RBC Avion points have a dual-speed value structure: a predictable floor of roughly 1.0 cents per point in the RBC travel portal, and an aspirational ceiling of 3–5 cents per point when transferred to airline partners for premium cabin redemptions.
Understanding this range helps you decide when to spend your Avion balance through the portal and when to hold for a transfer.
Avion Point Values by Redemption Method
| Redemption Method | Value per Point | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| British Airways Avios — short-haul | 1.5–2.5¢ | Sub-1,150 km flights on Oneworld partners |
| British Airways Avios — business class | 2.5–4.0¢ | Transatlantic/transpacific; depends on route |
| Qatar Airways Qsuites via Avios | 3.0–5.0¢ | Best case; one of Canada’s top award values |
| Cathay Pacific Asia Miles — business class | 2.0–3.5¢ | Cathay Pacific premium cabin bookings |
| RBC travel portal | ~1.0–1.1¢ | Any flight, hotel, car rental; no blackout dates |
| WestJet Dollars | ~0.9–1.0¢ | Simple; no booking expertise needed |
| Statement credit | ~0.5–0.7¢ | Poor value — avoid |
| Gift cards / merchandise | 0.5–0.8¢ | Poor value — avoid |
What Different Avion Balances Are Worth
| Avion Points | Travel Portal Value | Avios Transfer (est. best case) |
|---|---|---|
| 10,000 | $100 | $200–$250 |
| 25,000 | $250 | $500–$750 |
| 50,000 | $500 | $1,000–$1,750 |
| 75,000 | $750 | $2,250–$3,750 |
| 100,000 | $1,000 | $3,000–$5,000 |
Transfer estimates assume premium cabin redemptions at best-case value. Actual value varies by route, availability, and award pricing.
Annual Earn Estimate: RBC Avion Visa Infinite
Assuming $3,000/month total spend ($1,000 on everyday purchases at 1x, $500 on travel at 1.25x):
| Category | Monthly Spend | Earn Rate | Monthly Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel purchases | $500 | 1.25x | 625 |
| All other | $2,500 | 1x | 2,500 |
| Total | $3,000 | — | 3,125/mo |
Annual earn: ~37,500 Avion points = $375 portal value or ~$750–$1,500 if transferred to Avios for premium redemptions.
Annual Earn: RBC Ion Plus Visa
For a household spending $1,200/month at grocery, $150 gas, $100 streaming, $100 transit:
| Category | Monthly Spend | Earn Rate | Monthly Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries | $1,200 | 3x | 3,600 |
| Gas | $150 | 3x | 450 |
| Streaming | $100 | 3x | 300 |
| Transit | $100 | 3x | 300 |
| Everything else | $450 | 1x | 450 |
| Total | $2,000 | — | 5,100/mo |
Annual earn: ~61,200 Avion points = $612 portal value or up to $1,800+ transferred to Avios. All on a $48/year card.
The Avios Premium: When Transfers Beat the Portal
The travel portal gives you 1.0–1.1 cents per point, reliably, on any booking. Transfers unlock higher value but require more planning:
- Know your route. Avios is most valuable on short-haul Oneworld routes and select long-haul premium cabins (Qatar, British Airways, Iberia, Cathay).
- Check availability first. Transfer points only after confirming award space exists — Avion-to-Avios transfers are typically one-way and cannot be reversed.
- Qatar Qsuites. If flying business class to the Middle East, South Asia, or onward from Doha, Qsuites via Avios is one of the best-value redemptions available to Canadians.
Related Articles
- Avion Transfer Partners: Avios, Asia Miles & More
- Best Avion Sweet Spots for Canadians
- How to Redeem Avion via the RBC Travel Portal
- How Avion Rewards Works
Point values are estimates based on award pricing at time of writing and are subject to change. Verify with the airline or programme before transferring points. See our Advertiser Disclosure.