A transaction card payment authorization system wherein a user presents the transaction card issued by an issuer to a merchant to facilitate payment to the merchant through an acquirer. The system includes an acquirer server in communication with an issuer server through communication with a data control center. A remote terminal, located with the merchant, is in communication with the acquirer. The terminal is configured to forward the transaction amount and user data the card contains through communication with the acquirer, and in turn, to the data control center for authorization. The data control center assigns an identification code to the transaction and forwards the identification code, the transaction amount, and the user data to the issuer for inclusion in records of the transaction. The issuer server initiates a portable communications device communication to the user at a portable communications device.