Quick Overview of the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card
In the credit card world, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite card stands out in the travel rewards category, notable for its flexibility. RBC Rewards (Avion points) can be redeemed for any seat on any flight on any airline with absolutely no blackout dates. Beyond that, cardholders can transfer their points to other airline rewards programs, redeem points to shop at retailers like Best Buy and the Apple store, or cash in points to pay down their credit card balance. With all these options, cardholders can enjoy their points their way.
Of course, this kind of flexibility comes with a price, and in this case, it’s $120 per year, plus a rather high annual income threshold (Personal: $60,000 or Household: $100,000). We take a closer look at this popular credit card in Canada and ask, “Is it really as good as it looks on paper?”
Who can benefit from the RBC Avion credit card?
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card is an intriguing option for the frequent traveller that doesn't want to be tied to a specific airline frequent flyer program . Avion is Canada’s largest bank-owned loyalty program and allows members to transfer rewards to several leading carriers, including WestJet, American Airlines AAdvantage, British Airways Avios, Asia Miles, Hudson's Bay Rewards and more.
Pros and cons
Pros
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Rewards program is highly flexible, transferable, and includes a slew of non-travel-related reward options
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Partnerships with other retailers like HBC and Petro-Canada
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Provides excellent travel insurance
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New cardholders earn 35,000 welcome Avion points on approval*
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Solid option for looking for a travel-centric points program
Cons
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The points-to-dollars ratio is only average and there are few opportunities for accelerated earning.
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The $120 annual fee isn’t cheap
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High annual income requirement: Personal: $60,000 or Household: $100,000
RBC Avion Visa Infinite credit card welcome bonus
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite provides a lucrative sign-up bonus valued at up to $750. New accounts can earn 35,000 Avion points upon approval. This bonus, valued at $750, is enough for a roundtrip flight to fly anywhere in Canada & the U.S (Alaska and Hawaii require more points). This welcome bonus is automatically applied to the card account within 60 days of opening.
How to earn Avion points with the RBC Avion Visa Infinite
The RBC Rewards program is fairly straightforward—Earn 1 Avion point for every $1 you spend*, plus an extra 25% on eligible travel related purchases³. The additional 25% on travel-related purchases³ may include airlines, accommodations, tour operators, cruise lines, travel agencies, and car rental companies. Still, the merchant must be listed in the “travel” category with Visa.
There aren’t many ways to accelerate your earnings, but if you link the credit card to your Petro-Points account, you can get a discount on gas⁴, plus 20% additional points in both loyalty programs⁵.
RBC rewards are valued at approximately $1.14 for every 100 points (or $0.0114 per point—a fairly standard rate for this type of card). There are no blackout dates and points never expire as long as your account is open and in good standing.
How to Redeem Avion points
Where this program really shines is in the redemption process. RBC Rewards are primarily aimed at flights, and with no blackout dates and no seat or airline restrictions, cardholders are free to go wherever they want, when they want, on whatever airline carrier they want. Another bonus: Eligible Avion Rewards members can also convert points to other loyalty programs including WestJet dollars, British Airways Avios points and Hudson’s Bay Rewards points. Plus, unlike other rewards programs, Rewards points can be applied toward taxes, surcharges, and fees when booking a flight.
Additionally, there are other redemption options through retailers like the Apple Store, T-Fal, and Best Buy, and Avion points can be transferred to HBC Rewards. A cardholder’s points can be used to pay down their credit card balance.
Key benefits of the Avion Visa Infinite credit card from RBC
One of the key benefits of the Avion program is the absence of seat restrictions or blackouts when booking travel using Avion points. This means that cardholders have the flexibility to choose their desired flights without any limitations.
In addition to the travel benefits, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite also offers free Doordash deliveries for a period of 12 months. This can be a great perk for those who enjoy the convenience of food delivery services.
Furthermore, cardholders can enjoy discounts and earn additional Avion points when renting with Hertz or linking their card to a Petro-Canada card. These partnerships provide opportunities for even more rewards and savings.
With the RBC Avion Visa Infinite, you can maximize your rewards potential and enjoy a range of benefits, making it a valuable credit card option for those who want to earn and redeem points.
RBC Avion Visa Infinite insurance coverage
As a travel credit card, the Avion Visa Infinite provides comprehensive travel insurance, including the following:
- Travel insurance: Like many credit cards, this one includes a travel insurance package. But what makes it exceptional is the emergency travel medical coverage⁸ that’s included. This rare and valuable perk makes it a winner, especially when paired with the car rental collision and damage, hotel/motel burglary, and trip cancellation/interruption insurance⁹. It’s also important to note that cardholders 65 and under are medically covered for the first 15 days of an out-of-province/Canada trip, and it’s three days for those over 65 years.
- Car rental insurance: Car rental insurance provides protection that allows you to save on the daily insurance fees charged by car rental companies. This coverage is available for vehicles with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of up to $65,000.
- Shopping coverage: Items purchased with the card enjoy protections including 90 days of insurance and extended warranties of up to an additional year.
- Mobile device insurance: Enjoy up to $1,500 in coverage when you use your RBC credit card to purchase a new phone, tablet, or other mobile device. Your phone number must be added to your card account to take advantage of this benefit.
- Optional extras that may be offered: Choose to purchase enhanced travel insurance, roadside assistance, insurance on your credit card balance, or identity theft protection.
Extra benefits of the RBC Avion Visa Infinite
Beyond the impressive insurance and travel benefits of the card, you can expect the following additional benefits and features:
- Automatic and instant savings on fuel at Petro-Canada: Link the two cards and save $0.03 per litre on fuel⁴—and earn 20% more points in both loyalty programs (20% more Petro-Points and 20% more Avion points)⁵.
- Rexall points: Earn 50 Be Well Points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases at Rexall Pharmacies across Canada by linking your card to your Rexall account.
- Credit card lock: Temporarily lock your credit card at any time—a handy feature if you believe you’ve lost or misplaced your card but don’t want to take chances while you locate it.
- Visa Infinite: Enjoy events, hotel and dining benefits, and a complimentary concierge.
- DoorDash savings: Add your eligible RBC card to your DoorDash account and enjoy a 12-month complimentary DashPass subscription. With DashPass, you can enjoy unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees on orders of $15 or more when you pay with your eligible RBC credit card.
How does the Avion Visa Infinite credit card compare?
Is the RBC Avion Visa Infinite worth it?
As a travel rewards card, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite card is a strong choice, especially for those who want flexibility with travel rewards — and even more for members who already shop at partner retailers. We’re loving the hassle-free redemption for travel rewards, such as the no blackout dates or restrictions on flight redemptions. For those with more frugal spending habits, though, there may be better alternatives. Weigh your options and check out these other best travel rewards credit cards in Canada before taking the plunge.
Eligibility requirements for the RBC Avion Visa Infinite credit card
To be eligible for the RBC Avion Visa Infinite card, you need to have a gross income of at least $60,000 ($100,000 per household) or possess a minimum of $250,000 in investable assets. Generally, you must be of legal age and a Canadian resident to qualify, unless specified otherwise by the card issuer.
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Cory Santos is a finance editor at Money.ca
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