The RBC Rewards Visa is a suite of credit cards that allow Canadian cardholders to earn Avion Rewards points on their purchases. These points can be redeemed for a wide variety of options, including travel, gift cards, statement credits, bill payments, and charitable donations. The program is integrated with Avion Rewards, Canada's largest bank-owned loyalty program, which is free to join. For Canadians, these cards offer a flexible way to earn rewards on everyday spending while providing access to specific cards designed for use in the United States without foreign transaction fees.
Understanding the Avion Rewards Program
The foundation of the RBC Rewards Visa offering is the Avion Rewards program. This is a loyalty program owned by RBC Royal Bank and is described as Canada's largest bank-owned program of its kind. Membership in Avion Rewards is free and open to anyone, not just RBC customers. Once enrolled, members earn Avion points, which function as the currency for redemptions across all linked RBC Rewards credit cards. The program provides a centralized account where points from different sources can be pooled, including the ability to transfer points at a one-to-one value between U.S. and Canadian Avion accounts. This integration allows for significant flexibility in how points are accumulated and spent, creating a unified rewards ecosystem for cardholders.
Earning Avion Points with RBC Visa Cards
RBC offers a range of Visa credit cards that earn Avion points, each with different earning structures and benefits tailored to various spending habits. The specific earn rate, such as points per dollar spent, varies by card. For example, the RBC Rewards+ Visa card offers one type of earning structure, while premium cards like the U.S.-focused Visa Signature Black Plus offer 1.5 Avion points for every U.S. dollar spent. Points are typically earned on eligible purchases, which generally include most retail transactions but exclude items like cash advances, balance transfers, and fees. The points earned are deposited into the cardholder's linked Avion Rewards account, where they are ready for redemption. Some promotional offers, like welcome bonuses of up to 70,000 Avion points, are also available on select cards, providing a significant initial points boost.
Primary Methods for Redeeming Rewards Points
Cardholders have multiple avenues for using their accumulated Avion points, providing practical alternatives to traditional travel rewards. A prominent option is applying points toward eligible past purchases to receive a statement credit, effectively reducing the credit card balance for specific charges. Points can also be used to pay for recurring household bills, such as internet and television services, directly from the Avion Rewards platform. For more direct financial flexibility, points can be converted to send Interac e-Transfers from one bank account to another or to help pay down eligible RBC loans or contribute to investments. The program also facilitates donations to a selection of Canadian charities, including Tree Canada and the Canadian Olympic Foundation, allowing points to support charitable causes.
Beyond these financial and charitable uses, points retain their value for more conventional rewards. A significant selection of physical gift cards from over 60 retailers, restaurants, and hotels is available. Cardholders can also shop for merchandise, including the latest gadgets and gear from top brands like Apple and Best Buy, using their points as currency. For those interested in travel, points can be redeemed for flights, hotels, car rentals, and exclusive experiences. All these redemption options are accessible through the Avion Rewards website and its dedicated mobile app, which consolidates shopping, earning, saving, and redeeming functions in one place.
RBC U.S. Credit Cards for Cross-Border Use
RBC provides a specific line of Visa credit cards issued through RBC Bank for Canadians who spend time or make purchases in the United States. These cards are designed to address common pain points of cross-border spending. A key feature is the absence of foreign transaction fees on purchases made anywhere in the world, which can lead to substantial savings compared to using a standard Canadian credit card in the U.S. These cards also come with valuable travel insurance benefits and purchase protection. Furthermore, using an RBC U.S. credit card can help Canadians build a U.S. credit history, as applications are considered using the applicant's Canadian credit history. The Avion points earned on these U.S. cards are fully integrated with the main program.
- No foreign transaction fees on worldwide purchases.
- Earn rates like 1.5 Avion points per U.S. dollar spent on the Visa Signature Black Plus.
- Includes travel insurance, purchase protection, and rental vehicle coverage.
- Helps build U.S. credit history using Canadian credit history for application.
- Points transfer at a 1:1 value to a Canadian Avion Rewards account.
- Protected by Visa's Zero Liability policy and chip technology.
Managing Your Account and Redemptions
Cardholders manage their RBC Rewards Visa and Avion points through a combination of online banking and the dedicated Avion Rewards app. The app provides a streamlined interface for accessing your points balance, shopping for rewards, and executing redemptions for bill payments, credit card payments, and Interac e-Transfers. To redeem points for a statement credit against an eligible past purchase, you must initiate the redemption through the Avion Rewards platform, not your standard online banking bill payment system. For U.S. cardholders, paying the RBC Bank credit card bill can be done by clicking the Pay Now button within online banking. The technology backing these cards includes embedded chip technology for secure in-person transactions and contactless tap-to-pay functionality at participating merchants.
Common Considerations for Cardholders
While the RBC Rewards Visa cards offer flexibility, understanding the program's structure is important for effective use. The value of points can vary significantly depending on the redemption method. For instance, redeeming for travel or high-demand gift cards may offer a higher point value than some merchandise redemptions. It is also crucial to note that points are typically only earned on eligible purchases, and certain transactions are excluded. For those using the U.S. credit cards, the benefit of no foreign transaction fees is a major advantage, but the cards are intended for use primarily in U.S. dollar transactions. Cardholders should also be aware that while pooling points with friends and family is possible, all redemptions are final once processed through the Avion Rewards system.
Frequently asked questions
What can I redeem my RBC Avion points for?
You can redeem Avion points for a wide range of options. These include travel bookings like flights, hotels, and car rentals. You can also use points for physical gift cards from over 60 retailers or to shop for merchandise from brands like Apple and Best Buy. Additional redemption methods include paying household bills, sending Interac e-transfers, and contributing to loans or investments. Furthermore, you can pay down your eligible RBC credit card balance or donate to charities such as Tree Canada, Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada, Hope Air, and the Canadian Olympic Foundation.
Is there a fee to join the Avion Rewards program?
No, membership in the Avion Rewards program is completely free. Anyone can become a member at no cost. The Avion Rewards program is described as Canada's largest bank-owned loyalty program. It provides members with numerous ways to shop, earn, save, and redeem points every day. While membership is free, you need an eligible RBC product, such as a Rewards Visa card, to earn Avion points.
Do RBC Rewards Visa cards have foreign transaction fees?
Standard Canadian-issued RBC Rewards Visa cards may have foreign transaction fees. However, RBC offers specific U.S. credit cards designed for Canadians, such as the Visa Signature Black Plus, which have no foreign transaction fees anywhere in the world. These cross-border cards allow Canadians to avoid foreign transaction fees on U.S. and international purchases. They are presented as a way to save money when travelling south of the border or making purchases abroad.
Can I use points to pay my RBC credit card bill?
Yes, you can use your Avion points to pay down your eligible RBC credit card balance. This redemption option allows you to apply points as a statement credit, leaving more money in your wallet. You can also redeem your points towards specific eligible past purchases to receive a statement credit for those individual charges. This provides flexibility in managing your credit card balance using the rewards points you have accumulated.
How do I manage my Avion points and card account?
You can manage your Avion points through the Avion Rewards website and the Avion Rewards mobile app. The app lets you access your account to shop, earn, save, and redeem points for bill payments, credit card payments, and Interac e-transfers. Your RBC credit card account is managed separately through RBC online banking, where you can pay your bill by clicking a Pay Now button. The card itself also features contactless payment technology for use at participating merchants.
Can I transfer points from a U.S. RBC card to my Canadian account?
Yes, you can transfer Avion points earned on an RBC U.S. credit card to your Canadian Avion Rewards account. The transfer is done at a one-to-one face value, meaning one U.S. Avion point equals one Canadian Avion point. This feature allows you to consolidate all your points for redemption through the Canadian Avion platform. You can also pool your points with friends and family members who are part of the program.
Sources and further reading
- Redeem Points, RBC Rewards rbcroyalbank.com
- U.S. Credit Cards for Canadians, 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.