The RBC Ion+ Visa is a rewards credit card with a $48 annual fee designed to help Canadians build credit while earning points on everyday spending. It offers a higher earning rate of 3 Avion points per dollar spent on several common purchase categories, including groceries, gas, and dining. The card provides a pathway for students to have the annual fee rebated when linked to a specific banking account. This guide explains the card's features, benefits, and redemption options available to Canadian cardholders.
Card Features and Earning Structure
The RBC Ion+ Visa credit card uses a tiered rewards system based on purchase categories. Cardholders earn three Avion points for every dollar spent on a defined set of everyday essentials. This includes spending on groceries, dining at restaurants, and food delivery services. The 3X rate also applies to purchases for gasoline and electric vehicle charging, daily transit like buses and trains, and rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft. Furthermore, spending on digital entertainment qualifies, covering streaming services, digital gaming, eligible digital subscriptions, and in-game purchases.
All other purchases that are not within these specified categories earn a base rate of one Avion point per dollar spent, provided they are qualifying purchases. The points are accrued continuously with no monthly caps on the 3X earning categories, allowing for consistent rewards accumulation. The card is positioned as a tool for building credit history in Canada while providing a higher rewards rate on common expenditures. The annual fee for maintaining the card is $48, which is charged to the account on a yearly basis.
Annual Fee and Student Rebate
The standard cost for the RBC Ion+ Visa is an annual fee of $48. This fee is applied to the cardholder's account each year. A specific provision exists for students enrolled in post-secondary education. Students can have this annual fee rebated, meaning it is credited back to their account, if they open and maintain an RBC Advantage Banking Account for Students. This account must be linked to the credit card. This rebate offer is designed to reduce the cost of card ownership for students who are often beginning to establish their credit.
There are no minimum personal income requirements listed for applicants seeking the RBC Ion+ Visa card. This can make the card accessible to individuals with various financial backgrounds, including those new to credit or with lower incomes. The combination of no stated income requirement and a potential fee waiver for students positions this card as an entry-level option within RBC's credit card portfolio. Cardholders should confirm their eligibility for the student rebate directly with RBC when applying, as terms for the linked banking account may apply.
Redeeming Avion Points
Avion points earned with the RBC Ion+ Visa can be redeemed through the Avion Rewards platform online or via its mobile application. The redemption process starts by signing into the account and selecting either the Travel or Redeem sections from the navigation. Points can be used for a variety of rewards, including gift cards from numerous top brands such as Apple, Best Buy, and Amazon. The minimum redemption threshold for a gift card is 1,400 Avion points, which is equivalent to a $10 gift card value.
Beyond gift cards and merchandise, points have additional flexibility through conversion programs. Cardholders can convert their Avion points into airline loyalty currencies. The available conversion partners include American Airlines AAdvantage miles, British Airways Avios, and WestJet dollars. To explore conversion options, users must sign into Avion Rewards and visit the Convert Points section of the platform. For booking flights directly with points, the dedicated travel portal at avionrewards.com/travel is available.
- Redeem for gift cards, merchandise, and travel.
- Minimum redemption is 1,400 points for a $10 gift card.
- Points can be converted to American Airlines AAdvantage miles.
- Points can be converted to British Airways Avios.
- Points can be converted to WestJet dollars.
- Use the Avion Rewards website or app to redeem.
Insurance and Protection Benefits
The RBC Ion+ Visa comes with a suite of included insurance coverages for cardholder protection. These benefits provide peace of mind for purchases and owned devices. The coverage includes mobile device insurance, which can protect against damage or theft for devices like smartphones. Purchase security coverage is included, offering protection against theft or damage for new purchases made with the card for a specified period after buying. Extended warranty protection is also provided, which can lengthen the original manufacturer's warranty on eligible items.
For full details on the scope, limitations, and exclusions of these insurance benefits, cardholders must review the certificate of insurance provided by RBC. The card also offers optional add-on protection services that can be purchased separately. These optional services are designed to protect a cardholder's identity, their family, and their credit card balance. Cardholders are covered against fraudulent or unauthorized use of their card for both in-store and online transactions, provided they have taken reasonable care to protect their card details.
Partner Offers and Additional Perks
Cardholders of the RBC Ion+ Visa gain access to a network of partner offers designed to provide additional savings and points. The program includes offers from over 2,000 brands. Specific partnerships with major Canadian retailers provide tangible benefits on everyday spending. For example, when paying with an eligible linked RBC card at Petro-Canada, cardholders can save 3 cents per litre on fuel and earn 20 percent more Petro-Points on their transaction. Another significant partnership is with the Triangle Rewards program.
Cardholders can earn 3 times the Canadian Tire Money at participating retailers such as Canadian Tire, Sport Chek, and Mark's when they scan their Triangle Rewards card and pay with their linked RBC card. At Rexall pharmacies, linking an eligible RBC card allows customers to earn 50 Be Well points for every dollar spent on eligible purchases. Adding the RBC Ion+ Visa to a DoorDash account provides a complimentary three-month DashPass subscription. These partner benefits are integrated into the card's value proposition for Canadian consumers and include access to offers from over 2,000 top brands.
Account Management and Digital Tools
RBC provides several digital tools to help manage the RBC Ion+ Visa account. Primary management occurs through RBC's award-winning mobile app, which allows users to view transactions, pay bills, and set up mobile payment options like Apple Pay or Google Pay. The app integrates with NOMI, RBC's built-in financial intelligence tool. NOMI analyzes banking habits to provide users with tailored insights, alerts, and reminders to support more informed financial decisions. The application process for the card can be completed online and is designed to be quick.
RBC states that applicants can complete the process in five simple steps and receive a decision in under one minute. Once approved, cardholders can immediately begin using the card for purchases and earning Avion points. The digital ecosystem is designed to provide a centralized place for managing finances, tracking rewards, and utilizing the card's various features and partner offers. This includes managing bills, setting up mobile pay, and seeing all transactions through the app.
Comparing the Ion+ Visa to the Standard Ion Visa
RBC offers two distinct cards in the Ion product line: the Ion+ Visa and the standard Ion Visa. The key difference is the annual fee and the rewards structure. The RBC Ion+ Visa carries a $48 annual fee but offers the higher 3X points earning rate on multiple categories. In contrast, the standard RBC Ion Visa has no monthly fee and no annual fee, but its rewards earning on groceries, gas, and other essentials is at a lower, unspecified rate compared to the Ion+ card.
The Ion+ card is marketed as providing value for its fee due to the comprehensive 3X categories. The standard Ion card is positioned as a no-cost entry point for earning rewards on everyday essentials without any fee. The choice between the two cards depends on an individual's spending patterns and whether the value of the extra points from the Ion+ card outweighs its $48 annual cost. Both cards are tools for building credit in Canada and are part of RBC's broader credit card portfolio.
Frequently asked questions
How do you redeem Avion points from this card?
Points are redeemed through the Avion Rewards website or mobile app. You can redeem for gift cards, merchandise, or travel. The minimum redemption is 1,400 points for a $10 gift card. Points can also be converted into airline miles with partners like American Airlines, British Airways, and WestJet.
What is the annual fee for the RBC Ion+ Visa?
The RBC Ion+ Visa has an annual fee of $48. This fee is charged as a low monthly cost of $4 per month. However, students can get this annual fee fully rebated if they open an RBC Advantage Banking Account for Students. The card is marketed as offering great value for this modest fee, providing raised rewards on everyday spending. This cost structure is part of the card's overall value proposition for building credit in Canada.
How do you earn points with the RBC Ion+ Visa?
You earn 3 Avion points for every $1 spent on a comprehensive range of everyday categories. These categories include groceries, gas, dining, food delivery, rideshare, streaming services, digital gaming, eligible digital subscriptions, and in-game purchases. For all other qualifying purchases not in these bonus categories, you earn 1 Avion point per $1 spent. This rewards structure is designed to help you get to your next reward faster by earning points on all your spending. The card lets you earn even more Avion points on everyday purchases all the time.
What is the minimum income required for the RBC Ion+ Visa?
The RBC Ion+ Visa has no stated income requirements for applicants. This lack of an income threshold makes the card more accessible to a wider range of individuals. It is positioned as a tool to help build credit in Canada with raised rewards on everyday spending. The accessibility is a key feature alongside its other benefits, allowing more people to apply without specific earnings criteria. This approach supports the card's goal of providing value and helping customers establish or improve their credit history.
What insurance comes with the RBC Ion+ Visa?
The RBC Ion+ Visa includes mobile device insurance, purchase security, and extended warranty coverage. For full details on these insurance benefits, cardholders must review the official certificate of insurance. The card also offers the option to add further protection services to safeguard your identity, your family, and your credit card balance. These optional add-on services allow you to take full advantage of all the benefits your credit card has to offer. The included protections provide more peace of mind for your purchases and devices.
Are there any special offers for RBC Ion+ Visa cardholders?
Yes, cardholders get access to exclusive offers from over 2,000 top brands. Specific partner perks include saving 3 cents per litre on fuel and earning 20 percent more Petro-Points at Petro-Canada. Other offers include earning 3 times Canadian Tire Money at Canadian Tire, Sport Chek, and Mark's, a complimentary three-month DashPass subscription from DoorDash, and earning 50 Be Well points per dollar spent at Rexall when you link your eligible RBC card. These partnerships provide additional points and savings beyond the standard rewards structure. These benefits are designed to deliver exceptional value from a wide network of retailers and service providers.
Sources and further reading
- RBC ION+ Visa, Low Monthly Fee Rewards Credit Card rbcroyalbank.com
This article explains how things work and is not financial, tax or legal advice. Rules, limits and rates change, so check the current figures with the Canada Revenue Agency, your province or your financial institution before you act.