Patent ID: 7072864

Claim:
A multi-feature card, comprising: at least one primary feature; and at least one secondary feature; wherein a holder of the card activates each primary and secondary feature, wherein further at least one primary or secondary feature comprises a transaction feature enabling the card holder to purchase goods or services from at least one merchant, wherein further at least one primary feature comprises a stored value feature, wherein the process of activation comprises: a) offering to the holder a first activation of the multi-feature card; b) receiving the holder's request to activate at least one primary feature of the multi-feature card; c) employing at least one safety feature during the first activation request; d) offering the holder an option of activating said at least one primary feature of the multi-feature card by: 1) confirming the holder's desire to activate said at least one primary feature; 2) activating said at least one primary feature, if the holder confirms the first activation; 3) terminating the first activation request; and 4) allowing the holder to use the multi-feature card as a card having said at least one primary feature; e) offering to the holder a subsequent activation of the multi-feature card that determines the holder's election to add at least one secondary feature; and f) determining the customer's request to activate any additional features, wherein, prior to activation, the multi-feature card contains or is associated with information related to each primary and secondary feature further information related to each primary and secondary feature is stored on the card in a machine-readable format prior to issuance of the card to the holder.