The RBC Avion Visa Infinite is a premium travel credit card designed for Canadians seeking flexible flight redemptions and comprehensive travel insurance. It earns Avion points on all purchases, with a higher rate on travel spending, and offers a fixed-point flight booking system with no blackout dates. The card carries a $120 annual fee and requires a minimum personal income of $60,000 or a household income of $100,000. Its value proposition hinges on the high potential redemption value of its points, particularly for travel, rather than on aggressive everyday earning rates.
Card Features and Earning Structure
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite card provides a straightforward method for earning Avion rewards points. Cardholders earn one Avion point for every dollar spent on all eligible purchases. Spending that is categorized as travel, such as direct bookings for flights, hotels, and car rentals, earns a boosted rate of 1.25 Avion points per dollar. This simple structure is easy to understand but is not as aggressive as the category bonuses offered by some competing cards. The card also provides opportunities to earn additional points through specific partnerships. By linking the card to a Petro-Points membership and activating the offer, users can save three cents per litre on fuel at Petro-Canada stations and earn twenty percent more Avion points on those gas purchases. An activated offer with Hertz can yield three times the Avion points on eligible car rentals. Cardholders can also link their card with a Rexall Be Well account to earn fifty Be Well points for every dollar spent on eligible products at Rexall pharmacies.
Redemption Options and Point Value
The value of Avion points earned with the RBC Avion Visa Infinite card varies significantly based on the redemption method, with estimates ranging from half a cent to over two cents per point. This wide range is central to evaluating the card's potential benefit. As an Avion Elite tier member, a cardholder gains access to premium redemption avenues not available to all Avion program participants. The most prominent feature is the RBC Air Travel Redemption Schedule, which allows for booking flights on any airline with no blackout dates or seat restrictions. This system uses a fixed number of points for flights up to a maximum ticket price. For example, a round-trip economy flight within Canada or the continental United States starts at 35,000 points. When the cash price of a flight nears the maximum ticket value under this schedule, the redemption can approach a value of two cents per point. Points can also be redeemed for other travel expenses, such as hotels and car rentals, at a fixed rate of 100 points equalling one dollar in value. Beyond direct travel, Avion points offer considerable flexibility. Cardholders can transfer points to several airline loyalty programs including British Airways Avios, American Airlines AAdvantage, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, and WestJet Rewards. RBC frequently offers transfer bonus promotions that can boost the transfer ratio by ten to fifty percent. Points can also be used for merchandise, gift cards, bill payments, statement credits, investments, and charitable donations, though these options typically provide lower value per point.
Travel Insurance and Protections
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite includes a comprehensive suite of travel insurance benefits, which is a key feature for a card positioned for travellers. The emergency medical insurance provides unlimited coverage for the first fifteen days of a trip for travellers under the age of sixty five, and for the first three days for those aged sixty five and older. This coverage has limits on specific procedures and services such as dental care. Trip cancellation insurance covers up to $1,500 per person, with an overall maximum of $5,000 per trip. Trip interruption insurance provides coverage of up to $25,000, with a limit of $5,000 per covered person. For baggage issues, the card offers up to $500 per insured person for emergency purchases due to a delay, with a maximum of $2,500 per occurrence, and up to $2,500 in coverage for personal items in the event of a hotel burglary. Flight delay insurance covers necessary expenses up to $250 per insured person per occurrence, with a maximum of $500. The card also includes mobile device insurance, rental car collision and loss damage waiver when the rental is charged to the card, and travel accident insurance. These insurances have specific terms, conditions, and limitations that cardholders must review to understand their coverage fully.
Additional Cardholder Benefits and Perks
Beyond earning and redeeming points, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite card provides access to a variety of lifestyle and travel related benefits. Cardholders receive a complimentary twelve month DashPass subscription from DoorDash when they add their card to their account, which offers reduced service fees on food delivery. Through the Visa Infinite program, users gain access to the Visa Infinite Hotel Collection, which includes benefits like potential room upgrades, free breakfast, and discounts at over nine hundred luxury properties globally. Visa Infinite cardholders also receive discounts with partners like Park n’ Fly, Viator, and Via Rail. The card provides access to Visa's complimentary twenty four seven concierge service for assistance with travel bookings, restaurant reservations, and gift sourcing. For international travel, eligible users can get a complimentary one gigabyte data plan for fifteen days plus a twenty percent discount on all plans from GigSky for use on eSIM compatible devices in over one hundred and seventy five countries. The Visa Infinite Dining Series offers curated dining events and wine country benefits in Canada. It is important to note that this card does not include complimentary airport lounge access, which is a feature offered on some competing premium travel cards.
Fees, Rates, and Financial Considerations
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite card has an annual fee of $120, which is slightly above the average for travel cards in Canada. The purchase interest rate is approximately 21.45 percent, which is also near the market average for this card category. A notable cost for travellers is the foreign transaction fee of 2.5 percent, which is applied to all purchases made in a currency other than Canadian dollars. For cash advances, such as ATM withdrawals, interest begins accruing immediately at a cash advance interest rate, and a balance transfer fee is charged on the total amount transferred onto the card. The card's terms include a penalty annual percentage rate of 25.99 percent on purchases, and 27.99 percent on cash advances, which may be applied if a cardholder misses the minimum payment two or more times. The card requires a minimum personal annual income of $60,000 or a minimum household annual income of $100,000 for approval. This income requirement, combined with the annual fee and foreign transaction fee, are important factors for potential applicants to weigh against the card's benefits.
Common Mistakes and Considerations for Applicants
Prospective and current cardholders should be aware of several common pitfalls to maximize the card's value. A primary mistake is redeeming points for low value options like merchandise or gift cards, which typically offer a point value of around one cent or less, instead of leveraging higher value travel redemptions. Failing to activate linked partner offers, such as those with Petro Canada or Hertz, means missing out on bonus points and discounts that are not applied automatically. Overlooking the foreign transaction fee of 2.5 percent can make this card an expensive choice for frequent international spenders compared to cards that have no foreign transaction fee. Another error is not understanding the tiered nature of the Avion program. Points earned on this Visa Infinite card are Avion Elite points, which have access to partner transfers and the fixed flight schedule. Points earned on no fee RBC cards like the ION are Avion Select points and do not have the same redemption flexibility, though they can be pooled. Finally, applying without meeting the minimum income requirements of $60,000 personal or $100,000 household will likely result in a declined application.
- Redeeming points for low value merchandise or gift cards instead of for travel.
- Not activating linked partner offers for Petro Canada, Hertz, or Rexall to earn bonus points.
- Using the card for foreign currency purchases without accounting for the 2.5% transaction fee.
- Confusing Avion Elite points from this card with lower tier Avion Select points from other RBC cards.
- Applying for the card without meeting the $60,000 personal or $100,000 household income minimum.
- Not reviewing the specific terms, conditions, and limits of the travel insurance policies before a trip.
Comparison with Other RBC Credit Cards
Within the RBC portfolio, the Avion Visa Infinite serves as a flagship travel card, but it can be effectively paired with other products. The RBC ION Plus Visa is a notable companion card, as it earns three Avion points per dollar spent on specific everyday categories including groceries, dining, gas, and streaming services. Points earned on the ION Plus Visa are Avion Select points, but they can be pooled with points from the Avion Visa Infinite account. Once pooled, those points gain the Elite tier redemption options, creating a strategy where the ION Plus Visa is used for high category spending to earn points quickly, and the Avion Visa Infinite provides the premium redemption pathways. For travellers seeking more premium benefits, RBC offers the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege card. That card features a higher annual fee but includes global airport lounge access, enhanced insurance limits, and other luxury travel benefits not found on the standard Visa Infinite card. The table below outlines key differences between these related RBC cards.
| Card Name | Annual Fee | Key Earning Rate | Notable Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite | $120 | 1.25x on travel, 1x on all else | Air Travel Redemption Schedule, partner transfers, full travel insurance |
| RBC ION Plus Visa | $0 (No Fee) | 3x on groceries, dining, gas, etc. | Points pool with Avion account, no travel insurance suite |
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege | Higher than $120 | Similar or enhanced structure | Airport lounge access, higher insurance limits, premium concierge |
Frequently asked questions
What is the welcome bonus for the RBC Avion Visa Infinite card?
The current welcome bonus offer for 2026 is up to 70,000 Avion points for new applicants who apply by November 25, 2026. Historically, welcome bonuses have fluctuated between 35,000 and 55,000 points. A typical bonus structure involves earning a large portion of points upon approval or first purchase. The remaining points are often awarded after meeting a spending requirement, such as $5,000 within the first six months. Using a valuation of 2 cents per point, a 55,000 point bonus could be worth around $1,100 depending on the redemption method.
Does the RBC Avion Visa Infinite card have foreign transaction fees?
Yes, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite card charges a foreign transaction fee of 2.5 percent on all purchases made in a foreign currency. This fee is a notable drawback for a travel card and is applied to the Canadian dollar equivalent of the purchase amount. This cost can add up for cardholders who travel or shop internationally frequently. Many competing premium travel cards offer no foreign transaction fees, which is an important point of comparison for potential applicants.
What travel insurance is included with the card?
The card provides a full array of travel insurance coverage. Key benefits include unlimited emergency medical insurance for the first 15 days of a trip for travellers under 65. It also offers trip cancellation insurance up to $5,000 overall and trip interruption insurance up to $25,000. Additional coverages are baggage delay insurance up to $500 per person, flight delay insurance, hotel burglary coverage, and rental car collision loss damage waiver. All insurance benefits have specific terms, conditions, and limits that cardholders must review.
Can I use Avion points to book flights on any airline?
Yes, Avion Elite members can use the RBC Air Travel Redemption Schedule to book flights on over 500 airlines with no blackout dates or seat restrictions. This system uses a fixed number of points for flights up to a maximum ticket price, with taxes and fees extra. Alternatively, cardholders can transfer Avion points to partner airline loyalty programs like British Airways Avios, American Airlines AAdvantage, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, or WestJet Rewards. This transfer capability provides significant flexibility for booking award flights across different airline alliances.
What is the minimum income required to apply for this card?
To qualify for the RBC Avion Visa Infinite card, applicants must have a minimum personal annual income of $60,000 or a minimum household annual income of $100,000. This income requirement is standard for premium Visa Infinite credit cards in Canada. The issuer uses this criterion to assess an applicant's ability to manage the credit limit and the card's $120 annual fee. This requirement may make the card inaccessible for some potential cardholders.
How can I get the most value from my Avion points?
The highest value from Avion points is typically achieved through travel redemptions. Using the fixed point Air Travel Redemption Schedule when flight prices are high can yield around 2 cents per point in value. Transferring points to airline partners like British Airways Avios during a transfer bonus promotion can provide exceptional value for international business or first class flights. Redeeming points for other travel at a rate of 100 points per $1 is a standard option. Redemptions for merchandise, gift cards, or statement credits generally offer lower value per point.
Sources and further reading
- RBC Avion Visa Infinite, Premium Travel Credit Card rbcroyalbank.com
- RBC Avion Visa Infinite Review: Is It Worth It? nerdwallet.com
- Review: RBC® Avion Visa Infinite† princeoftravel.com
- Is the RBC Avion Visa Infinite worth it in 2026? ratehub.ca
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.