Class Action Filed Against Royal Bank of Canada for Price Dripping and Double Ticketing
On August 19, 2025, Klein Lawyers filed a class action against the Royal Bank of Canada (“RBC”) over its pricing practices in the Avion travel rewards program. The lawsuit concerns RBC’s practice of charging fees in a misleading and unlawful manner.
When an Avion Rewards member books a rewards flight or vacation through the Avion Rewards website or mobile app, a mandatory fee (the “Surcharge”) is added to the price only at the final checkout stage. The prices shown before checkout exclude this Surcharge, creating the false impression that the advertised amount is the total price payable. This conduct amounts to drip pricing and double ticketing, both of which are prohibited under sections 52 and 54 of the Competition Act.
What is drip pricing?
Drip pricing happens when a company advertises a price that is unattainable because of mandatory additional charges. In this case, RBC displayed an initial price that did not include the Surcharge, then added the Surcharge only at checkout, even when no extra services were selected. Under section 52(1.3) of the Competition Act, drip pricing is a false or misleading representation.
What is double ticketing?
Double ticketing occurs when a company displays two prices for the same product and charges the higher one. Here, RBC displayed one price without the Surcharge and later displayed, and charged, a higher price including the Surcharge. Section 54(1) of the Competition Act prohibits double ticketing, and section 54(2) makes it a criminal offence.
Who is included in the class action?
The class action is brought on behalf of all individuals who booked travel using Avion Rewards and paid a higher price at checkout than was displayed prior to checkout.
Stay informed
If you booked travel through the Avion Rewards program and were charged this Surcharge, and you would like to be kept informed of developments in the case, please complete our inquiry form below.
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