Patent ID: 7398225

Claim:
A method for implementing a loyalty program at a host computer system, said method comprising the steps of: receiving and storing manufacturer item identifiers, wherein said manufacturer item identifiers are received from a manufacturer; receiving and storing retail item identifiers, wherein said retail item identifiers are received from a merchant; associating and storing each of said retail item identifiers with a corresponding one of said manufacturer item identifiers; receiving and processing a purchase transaction, wherein said purchase transaction includes a consumer ID, a retailer item identifier, and a purchase price; retrieving a manufacturer item identifier corresponding to said retail item identifier; calculating a first set of reward points based on said consumer ID, said purchase price and a first currency to point ratio corresponding to said retailer item identifier; calculating a second set of reward points based on said consumer ID, said purchase price and a second currency to point ratio corresponding to said manufacturer item identifier; calculating a third set of reward points based on said consumer ID, said purchase price and a third currency to point ratio corresponding to affiliated Service Establishment (SE) numbers; and, combining said first set of reward points, said second set of reward points, and said third set of reward points within a loyalty account associated with said consumer ID.