Royal Bank of Canada and Uber Canada make travel at home and abroad more rewarding with Bonus RBC Rewards Points

In addition to getting 2x the RBC Rewards points, customers using Uber for the first time get up to $20 off their first ride

TORONTO, Dec. 15, 2015 /CNW/ - It's officially the holiday season, which means many Canadians are making travel plans to celebrate with family and friends.  More and more, Avion credit cardholders and other RBC Rewards members are using Uber as a familiar service when they find themselves in another city or country - because travelling should be stress free, with easy ways to enjoy a destination. Starting today, RBC is giving the gift of flexibility and choice to these clients through an exclusive bonus rewards offer with Uber Canada.

Starting December 15, Avioners and other RBC Rewards members will earn 2x the RBC Rewards points for every ride paid for with their eligible RBC credit card anywhere in the world Uber operates. Customers who have already added their Avion or other RBC Rewards credit card to the Uber app will automatically start earning bonus points with each purchase worldwide. And, first time Uber riders, will get up to $20 off their first ride.

"We're focused on finding new ways to make our clients lives easier - whether it's earning more points through bonus offers on services they are already using, or making payments faster with advances like tap or our mobile RBC Wallet," says Athena Varmazis, vice-president, Global Loyalty Programs and Rewards, Royal Bank of Canada. "This exclusive offer with Uber is another way we're giving Avioners and RBC Rewards members the choice and flexibility to reach their redemption goals faster, whether for travel on any airline, the latest merchandise, or Payback with Points, which allows points to be used towards a credit card balance."‎

According to the 2015 Loyalty Report from Bond Brand Loyalty, 70 per cent of RBC Royal Bank clients modify when and where they buy items to maximize the rewards points they receive, showing that Canadians place a high value on earning rewards points faster. With this new offer, RBC and Uber are offering Avioners and other RBC Rewards members more choice and flexibility when it comes to how they can earn even more RBC Rewards points.

Maximize points with Uber this holiday season and into 2016, at home or worldwide

If you're already an Uber user with an Avion or other RBC Rewards credit card loaded into the app, simply pay for your next Uber purchase with that card and earn 2x RBC Rewards points.

New to Uber?

• Visit the RBC Rewards-Uber website to sign up as a user: www.uber.com/rbc.
• Create an account and load your RBC Rewards credit card.
• Download the Uber app to your phone.
• Order your services. Whether it's transportation or food delivery services from UberEATS, you'll earn 2x the points for purchases in Canada and worldwide where Uber operates, as long as you pay wth your RBC Rewards credit card.
• If you're a first time Uber user, simply enter the promo code: RBCREWARDS to get up to $20 off your first ride.

"As we begin the holiday season, we're thrilled to work with RBC to give riders even greater value for their money," said Ian Black, general manager of Uber Canada. "When working with other organizations, Uber is always looking to build relationships with those focused on innovation and meeting the changing needs of consumers and RBC is leading that charge among Canadian companies."

Available in more than 350 cities in 64 countries, passengers can use the Uber app to request rides and track their reserved vehicle's location. When you reach your destination, your preloaded credit card is charged with the predefined tip applied, and an electronic receipt is emailed directly to you.

For more information, visit www.rbcrewards.com or www.uber.com/rbc.

About RBC Rewards
As one of Canada's premier providers of loyalty programs, RBC has the reward options that help clients get the most from their points. From using points to pay down their credit card balances with Payback with Points to exciting merchandise, travel and gift cards redemptions, Canadians have flexibility and choice in how they use their points. For more information, please visit www.rbcrewards.com.

ABOUT RBC
Royal Bank of Canada is Canada's largest bank, and one of the largest banks in the world, based on market capitalization. We are one of North America's leading diversified financial services companies, and provide personal and commercial banking, wealth management, insurance, investor services and capital markets products and services on a global basis. We employ approximately 78,000 full- and part-time employees who serve more than 16 million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients through offices in Canada, the U.S. and 37 other countries. For more information, please visit rbc.com.

RBC supports a broad range of community initiatives through donations, sponsorships and employee volunteer activities. In 2014, we contributed more than $111 million to causes worldwide, including donations and community investments of more than $76 million and $35 million in sponsorships.

About Uber Canada
Co-founded by Canadian entrepreneur Garrett Camp in 2009, Uber has changed the way people connect to get around town. Present in over 30 communities in Canada, Uber offers more than 20,000 Canadian driver partners a new way to earn a living in their spare time by offering a more affordable transportation alternative to hundreds of thousands of riders across the country.  For more information, visit: uber.com.

SOURCE RBC

For further information:

Heather Colquhoun, RBC Communications
Susie Heath, Uber Canada