The method and system of the invention provide a variety of techniques for
processing a microtransaction, wherein the microtransaction is a low
monetary amount. In accordance with the invention, the method starts with
a customer initiating a purchase through interaction with a merchant. The
purchase is associated with purchase information, which includes the
particulars of the purchase, such as the purchase price. In the purchase,
the customer uses a transaction account, obtained from a payment enabler.
The merchant submits the purchase information for processing of the
purchase information. Thereafter, the purchase is classified as a
microtransaction, if the purchase price is below a predetermined monetary
amount. Thereafter, the purchase information is forwarded for processing
based on the classifying, i.e., as a result of the purchase being
classified as a microtransaction. Then, upon receipt of the purchase
information by an appropriate recipient, such as an interchange entity or
an alternate interchange entity, the purchase information is processed to
effect the microtransaction between the customer and the merchant.