A transaction handling system and associated method are described for
handling transactions based on a plurality of rule sets that apply to
point sets (where the point sets contain points that can be consumed for
goods and services, or have some other end-use connotation). Namely, the
rule sets can be associated with respective point lots to define the
characteristics and behavior of the respective point lots. For example,
one rule in an applied rule set can determine whether a consumer is
permitted to make a purchase without having sufficient points in the
consumer's point lot, thus incurring a negative balance in the point lot.
Another rule (e.g., a sandbox rule) can determine whether the consumer is
permitted to use points only within a limited identified environment, or
whether the consumer can use the points in any environment. An override
rule set can override a default rule set on an individual account basis
or on an individual consumer basis. Upon a transaction that affects a
point lot, the transaction handling system can log the transaction in a
record that is associated with the point lot.