Bank of America Corporation

David C Tyrie

Tony England

Matthew D Murphy

Mark Churchill Monaco

A merchant point-of-sale ('POS') system architecture is provided. The POS system architecture may include a POS terminal including a POS receiver, a virtual display and a transmitter, and a transaction processing network including a network receiver and processor. The network receiver may be configured to receive a payment authorization request. The virtual display may be configured to display selectable options. The options may be displayed prior to processing the payment authorization request. The selectable options may include a first and second option. The first option may be to apply a merchant-funded rewards program network to the payment authorization request. The second option may be to continue to apply the default issuer funded rewards program network to the payment authorization request. When the first option is selected, a processor may be configured to terminate the issuer funded reward program network and activate the merchant-funded rewards program network.

Linking an advantage communication system to a pre-existing product

A merchant point-of-sale ('POS') system architecture is provided. Systems and methods are provided for enabling an alternative processing network for a custom rewards transaction performed at a POS. A custom rewards transaction may be a transaction in which a customer opts-in to a merchant-funded rewards (MFR) program. Opting-in to the MFR program may terminate the customer's default enrollment in a conventional issuer-bank funded rewards program. Opting-in to the MFR program may also reroute the processing of the transaction from a conventional processing network to the alternative processing network. The alternative processing network may incur transaction fees to a merchant that are lower than the transaction fees of the conventional processing network.

Alternative processing network for custom rewards transactions

A system for integrating custom benefits into a communication transmission exchange is provided. The communication transmission exchange may include a plurality of entities. The system may include a receiver configured to receive a custom benefit selection. A second entity may perform the selection. The custom benefit may be associated with a first entity. The selection may trigger termination of any predetermined benefits to be communicated from a fourth entity to the second entity. The predetermined benefits may have been previously associated with a communication associated with the custom benefit. The selection may trigger instantiation of a communication line between the first entity and the second entity. The communication line may be for delivering a custom benefit communication, associated with the custom benefit, from the first entity to the second entity. The selection may also trigger deliverance of the custom benefit communication from the first entity to the second entity.

Integrating custom benefits into an in-use communication transmission exchange

Apparatus, methods and architectures for dynamically incentivizing use of payment instrument(s) by customer(s) on purchase(s) from merchant(s) are described. Methods, apparatus and architectures may include/involve providing electronic platform(s) for enabling customer reward option(s). Reward option(s) may include standard reward option(s) associated with interchange fee(s) upon acquirer(s) affiliated with the merchant(s). Reward option(s) may include custom reward option(s) funded by the merchant(s) and associated with discounted interchange fee(s). Discounted interchange fee(s) may incentivize reduced cost(s) of acceptance imposed on merchant(s) by acquirer(s). The reward options may be selected to drive incremental sales to participating merchant(s).

Custom rewards protocol and system architecture

A merchant point-of-sale ('POS') system architecture is provided. Systems and methods are provided for enabling free form rewards in a custom rewards transaction at a POS terminal. A custom rewards transaction may be a transaction in which a customer opts-in to a merchant-funded rewards ('MFR') program. The merchant may offer rewards in the MFR program based on location and customer data. The merchant may offer rewards that promote customer behaviors that are advantageous to the merchant. Opting-in to the MFR program may terminate the customer's default enrollment in a conventional issuer-bank funded rewards program.

POS terminal(s) with free form rewards architecture

A merchant point-of-sale ('POS') system architecture is provided. Systems and methods are provided for enabling merchant funded rewards at a POS terminal. Systems and methods are provided for tracking customer activity and determining an appropriate merchant funded reward. The POS terminal may determine an appropriate merchant, funded reward based on location and historical customer transaction data. The merchant may offer a custom reward that promotes customer behaviors that are advantageous to the merchant and other transaction participants. A merchant funded rewards program may be configured to drive incremental sales to merchants that participate in the program.

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Boston, MA, United States of America

David C Tyrie