System and method for adding value to a stored-value account

A method of processing a stored-value card request, comprising:

• distributing a stored-value card to a first merchant for distribution to a customer having a pre-paid account with a specific provider other than the first merchant, the stored-value card having an associated identifier used to associate a stored value with the card, the stored value being redeemable with one or more providers, including the specific provider, the pre-pad account having an associated account number, the stored value card having an indication of the providers with which the stored value may be redeemed disposed visibly thereon;
• receiving at a central processor a first request to activate the card from a first merchant terminal, the first request resulting from a purchase of the card, and the central processor being in selective communication with the first merchant terminal, the customer, and the one or more providers;
• associating the stored value with the identifier;
• distributing the stored-value card to the customer;
• receiving at the central processor over a private network a redemption request from the customer to apply the stored value to the pre-paid account, wherein the redemption request comprises the identifier;
• determining at the central processor the specific provider and the pre-paid account number based on the redemption request;
• receiving at the central processor a verification response from the customer that the correct specific provider and pre-paid account number has been determined;
• associating at the central processor the specific provider and the pre-paid account number with the identifier in a record;
• applying at the central processor the stored value to the pre-paid account based on the redemption request;
• receiving at the central processor a second request to activate the card over a private network;
• and
• applying the stored value from the central processor to the pre-paid account based on the second activation request.

A method of processing a stored-value card request, comprising:

• distributing a stored-value card to a first merchant for distribution to a customer having a pre-paid account with a specific provider other than the first merchant, the account having an associated account number;
• receiving at a central processor a first request to activate the card from a first merchant terminal, the first request resulting from a purchase of the card, wherein the central processor is in selective communication with the first merchant terminal, the customer, and the specific provider;
• passing an identifier from the central processor to the first merchant terminal for distribution to the customer, the identifier being associated with the card and operative to associate a stored value with the card, the stored value being redeemable with one or more providers, including the specific provider, the stored value card having an indication of the providers with which the stored value may be redeemed disposed visibly thereon;
• associating the stored value with the identifier;
• distributing the identifier to the customer;
• receiving at the central processor over a private network a redemption request from the customer to apply the stored value to the pre-paid account, wherein the redemption request comprises the identifier;
• determining at the central processor the specific provider and the pre-paid account number based on the redemption request;
• receiving at the central processor a verification response from the customer that the correct specific provider and pre-paid account number has been determined;
• passing from the central processor a first request to apply the stored value to the specific provider;
• and
• applying the stored value to pre-paid customer account with the specific provider.