RBC Avion Rewards is Royal Bank of Canada’s proprietary points programme — one of the most flexible in Canada because Avion points can be redeemed for any airline, any flight at a fixed point-per-dollar rate, with no blackout dates and no seat restrictions.
In This Section
- Do Avion Points Expire? — Expiry rules; how to keep points alive
Avion Rewards Credit Cards
| Card | Annual Fee | Earn Rate | Welcome Bonus | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite | $120 | 1.25x Avion on travel; 1x everywhere | 35,000–55,000 Avion | Flexible travel; everyday earn |
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege | $399 | 1.25x travel; 1x other | 35,000–55,000 Avion | Premium benefits; lounge access |
| RBC Avion Visa Business Infinite | $175 | 1.25x travel; 1x other | 35,000 Avion | Business travel |
| RBC ION Visa | $0 | 3x Avion on streaming/subscriptions/groceries/gas | 7,000 Avion | No-fee Avion earn |
| RBC ION+ Visa | $48 | 3x streaming/grocery/gas/dining; 1.5x recurring; 1x other | 20,000 Avion | Mid-tier everyday |
How Much Is an Avion Point Worth?
| Redemption | Value per Point |
|---|---|
| RBC Travel portal (any flight) | ~1.0–1.5¢ |
| British Airways Avios transfer (1:1 from Avion to Avios) | 1.5–2.5¢ (depending on Avios redemption) |
| Air Canada West Jet via RBC Travel | ~1.0–1.2¢ |
| Statement credit | ~0.5–0.7¢ |
| Gift cards | ~0.6–0.8¢ |
| Merchandise | ~0.5¢ |
Best Feature: Fixed-Rate Any-Airline Redemptions
The signature Avion benefit is booking any flight on any airline at a fixed point rate through RBC’s travel portal — no award charts, no partner restrictions, no blackout dates. You pay points equivalent to the cash price.
Example: $600 CAD flight = approximately 50,000–60,000 Avion points (at ~1–1.2¢/point).
This makes Avion especially useful for:
- Routes where Air Canada has poor Aeroplan award availability
- WestJet flights (which Aeroplan cannot book)
- Small regional carriers not in Star Alliance
- Last-minute travel where award space is unavailable
Transfer to British Airways Avios
Avion points transfer to British Airways Executive Club (Avios) at 1:1. This unlocks Avios sweet spots:
- Short-haul North America: 7,500–15,000 Avios one-way
- Transatlantic business class via Iberia: 34,000 Avios one-way
- Connecting through London on British Airways routes
The Avios transfer is typically the highest-value redemption option for Avion collectors willing to do some research.
Avion vs. Aeroplan vs. Amex MR
| Programme | Flexibility | Peak Value | Transfer Partners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avion (RBC) | Any flight, fixed rate | ~1.5¢/pt | British Airways Avios |
| Aeroplan (Air Canada) | Star Alliance only | ~3–5¢/pt in biz class | Amex MR, Bonvoy |
| Amex MR | Many airline partners | ~3–5¢/pt | 6 airlines + hotels |
Avion’s advantage: Flexibility and simplicity. No award chart expertise needed.
Avion’s limitation: Lower peak value than Aeroplan or Amex MR for premium cabin sweet spots.
Avion Points Expiry
Avion points do not expire as long as your RBC Avion card account remains open and in good standing. Points are forfeited if the account closes. See Do Avion Points Expire? for full details.
Related Articles
- Do Avion Points Expire?
- RBC Credit Cards — Full Lineup
- British Airways Avios Canada Guide
- Best Travel Credit Cards in Canada
- Rewards Credit Cards — Canada Hub
Avion Rewards earn rates, transfer ratios, and point values subject to change. Verify current offers at rbc.com. See our Advertiser Disclosure.