Investment management system with travel usage funds indexed to customer account status

A method of operating an air travel tracking data processing system having a data entry means for entering travel related data, memory means for storing said data and processing means for processing said travel related data, said method comprising the steps of:

• entering air travel related data including travel usage data and client identification data via said data entry means;
• associating said entered air travel related data with a corresponding one of a plurality of client account files in accordance with said client identification data;
• updating any previously entered air travel related data to maintain cumulative travel related data in each of said account files;
• storing in each of said client account files an indication of the amount of travel funds available;
• storing in each account investment growth related data;
• and
• periodically updating said indication of the amount of travel funds available in accordance with at least said investment growth related data.

An air travel tracking data processing system comprising:

• data entry means for entering air travel related data including a client account number and travel cost indicia;
• memory means for storing travel related data in a plurality of account files, each of which is accessible by an associated client account number;
• processing means responsive to interest rate data and to said travel cost indicia for retrieving the client account file identified by said client account number and for determining an updated amount of funds available for travel in said retrieved client account file;
• and
• means for storing said updated amount of funds available in said client account file.

An air travel tracking data processing system comprising:

• data entry means for entering at least air travel related data;
• memory means for storing said air travel related data in a plurality of client account files, each of which stores travel related data including travel usage data and an indication of the amount of funds available for travel;
• processing means for at least periodically updating the travel related data in each of said client account files, said processing means including control status word means including at least one control status word having a plurality of bit positions, each bit position having a control state indicative of a predetermined status condition, said at least one control status word reflecting the rate of growth of the amount of funds available for travel in a client's account;
• said means for periodically updating including means for checking the control state of said at least one control status word and for updating the travel related data in at least one of said client account files as a function of said control state.