System and method including indirect approval

1. A server computer comprising:

a processor; and

a computer readable medium coupled to the processor, wherein the computer readable medium comprises code executable by the processor for implementing a method comprising:

a) receiving an authorization request message, wherein the authorization request message requests authorization to proceed with a transaction conducted between a first party and a second party using a portable device;

b) analyzing the authorization request message by the server computer to determine if the portable device is enrolled in a transaction alert program;

c) if the portable device is enrolled in the transaction alert program, initiating the sending of a transaction alert request message to a third party notification device operated by a third party, the transaction alert request message requesting approval to proceed with the transaction;

d) receiving a transaction alert response message from the third party notification device indicating that the third party approves of the transaction;

e) after receiving the transaction alert response message from the third party notification device:

modifying the authorization request message to include an indicator that indicates to an issuer associated with the portable device that the third party approves of the transaction; and

sending the modified authorization request message to the issuer associated with the portable device;

f) receiving an authorization response message from the issuer; and

g) sending the authorization response message to the second party.

2. The server computer of claim 1 wherein the transaction alert message is a first transaction alert message and wherein the method further comprises sending a second transaction alert message to a first party notification device operated by the first party.

3. The server computer of claim 2 wherein the first party is a consumer and the second party is a merchant.

4. The server computer of claim 2 wherein the transaction is a first transaction, the authorization request message is a first authorization request message and the authorization response message is a first authorization response message, and wherein the method further comprises:

h) receiving a second authorization request message, wherein the second authorization request message requests authorization to proceed with a second transaction conducted between a fourth party and a fifth party using a second portable device;

i) analyzing the second authorization request message by the server computer to determine if the second portable device is enrolled in the transaction alert program;

j) if the second portable device is enrolled in the transaction alert program, initiating the sending of a second transaction alert request message to the third party notification device requesting approval to proceed with the second transaction;

k) receiving a second transaction alert response message from the third party notification device indicating that the third party approves of the second transaction;

l) after receiving the second transaction alert response message from the third party notification device:

modifying the second authorization request message to include an indicator that indicates to the issuer that the third party approves of the second transaction; and

sending the second modified authorization request message to the issuer;

m) receiving a second authorization response message from the issuer; and

n) sending the second authorization response message to the second party.

5. The server computer of claim 4 wherein the first party is a first consumer, the second party is a first merchant, the fourth party is a second consumer, the fifth party is a second merchant, and the third party is an employer of the first consumer and the second consumer.

6. The server computer of claim 5 wherein the first and second portable devices are associated with the same account number.

7. The server computer of claim 1 wherein the first party is a consumer and the second party is a merchant.

8. The server computer of claim 1 wherein the portable device is a debit card or a credit card.

9. The server computer of claim 1 wherein the authorization request message comprises a primary account number, an expiration date associated with the portable device, verification value, and a merchant identifier.

10. The server computer of claim 9 wherein the portable device is a debit card.

11. The server computer of claim 1 wherein the indicator is a binary value that indicates to the issuer that the third party has approved of the transaction.

12. The server computer of claim 1 wherein the authorization request message further includes a service code and an access device identifier.

13. The server computer of claim 1 wherein the portable device includes a contactless element, and wherein the contactless element includes a semiconductor chip and a wireless transfer element.