RBC offers advice for a healthy travel rewards relationship
TORONTO, Sept. 12, 2013 /CNW/ - Do you feel restricted, confused or
neglected in your travel rewards relationship? The good news is you are
not alone. When it comes to booking travel, more than half (56 per
cent) of Canadians say their current travel rewards program does not
allow them to travel on any airline they choose, according to a recent
RBC poll.
"Like any relationship, Canadians want to get the most out of their
loyalty program, particularly when it comes to travel rewards," said
Linda Mantia, executive vice-president, Cards and Payment Solutions,
RBC. "Booking travel with rewards points doesn't have to be
complicated. If your current rewards program isn't working for you,
maybe it's time to consider moving on."
In their current travel rewards relationship, Canadians have also
indicated their rewards program is confusing (39 per cent), the rules
of the program seem to keep changing (38 per cent), and they have had
difficulty redeeming points (31 per cent). For any Canadian that may
suffer from any of these relationship blues, it may be time to find a
new travel rewards card to have and to hold.
Mantia suggests considering the following when determining if you are in
a healthy travel rewards relationship:
-
Check for travel restrictions - When booking travel, do you have the freedom to redeem your points
for any airline? Many programs don't provide airline choice, which can
make it hard to get where you want on the airline, the flight, or the
day you want.
-
Look for freedom, flexibility and choice - Are there restrictions on flying during peak season? You should have
the flexibility to travel when and where you want without having to use
more points or change dates.
-
Not all points are created equal - Does the value of your points fluctuate? Look for a program that has
an easy-to-understand points system, points that are easy to redeem
through a simple and intuitive redemption experience.
-
Maximize rewards points access and utility - Does your rewards program let you redeem your points when and how you
want? Ease of redeeming, together with more options to redeem for
travel or retail rewards, will lead to greater flexibility in
customizing your travel and retail experiences.
"To have a fulfilling travel rewards relationship, it comes down to
being with a program that is easy and clear to understand, knows your
needs and gives you the freedom and choice you deserve," added Mantia.
About the RBC/Ipsos Reid Poll
These are some of the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted between
August 1-2, 2013 on behalf of RBC. For this survey, a sample of 1,282
Canadians from Ipsos' Canadian online panel who indicate being either a
travel rewards program user (n=1,168) or a travel rewards credit card
user (n=357) was interviewed online. Weighting was then employed to
balance demographics to ensure that the sample's composition reflects
that of the adult population according to Census data and to provide
results intended to approximate the sample universe. The precision of
Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this
case, the poll is accurate to within ±3.1 percentage points had all
Canadians adults with travel rewards programs been surveyed, within
±3.3 percentage points had all those with membership in a general
travel rewards program been surveyed, and within ±5.9 percentage points
had all Canadians with a travel rewards credit card been surveyed. All
sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error,
including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.
About RBC Rewards
As one of Canada's premier providers of loyalty programs, RBC has the
reward options that help you get the most from your points. From
exciting merchandise and travel to gift cards, RBC Financial Rewards
vouchers to charitable donations, you have the flexibility to redeem
your points - which never expire - for what's important to you. RBC
Rewards online travel bookings are powered by Travelocity, which makes
booking rewards travel convenient and easy. To find out more about the
freedom that comes with having an RBC Avion card, visit rbc.com/HappierWithAvion.
SOURCE RBC
