Feel Pampered Rather Than Stressed While Holiday Shopping #AvionVIP

If only holiday shopping could be more enjoyable… If only.

My holiday shopping experience seems to be the same every year. As soon as I put that flasher on to enter the shopping mall it’s like entering a world of impatience and aggravation. It all starts with driving around in circles till’ I basically become dizzy to find a parking place. Once parked, likely in the most awkward place, I enter the mall to inevitably feel like a sardine in a tin box. Wanting to maintain my sanity, I make it my mission to get in and out as quick as possible. Unfortunately, it never happens! I end up carrying a hundred bags and sweating like a woman going through menopause being stuck behind that one person who thinks walking like a snail is how to survive holiday shopping.

The Royal Bank of Canada knows I’m not the only person that gets overwhelmed with the hustle and bustle of shopping. To make holiday shopping this season feel less like a headache and more like a day of pampering, RBC has organized the RBC Avion Holiday Boutique VIP lounge. Available at select malls throughout Canada, the Holiday Boutique VIP lounge is available free of charge to Avion credit card holders.

Being an Avion card holder myself, I decided to make my way over to Mall Champlain on the South Shore of Montreal to see if the RBC Avion Holiday Boutique VIP lounge could eliminate the dread from my holiday shopping.

From the moment of arrival life was easier, I pulled up to a designated door and dropped off my car at the VIP Avion valet parking! All I had to do was show my credit card and they took care of the stress!

At the lounge, my family and I were welcomed by a friendly concierge who invited us into the lounge where a multitude of perks wereoffered. I first noticed that the lounge had a coat check available which is a great service to avoid sweaty holiday shopping. No more heavy coat us Montrealers have to wear while shopping!

Two of the staff members were happily wrapping presents which is also included for free at the lounge. We didn’t have anything to wrap yet, so we decided to enjoy the refreshments and the small snacks offered at the lounge bar. Ava was excited to learn that the refreshment area offered her favorite Scottish shortbread cookies. Older kids can enjoy the vast array of candies offered too. My husband had a brewed a coffee while I was made a hot chocolate with real marshmallows.  No looking for a seat in the food court and waiting in lines to get something to eat – so much for holiday shopping stress!

While waiting for our drinks we decided to check out the lounge area. Roomy and beautifully decorated with calming holiday colors, the area is perfect to de-stress from the crowds outside. You can also sit down and read your email or a book while the workers in the back wrap all your holiday presents.

By this time, Ava was feeling really special. Not only was she being treated to a snack, but she discovered there were books for kids in the lounge area. She instantly crawled up and sat on one of leather sofas like she owned the place while looking through a book. Our little 2-year-old completely forgot we were there and was clearly enjoying the experience! Needless to say, the lounge can come in handy to settle down a cranky toddler while shopping!

The lounge also had a beautiful piano where a pianist plays music at select times of the day. He was not playing when we arrived, but i’m sure it would have added to cheery and relaxing atmosphere of the lounge.

After enjoying our drinks and treats in the lounge, we headed out to do our shopping. There was no stress and aggravation just happiness after our little pampering experience. This was the first year I can say I had a relaxing holiday shopping experience and it’s all because I’m an Avioner!

If you are an Avion card holder you can take advantage of the RBC Avion Holiday Boutique VIP Lounge to December 31, 2013 at the following malls in Canada:

• Yorkdale in Toronto
• Mail Champlain in Montreal
• Coquitlam near Vancouver
• Halifax Shopping Centre

Are you interested in becoming an RBC Avion credit card holder? I have been an Avioner for least five years and chose the card because my husband and I love to travel.

The Avion Card is specifically designed for people who love to travel:

• You earn RBC Rewards points every time you make a purchase with your RBC Avion card.
• Earn 1 RBC Rewards point for every dollar spent on purchases. Plus, earn bonus points when shopping through the RBC Rewards eMall.
• Premium and Extensive Insurance package including trip cancellation and protection for your trip, hotel, rental vehicle, and purchases.
• Choose air travel rewards from the Air Travel Redemption Schedule starting as low as 15,000 points and fly on any airline, anytime with no blackouts, or seat restrictions†.
• Book travel rewards instantly. Only the RBC Rewards program has an online booking tool that’s powered by Travelocity.

Check out both the RBC Infinite Avion Card and the RBC Platinum Avion Card details here: http://www.rbcroyalbank.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards/

Disclosure: I am part of the RBC Avion Holiday Boutique Blogger Campaign with Mom Central Canada and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group.  The opinions on this blog are my own.