Patent ID: 8544734

Claim:
A method of packaging and activating open loop cards, the method comprising: providing to a retailer an open loop card and a closed loop card in an integrated package, the open loop card associated with a first account number which is configured for activation by an open loop account processor, the closed loop card associated with a second account number and having a value selected from a range of values, the value being hidden from a purchaser until after activation of the closed loop card; providing a machine readable card component containing data corresponding to a control account, the control account further comprising the first and second account numbers; receiving an activation request from a point of sale associated with the retailer containing data corresponding to the control account; identifying the control account and the first and second account numbers; activating the closed loop card in accordance with the second account number; and transmitting electronically an activation request comprising the first account number to the open loop account processor.