The RBC ION+ Visa punches well above its $48 annual fee with a 3x Avion points earn rate on grocery, dining, streaming, transit, and rideshare — categories that capture a significant share of most Canadians’ monthly spending. It is one of the best-value entry-level rewards cards in Canada, offering the same Avion points currency as the premium RBC Avion Visa Infinite at a fraction of the cost.
Quick Verdict
Best for: Canadians who spend regularly on groceries, restaurants, streaming subscriptions, and transit, and want access to the Avion rewards programme without a high annual fee or income requirement.
Not ideal for: Those who want comprehensive travel insurance (the ION+ does not include it), cardholders who want to transfer points to Aeroplan, or heavy spenders who would benefit from the RBC Avion Visa Infinite’s higher overall earn rate and premium perks.
Key Card Details
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $48 |
| Additional cardholder fee | Verify at rbc.com |
| Purchase interest rate | 20.99% |
| Cash advance rate | 22.99% |
| Foreign transaction fee | 2.5% |
| Income requirement | None stated |
| Network | Visa |
| Welcome bonus | Verify current offer at rbc.com |
Card terms, earn rates, and welcome bonus are subject to change. Verify all details at rbc.com before applying.
Welcome Bonus
RBC typically offers a welcome bonus for new ION+ Visa cardholders. Offers vary — verify the current bonus at rbc.com. A typical introductory offer may include 7,500 Avion points after first purchase or a minimum spend in the first 90 days.
What 7,500 Avion points are worth:
- Redeemed via Avion travel portal: approximately $75–$120 depending on route
- Transferred to British Airways Avios: can yield one-way short-haul flight
- Statement credit or merchandise: approximately $60–$75
Earn Rates
| Spending Category | Earn Rate |
|---|---|
| Grocery purchases | 3 Avion points per $1 |
| Restaurants and fast food | 3 Avion points per $1 |
| Streaming subscriptions | 3 Avion points per $1 |
| Daily transit and rideshare | 3 Avion points per $1 |
| All other purchases | 1.5 Avion points per $1 |
Verify current category definitions and any annual caps at rbc.com.
Annual earn estimate
Based on $2,000/month spend:
| Category | Monthly | Rate | Annual Avion Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | $600 | 3x | 21,600 |
| Restaurants/dining | $250 | 3x | 9,000 |
| Streaming | $60 | 3x | 2,160 |
| Transit/rideshare | $100 | 3x | 3,600 |
| Everything else | $990 | 1.5x | 17,820 |
| Total | $2,000 | 54,180 |
54,180 Avion points per year — at approximately 1¢ per point in standard redemptions, that is roughly $542 in annual rewards value before the $48 fee. Net annual value: approximately $494 — an outstanding return for a $48/year card.
Redeeming Avion Points
| Redemption Option | Value Per Point | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Avion Air Travel Redemption Schedule | ~1.0–1.5¢ | Fixed chart — best value on many routes |
| British Airways Avios transfer | Varies | 1:1 ratio; good for Avios sweet spots |
| American Airlines AAdvantage | Varies | US routes and transatlantic |
| WestJet Dollars | ~1¢ | Simple conversion toward WestJet flights |
| Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | Varies | Asia routes, premium cabin value |
| Gift cards / merchandise | ~0.8¢ | Lower value than travel |
Verify current transfer partners, ratios, and the Avion redemption chart at rbc.com.
Note on Aeroplan: RBC Avion points do not transfer to Air Canada Aeroplan. If you want to earn Aeroplan, look at co-branded Aeroplan cards from TD, CIBC, or Amex.
Benefits
The ION+ Visa is an entry-level card. It does not include premium travel insurance or airport lounge access. Standard benefits include:
- Purchase security: 90 days against accidental damage, theft, or loss on eligible new purchases
- Extended warranty: May double manufacturer’s warranty on eligible items — verify at rbc.com
- Visa Zero Liability: Protection against unauthorised card use
- Mobile wallet support: Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay
Fees and Rates
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $48 |
| Purchase interest rate | 20.99% |
| Cash advance rate | 22.99% |
| Foreign transaction fee | 2.5% |
RBC ION+ Visa vs. Amex Cobalt: Comparing Entry-Level Rewards Cards
The Amex Cobalt ($155.88/year) is Canada’s strongest food-and-drink card; the ION+ ($48/year) is the stronger value for budget-conscious rewards earners.
| Feature | RBC ION+ Visa | Amex Cobalt |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $48 | $155.88 ($12.99/month) |
| Grocery earn | 3x Avion | Up to 5x MR (if merchant qualifies) |
| Restaurant earn | 3x Avion | 5x MR |
| Streaming earn | 3x Avion | 3x MR |
| Transit earn | 3x Avion | 2x MR (travel) |
| Everywhere else | 1.5x Avion | 1x MR |
| Network | Visa (wide acceptance) | Amex (gaps at some merchants) |
| Travel insurance | Basic only | Basic only |
| Points program | Avion (airline transfers) | MR (Aeroplan transfer, multiple airlines) |
| Amex acceptance gaps | No | Yes |
Choose the ION+ for grocery and all-around spend with Visa acceptance, a lower annual fee, and no Amex acceptance concerns.
Choose the Cobalt if you earn 5x on qualifying food merchants and want Aeroplan transfer access — the ceiling on Cobalt value is higher, but the cost is more than 3x higher.
Who Is the RBC ION+ Visa Best For?
Ideal cardholders:
- RBC banking clients who want to earn Avion points within the RBC ecosystem at a low cost
- Canadians spending $400–$800+/month on grocery and dining who want 3x earn without a premium annual fee
- First-time rewards cardholders who want a simple structure: high earn in 5 everyday categories, 1.5x everywhere else
- Those who prefer Visa over Amex for acceptance reliability
- Cardholders who shop at Costco (Visa accepted; Amex is not)
Less suitable if:
- You want to transfer points to Aeroplan — Avion does not partner with Aeroplan
- You want comprehensive travel insurance included — the ION+ does not offer it
- You qualify for and can maximise the RBC Avion Visa Infinite ($120/year), which earns at higher rates with premium perks
Alternatives
| Card | Annual Fee | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| RBC ION Visa | $48 | Same fee, lower earn rates — ION+ is better for most |
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite | $120 | Premium Avion, travel insurance, lounge eligibility |
| MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard | $120 | 5x on grocery/restaurant, Mastercard |
| Scotiabank Gold Amex | $120 | 5x on grocery/dining, Scene+, no FX fee |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite | $139 | Aeroplan earning, TD ecosystem |
Bottom Line
The RBC ION+ Visa is exceptional value at $48/year. Its 3x Avion earn rate on five major everyday spending categories — grocery, dining, streaming, transit, and rideshare — combined with 1.5x on everything else, rivals rewards cards costing 2–3x more. For RBC banking clients or Canadians who want Avion points without premium card costs, the ION+ is one of the best buys in Canada’s entry-level rewards card market.
Card terms, earn rates, welcome bonus, and transfer partners are subject to change. Verify current details at rbc.com before applying.