The RBC Platinum Visa credit cards are a category of personal credit cards offered by the Royal Bank of Canada, primarily distinguished by their travel rewards and insurance benefits. These cards, which include the RBC Avion Visa Platinum, allow cardholders to earn and redeem Avion points for flights, hotels, car rentals, and other travel-related expenses. A key feature is the ability to book flights on over 500 airlines with no blackout dates or seat restrictions, even during peak travel season. For Canadians, these cards provide a structured way to accumulate travel rewards on everyday spending while offering a suite of insurance coverages for domestic and international trips.
Types of RBC Platinum Visa Cards
The Royal Bank of Canada offers several credit cards under the Platinum Visa banner, each with distinct features. The RBC Avion Visa Platinum is a travel-focused card with an annual fee of $120 and is central to the bank's rewards promotions, including a welcome offer of up to 70,000 Avion points for applications submitted by November 25, 2026. RBC also offers a standard RBC Visa Platinum card, which is marketed as having no annual fee and provides a set of insurance benefits. The U.S. market features a separate RBC Bank Visa Platinum credit card that earns rewards redeemable for cash back, travel, and gift cards with no annual fee. These cards share the Platinum tier designation from Visa, which typically indicates a mid-premium level of features and benefits compared to classic or infinite tier cards.
Earning and Redeeming Avion Points
The RBC Avion Visa Platinum card earns one Avion point for every dollar spent on all eligible purchases, with no bonus categories for specific types of spending like travel or dining. The points accumulated never expire, providing cardholders flexibility in planning redemptions. The primary redemption method is for travel booked through the Avion Rewards platform, where points can be used for flights on any airline with no blackout dates or seat restrictions, even during peak travel seasons. Points can also be redeemed for hotel stays, car rentals, and other travel expenses using a fixed conversion rate where 100 points equals one dollar in travel value. Beyond travel, Avion points offer over 50,000 redemption options including gift cards from retailers like Amazon and Best Buy, brand-name merchandise, charitable donations, or applying points as a credit against the card's outstanding balance.
Cardholders have several tools to maximize their points. They can use fixed-points pricing for flights, which is available 365 days a year. Points can be pooled with friends and family members who also have Avion Rewards accounts to combine for larger redemptions. A significant feature is the ability to convert Avion points into airline frequent flyer miles with partner programs including American Airlines AAdvantage, British Airways Avios, and WestJet Rewards. The welcome offer of 70,000 points is advertised as sufficient for two round-trip flights anywhere in Canada or the continental United States, though all taxes and fees are extra and must be paid separately.
- Earn 1 Avion point per $1 on all eligible purchases.
- Points never expire.
- Redeem for flights on over 500 airlines with no blackout dates.
- Use points for hotels, car rentals, and more at 100 points = $1 value.
- Convert points to airline miles with American Airlines, British Airways, or WestJet.
- Pool points with friends and family members.
- Redeem for over 50,000 options including gift cards and merchandise.
- 70,000 points can provide two round-trip flights in Canada or the US.
Insurance and Protection Benefits
RBC Platinum Visa cards come with a suite of insurance coverages designed for travel and purchase protection. The RBC Avion Visa Platinum includes travel accident insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, and mobile device insurance. These insurances are intended to provide peace of mind for cardholders booking trips or making purchases. The specific terms, conditions, and coverage limits for each insurance type are detailed in the cardholder's agreement and must be reviewed to understand eligibility requirements, which often include paying for a portion of the trip with the card. All RBC Visa cards, including Platinum cards, offer protection against fraudulent or unauthorized transactions both in-store and online, backed by Visa's Zero Liability policy. This means cardholders are not held responsible for unauthorized charges made with their card or account information.
Partner Offers and Additional Perks
Cardholders can access additional value by linking their RBC Platinum Visa to various retail partner programs. A notable Canadian partnership is with Petro-Canada, where linking your card provides an instant saving of three cents per litre on fuel purchases and earns 20% more Petro-Points on those transactions. For shopping at Canadian Tire, Sport Chek, and Mark's, cardholders can earn three times the Canadian Tire Money when they scan their Triangle Rewards card and pay with their linked RBC card. At Rexall pharmacies, linking the card allows you to earn 50 Be Well points for every dollar spent on eligible purchases. RBC has also partnered with DoorDash to offer a free three or twelve month DashPass subscription when an eligible RBC credit card is added to a DoorDash account. These partnerships extend the utility of the card beyond simple point accrual into everyday savings.
Interest Rates and Fees
The RBC Avion Visa Platinum features an introductory annual percentage rate of 0% for the first six months on purchases. After this introductory period ends, the ongoing purchase APR will apply, which is calculated as the Prime Rate plus a margin. This margin is determined based on the cardholder's creditworthiness at the time of application and can range from 9.99% to 16.74%. As the Prime Rate fluctuates with the market, the actual APR on the account will vary accordingly. The card carries an annual fee of $120. There is no mention of an additional card fee for supplementary cards on the Avion Platinum product. For the standard RBC Visa Platinum with no annual fee, the interest rate structure would follow a similar variable rate model based on Prime plus a margin, though the specific range may differ.
| Fee or Rate Type | Detail |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee (Avion Platinum) | $120 |
| Introductory Purchase APR | 0% for 6 months |
| Ongoing Purchase APR | Prime Rate + 9.99% to 16.74% |
| Additional Card Fee | $0 (for Avion Platinum) |
| Annual Fee (Standard Visa Platinum) | $0 |
Application and Account Management
Applications for RBC Platinum Visa cards can be completed online through the RBC website. The online application process is described as involving five simple steps, with applicants receiving a decision in under a minute in many cases. Once approved and the card is activated, cardholders can manage their account through RBC's online banking platform or its award-winning mobile app. The app allows users to pay bills, set up mobile payment services, and review all transactions. RBC also offers NOMI, a built-in intelligence feature within its digital banking services that provides alerts, reminders, and insights based on spending habits. To redeem Avion points, cardholders must sign into their Avion Rewards account either online or through the mobile app and select the Travel or Redeem sections to browse options.
Eligibility and Credit Considerations
Eligibility for an RBC Platinum Visa card, like any credit product in Canada, is subject to the bank's standard credit assessment process. Applicants must meet age of majority requirements in their province of residence and have a Canadian residential address. RBC will evaluate an applicant's creditworthiness based on factors such as credit history, income, existing debt obligations, and credit score. This assessment determines not only approval but also the credit limit assigned and the specific interest rate margin within the disclosed range of Prime plus 9.99% to 16.74%. The advertised welcome offer of up to 70,000 Avion points for the Avion Visa Platinum requires a new application submitted by the deadline of November 25, 2026, and is typically contingent on meeting a minimum spending requirement within a specified timeframe, though the exact details of that requirement are found in the offer's terms and conditions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the annual fee for the RBC Avion Visa Platinum?
The RBC Avion Visa Platinum has an annual fee of $120. This fee is charged to the cardholder's account each year for maintaining the card and accessing its rewards and benefits. Other RBC Platinum Visa cards, such as the standard RBC Visa Platinum, are advertised as having no annual fee. You can apply for the RBC Avion Visa Platinum online and get a decision in under a minute.
How do I earn Avion points with this card?
The RBC Avion Visa Platinum earns one Avion point for every dollar spent on all eligible purchases. There is no distinction in earning rates between different purchase categories like travel, groceries, or gas. All spending that is not excluded by the program terms earns at the same flat rate of 1 point per $1. Every time you make a purchase with your card, you automatically earn Avion points that you can redeem for travel, cash back, gift cards, merchandise and more.
Do Avion points expire?
No, Avion points earned on the RBC Avion Visa Platinum do not expire. You can accumulate points over time without worrying about losing them due to inactivity. This allows for long-term saving towards larger redemption goals like international flights. You can also get the rewards you want faster by pooling points with friends and family.
What insurance comes with the RBC Avion Visa Platinum?
The card includes a suite of travel and purchase insurance benefits. Specifically mentioned are travel accident insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, and mobile device insurance. For complete details on all coverage, including terms, conditions, and limitations, cardholders must refer to their insurance certificate. The RBC Avion Visa Platinum credit card comes with a broad suite of travel insurance, including trip cancellation and interruption protection.
Can I use Avion points to book flights on any airline?
Yes, you can use Avion points to book flights on any airline when booking through the Avion Rewards travel platform. This platform allows you to book on over 500 different airlines. A significant benefit is the absence of blackout dates or seat restrictions, so you can book flights even during peak travel seasons. You can also convert your Avion points into other frequent flyer program miles, such as American Airlines AAdvantage or British Airways Avios. Furthermore, the Avion Rewards program offers fixed points pricing throughout the entire year, providing consistent value for your points redemptions.
Is there a welcome bonus for new applicants?
Yes, there is a welcome bonus for new applicants. For applications submitted by November 25, 2026, new cardholders can receive up to 70,000 Avion points. This substantial bonus offers a travel value of up to 1500 dollars. The points are sufficient for two round trip flights anywhere in Canada or the United States, though applicable taxes and fees are extra. This promotional offer is specifically for the RBC Avion Visa Platinum credit card, which has an annual fee of 120 dollars. The points earned from this welcome bonus, like all Avion points, never expire, giving you flexibility in planning your travel redemptions.
Sources and further reading
- RBC Avion Visa Platinum Travel Credit Card rbcroyalbank.com
- Visa Platinum U.S. Credit Card, RBC Bank rbcbank.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.