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RBC (RY-T) and HTS (Hopper Technology Solutions), a division of Hopper, Inc., have come together to overhaul RBC’s popular Avion Rewards travel offering, to provide RBC credit card holders and Avion card holders an improved travel booking experience.
A press release sent out by RBC states the new Avion Rewards Travel Portal, set to launch this summer, “will be seamlessly integrated into the Avion Rewards ecosystem, allowing members to use their Avion points across all travel categories, providing them with greater capabilities for booking flights, accommodations, car rentals, activities and packages.”
The decision to partner with HTS came about following what Shadi McIsaac, vice-president, consumer rewards at RBC, described as a global RFP process in an interview with TechNX over email.
“RBC has chosen to partner with HTS to strengthen and transform the travel experience offered through Avion Rewards,” she said. “HTS has built travel platforms for millions of users globally and brings proven expertise in delivering speed, a range of choice and data-driven tools.”
She added that by working with HTS, RBC can integrate advanced travel technology and predictive capabilities in a quicker and more effective way, “which allows RBC to accelerate the delivery of a more modern, seamless booking experience while continuing to enhance the value of Avion Rewards for cardholders.”
Elevating the travel booking experience
HTS provides AI platforms, travel-commerce and fintech tools to banks, airlines and travel service providers. The firm has partnered with international airlines and travel providers, including Capital One, Air Canada, Virgin Australia, Tripadvisor and Frontier Airlines.
"As a proudly Canadian company, we're thrilled to team up with RBC, Canada's leading bank, to bring next-generation travel innovation to Canadians and deliver a more dynamic, personalized, and rewarding experience for Avion Rewards members," said Dakota Smith, president and co-founder of Hopper and HTS in a press release. "RBC continues to set the standard for what clients expect from a world-class bank, and this venture underscores our shared commitment to redefining travel and loyalty through best-in-class technology."
McIsaac said the move to update the travel portal was driven by shifts in consumer expectations. Canadians are travelling more and increasingly demanding a more seamless, flexible and personalized digital experience when planning and booking travel, she said.
“This evolution is part of RBC’s broader strategy to build a more integrated ecosystem around clients’ everyday needs, allowing the bank to play a larger role across the full travel journey rather than just the transaction," she said “It also strengthens RBC’s competitive position in the travel and loyalty space by expanding capabilities and delivering greater value to cardholders.”
McIsaac added the new portal will give RBC’s clients expanded booking capabilities across flights, hotels, car rentals and travel packages. It will also feature new “data driven tools, including price predictions insights to help optimize booking timing.”
“What differentiates RBC is the integration of travel booking within a broader loyalty and financial ecosystem,” McIsaac said. “Unlike standalone travel platforms, Avion Rewards allows clients to earn and redeem points across their full travel experience, supported by RBC’s scale and trust, creating a more connected and value-driven offering.”
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