Avion Rewards is RBC Royal Bank’s loyalty programme — one of Canada’s most flexible points currencies because it offers genuine airline transfer partners. Unlike Scene+ (fixed 1¢/point, no transfers) or TD Rewards (optimised for Expedia for TD bookings), Avion points can be transferred to British Airways Avios at a 1:1 ratio, opening the door to premium cabin redemptions on British Airways, Iberia, Qatar Airways, and Alaska Airlines that would cost thousands of dollars in cash.
This guide explains how Avion Rewards works, how to maximise your points, and which RBC card earns fastest.
What Is Avion Rewards?
Avion Rewards is earned exclusively through eligible RBC credit cards. Unlike Aeroplan (which partners with multiple banks) or Scene+ (Scotiabank + Empire Company), Avion is an RBC-only programme — you can only accumulate points by holding and spending on an eligible RBC card.
Key programme facts:
- Points earned on all eligible RBC Avion card purchases
- Elevated earn rates on travel purchases with the Avion-tier cards
- Redemption through RBC’s online travel portal, airline transfers, or statement credits
- Transfer partners: British Airways Avios (1:1), Cathay Pacific Asia Miles (1:1)
How to Earn Avion Points
Through RBC Credit Cards
| Card | Base Earn Rate | Travel Earn Rate | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite | 1.25x | 1.25x | $120 |
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege | 1.25x | 1.25x | $399 |
| RBC Avion Visa Platinum | 1.0x | 1.25x | $99 |
| RBC ION+ Visa | 3x transit/streaming/grocery | 3x | $48 |
| RBC ION Visa | 1.5x everything | 1.5x | $0 |
| RBC Rewards+ Visa | 2x gas & grocery | 1x | $0 |
The RBC ION+ Visa earns 3x on transit, streaming, and groceries — the highest earn rate in the RBC portfolio in those categories. Verify current earn categories with RBC.
No Non-Card Earn Partners
Unlike Aeroplan (which partners with hundreds of earn partners) or Scene+ (which earns at Sobeys and Cineplex independently), Avion points are earned exclusively through RBC credit card spending. There is no way to earn Avion points at a grocery store or airline by scanning a loyalty card — your RBC card must be used as the payment method.
Avion Transfer Partners
This is where Avion becomes genuinely interesting for travel enthusiasts:
British Airways Avios (1:1 Transfer)
Transfer Avion points to British Airways Avios at a 1:1 ratio — one of the most valuable conversions available to Canadian cardholders. Avios unlock:
- Short-haul flights on British Airways — Avios pricing on European short-haul is distance-based and often very competitive for short segments
- Qatar Airways Qsuites — one of the world’s best business class products, bookable through British Airways Avios (when availability exists)
- Iberia flights — including transatlantic business class at potentially favourable Avios pricing
- Alaska Airlines flights — Avios can also be used on Alaska Airlines routes
The Qatar Qsuites connection is the headline opportunity for Canadian Avion cardholders: a Toronto–Doha–destination itinerary in Qatar’s double-bed Qsuites business class can sometimes be booked at Avios rates dramatically below the cash ticket price.
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles (1:1 Transfer)
Transfer to Cathay Pacific Asia Miles for redemptions on Cathay Pacific and oneworld partners. Cathay Pacific flies direct from Vancouver to Hong Kong; Asia Miles are a strong option for transpacific premium cabin travel.
WestJet Dollars
Transfer Avion points to WestJet Dollars for domestic and international WestJet flights. The transfer ratio and value are less favourable than the airline transfer partners — verify the current rate with RBC.
How to Redeem Avion Points
RBC Travel Portal (Avion Travel)
Book flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages through RBC’s travel portal. Points are worth approximately 1.0–1.1 cents per point in the portal. No blackout dates — if a seat is available for purchase, it can typically be booked with points.
Example: 100,000 Avion points = approximately $1,000–$1,100 in travel portal value.
Transfer to British Airways Avios
For the highest point value, transfer to Avios. The process:
- Log in to your RBC online banking
- Navigate to Avion Rewards
- Select Transfer to British Airways Avios (allow 24–72 hours for transfer to complete)
- Book on the British Airways website using your Avios balance
Example value: 50,000 Avios can book a round-trip business class flight on a short-haul European route or (with availability) a one-way Qsuites redemption from North America to Doha.
Statement Credits
Redeem against your RBC card balance. Value is typically lower than travel portal redemptions — approximately 0.8–1.0 cents per point. Verify current statement credit rates with RBC.
Gift Cards and Merchandise
Generally the lowest-value redemption category. Avoid unless points are about to expire and travel options are not available.
Avion vs. Aeroplan: Which Is Better for Canadians?
| Feature | Avion Rewards | Aeroplan |
|---|---|---|
| Earn partners | RBC cards only | TD, CIBC, Amex, 100+ other partners |
| Transfer to airlines | British Airways Avios, Asia Miles | 40+ Star Alliance and non-alliance partners |
| Travel portal value | ~1.0–1.1¢/point | ~1.0¢/point (base) |
| Premium cabin opportunity | Qatar Qsuites via Avios | Star Alliance business class |
| Programme access | RBC customers only | Any Canadian can earn |
| Best welcome bonus size | Up to 55,000 pts | Up to 50,000–100,000 pts |
Choose Avion if: You bank with RBC, are interested in the Avios/Qatar Qsuites redemption opportunity, or want a flexible points currency with real airline transfer partners at no-fee or low-fee card levels (RBC ION Visa at $0).
Choose Aeroplan if: You fly Air Canada regularly, want access to the broadest set of partner airlines, or prefer to earn from multiple bank card partnerships.
How Much Are Avion Points Worth?
| Avion Points | RBC Travel Portal | Avios Transfer Value (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 10,000 | ~$100 – $110 | $150 – $250 (route dependent) |
| 25,000 | ~$250 – $275 | $375 – $625 |
| 50,000 | ~$500 – $550 | $750 – $1,250 |
| 75,000 | ~$750 – $825 | $1,125 – $1,875 |
| 100,000 | ~$1,000 – $1,100 | $1,500 – $2,500+ |
Avios transfer values are estimates based on premium cabin redemptions. Actual value depends on availability and routes booked.
Avion Rewards FAQ
How does Avion Rewards work? You earn Avion points through eligible RBC credit card spending, then redeem through the RBC travel portal or transfer to British Airways Avios or Cathay Pacific Asia Miles at a 1:1 ratio.
Can I transfer Avion to Aeroplan? No. Avion transfers to British Airways Avios and Cathay Pacific Asia Miles — not Aeroplan.
What are Avion points worth? Approximately 1.0–1.1 cents in the RBC travel portal and up to 2.5–4.0 cents when transferred to Avios for premium cabin redemptions.
Do Avion points expire? No, as long as you hold an active eligible RBC card.
What is the best Avion card? The RBC Avion Visa Infinite for most Canadians. See the RBC Avion Visa Infinite review.
Related Avion Articles
- Avion Points Value: How Much Are Your Points Worth?
- RBC Avion Visa Infinite Review 2026
- RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege Review 2026
- RBC Credit Cards — All Reviews
- Best Rewards Credit Cards in Canada 2026
- Aeroplan Points Value Calculator 2026
Avion Rewards programme terms, transfer ratios, and partner availability are subject to change. Verify current details at rbcroyalbank.com before transferring points.