he plan was inspired: aProhibition-era-themedwedding in the spec-
tacular backcountry of the BritishColumbia Rocky Mountains. Forthe best man, Morgan Latvanen,there was only one problem: hewas in London, Ontario, with nomoney for a flight.
Thanks to his mom’s generos-ity and her travel rewards card,Latvanen made it to the Rockiesand fulfilled the sacred duty of allbest men – he got the groom tothe ceremony on time.
When he heard about the wed-ding, Latvanen had just investedeverything he had and more inhis first home, and had no ideahow he was going to come upwith the fare for the flight toBritish Columbia, says FannyLatvanen, his mother and thegroom’s aunt. Fortunately, shehad been saving her RBC VisaInfinite Avion card rewards pointsfor just such an occasion.
“He was worrying about everylittle dime, and it relieved somuch stress for him when I wasable to say ‘here’s your ticket.’ Hewas thrilled,” she says.
The wedding turned out to be“absolutely special,” says Fanny.“Everyone dressed in ’30s-eraclothing and the men slept inchuckwagons.”
After using her points for threeround-trip flights – one for herselfand one for each of her two sons– she says that the convenience ofredeeming her points has madeher a lifelong Avion card user.“I’ve tried to use other rewardspoints over the years, and it wassuch a hassle I just gave up. Butwith my Avion card, I’ve alwaysbeen able to book the flights Iwanted.”
While not all young Canadiansare as fortunate as Morgan Lat-vanen, many share his keen desirefor travel experiences, along withthe reality of a limited budget.
There are some excellentoptions available, even at lowerprice points, says Louise Gardiner,senior director of leisure travel forCarlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT)Canada. “Going south is probablyyour best bet. A three-star resort
in Puerto Plata in the Domini-can Republic is under $800, anddepending on the time of year,the Mayan Riviera in Mexico alsooffers some really good values.”
It is wise to keep an eye on aresort’s star rating when bargainhunting, she cautions. “A 2.5-starresort will offer limited food andbeverage choices – you may findthe experience isn’t quite thedream vacation you had in mindwhen you booked it.”
In addition to hoping theirparents will share their travelrewards points, younger travelaficionados can accumulate theirown rewards points, she says. “For
example, RBC offers a studentcard with an annual fee rebatefor student banking and RBCSignature No Limit Bank Accountowners.”
Using a travel rewards cardto pay for things like textbooks– paying it off each month toavoid interest, of course – canhelp reduce vacation costs, evenbringing the cost of a four-starresort stay into budget range, saysGardiner.
Preferred traveller clubs such asthe CWT Vacation Club can alsohelp enhance the travel experi-ence without increasing the cost,she adds. “Our members have
access to a selection of specials,such as shipboard credits thatcan be used for spa treatments orcocktails on board. It’s anothergreat way to stretch the travelbudget.”
Special
This report was produced by RandallAnthony Communications Inc. (www.randallanthony.com) in conjunction with the advertising department of The Globe and Mail. Grant MacMillan, Brand Partnership Manager, [email protected].
AN INFORMATION FEATURE
Part 4: Wedding bells
YOUR CARD / YOUR LIFE
t h e g lo b e a n d m a i l • s at u r day, m ay 4 , 2 01 3
ONLINE?
For more information, visitwww.rbc.com/avion.
His mom’s generosity and travel rewards points made it possible for Morgan Latvanen, in suspenders at right, toattend his cousin’s wedding ceremony in the Rocky Mountains. SUPPLIED
Value-conscious travellers find ways torealize sky-high dreams
A six-part series on ways consumers use credit card rewards to achieve travel goals and save money
TRAVEL SMART
The RBC Visa Infinite Avioncard was designed arounda key premise: clientsshouldn’t have to rely onluck to get the travel rewardsthey want. “Our aim is tocreate a great experience,”says Prashant Sharma, vice-president of RBC’s retailcredit cards.
The result is a straightfor-ward, transparent program,he says. “For every dollar youspend on your card, you geta point, or 1.25 points whenyou use it to pay for travel.When you redeem 15,000points, you receive up to$350 in travel value.”
Just as importantly, thereare no “blackout” periods orlimited access to only a fewseats on a flight. “You canuse your points for any seaton any flight on any airline,at any time of year. If thereis a seat available, you canbook it using your rewardspoints,” says Sharma.
For clients who want as-sistance or guidance makingtheir travel arrangements,RBC has partnered withCarlson Wagonlit Travel; forthose who prefer to maketheir own bookings online, apartnership with Travelocitymakes it simple.
Avioners® can do that.With points that don’t expire^, the RBC® Visa Infinite‡ Avion® cardgives you the power to fly with any airline on any flight, wheneveryou want~. That means no blackout periods or seat restrictions– even during holidays and peak seasons~. Plus, you’ll earn1 RBC Rewards® point for every dollar in purchases*. That’s thepower of being an Avioner ®.
Apply today at rbc.com/avion or call 1-800-769-2511.TM
® / TM Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. RBC and Royal Bank are registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. ‡ All other trademarks are the property of their respective owner(s). ^RBC Rewards points will be cancelled if they remain unredeemed within ninety (90) days after thetermination of the RBC Rewards program or after you voluntarily close your RBC Royal Bank credit card account. ~ Subject to availability. *RBC Rewards points are earned on net purchases only; they are not earned on cash advances (including RBC Royal Bank credit card cheques, balancetransfers, cash-like transactions and bill payments that are not pre-authorized charges that you set up with a merchant), interest charges or fees, and credits for returns and adjustments will reduce or cancel the points earned by the amounts originally charged. †To receive the 15,000bonus RBC Rewards points which will appear on your first statement, your application form must be received by June 30, 2013 and approved by us. Additional cardholders, as well as cardholder(s) with existing RBC Royal Bank travel rewards credit cards, applying for or transferring to anRBC Visa Infinite Avion card as of the offer eligibility period, are not eligible for this offer. This offer may not be combined or used in conjunction with another offer. For complete terms, conditions and restrictions that apply to the RBC Rewards program, visit: www.rbcrewards.com orcall 1-800-769-2512. ** No purchase necessary. Contest starts April 8, 2013 and ends May 31, 2013. Skill-testing question required. For complete contest rules, visit www.rbc.com/avion
Receive 15,000 welcome points upon enrolment†.
Plus receive the chance to WIN** 1 of 10 tripsworth $10,000 in the Avion Power to Fly Contest.
Avioners® can do that.With points that don’t expire^, the RBC® Visa Infinite‡ Avion®
card gives you the power to fly with any airline on any flight,whenever you want~. That means no blackout periods orseat restrictions – even during holidays and peak seasons~.Plus, you’ll earn 1 RBC Rewards® point for every dollar inpurchases*. That’s the power of being an Avioner ®.
The power to flyany airline, any time.
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