System and method for providing a discount

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for delivering a discount using a partner-issued currency or a combination of virtual currency and partner-issued currency, offering a high-perceived savings value to an end-user while maintaining the perception of product value. An embodiment of an inventive method includes presenting a display of a price paid by a consumer without access to the virtual currency along with a display of an amount payable by the end-user in actual currency in combination with an amount payable in virtual currency. The end-user perceives a benefit to using the virtual currency and since the price paid in actual currency is less than the displayed price to be paid by a consumer without access to the virtual currency.

1 . A method for providing a discount to an end-user, comprising:
 distribution of a virtual currency by an administrator to an end-user, wherein the administrator is the creator of the virtual currency, wherein the virtual currency has no per unit cost to the end-user and wherein the end-user does not pay for the virtual currency;   presenting a daily price value of a product, an adjusted base price value of the product and a savings value of the product to the end-user, the adjusted base price value indicative of an amount of actual currency to be paid by an end user, the savings value indicative of an amount payable in virtual currency;   receiving an end-user request to purchase the product;   determining, by a computer system, that the end-user has an amount of available virtual currency at least equal to the amount of the savings value;   subtracting, by a computer system, an amount of the virtual currency equal to the savings value from the available virtual currency; and   receiving details from the end-user indicating payment of actual currency in an amount at least equal to the adjusted base price value; thereby providing the discount to the end-user.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the virtual currency is denominated in terms associated with a real currency 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 presenting the end-user with a bonus in the form of a reward item.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the reward item comprises points redeemable for a product or service. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of receiving an end-user request comprises the end-user accessing a web page. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of receiving an end-user request comprises the end-user requesting the price information by telephone or in person from a representative. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the savings value is calculated and stored in advance for presentation in response to an end-user request. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the product is selected from the group consisting of:
 a hotel stay, airline travel, and a condominium stay.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the product is selected from the group consisting of: a cruise trip, travel related merchandise, luggage, a theatrical ticket, a video cassette recording, a DVD, an audio recording, a restaurant product, an article of clothing, an appliance, an electronic device, lawn care, home improvement, a repair service, a personal care service, and a pet care service. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of presenting the retrieved daily price value of the product, the adjusted base price value of the product and the savings value of the product to the end-user includes presentation of the retrieved daily price value of the product, the adjusted base price value of the product and the savings value of the product in tabular form. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the virtual currency is delivered to the end-user in the form of a gift card. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the gift card is refillable. 
     
     
         13 . A method for providing a discount offer to an end-user, comprising:
 distribution of a virtual currency by an administrator to an end-user, wherein the administrator is the creator of the virtual currency, wherein the virtual currency has no per unit cost to the end-user and wherein the end-user does not pay for the virtual currency;   retrieving a daily price value of a product;   calculating, by a computer system, a savings value indicative of an amount payable in virtual currency;   calculating, by the computer, an adjusted base price value of the product, the adjusted price value indicative of an amount of actual currency to be paid by the end-user, the savings value and the adjusted base price value totaling the daily price value; and   presenting the adjusted base price value of the product, thereby providing the discount offer to the end-user.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the virtual currency is denominated in terms associated with a real currency 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of retrieving the daily price value comprises retrieving the value from an administrator database. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 presenting the end-user with a bonus in the form of a reward item.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the product is selected from the group consisting of:
 a hotel stay, airline travel, and a condominium stay.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the product is selected from the group consisting of:
 a cruise trip, travel related merchandise, luggage, a theatrical ticket, a video cassette recording, a DVD, an audio recording, a restaurant product, an article of clothing, an appliance, an electronic device, lawn care, home improvement, a repair service, a personal care service, and a pet care service.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of the virtual currency is delivered to the end-user in the form of a gift card.