System and method for managing customized reward offers

Abstract

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a method is provided for managing reward offers. A first performance target that is associated with a financial account is determined. Transaction data that is associated with the financial account is received, and a second performance target for the financial account is determined based on the teransaction data.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A central controller device for managing customized reward offers, comprising:
 a processor; and   a storage device operably connected to the processor, the storage device stores instructions configured to direct the processor to:
 determine a first performance target and a target period for an account; 
 determine a reward associated with the first performance target of the account; 
 offer the reward to an account holder of the account; 
 provide an indication of the first performance target to the account holder; 
 after providing the indication of the first performance target to the account holder, receive transaction data associated with the account for the target period; 
 compare said transaction data to the first performance target to determine whether the first performance target is met by the transaction data; 
 after comparing said transaction data to the first performance target, determine a second performance target for the account; and 
 provide an indication of the second performance target to the account holder. 
   
     
     
         2 . The central controller device of  claim 1 , wherein determining the second performance target comprises:
 determining the second performance target based on the transaction data.   
     
     
         3 . The central controller device of  claim 1 , wherein determining the second performance target comprises:
 determining the second performance target based on historical account data associated with the account.   
     
     
         4 . The central controller device of  claim 1 , wherein determining the second performance target comprises:
 determining the second performance target based on a specific merchant associated with the transaction data.   
     
     
         5 . The central controller device of  claim 1 , wherein determining the second performance target comprises:
 determining the second performance target based on a type of merchant associated with the transaction data.   
     
     
         6 . The central controller device of  claim 1 , wherein determining the second performance target comprises:
 determining the second performance target based on profile data associated with the account holder.   
     
     
         7 . The central controller device of  claim 1 ,
 wherein comparing said transaction data to the first performance target to determine whether the first performance target is met by the transaction data comprises:
 determining that the first performance target is met by the transaction data; and wherein determining the second performance target comprises: 
 determining a target value for the second performance target that is not less than a target value for the first second performance target. 
   
     
     
         8 . The central controller device of  claim 1 ,
 wherein comparing said transaction data to the first performance target to determine whether the first performance target is met by the transaction data comprises:
 determining that the first performance target is not met by the transaction data;  and 
   wherein determining the second performance target comprises:
 determining a target value for the second performance target that is not greater than a target value for the first second performance target. 
   
     
     
         9 . The central controller device of  claim 1 , further comprising providing the reward to the account holder. 
     
     
         10 . The central controller device of  claim 1 , wherein the reward comprises at least one of:
 a rebate;   a discount;   a gift;   an increase of reward program points; and   an increase of an amount of frequent flyer miles.   
     
     
         11 . A method executable by a central controller device for managing customized reward offers, the method comprising:
 determining, by a central controller device of a credit card issuer, a first performance target and a target period for an account;   determining, by the central controller device, a reward associated with the first performance target of the account;   offering, by the central controller device, the reward to an account holder of the account;   providing, by the central controller device, an indication of the first performance target to the account holder;   after providing the indication of the first performance target to the account holder, receiving, by the central controller device, transaction data associated with the account for the target period;   comparing, by the central controller device, said transaction data to the first performance target to determine whether the first performance target is met by the transaction data;   after comparing said transaction data to the first performance target, determining, by the central controller device, a second performance target for the account; and   providing, by the central controller device, an indication of the second performance target to the account holder.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein determining the second performance target comprises:
 determining the second performance target based on the transaction data.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein determining the second performance target comprises:
 determining the second performance target based on historical account data associated with the account.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein determining the second performance target comprises:
 determining the second performance target based on a specific merchant associated with the transaction data.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein determining the second performance target comprises:
 determining the second performance target based on a type of merchant associated with the transaction data.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein determining the second performance target comprises:
 determining the second performance target based on profile data associated with the account holder.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 ,
 wherein comparing said transaction data to the first performance target to determine whether the first performance target is met by the transaction data comprises:
 determining that the first performance target is met by the transaction data; and 
   wherein determining the second performance target comprises:
 determining a target value for the second performance target that is not less than a target value for the first second performance target. 
   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 ,
 wherein comparing said transaction data to the first performance target to determine whether the first performance target is met by the transaction data comprises:
 determining that the first performance target is not met by the transaction data; and 
   wherein determining the second performance target comprises:
 determining a target value for the second performance target that is not greater than a target value for the first second performance target. 
   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising providing the reward to the account holder. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the reward comprises at least one of:
 a rebate;   a discount;   a gift;   an increase of reward program points; and   an increase of an amount of frequent flyer miles.