System and method for predictive payment authorizations

A method comprising:

• performing, by one or more computing devices:
• receiving information indicating a first transaction is to be initiated, the information specifying a first quantity of funds for the transaction;
• in response to and subsequent to receiving the information indicating the first transaction, determining that at least one additional transaction for a respective quantity of funds is expected to be initiated within a given time period and that the at least one additional transaction is eligible for authorization sharing with the first transaction, wherein at least some transactions are not eligible for authorization sharing;
• prior to initiation of said at least one additional transaction, and responsive to and subsequent to said determining that at least one additional transaction for a respective quantity of funds is expected to be initiated and that the at least one additional transaction is eligible for authorization sharing with the first transaction, generating a payment authorization request for a combined quantity of funds equal to at least a sum of the first quantity of funds of the first transaction and the respective quantity of funds of said at least one additional transaction and transmitting the payment authorization request to a processing system, wherein the combined quantity of funds is greater than needed for the first transaction;
• and
• responsive to said request, receiving information indicating that a payment authorization for the combined quantity of funds was issued.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, storing program instructions computer-executable on a computer to implement a payment management system configured to:

• receive information indicating a first transaction is to be initiated, the information specifying a first quantity of funds for the transaction;
• in response to and subsequent to receipt of the information indicating the first transaction, determine that at least one additional transaction for a respective quantity of funds is expected to be initiated within a given time period and that the at least one additional transaction is eligible for authorization sharing with the first transaction, wherein at least some transactions are not eligible for authorization sharing;
• and
• prior to initiation of said at least one additional transaction, and responsive to and subsequent to said determine that at least one additional transaction for a respective quantity of funds is expected to be initiated and that the at least one additional transaction is eligible for authorization sharing with the first transaction, generate a payment authorization request for a combined quantity of funds equal to at least a sum of the first quantity of funds of the first transaction and the respective quantity of funds of said at least one additional transaction and transmit the payment authorization request to a processing system, wherein the combined quantity of funds is greater than needed for the first transaction.