The RBC ION Visa is RBC’s entry-level Avion rewards credit card, designed to bring Avion points earning to Canadians who do not yet qualify for — or do not want to pay for — a premium travel card. At $48 per year, it earns 1.5 Avion points per dollar on grocery, streaming, gas, transit, and rideshare purchases, giving everyday spenders access to RBC’s travel rewards ecosystem at a low annual cost.
Quick Verdict
Best for: Canadians who want to start earning Avion points without a high annual fee or strict income requirements, and whose spending is concentrated in grocery, streaming, and transit categories.
Not ideal for: Heavy restaurant spenders or grocery-first earners who will extract significantly more value from the ION+ Visa at the same $48 annual fee, or those who want to transfer points to Aeroplan (Avion does not transfer to Aeroplan).
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 periodically offers a welcome bonus for new ION Visa cardholders, typically in the range of 3,500 Avion points after first purchase or after meeting a minimum spend. Verify the current welcome bonus at rbc.com before applying — offers change throughout the year.
What 3,500 Avion points are worth:
- Redeemed for flights via Avion portal: approximately $35–$70 depending on route
- Transferred to British Airways Avios (at a favourable ratio): can stretch further on short-haul redemptions
- Statement credit or merchandise: typically ~1¢ per point = $35
Earn Rates
| Spending Category | Earn Rate |
|---|---|
| Grocery purchases | 1.5 Avion points per $1 |
| Streaming subscriptions | 1.5 Avion points per $1 |
| Gas and EV charging | 1.5 Avion points per $1 |
| Daily transit and rideshare | 1.5 Avion points per $1 |
| All other purchases | 1 Avion point per $1 |
Verify current category definitions and any annual caps at rbc.com. Category eligibility depends on merchant classification.
Annual earn estimate
Based on $1,500/month spend:
| Category | Monthly | Rate | Annual Avion Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | $500 | 1.5x | 9,000 |
| Streaming | $50 | 1.5x | 900 |
| Gas | $100 | 1.5x | 1,800 |
| Transit/rideshare | $100 | 1.5x | 1,800 |
| Everything else | $750 | 1x | 9,000 |
| Total | $1,500 | 22,500 |
22,500 Avion points per year — at approximately 1¢ per point in basic redemptions, that is roughly $225 in annual rewards value before the $48 fee. Net annual value: approximately $177.
Redeeming Avion Points
| Redemption Option | Value Per Point | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Avion travel portal (flights) | ~1.0–1.5¢ | Fixed-rate chart; best value on domestic routes |
| Transfer to British Airways Avios | Varies | 1:1 or favourable ratio; good for short-haul |
| Transfer to American Airlines AAdvantage | Varies | Transatlantic and US routes |
| Transfer to WestJet Dollars | ~1¢ | Simple, direct cash value on WestJet bookings |
| Statement credit / merchandise | ~0.8–1¢ | Lower value than travel redemptions |
Verify current transfer partners, ratios, and Avion redemption chart at rbc.com. Transfer partner agreements and redemption values change.
Benefits
The RBC ION Visa is an entry-level card and does not include premium travel insurance or lounge access. Standard Visa benefits apply:
- Purchase security: 90-day protection on eligible new purchases against damage or theft
- Extended warranty: May double manufacturer’s warranty on eligible items (verify at rbc.com)
- Visa Zero Liability: Protection against unauthorised purchases
- Mobile device protection and Visa Infinite Dining and Entertainment: Not included (ION Visa only, not Visa Infinite level)
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. RBC ION+ Visa: Which Should You Choose?
Both cards cost $48 per year. The ION+ earns at substantially higher rates:
| Feature | RBC ION Visa | RBC ION+ Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $48 | $48 |
| Grocery earn | 1.5x | 3x |
| Dining earn | 1x | 3x |
| Streaming earn | 1.5x | 3x |
| Transit/rideshare | 1.5x | 3x |
| Everything else | 1x | 1.5x |
For a cardholder spending $700/month on grocery, dining, streaming, and transit, the ION+ earns roughly double the points of the ION Visa at the same annual fee. Unless you have a specific reason to prefer the ION Visa, the ION+ is the stronger card for most Canadians at the same cost.
Who Is the RBC ION Visa Best For?
Ideal cardholders:
- New-to-credit cardholders or first-time rewards card applicants who want access to the Avion ecosystem without a high fee or income requirement
- RBC banking clients who want to keep their credit card within RBC’s product ecosystem
- Light spenders whose monthly charges are spread across many categories without heavy concentration in grocery or dining
- Those who primarily spend on gas, streaming, and transit — the ION’s strongest bonus categories
Less suitable if:
- Your spending is concentrated in grocery and dining — the ION+ Visa earns 3x versus the ION’s 1.5x (same $48 fee)
- You want to transfer points to Aeroplan — Avion does not partner with Aeroplan
- You want comprehensive travel insurance — the ION Visa does not include it
- You qualify for and can use the RBC Avion Visa Infinite — it earns at higher rates with significantly better perks at $120/year
Alternatives
| Card | Annual Fee | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| RBC ION+ Visa | $48 | 3x on grocery/dining/streaming/transit — same fee, higher earn |
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite | $120 | Premium Avion card, better insurance, lounge eligibility |
| TD Rewards Visa | $0 | No-fee option, TD Rewards program |
| Scotiabank Scene+ Visa | $0 | No-fee, Scene+ program for movies and Scotia ecosystem |
Bottom Line
The RBC ION Visa is a solid entry point to the Avion rewards programme at a low $48 annual fee. Its 1.5x earn rate on grocery, streaming, gas, and transit gives everyday spenders a meaningful return, and the lack of an income requirement makes it widely accessible.
That said, the ION+ Visa earns at double the rate in the most popular spending categories (grocery, dining, streaming, transit) for the same $48 fee. Most Canadians will extract significantly more value from the ION+ — compare the two carefully before applying.
Card terms, earn rates, welcome bonus, and transfer partners are subject to change. Always verify current details at rbc.com before applying.