Patent ID: 8833650
Filing Date: 2014-09-16
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: initiating, via computing equipment having at least one processor executing program instructions that are digitally encoded in at least one storage device, a commerce transaction between a member and a commerce partner, wherein the commerce partner owns or controls an online shopping site through which the commerce transaction takes place; receiving, via computing equipment having at least one processor executing program instructions that are digitally encoded in at least one storage device, a selection from the member of one or more items for purchase through the online shopping site; responsive to receiving the selection, adding, via computing equipment having at least one processor executing program instructions that are digitally encoded in at least one storage device, the one or more items per the selection to a shopping cart of the online shopping site, wherein the shopping cart is a shopping cart for the member; after the shopping cart includes the one or more items, providing, via computing equipment having at least one processor executing program instructions that are digitally encoded in at least one storage device, a plurality of options through which the member is able to pay for the items in the shopping cart, wherein the plurality of options include an option to pay for the items in the shopping cart using negotiable funds, wherein the options further include an option for paying for the items using loyalty points that the member has earned through a loyalty program of an entity, wherein the loyalty program is not a loyalty program of the commerce partner; wherein the entity is not a parent or subsidiary of the commerce partner, wherein the commerce partner is not a parent or subsidiary of the entity, wherein said loyalty points are non-negotiable credits, wherein the loyalty points are maintained in a loyalty program account owned or controlled by the entity, wherein the entity redeems loyalty points per the loyalty point program for a restricted list of goods or services, wherein the one or more items in the shopping cart are not in the restricted list; wherein an agreement exists between the entity and the commerce partner, wherein the agreement permits members to purchase items from the online shopping site by redeeming earned loyalty points at the online shopping site, wherein the agreement specifies that the entity is to compensate the commerce partner in an agreed upon amount of cash or credit for sets of loyalty point that are redeemed through the online shopping site, wherein compensation received by the commerce partner per the agreement is at least sufficient to offset costs to the commerce partner of providing the member with the one or more items in the shopping cart through the online shopping site, wherein in absence of the agreement through which compensation is obtained for redeemed loyalty points, the commerce partner does not redeem the loyalty points via the online shopping site; receiving, via computing equipment having at least one processor executing program instructions that are digitally encoded in at least one storage device, a selection of the option from the online shopping site to pay for the items in the shopping cart by expending a quantity of the loyalty points; responsive to receiving the option to pay using loyalty points, completing, via computing equipment having at least one processor executing program instructions that are digitally encoded in at least one storage device, a checkout process of the online shopping site, wherein during the checkout process the member pays for the one or more items in the shopping cart by expending the quantity of loyalty points; after the checkout process, indicating, via computing equipment having at least one processor executing program instructions that are digitally encoded in at least one storage device, to the member via the online shopping site that the one or more items have been purchased; and recording, via computing equipment having at least one processor executing program instructions that are digitally encoded in at least one storage device, the quantity of loyalty points redeemed during the checkout process as proof to ensure the commerce partner receives compensation from the entity for redeeming the quantity of loyalty points per the agreement.