Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)

by Anshul
a group of people sitting around a round table
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RBC – An Introduction

Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) is a leading financial institution that offers a wide range of credit cards to meet the diverse needs of Canadian households. RBC Avion is a popular rewards program that allows you to earn and redeem points for various travel-related benefits. RBC Credit cards that earn Avion rewards come with various benefits, including welcome bonuses, flexible point redemption options, and travel insurance. Whether you’re a frequent traveller or want to apply points towards everyday purchases, RBC has a rewards credit card to help you achieve your financial goals. Let’s look at the most popular RBC credit cards that readers of PMB subscribe to;

RBC® Avion Visa Infinite Privilege Card  – Apply Now

a credit card with silver letters and numbers

  • Eligibility: Personal income of $200,000 or a minimum household income of $200,000
  • Annual Fee: $399
  • Welcome Bonus: up to 70,000 Avion Points* (Apply by January 15, 2025)
    • 35,000 points on approval*
    • 20,000 bonus points when you spend $5,000 in your first six months*
    • 15,000 one-time anniversary bonus points*
  • Earning Rate:
    • 1.25 Avion points for every dollar spent*
  • Additional Benefits: 
    • Six complimentary global airport lounge access passes through the Visa Airport Companion Program and security fast-track lanes at select Canadian airports*
    • 2X the redemption value on your Avion points when booking first or business class by redeeming Avion points at 100 points = $2.00*
    • 12-month complimentary DashPass subscription – Enjoy a $0 delivery fee on DoorDash orders of $12 or more by simply linking the RBC card to the account
    • Link your RBC card with a Petro-Points membership to instantly save 3₵ per litre on fuel at Petro-Canada stations and earn 20% more Petro-Points and 20% more Avion points
    • Extensive Insurance Coverage
      • Trip cancellation and Trip interruption insurance
      • Out of Province/Country Emergency Medical Insurance
      • Emergency Purchases and Flight Delay Insurance
      • Travel Accident Insurance
      • Auto Rental Collision/Loss Damage Insurance
      • Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance
      • Purchase Security and Extended Warranty Insurance
      • Mobile Device Insurance included – up to $1,500
    • Luxury Visa Infinite benefits such as first-in-line service for exclusive events and hotel and dining exclusives via www.visainfinite.ca
    • The Avion Collection: Access to a catalogue of exclusive experiences, offers and savings across many areas of interest

*Refer to the RBC page for up-to-date offer terms and conditions

RBC® Avion Visa Infinite Card  – Apply Now

Royal Bank of Canada

  • Eligibility: Personal income of $60,000 or a minimum household income of $100,000
  • Annual Fee: $120
  • Welcome Bonus: 35,000 Avion Points on approval*
  • Earning Rate:
    • 1.25 Avion points on eligible travel-related purchases*
    • 1 Avion point for every dollar spent
  • Additional Benefits: 
    • 12-month complimentary DashPass subscription – Enjoy a $0 delivery fee on DoorDash orders of $12 or more by simply linking the RBC card to the account
    • Link your RBC card with a Petro-Points membership to instantly save 3₵ per litre on fuel at Petro-Canada stations and earn 20% more Petro-Points and 20% more Avion points
    • Extensive Insurance Coverage
      • Trip cancellation and Trip interruption insurance
      • Out of Province/Country Emergency Medical Insurance
      • Emergency Purchases and Flight Delay Insurance
      • Travel Accident Insurance
      • Auto Rental Collision/Loss Damage Insurance
      • Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance
      • Purchase Security and Extended Warranty Insurance
      • Mobile Device Insurance included – up to $1,500
    • Luxury Visa Infinite benefits such as first-in-line service for exclusive events and hotel and dining exclusives via www.visainfinite.ca
    • The Avion Collection: Access to a catalogue of exclusive experiences, offers and savings across many areas of interest

*Refer to the RBC page for up-to-date offer terms and conditions

Redeeming RBC Rewards points
    • Ultimate flexibility: Avion cardholders can redeem any airline, flight, or time for travel at fixed rates. No blackouts or seat restrictions, even during peak peak seasons;
      • Quick Getaways (Within or to an adjacent province/territory, including U.S. states) = 15,000 points(Max Ticket Price* $350)
      • Explore North America (Anywhere in Canada/U.S. except Hawaii and Alaska) = 35,000 points (Max Ticket Price* $750)
      • Holiday Destinations (Western Canada/U.S. to Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska. Eastern Canada to Bermuda, Central America, Caribbean) = 45,000 points (Max Ticket Price* $900)
      • Take a Vacation (Eastern Canada/U.S. to Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska. Western Canada to Bermuda, Central America, Caribbean) = 55,000 points (Max Ticket Price* $1100)
      • Visit Europe (Major gateway in Canada/U.S. to destinations in Europe) = 65,000 points (Max Ticket Price* $1300)
      • See the World (Major gateway in Canada/U.S. to destinations in Asia, Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific, Middle East, Africa, and South America)= 100,000 points (Max Ticket Price* $2000)
        *Excluding applicable taxes, surcharges and fees.
    • Convert Avion points to other loyalty programs – 55,000 points convert as follows;
      • 55,000 British Airways Avios
      • 55,000 Cathay Pacific Asia miles
      • 38,500 American Airlines AAdvantage miles
      • 550 WestJet Dollars
    • Simple Conversion Rate: Avion cardholders can also redeem for all types of travel, including flights, additional fees and other travel options, using this simple conversion: 100 points = $1
    • Use points from paying bills and paying your card balance to redeem Gift Cards and Merchandise.
Visa RBC ION+: Apply Now

Royal Bank of Canada

  • Annual Fee: $48 (charged as $4 each month)
  • Welcome Bonus: up to 7,000 Avion points* (Apply by January 15, 2025);
    • 3,500 points on approval*
    • 3,500 points with $500 spend in first 3 months*
  • Earn Rate:
    • 3x Avion points for $1 spent on ;
      • Grocery, Dining & Food Delivery*
      • Rides (incl. daily public transit and rideshares), Gas & E.V. Charging*
      • Streaming, Digital Gaming & Subscriptions*
    • 1 RBC Rewards point for every dollar spent*
  • Additional Benefits: 
    • 3-month complimentary DashPass subscription – Enjoy a $0 delivery fee on DoorDash by simply linking the RBC card to the account
    • Link RBC card with a Petro-Points membership to instantly save 3₵ per litre on fuel at Petro-Canada stations and earn 20% more Petro-Points and 20% more Avion points
    • Insurance Coverage:
      • Purchase Security & Extended Warranty Insurance
      • Mobile Device Insurance included – up to $1,000

* Refer to the RBC page for up-to-date offer terms and conditions

Visa RBC ION  – Apply Now

Royal Bank of Canada

  • Annual Fee: $0
  • Welcome Bonus: 3500 Avion points* upon approval (Apply by January 15, 2025)
  • Earn Rate:
    • 1.5x Avion points for $1 spent on ;
      • Grocery*
      • Rides (incl. daily public transit and rideshares), Gas & E.V. Charging*
      • Streaming, Digital Gaming & Subscriptions*
    • 1 RBC Rewards point for every dollar spent*
  • Additional Benefits: 
    • 3-month complimentary DashPass subscription – Enjoy a $0 delivery fee on DoorDash by simply linking the RBC card to the account
    • Link RBC card with a Petro-Points membership to instantly save 3₵ per litre on fuel at Petro-Canada stations and earn 20% more Petro-Points and 20% more Avion points
    • Insurance Coverage:
      • Purchase Security & Extended Warranty Insurance

*Refer to the RBC page for up-to-date offer terms and conditions

Redeeming Avion Points

    • Avion Points earned with ION and ION+ cards convert to WestJet Dollars or Avion, 1:1
    • Redeem for all types of travel, including flights, additional fees and other travel options, using this simple conversion 172 points = $1
    • Use points to pay bills and card balance; 172 points = $1
    • Redeem for Gift Cards 140 points = $1
WestJet RBC® World Elite Mastercard  

WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard

  • Eligibility: Personal income of $80,000 or a minimum household income of $150,000
  • Annual Fee: $119
    • Additional Card fee: $59
  • Welcome Bonus:
    • Up to 450 WestJet dollars* (WSD)
      • 250 WSD with first purchase*
      • 200 WSD with $5000 spend in the first three months*
  • Earning Rate:
    • 2% back in WestJet dollars on flights or packages with WestJet or WestJet Vacations*
    • 1.5% back in WestJet dollars on everyday purchases*
  • Additional Benefits: 
    • Free first-checked bags – the benefit is available to 8 people + Cardholder flying on the same reservation.
    • Annual World Elite round-trip companion voucher starting from $119 (plus taxes, fees, charges and other ATC) to anywhere WestJet flies*
      • Travel within Canada or to the continental U.S., from $119 for Economy fares (or from $219 for Premium and PremiumFlex fares)
      • Travel to the rest of the WestJet network from $399 for Economy Fares (or from $499 for Premium and PremiumFlex fares).
    • World Elite benefit “Status Lift”: Get closer to Silver, Gold, or Platinum status each year. Primary cardholders can earn $500 in tier-qualifying spend, which applies towards achieving the next WestJet Rewards tier, for every CAD 15,000 in Eligible Purchases on their WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard (up to a maximum of $1,500 in tier-qualifying spend in a qualifying year).
    • Link your RBC card with a Petro-Points membership to instantly save 3₵ per litre on fuel at Petro-Canada stations and earn 20% more Petro-Points.
    • Extensive Insurance Coverage
      • Emergency Purchases and Flight Delay Insurance
      • Auto Rental Collision/Loss Damage Insurance
      • Purchase Security and Extended Warranty Insurance
      • Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance
      • Travel Accident Insurance
      • Out of Country/Province Emergency Medical – 15-day (Less than 65 Years of Age)
      • Trip Interruption Insurance

*Refer to the RBC page for up-to-date offer terms and conditions

RBC® British Airways Visa Infinite Card

British Airways (B.A.) Avios program opens the door to the entire One World network, and RBC cards are the primary way Canadians earn Avios points. The ability to earn Avios rewards through everyday purchases and benefits like a 10% discount on B.A. flights, a Companion Award e-voucher, and strong insurance coverage make this card a strong contender for all wallets.

B.A. Avios is one of my favourite currencies for premium redemptions with British Airways or any One World partner airline (14). The RBC® British Airways Visa Infinite Card offers a solid option for earning and redeeming Avios through everyday purchases in Canada.

Royal Bank of Canada

  • Eligibility: Personal income of $60,000 or a minimum household income of $100,000
  • Annual Fee: $165
  • Welcome Bonus:
    • Up To 60,000 Avios*;
      • 15,000 Avios as a welcome bonus upon approval*
      • 35,000 bonus Avios with $6,000 spent in the first three months*
      • 10,000 bonus Avios after the first year*
  • Earning Rate:
    • 3 Avios for every $1 spent on British Airways purchases*
    • 2 Avios for every $1 spent on Dining*
    • 1 Avios for every $1 spent on all other qualifying purchases*
  • Additional Benefits: 
    • Earn a Companion Award voucher when you spend $30,000 annually*
      • Companion Vouchers earned on or after July 4, 2023, are even more valuable and flexible and can now be enjoyed with a companion or solo. You can take a companion with you on the same award flight and cabin at no additional cost, or, if travelling solo, get a 50% Avios discount on one reward seat ticket. Only one Companion Voucher can be earned in any calendar year, valid for 24 months.
    • 10% off British Airways flights when booking with the card, using promotion code: CARDOFFERC
    • Comprehensive Insurance Coverage
      • 31–day out of country/province emergency medical insurance
      • Emergency purchases and Flight delay insurance
      • Travel Accident Insurance
      • Auto Rental Collison/Loss Damage Insurance
      • Hotel burglary insurance
      • Purchase Security and Extended Warranty insurance
    • Get $0 delivery fees for 12 months from DoorDash
    • Link RBC card with a Petro-Points membership to instantly save 3₵ per litre on fuel at Petro-Canada stations. And earn 20% more Petro-Points and 20% more RBC rewards points.
    • Link card with a Rexall Be Well account and get 50 Be Well points for every $1 spent on eligible products at Rexall. Redeem Be Well points faster for savings in-store on eligible purchases where 25,000 Be Well points = $10
    • Complimentary 24/7 Concierge Service
    • Luxury Visa Infinite benefits such as first-in-line service for exclusive events and hotel and dining exclusives via www.visainfinite.ca

*Refer to the RBC page for up-to-date offer terms and conditions

Title Image: Photo via RBC Newsroom