MD
Jul 5, 00, 11:26 am
TORONTO, July 5 /CNW/ - Royal Bank today announced the introduction of
the new Royal Bank Visa AVION Gold, a flexible travel rewards loyalty program.
The AVION card will replace Royal Bank's Canadian Plus Visa card. Until their
December 2000 statement, cardholders will continue to earn Canadian Plus
points toward award travel.
"Royal Bank has worked closely with Canadian Airlines to ensure that the
best interests of our customers were front and centre," said Marlene Thompson,
Royal Bank's vice-president, value added programs, loyalty and partnerships,
card services. "Clients can be confident that Royal Bank is behind them all
the way during this transitional period. Royal Bank Canadian Plus Visa
cardholders will have the flexibility to continue to earn points on Canadian
Airlines while being introduced to our new Royal Bank Visa AVION Gold."
Royal Bank Visa AVION Gold cardholders will continue to earn points
toward free flights. Beginning in September, Royal Bank will offer business
and vacation travelers AVION points toward flights on scheduled airlines with
no black out periods and fewer restrictions on seats, flight times and
destinations. Visa AVION's pricing, features and benefits are identical to the
popular Canadian Plus Visa product.
"Customers told us they want a credit card that allows them to earn
points toward free travel without being restricted to only one airline
carrier," added Thompson. "Royal Bank Visa AVION Gold cards will go the extra
mile by offering the flexibility of booking flights on a variety of scheduled
airlines."
The launch of Royal Bank Visa AVION Gold cards follows the announcement
of the merger of Canadian Airlines' Canadian Plus frequent flyer program with
Air Canada's Aeroplan program, effective January 1, 2001.
Royal Bank Visa AVION Gold cards are being mailed to existing clients
starting July 5, 2000 to replace all Canadian Plus Visa cards. Cardholders
will earn one AVION point for every one-dollar purchase charged to their Royal
Bank Visa AVION Gold card account. AVION points will be automatically
converted to Canadian Plus points, one-to-one, until their December statement.
The new cards offer insurance features with travelers in mind, including
purchase security and extended warranty protection, as well as worldwide
insurance for automobile rental, collision and loss or damage. The new line of
cards also offers insurance for travel accidents, emergency purchases and
hotel or motel burglaries. Royal Bank's Visa AVION Gold cards include a $5,000
minimum line of credit, as well as instant discounts of up to 25 per cent at
over 3,500 Royal Bank Visa Partner retail locations. A fee of $120 per year
applies.
Royal Bank of Canada (RY) is a diversified global financial services
group and a leading provider of personal and commercial banking, investment
and trust services, insurance, corporate and investment banking, on-line
banking and transaction-based services including custody. The group's main
business units include Royal Bank, RBC Dominion Securities, Royal Investment
Services, RBC Insurance and Global Integrated Solutions. The group has 49,000
employees who serve 10 million personal, business and public sector customers
in 30 countries. For more information, visit Royal Bank's Web site at www.royalbank.com. (http://www.royalbank.com.)
the new Royal Bank Visa AVION Gold, a flexible travel rewards loyalty program.
The AVION card will replace Royal Bank's Canadian Plus Visa card. Until their
December 2000 statement, cardholders will continue to earn Canadian Plus
points toward award travel.
"Royal Bank has worked closely with Canadian Airlines to ensure that the
best interests of our customers were front and centre," said Marlene Thompson,
Royal Bank's vice-president, value added programs, loyalty and partnerships,
card services. "Clients can be confident that Royal Bank is behind them all
the way during this transitional period. Royal Bank Canadian Plus Visa
cardholders will have the flexibility to continue to earn points on Canadian
Airlines while being introduced to our new Royal Bank Visa AVION Gold."
Royal Bank Visa AVION Gold cardholders will continue to earn points
toward free flights. Beginning in September, Royal Bank will offer business
and vacation travelers AVION points toward flights on scheduled airlines with
no black out periods and fewer restrictions on seats, flight times and
destinations. Visa AVION's pricing, features and benefits are identical to the
popular Canadian Plus Visa product.
"Customers told us they want a credit card that allows them to earn
points toward free travel without being restricted to only one airline
carrier," added Thompson. "Royal Bank Visa AVION Gold cards will go the extra
mile by offering the flexibility of booking flights on a variety of scheduled
airlines."
The launch of Royal Bank Visa AVION Gold cards follows the announcement
of the merger of Canadian Airlines' Canadian Plus frequent flyer program with
Air Canada's Aeroplan program, effective January 1, 2001.
Royal Bank Visa AVION Gold cards are being mailed to existing clients
starting July 5, 2000 to replace all Canadian Plus Visa cards. Cardholders
will earn one AVION point for every one-dollar purchase charged to their Royal
Bank Visa AVION Gold card account. AVION points will be automatically
converted to Canadian Plus points, one-to-one, until their December statement.
The new cards offer insurance features with travelers in mind, including
purchase security and extended warranty protection, as well as worldwide
insurance for automobile rental, collision and loss or damage. The new line of
cards also offers insurance for travel accidents, emergency purchases and
hotel or motel burglaries. Royal Bank's Visa AVION Gold cards include a $5,000
minimum line of credit, as well as instant discounts of up to 25 per cent at
over 3,500 Royal Bank Visa Partner retail locations. A fee of $120 per year
applies.
Royal Bank of Canada (RY) is a diversified global financial services
group and a leading provider of personal and commercial banking, investment
and trust services, insurance, corporate and investment banking, on-line
banking and transaction-based services including custody. The group's main
business units include Royal Bank, RBC Dominion Securities, Royal Investment
Services, RBC Insurance and Global Integrated Solutions. The group has 49,000
employees who serve 10 million personal, business and public sector customers
in 30 countries. For more information, visit Royal Bank's Web site at www.royalbank.com. (http://www.royalbank.com.)