hydrogen

What does this mean? That AC/RBC is trying to find a way to disqualify FF credit if you book via AC but get partial reimbursement via RBC points?

If that's the case, looks like it will be pushing me to redeem OAL...

SparseFlyer

My guess (and really, this is just a guess so AC antagonists please don't jump on me) us that RBC negotiated a contract with AC for lower ticket price. So when you redeem $1300 on $7500, RBC purchases the ticket for 5-10% off and so only really gives you $800 back instead of $1300.

This would also be why the RBC agents are not encouraged to give you a statement credit, because doing so ends up costing them full value of points redeemed (imagine Aeroplan telling you that you could book any flight you want and then give you a credit card refund for points redeemed).

And so, I can see AC trying to recoup some of that lost revenue by cutting the "cost" of the ticket and scrapping some of the benefits.

But again, I'm speculating.

rehoult

RBC negotiated a bulk non-mile earning fare with AC, of course AC is going to enforce the contracted rules. Not giving the mileage was one of the reasons they agreed to offer the lower price.

Fiordland

I wonder how many are in the same boat that I am in. I collect a lot a Avion points and a good number on AMEX. If I know I am doing a trip more than three weeks out I will book with AVION otherwise I will buy a ticket direct from AC. Usually make 35k. Now, pretty certain I will not. That pretty much kills any incentive to flyer AC over WestJet. In fact AMEX lounges are generally more convenient form WestJet and Delta flights.

Does anyone know if the same things applies to united flights that include AC segments?

PointWeasel

If that was true, but it is most definitely not in the escalated calls booked in another system. The fare is the same as the GDS or higher in some cases.

These bookings are the exception to the vast majority of bookings RBC Travel Rewards encourages cardholders to book thru using the Orbitz portal.

Moving forward it will be statement credit only.

jnswinnipeg

This is really bad news and bad service from RBC. I never received any notice and don't see this on anything related to tickets I book for this winter.

My tickets are booked on United stock as our outbound is with UA. Anyone know how UA is impacted? As I am booked in 161 UA stock will that make any difference?

NOT HAPPY!

MasterGeek

Can you explain give more details about this procedure ? Is it so you can be booked on a higher fare class than if you simply do it all on AC.com yourself?

pewpew

UA stock is 016...?

ZNK

Today I called the RBC Rewards phone line and told them I wanted to book a flight in a fare class that wasn't available online, explaining that my wife works at RBC in Saskatoon and said I could ask for a ticket to be filed so I could book through the airline directly. The lady on the phone didn't seem to have a problem with it and began asking me a few details of the itinerary and a few security questions. About one or two exchanges after I mentioned I wanted a flight with Air Canada though, she told me there were specialists she could transfer me to to book the different fare class but I politely told her no, because I didn't want to incur the $30 fee for booking over the phone.

From there, she provided me with a file number and directions on what to do to book my flight (book directly using AC.com and using your Avion Visa). After I booked the flight, I emailed them my itinerary/receipt and called back an hour later to finish the process. Your card then gets credited the ticket price up to whatever the maximum is according to the schedule and the points get deducted from your account.

I was able to get a flight from Saskatoon to Penticton via YVR in Business Class Lowest (business seating only YXE-YVR segments) for 35,000 points + $165 in overages and taxes (flight total was $915). Not bad considering the options online were 35,000 points + at least $90 in Tango!

SparseFlyer

Wow, nice. Thanks for sharing ^

PointWeasel

I would disagree.

As a longtime FTer, history has shown that AC routinely reads FT for ways to screw us even more.

The statement credit option is not widely available and only offered in unique circumstances, by referral to a specialty booking team. The general RBC Travel Rewards agents are not able to process these. In fact, some of the regular agents will advise that if the flights are not on the website, they cannot be booked:

https://www.rbcrewards.com/#!/travel

MasterGeek

So you want to keep the information hidden, except for a few people ?

SparseFlyer

Well, he is a point weasel after all

Edit: Besides, if AC cut the mileage accrual due to the bulk fare agreement, then I doubt they'll care if you book on AC.com as they'll be getting more cash out of you doing this. It's RBC finding out that I'd be worried about.

F 1

Terrible news for me. Most of my travel for business is booked using RBC Avion points. There goes potentially the last real reason for me to prioritize booking travel on AC instead of another carrier.

PointWeasel

There is a wee feature on FT called PM. I find it quite handy.

RBC is not keen on these either as it creates slightly more work for them, hence, the details missing on the link I posted above.

From my viewpoint this will now make me book away from AC.