraging use of electronic payment methods is also disclosed, wherein an oligopolistic entity and a group of business consumers in an industry vertical are identified based on sales information, and an economic incentive is provided to the oligopolistic business entity after it agrees to accept electronic payment transactions for conducting business with the group of business consumers.

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Weston, CT, United States of America

Christopher P Aguas