Patent ID: 7255267

Claim:
A method of using a communications network with a server and a database to promote commerce and provide benefits to a cardholder, a merchant and a card issuer, comprising: a first cardholder applying for a credit card from a card issuer; upon approval, said card issuer issuing a credit card to said first cardholder; said card issuer also providing a first set of business cards for said first cardholder's distribution and use, said business cards containing therein merchant information and first cardholder information; said card issuer transmitting information about said first cardholder and merchant information to an electronic database through a communications network; said database creating an account for said first cardholder, upon receiving said information from said card issuer; upon using said credit card in a commercial transaction by said first cardholder, said card issuer further providing a second set of business cards for said first cardholder's distribution and use, said business cards containing therein merchant information and first cardholder information; said card issuer also transmitting information about said first cardholder and merchant information to an electronic database through a communications network; upon presenting one of said business cards from said first cardholder at one of designated merchants, said business card causing a predetermined discount to be taken at one of said merchants; said merchant registering the use of said business card to said electronic database.