Patent ID: 7953630

Claim:
An automated marketing method implemented using a host controller that administers a plurality of award benefits programs sponsored by a plurality of merchants, comprising: a. acquiring a unique user identifier, a unique merchant identifier and transaction data at a location remote from the host controller; b. communicating each of the identifiers and the transaction data to the host controller over a communications network; c. determining eligibility of at least one of the user identifier, the merchant identifier and the transaction data for participation in at least one award benefits program among the plurality of award benefits programs implemented by the host controller; d. accessing a program matrix rules module containing a plurality of predetermined award criterion corresponding to the at least one award benefits program implemented by the host controller, applying the program matrix rules to validate the transaction data, the customer identifier and/or the merchant identifier for eligibility for an award benefit to the user and analyze the user identifier, the merchant identifier and/or the user behavior identifier to determine at least one predetermined award benefit available to the user when at least one preselected award criterion is satisfied; e. applying an award prioritization system that selects a single award benefit when a user qualifies for multiple award benefits; and f. communicating information relating to the award benefit or an updated award status from the host controller to the location remote from the host controller.