The RBC British Airways Visa Infinite is a co-branded travel credit card that earns British Airways Avios directly on all eligible Visa purchases — with Avios credited to your British Airways Executive Club account for redemption on British Airways, WestJet, American Airlines, Iberia, Japan Airlines, and other Avios partner airlines. A standout feature is the companion voucher benefit (when spending thresholds are met), making it particularly valuable for couples or families travelling together on BA routes. At $165/year, it is a premium choice for committed Avios collectors.
Quick Verdict
Best for: Avios enthusiasts who want to earn directly in the British Airways Executive Club programme — particularly valuable for those who regularly travel transatlantic on British Airways or will use the companion voucher benefit.
Not ideal for: Aeroplan loyalists (the RBC Avion Visa Infinite or CIBC/TD Aeroplan cards are better); those who want a single flexible points currency (Avion Points are transferable to multiple programmes; Avios are locked to British Airways ecosystem).
Key Card Details
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $165 — verify at rbc.com |
| Income requirement | ~$60,000 individual (Visa Infinite standard) |
| Network | Visa (Infinite tier) |
| Rewards | British Airways Avios (directly) |
| Companion voucher | Yes — verify current terms at rbc.com |
| Foreign transaction fee | 2.5% — verify at rbc.com |
| Welcome bonus | Verify current offer at rbc.com |
| Membership | British Airways Executive Club (free to join) |
Card terms and features are subject to change. Verify all current details at rbc.com before applying.
Earn Rates
Verify all current earn rates at rbc.com.
| Spending Category | Avios Earned |
|---|---|
| British Airways purchases (flights, holidays) | Elevated — verify |
| All other eligible Visa purchases | Base rate — verify |
Avios Redemption Sweet Spots for Canadians
| Route / Use | Avios Strategy |
|---|---|
| Short-haul North America | AA/BA zones — verify current Avios chart |
| Transatlantic Business Class (BA) | Higher Avios cost but premium cabins available |
| WestJet flights | Avios redeemable for WestJet — verify at westjet.com |
| Companion voucher (RBC BA card) | Second seat for taxes/fees — significant value for couples |
| Transfer to Iberia Plus | 1:1 — use Iberia for different Avios pricing |
Visa Infinite Benefits
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Emergency medical travel insurance | Verify at rbc.com |
| Trip cancellation/interruption | When travel charged to card |
| Car rental CDW | Decline rental CDW — verify terms |
| Purchase protection | Verify at rbc.com |
| Extended warranty | Verify at rbc.com |
| Visa Infinite Dining | Selected dining experiences |
| Visa Infinite Concierge | 24/7 travel and lifestyle concierge |
| Visa Infinite Hotel Collection | Best available rates |
Fees and Rates
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $165 |
| Additional cardholder fee | Verify at rbc.com |
| Purchase interest rate | Verify at rbc.com |
| Cash advance rate | Verify at rbc.com |
| Foreign transaction fee | Verify at rbc.com (typically 2.5%) |
RBC British Airways Visa Infinite vs. Other Canadian Avios Earning Options
| Method | Card / Programme | Avios Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Direct earn | RBC British Airways Visa Infinite | Direct on Visa spend |
| Transfer from MR | Amex Cobalt (5x dining → Avios) | 5:1 on dining, 1:1 transfer |
| Transfer from MR | Amex Gold Rewards (2x everything) | 2:1 on all, 1:1 transfer |
| Transfer from Avion | RBC Avion Visa Infinite | Transfer Avion → Avios at 1:1 |
MR → Avios via Amex Cobalt is a potent Canadian Avios earning strategy — earning 5x Amex MR on food and drink spending (restaurants, takeout, groceries) and transferring to British Airways Avios at 1:1 = effectively 5 Avios per dollar on food spending. The RBC BA Visa Infinite earns Avios directly, which is simpler but at lower rates than the Amex Cobalt on dining categories.
Who Is the RBC British Airways Visa Infinite Best For?
Ideal cardholders:
- Canadians who regularly travel on British Airways routes (Canada to London Heathrow and beyond) and want to accumulate Avios directly on a Visa
- Couples and families who will use the companion voucher for transatlantic travel — the companion voucher alone can justify the annual fee many times over
- Avios enthusiasts who also hold an Amex card for the Cobalt 5x dining → Avios transfer (the RBC BA Visa complements the Amex Cobalt)
- Those who want to access WestJet redemptions via Avios
Less suitable if:
- You’re Aeroplan-focused — TD or CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite is the better tool
- You want a single flexible currency — RBC Avion Visa Infinite (Avion Points transfer to multiple programmes) is more versatile
- You spend heavily on dining — Amex Cobalt earns 5x MR (→ Avios) on dining vs. base Avios on the BA card; Amex Cobalt + British Airways transfer is more efficient for food spenders
Bottom Line
The RBC British Airways Visa Infinite is a focused premium card for Canadian Avios enthusiasts — earning Avios directly on Visa purchases with the companion voucher as a standout benefit for couples. It complements an Amex Cobalt strategy well (Amex for 5x dining → Avios, RBC BA Visa for all other Visa spend) for those building a large Avios balance toward transatlantic Business Class redemptions.
Card terms, Avios earn rates, companion voucher terms, and features are subject to change. Verify all current details at rbc.com and britishairways.com before applying.