Stored-value card management method and system

1. A computerized method for real-time activating and issuing of stored-value cards over a communications network, the method comprising:

receiving, by a central processor, a stored-value card purchasing request and in response to receiving the request;

communicating in real-time, by the central processor, with an unaffiliated stored-value card processing network, such network including a stored-value card processor coupled to a stored-value card database and multiple respective merchant communication devices;

communicating in real-time, by the central processor, with a potential or existing stored-value cardholder or card purchaser regarding a stored-value card without utilizing the unaffiliated stored-value card processing network;

activating and issuing, by the central processor, the stored value card; and

managing, by the central processor, a stored-value card transaction.

2. The computerized method of claim 1 , wherein the issuing of the stored-value card is by the central processor directly to said cardholder or card purchaser.

3. The computerized method of claim 1 , wherein said managing includes storing individual cardholder information in a central information database and directly associating each stored-value card transaction and activity accomplished with an individual cardholder identified in said central information database.

4. The computerized method of claim 1 , wherein said managing includes reporting the card activation, issuances, transactions or activities to the cardholder and the merchant.

5. The computerized method of claim 1 , wherein communicating in real-time with the potential or existing stored-value cardholder or card purchaser includes issuing an authorization number related to a card purchase.

6. The computerized method of claim 1 , wherein the stored-value card contains a card verification valued (CVV) number.

7. A method of universally managing multiple unaffiliated stored-value card processing networks, each network including a stored-value card processor connected to a stored-value card database, and multiple respective merchant communication interface devices for communication by respective merchants with said processors, said method comprising a universal central processor:

communicating with a universal stored-value card cardholder information database managed by said universal central processor;

communicating with potential or existing stored-value cardholders or holder benefactors through communication gateways distinct from the unaffiliated stored-value card processing networks,

communicating with the stored-value card processing networks;

electronically activating and issuing stored-value cards to said cardholders or holder benefactors, and

managing stored-value card transactions.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising the central processor associating each of said transactions directly with an individual cardholder identified in said information database.

9. The method of claim 7 , further comprising the central processor sending bonus funds to a card for purchases made.

10. The method of claim 7 , further comprising the central processor electronically sending offers and advertisements to cardholders.

11. The method of claim 7 , further comprising the central processor creating gift card rewards and electronically sending such rewards to cardholders.

12. The method of claim 7 , wherein the stored-value cards contain a card verification valued (CVV) number.

13. A computerized system for electronically providing stored-value cards over a communications network, the system comprising:

a central information database for storing stored-value cardholder information;

a central processor for receiving card purchasing requests from respective stored-value card holders or card purchasers, said central processor coupled for communication to multiple unaffiliated stored-value card processing networks, each network including a stored-value card processor coupled to a stored value card database and multiple respective merchant communication devices, said central processor programmed in response to a card purchaser request for communicating with a respective processor to electronically activate and issue a stored-value card, wherein said card purchaser request is received without utilizing the unaffiliated stored-value card processing networks, and said central processor programmed for managing transactions originated by the cardholder or card processor for the stored-value cards.

14. The computerized system of claim 13 , wherein said central processor is programmed to associate each stored-value card transaction accomplished through one of said unaffiliated stored-value card processing networks with an individual cardholder identified in said central information database.

15. The computerized system of claim 13 , wherein said central processor is programmed for reporting the card activations, issuances, transactions and activities to the cardholders and the merchants.

16. The computerized system of claim 13 , wherein said central processor is programmed to issue an authorization number in response to receiving a card purchasing request.

17. The computerized system of claim 13 , said stored-value cards including gift cards, prepaid cards and reward cards.

18. The computerized system of claim 13 , wherein said merchant communication devices include a point-of-sale (POS) terminal or a communication gateway.

19. The computerized system of claim 13 , wherein the stored-value card is communicated to the cardholder with a card verification valued (CVV) number.