The RBC Avion Visa Infinite is RBC’s flagship travel rewards card, and it earns its place in the conversation through flexibility and consistency rather than headline earn rates. Where cards like the Scotiabank Gold Amex or MBNA Rewards World Elite excel in specific spending categories, the Avion takes a different approach: 1.25x Avion Rewards points on every purchase, 1.75x on eligible travel, and access to multiple airline transfer partners. For RBC banking customers who want a reliable travel card without managing bonus categories or spend caps, the Avion is a dependable choice.
Quick Verdict
Best for: RBC banking customers who want a consistent travel rewards card, value flexible airline transfer partners (particularly British Airways Avios for short-haul sweet spots), and prefer a flat earn structure over managing bonus categories.
Not ideal for: Cardholders who want to earn Aeroplan points directly, heavy grocery or restaurant spenders who would earn more from a tiered card, or those who don’t value the flexibility of multi-airline transfers.
Key Card Details
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $120 |
| Additional cardholder fee | $50 |
| Purchase interest rate | 20.99% |
| Cash advance rate | 22.99% |
| Foreign transaction fee | 2.5% |
| Income requirement | $60,000 personal / $100,000 household |
| Network | Visa Infinite |
| Welcome bonus | Up to 55,000 Avion Rewards points (verify current offer with RBC) |
Welcome bonus, earn rates, and annual fee are subject to change. Always verify current terms at rbc.com before applying.
Welcome Bonus
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite typically offers a welcome bonus of up to 55,000 Avion Rewards points, often structured as a base bonus plus a minimum spend incentive.
A common structure:
- 35,000 Avion points on approval
- 20,000 additional points after meeting a minimum spend within the first 3 months
What 55,000 Avion Rewards points are worth:
| Redemption method | Value per point | Total value |
|---|---|---|
| RBC Travel portal (flights) | ~1.0–1.5¢ | $550–$825 |
| British Airways Avios transfer | variable | short-haul sweet spots |
| WestJet Rewards transfer | variable | WestJet flights |
| Statement credit | ~0.67¢ | $369 |
For travel redemptions through the RBC Travel portal, 55,000 points can cover a significant domestic or short-haul US flight booking. Transferred to British Airways Avios, they can unlock short-haul North American flight redemptions with low surcharges.
Earn Rates
| Spending Category | Earn Rate |
|---|---|
| Eligible travel purchases (flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises) | 1.75 Avion points per $1 |
| All other purchases | 1.25 Avion points per $1 |
The Avion Visa Infinite earns at a flat rate — no bonus categories to track for grocery shopping or dining. This simplicity is a genuine benefit for cardholders who find tiered earn structures tedious to manage, though it comes at the cost of higher earn potential in specific categories.
The 1.25x everywhere math: On $2,000/month of total spend, you earn 2,500 Avion points per month, or 30,000 per year. At 1.0–1.5 cents per point for travel redemptions, that is $300–$450 in annual travel value from spending alone — before the welcome bonus.
How much can you earn annually?
Based on a $2,500/month household spend:
| Category | Monthly | Rate | Annual Avion Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible travel | $400 | 1.75x | 8,400 |
| Everything else | $2,100 | 1.25x | 31,500 |
| Total | $2,500 | 39,900 |
39,900 Avion points per year at approximately 1.0–1.5 cents = $399–$599 in annual travel value.
Avion Rewards Transfer Partners
The key differentiator for the RBC Avion Visa Infinite is access to airline transfer partners, giving Avion points flexibility beyond the RBC Travel portal.
| Transfer Partner | Transfer Notes |
|---|---|
| British Airways Avios | Transfer to Avios for short-haul North American redemptions |
| WestJet Rewards | Convert Avion points to WestJet dollars |
| American Airlines AAdvantage | Transfer for North American and transatlantic flights |
| Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | Transfer for Asia routes |
The British Airways Avios opportunity: Avios is particularly valuable for short-haul flights within North America. Under BA’s distance-based award chart, flights under 650 miles can cost as few as 6,000–9,000 Avios one-way in economy — routes like Toronto–Ottawa, Vancouver–Victoria, or cross-border US hops. This makes Avios transfers from the Avion card a strong option for frequent short-haul travellers.
Note: Transfer ratios and partner availability can change. Verify current transfer partners and ratios at rbc.com/avionrewards before planning a redemption.
Redeeming Through the RBC Travel Portal
Avion points can be redeemed for any flight, hotel, or car rental booked through the RBC Travel portal. This removes blackout dates and seat restrictions — if a flight is available for cash purchase, you can book it with Avion points.
How RBC Travel portal redemptions work:
- Points are valued at approximately 1 cent each for most travel bookings
- No blackout dates, no seat restrictions — redeem for any available seat
- Airline surcharges and taxes may apply and are typically charged in points or cash
This approach suits cardholders who prefer flexibility over chasing award chart sweet spots.
Travel Insurance
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite includes a travel insurance package typical for Visa Infinite cards:
Travel emergency medical insurance
Up to $5 million in emergency medical coverage for trips up to 15 days (65 and under); 3 days for those 65 and over. Verify current coverage terms with RBC, as trip duration limits and age-based restrictions apply.
Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
Coverage up to $1,500 per person (up to $5,000 total) for trip cancellation, and up to $5,000 total for trip interruption.
Flight delay insurance
Coverage up to $500 for hotel, meals, and other reasonable expenses when a flight is delayed 4 or more hours.
Lost and delayed baggage insurance
Coverage for delayed baggage expenses (up to $500) and lost or permanently damaged baggage (up to $500 per person).
Rental vehicle collision/loss damage insurance
Coverage for collision damage or theft on rental vehicles for up to 48 consecutive days when you decline the rental agency’s CDW.
Travel accident insurance
Coverage up to $500,000 for accidental death or dismemberment on a common carrier trip.
Purchase protection and extended warranty
- Purchase security: 90 days against theft, loss, and accidental damage
- Extended warranty: Doubles the manufacturer’s warranty up to two additional years
Fees and Rates
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual fee (primary) | $120 |
| Annual fee (additional) | $50 |
| Purchase interest | 20.99% |
| Cash advance | 22.99% |
| Foreign transaction | 2.5% |
Note on the foreign transaction fee: At 2.5%, this card adds cost to international purchases. If you travel frequently or make regular purchases in foreign currencies, consider supplementing with a no-FX-fee card (Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite or Scotiabank Gold Amex) for foreign currency transactions.
Who Is the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Best For?
Ideal cardholders:
- RBC banking customers who want to consolidate their rewards into Avion and potentially unlock airline transfer partners with an existing banking relationship
- Cardholders who prefer the simplicity of a flat earn rate without tracking bonus categories — 1.25x on everything, 1.75x on travel
- Travel enthusiasts who want to access British Airways Avios for short-haul North American redemptions, which can offer outsized value on certain routes
- Those who value flexibility in redeeming — any seat available for cash can be booked with Avion points through the travel portal
- Canadians who don’t want to earn Aeroplan directly (already have Aeroplan points from other sources, or prefer program diversification)
Less suitable if:
- You want to earn Aeroplan points — Avion does not transfer to Aeroplan
- Your top spending categories are groceries or dining — the flat 1.25x rate is outperformed by the MBNA Rewards World Elite (5x on groceries/dining), the Scotiabank Gold Amex (6x/5x), or the Amex Cobalt (5x on food)
- You travel internationally often and need a card without foreign transaction fees
- You want lounge access — the Avion Visa Infinite does not include lounge passes at this tier
RBC Avion Visa Infinite vs. TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite: Which Is Better?
Two strong mid-tier travel cards at the same $120 annual fee with the same Visa Infinite income requirement. The key differences:
| Feature | RBC Avion Visa Infinite | TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $120 | $139 |
| Grocery/gas earn | 1.25x (flat) | 1.5x |
| Travel earn | 1.75x | 1x |
| Points program | Avion (flexible transfers) | Aeroplan (direct) |
| Transfer to Aeroplan | No | Already Aeroplan |
| Transfer to Avios | Yes | Via Aeroplan |
| Free first checked bag | No | Yes (Air Canada) |
| FX fee | 2.5% | 2.5% |
Choose the RBC Avion if: You want program flexibility, prefer 1.75x on travel over 1.5x on groceries/gas, and are interested in British Airways Avios access.
Choose the TD Aeroplan if: You fly Air Canada regularly (free bag, 1.5x on gas and groceries), want NEXUS coverage, or prefer earning directly in Aeroplan.
Alternatives to the RBC Avion Visa Infinite
| Card | Annual Fee | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite | $139 | 1.5x groceries/gas, free Air Canada bag, NEXUS credit, Aeroplan direct |
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite | $150 | No FX fee, 6 lounge passes, Scene+ earn |
| CIBC Avion Rewards Visa Infinite | $139 | Similar Avion program via CIBC, 1.5x on eligible grocery/gas/drug |
| Scotiabank Gold Amex | $120 | 6x Sobeys, 5x dining, no FX fee, same annual fee |
RBC Avion Visa Infinite FAQ
What can I do with Avion Rewards points? Redeem for travel through the RBC Travel portal (any available seat, no blackout dates), transfer to British Airways Avios, WestJet Rewards, American Airlines AAdvantage, and other partners, or use for statement credits, gift cards, and merchandise.
Can I transfer RBC Avion points to Aeroplan? No. Avion Rewards does not transfer to Aeroplan. RBC’s transfer partners include British Airways Avios and WestJet, but not Air Canada’s Aeroplan program. For direct Aeroplan earning, consider the TD or CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite.
What is the income requirement for the RBC Avion Visa Infinite? $60,000 personal income or $100,000 household income — the standard Visa Infinite threshold.
Is the RBC Avion Visa Infinite worth the $120 annual fee? For RBC customers who value flexible airline transfer partners and prefer a flat earn structure, yes. For heavy grocery or restaurant spenders, a tiered-earn card will deliver more value from everyday spending.
How does the RBC Avion Visa Infinite compare to the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite? Both are mid-tier travel cards at similar fee points. The Avion earns 1.25x flat (1.75x travel) with flexible transfers; the TD Aeroplan earns 1.5x on groceries/gas, includes a free Air Canada checked bag, and earns directly in Aeroplan. Choose the Avion for flexibility; choose TD Aeroplan for Air Canada loyalty.
Bottom Line
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite is a solid mid-tier travel card for RBC banking customers who want access to airline transfer partners without committing to a specific program. Its flat earn structure is simple to manage, its welcome bonus is generous, and the British Airways Avios transfer option creates genuine value for short-haul travel. It lacks the category bonus earning of competitors and charges a 2.5% FX fee — making it less competitive against the Scotiabank Gold Amex or Passport for value-maximisers. But as an everyday card anchored to the Avion ecosystem, it delivers consistently.
Card terms, earn rates, transfer partner availability, and welcome bonus are subject to change. Always verify current details at rbc.com before applying.