Collect VIA Préférence Points in Canada and Travel Free by Rail in France

Montréal, April 9 2009 – VIA Rail Canada is pleased to announce an exciting new opportunity for VIA Préférence members who may now redeem their points for free trips on SNCF, the French railway system. From Paris to Perpignan, from Brest to Nice, the extensive SNCF network - including travel on board the highly-popular TGV - will be available for free travel by VIA Préférence members. 

“This new reward opportunity is an exclusive bonus for VIA Préférence members,” says Steve Del Bosco, VIA’s Chief Customer Officer. “We are pleased to be able to share the benefits of this partnership between VIA and SNCF by providing a unique reward opportunity to experience rail travel in France.

A one-way first class ticket on the SNCF network is redeemable for 4,000 points and a second-class is redeemable for 2,500 points.  Each ticket is one-way and will allow one en route transfer.  Reciprocally, members of SNCF’s Grand Voyageur reward program will enjoy a similar opportunity to cash in their S’Miles points for travel on VIA Rail Canada.  For more information on VIA Préférence and rail travel in France, visit: www.viapreference.com

The VIA e-boutique
With the addition of the VIA e-boutique, VIA Préférence now offers a new way for members to earn Préférence points online when shopping at more than 75 retailers including Apple, Avon, Canadian Tire, Indigo, Reitmans, Sephora and Sears. Visit the VIA e-boutique at eboutique.viapreference.com

VIA Rail – SNCF International agreement
The VIA Préférence reward opportunity is the result of a partnership agreement signed in July, 2008, between VIA Rail Canada and SNCF International. The cooperation agreement was forged between the two national rail networks to facilitate the sharing of know-how in the field of passenger train services, for the ultimate benefit of their passengers. 

About VIA Rail Canada
As Canada's national passenger rail service, VIA Rail Canada's mandate is to provide efficient, environmentally sustainable and cost effective passenger transportation services, both in Canada's busiest corridor and in remote and rural regions of the country.  VIA serves more than 450 communities with a network of inter-city, transcontinental and regional trains.

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