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Published November 1, 2023

Best RBC Credit Cards in Canada

The best RBC credit card options in Canada include several co-branded cards that are especially popular among those looking to earn travel rewards.

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own.

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11 of the best RBC credit cards

RBC ION+ Visa Credit Card

RBC ION+ Visa Credit Card
  • Annual Fee
    $48
  • Interest Rates
    20.99% / 22.99%
  • Rewards Rate
    1x-3x Points
  • Intro Offer
    Up to 7,000 Points
Apply Now
Our Take
Why we like it

One of RBC’s newest offerings, the RBC ION+ Visa is a solid, low-fee rewards card with generous earning rates on daily spending.

Pros
  • Earn unlimited 3x on a variety of common spending categories, like groceries, gas, food delivery, and even digital gaming.
  • Get a monthly fee rebate every month when you have an RBC Signature No Limit Banking or RBC Advantage Banking for students account.


Cons
  • Limited insurance offerings, but mobile device insurance is included.
Product Details
  • Get 3,500 Welcome Points on approval and earn 3,500 bonus points when you spend $500 in your first 3 months.*
  • Earn 3X Avion points for every $1 spent¹ on:
  • Grocery, Dining & Food Delivery – Satisfy your taste buds by earning points on groceries, dining out, food delivery.ⁱ
  • Rides, Gas & EV Charging – Enjoy earning points on gas, rideshare, daily public transit, electric vehicle charging.ⁱⁱ
  • Streaming, Digital Gaming & Subscriptions– Stay entertained while earning points on streaming, gaming, eligible digital subscriptions, eligible digital downloads, and in-game purchases.ⁱⁱⁱ
  • Earn 1 Avion point for every $1 spent on all other qualifying purchases.¹
  • Annual Fee $48² ($4 charged monthly).
  • Pay With Points – Redeem your Avion points to pay bills, your credit card balance or even send money to friends with Interac e-Transfer⁴. Minimum redemption is only $10, so you can use your points where you need them most.
  • Save at Petro-Canada – Save 3¢/L on fuel and earn 20% more points when you pay with a linked RBC card.⁶
  • Earn more Be Well points at Rexall – Earn 50 Be Well points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases at Rexall when you pay with your linked RBC card and scan your Be Well card.⁷
  • Save Big on Delivery with DoorDash – Get a 3-month complimentary DashPass subscription – a value of almost $308. Enjoy unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees on qualifying orders of $15 or more when you pay with your eligible RBC credit card⁹. See how to save with DoorDash.
  • Enjoy a Monthly Fee Rebate – Get a $4 rebate¹⁰ each month ($48/year) on the monthly fee of your credit card when you have an RBC Signature No Limit Banking or RBC Advantage Banking for students account.
  • Mobile Device Insurance⁵ Included – Get 2 years of coverage up to $1,000 in the event your mobile device such as your cell phone is lost, stolen, accidentally damaged or experiences mechanical failure when you purchase your mobile device with this credit card.
  • Purchase Security and Extended Warranty Insurance⁵ – Automatically protects eligible card purchases against loss, theft or damage within 90 days of purchase, and doubles the manufacturer’s original Canadian warranty by up to one additional year, to a maximum of five years.
  • Corresponding legal references and product terms are available on the RBC website, which will be available and agreed upon in the customer onboarding process.

RBC ION Visa Credit Card

RBC ION Visa Credit Card
  • Annual Fee
    $0
  • Interest Rates
    20.99% / 22.99%
  • Rewards Rate
    1x-1.5x Points
  • Intro Offer
    3,500 Points
Apply Now
Our Take
Why we like it

The no-fee RBC ION Visa Card earns Avion points on every dollar spent with elevated rates for eligible grocery, gas, gaming purchases and more. Cardholders can save up to 3 cents per litre on fuel when they pay with their RBC ION Visa at Petro-Canada. It may lack lavish travel perks and robust insurance coverage, but as far as no-fee cards are concerned, the RBC ION Visa has a respectable lineup of benefits for everyday spenders.

Pros
  • No annual fee.
  • Petro-Canada fuel discounts.
  • Earn bonus Be Well points on Rexall purchases.
  • Accelerated earn rate on eligible grocery, gas, transit, streaming and digital gaming purchases.


Cons
  • Insurance is limited to purchase security & extended warranty protection.
Product Details
  • Enjoy 3,500 Avion points upon approval* and get a 0.99% interest rate on cash advances and balance transfers for the first 10 months.^ Apply by December 6, 2023.
  • Earn 1.5X Avion points¹ on:
  • Grocery – Satisfy your taste buds by earning points on groceries.ⁱ
  • Rides, Gas & EV Charging – Enjoy earning points on gas, rideshare, daily public transit, electric vehicle charging.ⁱⁱ
  • Streaming, Digital Gaming & Subscriptions – Stay entertained while earning points on streaming, gaming, eligible digital subscriptions, eligible digital downloads, and in-game purchases.ⁱⁱⁱ
  • Earn 1 Avion point for every $1 spent on all other qualifying purchases.¹
  • Pay With Points – Redeem your Avion points to pay bills, your credit card balance or even send money to friends with Interac e-Transfer⁴. Minimum redemption is only $10, so you can use your points where you need them most.
  • Save at Petro-Canada – Save 3¢/L on fuel and earn 20% more points when you pay with a linked RBC card.⁶
  • Earn more Be Well points at Rexall – Earn 50 Be Well points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases at Rexall when you pay with your linked RBC card and scan your Be Well card.⁷
  • Save Big on Delivery with DoorDash – Get a 3-month complimentary DashPass subscription – a value of almost $30.⁸ Enjoy unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees on qualifying orders of $15 or more when you pay with your eligible RBC credit card⁹. See how to save with DoorDash.
  • Purchase Security and Extended Warranty Insurance⁵ – Automatically protects eligible card purchases against loss, theft or damage within 90 days of purchase, and doubles the manufacturer’s original Canadian warranty by up to one additional year, to a maximum of five years.
  • Corresponding legal references and product terms are available on the RBC website, which will be available and agreed upon in the customer onboarding process.

RBC Avion Visa Infinite

RBC Avion Visa Infinite
  • Annual Fee
    $120
  • Interest Rates
    19.99% / 22.99%
  • Rewards Rate
    1x-1.25x Points
  • Intro Offer
    Up to 55,000 Points
Apply Now
Our Take
Why we like it

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite is a premium card that comes with extensive insurance coverage, a generous intro offer, plenty of Visa Infinite benefits, and a competitive flat rewards rate with no limit to what you can earn.

Pros
  • You can transfer Avion points to many frequent flyers programs and even score promotional bonuses on those transfers to further increase their value.
  • Strong insurance coverage and travel protection, including mobile device insurance up to $1,500.


Cons
  • It can be tricky to redeem your points for the most value.
  • A high income is required.
Product Details
  • Earn 1 Avion point for every dollar you spend* and an extra 25% on eligible travel purchases.
  • Avioners can book flights with points on any airline, on any flight, at any time, early or last minute, with no blackout periods or restrictions.
  • Avioners earn points that never expire so your points will be waiting for your next adventure.
  • Redeem your points for travel and more. Use points for anything from paying bills and paying your card balance to redeeming for Gift Cards and Merchandise at top brands like Apple. The Avion Rewards program gives you the freedom of choice to use your points your way, and helps you make the most as an Avioner.
  • Eligible Avion Rewards members can also convert points to other loyalty programs including WestJet dollars, British Airways Avios points and Hudson’s Bay Rewards points.
  • 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.
  • Link your RBC 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.
  • Get access to RBC offers which provides access to earn points faster at specified brands.
  • Extensive insurance including: mobile device insurance, travel insurance (trip cancellation, interruption and emergency medical) and other eligible purchases to protect you and your family.
  • Avioners get access to luxury Visa Infinite benefits including first in line for exclusive events, and hotel and dining benefits.
  • Avioners no longer need 14-days to book travel using the RBC grid.
  • Get $0 delivery fees for 12 months from DoorDash¹⁷ – Add your eligible RBC credit card to your DoorDash account to:
  • Get a 12-month complimentary DashPass subscription± – a value of almost $120.
  • Enjoy unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees on orders of $15 or more when you pay with your eligible RBC credit card.
  • Corresponding legal references and product terms are available on the RBC website, which will be available and agreed upon in the customer onboarding process.

RBC® British Airways Visa Infinite‡

RBC® British Airways Visa Infinite‡
  • Annual Fee
    $165
  • Interest Rates
    20.50% / 22.99%
  • Rewards Rate
    1x-2x Miles
  • Intro Offer
    Up to 60,000 Miles
Apply Now
Our Take
Why we like it

As Canada’s only co-branded British Airways card, the RBC® British Airways Visa Infinite‡ is a smart choice for frequent flyers of the airline.

Pros
  • Receive a Companion Award eVoucher by spending $30,000 or more in any calendar year.
  • There’s no spending cap on accelerated reward rates.


Cons
  • Avios doesn’t transfer to other loyalty programs, so this card is only useful to travellers loyal to British Airways.
  • Airport lounge access is not included.
Product Details
  • Intro offer: Get Up to 60,000 Aviosˆ: Receive 15,000 Avios as welcome bonus upon approval. 35,000 bonus Avios when you spend $6,000 CAD in the first 3 months. Another 10,000 bonus Avios after your first yearˆ.
  • Collect 1 Avios for every $1 CAD spent on qualifying net purchases*.
  • Collect double Avios when you shop with British Airways and BA Holidays*
  • Earn a companion voucher when you spend $30,000 CAD annually. You can either take a companion with you or fly solo instead for a 50% Avios discount on the cost of one reward seat ticket. Plus, you’ll have the flexibility to pay a lower, flat fee to cover taxes, fees and carrier charges and a fixed Avios amount when you make a Reward Flight booking.
  • Eligible members who spend a minimum of $30,000 CAD on qualifying purchases on their card in a calendar year (“calendar year” refers to the time period starting from January 1 and ending December 31) will receive a maximum of one Companion Voucher for that calendar year. See ba.com/rbc-visa for full terms and conditions.
  • 10% off British Airways flights when you book and pay with your card∞.
  • Redeem for flights and more – you can spend your Avios on all of the travel things you love, including cabin upgrades with British Airways or reward flights with British Airways and any of the oneworld partner airlines to almost 1,000 destinations worldwide**.
  • Comprehensive Insurances including 31–day out of country/province emergency medical insurance¹, flight delay insurance², hotel burglary³ and rental car⁴ insurance. Even eligible purchases you make with the card are protected³.
  • Luxury Visa Infinite benefits⁵ such as first in line service for exclusive events and hotel and dining exclusives via www.visainfinite.ca.
  • Complimentary 24/7 Concierge Service⁵.
  • 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 RBC rewards points.
  • Get $0 delivery fees for 12 months from DoorDash.
  • Link your RBC British Airways Visa Infinite 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
  • Eligibility: This card requires a minimum personal income of $60,000 or a minimum household income of $100,000. Must also be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory of residence.
  • Corresponding legal references and product terms are available on the RBC website, which will be available and agreed upon in the customer onboarding process.

RBC® Cash Back Mastercard‡

RBC® Cash Back Mastercard‡
  • Annual Fee
    $0
  • Interest Rates
    20.99% / 22.99%
  • Rewards Rate
    0.5%-2%
  • Intro Offer
    N/A
Apply Now
Our Take
Why we like it

Cardholders earn cash back on all purchases, with elevated rewards on groceries, for no annual fee.

Pros
  • No annual fee.
  • Cash back on all purchases.
  • Elevated cash-back rewards earned on eligible grocery store purchases.


Cons
  • Cash-back earn rate is lower than some other cards in its class.
  • Not a good fit for customers who want to earn elevated rewards in any category aside from groceries.
Product Details
  • Enjoy 0.99% introductory interest rate on cash advances and balance transfers for the first 10 months.^ Apply by December 6th, 2023.
  • Unlimited cash back on your spending.*
  • 2% cash back on groceries.*
  • Up to 1% cash back on all other qualifying purchases and pre-authorized payments.
  • No Annual Fee.
  • Link your RBC card with a Petro-Points membership and instantly save on fuel at Petro-Canada stations and earn 20% more Petro-Points.
  • Get $0 delivery fees for 3 months from DoorDash¹⁴ – Add your eligible RBC credit card to your DoorDash account to:
  • Get a 3-month complimentary DashPass subscription¹⁵ – a value of almost $30.
  • Enjoy unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees on orders of $15 or more when you pay with your eligible RBC credit card.
  • Corresponding legal references and product terms are available on the RBC website, which will be available and agreed upon in the customer onboarding process.

WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard

WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard
  • Annual Fee
    $119
  • Interest Rates
    19.99% / 22.99%
  • Rewards Rate
    1.5%-2%
  • Intro Offer
    Up to $450
Our Take
Why we like it

The WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard provides frequent WestJet flyers with free checked bags, Status Lift benefits, an annual companion voucher, and the ability to earn rewards on travel and everyday purchases.

Pros
  • Enjoy an annual World Elite round-trip companion voucher that can be used anywhere WestJet flies.
  • Free checked bags for the cardholder and up to eight guests when flying WestJet.
  • Status Lift benefits make it easier to get closer to tier status with WestJet.


Cons
  • No free airport lounge access, but cardholders will receive a complimentary membership to DragonPass Airport Lounges Program and can access select lounges for US$32 per person, per visit.
  • Partner airlines are limited to Delta, Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Qantas Airways.
Product Details
  • Intro offer: Get up to 450 welcome WestJet dollars¹ (a value of up to $450 CAD) when you spend a minimum of $5,000 in the first 3 months on your card¹.
  • Buy One, Bring One! Get an annual round-trip companion voucher starting from $119 CAD³ (plus taxes, fees and charges) with the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard.
  • Reach higher with WestJet Rewards Status Lift. Now everyday purchases on the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard can bring you closer to achieving status with WestJet5.
  • First free checked bags for the primary cardholder on WestJet flights4 and up to 8 guests on the same reservation.
  • Earn 1.5% back in WestJet dollars for everyday purchases you make on your card⁸.
  • Earn 2% back in WestJet dollars on WestJet flights or WestJet Vacations packages using your card⁸.
  • Redeem your WestJet dollars toward all or part of a WestJet flight or WestJet Vacations packages⁹ — no blackout periods and your WestJet dollars don’t expire¹⁰ — to destinations across North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe.
  • Travel coverage including emergency medical insurance²⁰ as well as trip interruption insurance²¹, hotel burglary¹⁸ and rental car insurance¹⁸. Even eligible purchases you make on the card are protected.
  • Link your RBC card with a Petro-Points membership to and instantly save 3₵ per litre on fuel¹² and always earn 20% more Petro-Points¹³ at Petro-Canada.
  • Free Boingo Wifi for Mastercard holders¹¹ at over 1 million hot spots.
  • Get $0 delivery fees for 12 months from DoorDash^. Add your eligible RBC credit card to your DoorDash account to: Get a 12-month complimentary DashPass subscription± – a value of almost $120. Enjoy unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees on orders of $15 or more when you pay with your eligible RBC credit card.
  • Eligibility: This card requires a minimum personal income of $80,000 or a minimum household income of $150,000. Must also be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory of residence.
  • Corresponding legal references and product terms are available on the RBC website, which will be available and agreed upon in the customer onboarding process.

RBC® Visa‡ Classic Low Rate Option

RBC® Visa‡ Classic Low Rate Option
  • Annual Fee
    $20
    Waived first year
  • Intro Interest Rates
    0.99% intro for 10 months on balance transfers and cash advances
  • Interest Rates
    12.99%
Apply Now
Our Take
Why we like it

For those who carry a balance on their card and don’t mind a fee, RBC Visa Classic Low Rate Option offers a low interest rate on purchases and cash advances. Earn rewards with select partners like Petro-Canada, Rexall and DoorDash.

Pros
  • Low regular interest rate on purchases and cash advances.
  • Attractive rewards on fuel, drugstore purchases and food deliveries with Petro-Canada, Rexall and DoorDash.


Cons
  • A $20 annual fee on the primary card.
  • No promotional offer.
Product Details
  • Enjoy a 0.99% introductory interest rate for the first 10 months on cash advances and balance transfers^ and no annual fee for the first year.* Apply by December 6, 2023.
  • Low interest rate on purchases and cash advances.
  • Low annual fee.
  • Purchase security and extended warranty insurance.⁴
  • Link your RBC card with a Petro-Points membership and instantly save on fuel at Petro-Canada stations and earn 20% more Petro-Points.
  • Get $0 delivery fees for 3 months from DoorDash¹⁴ – Add your eligible RBC credit card to your DoorDash account to:
  • Get a 3-month complimentary DashPass subscription¹⁵ – a value of almost $30
  • Corresponding legal references and product terms are available on the RBC website, which will be available and agreed upon in the customer onboarding process.

RBC RateAdvantage Visa Credit Card

RBC RateAdvantage Visa Credit Card
  • Annual Fee
    $0
  • Intro Interest Rates
    N/A
  • Interest Rates
    Prime + 4.99%-8.99%
Our Take
Why we like it

It doesn’t earn rewards, but the RBC RateAdvantage Visa offers a low variable interest rate, no annual fees and a variety of perks, including $0 DoorDash deliveries, accelerated Be Well points for Rexall purchases and discounts on fuel when you gas up at Petro-Canada.

Pros
  • Save money with a no-fee credit card.
  • Benefit from attractive perks on food delivery service, drugstore shopping and gas bills.


Cons
  • You’ll need to track the interest charged on this variable rate card, which can change at any time.
  • No promotional offer on interest rates.
Product Details
  • No annual fee.
  • Preferred rates: Prime + 4.99% – 8.99% for purchases and cash advances. The rate you’ll receive depends on your application and credit history.
  • Get $0 delivery fees for 3 months from DoorDash after adding the RBC RateAdvantage Visa to a DoorDash account.
  • Enjoy unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees on orders of $15 or more when paying with the RBC RateAdvantage Visa.
  • Get 50 Be Well points for every $1 spent on eligible products at Rexall after linking the RBC RateAdvantage Visa to a Be Well Rexall account.
  • Redeem Be Well points faster for savings in-store on eligible purchases; 25,000 Be Well points = $10.
  • Save 3¢/L on fuel and always earn 20% more Petro-Points at Petro-Canada after linking the RBC RateAdvantage Visa to a Petro-Points account.
  • Use Visa payWave when paying for small purchases.
  • Save time by having minimum or full monthly payments automatically withdrawn from your bank account.
  • Purchase Security and Extended Warranty Insurance automatically protects card purchases against loss, theft or damage for up to 90 days, and doubles the manufacturer’s original Canadian warranty for up to one extra year.
  • Optional add-on services include balance protection insurance, 24/7 identity theft and credit protection, RBC road assistance, and travel insurance.
  • To be eligible, you must have a Canadian credit file and be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.

RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business

RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business
  • Annual Fee
    $175
  • Interest Rates
    19.99% / 22.99%
  • Rewards Rate
    1x-1.25x Points
  • Intro Offer
    25,000 Points
Our Take
Why we like it

Flexible and convenient, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business card offers a sweet enrollment bonus, comprehensive travel insurance and a competitive earn rate on business purchases.

Pros
  • A generous and easy enrollment bonus — no hoops to jump through and no purchase necessary.
  • Savings on gas and car rentals and business operations perks, like expense management tools and employee card controls
  • A suite of insurance coverage that’s tough to beat.


Cons
  • No amplified earn rates on relevant purchases to generate more Avion Rewards points.
  • Slightly higher fees for additional cards when compared to similar business credit cards.
Product Details
  • Intro offer: receive 25,000 Avion Rewards points upon enrollment.
  • Earn 1.25 Avion Rewards Points for every dollar spent in net purchases on up to $75,000 in spending every year.
  • Earn 1 Avion Rewards Point for every dollar spent in excess of $75,000.
  • Points can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, vacation packages, cruises, merchandise, gift cards and RBC Financial Rewards vouchers, or used to pay down credit card balances.
  • Points earned on employees’ Avion Visa Infinite Business cards can be combined with those earned through a business owner’s business and personal Avion cards.
  • $175 annual fee.
  • $75 annual fee for each additional card.
  • Add up to 9 cardholders to consolidate business expenses and earn points faster.
  • The Avion Collection: access to exclusive dining, entertainment and other experiences.
  • RBC Offers: special deals from brands like Telus, ADP and Apple that allow cardholders to save money and earn more points.
  • Visa Airport Companion: enjoy access to more than 1,300 airport lounges and airport dining and spa offers. Cards linked to a Petro-Points card save three cents per litre on gas and earn 20% more Avion Rewards points and Petro Points.
  • Save up to 30% off base rates on car rentals and earn three times the points at Hertz locations.
  • $0 delivery fees for 12 months from DoorDash.
  • Visa Infinite Business Concierge helps plan business travel by booking event tickets, making restaurant reservations and locating hard-to-find items.
  • Fraud alerts and zero liability protection if a card is stolen or used for fraudulent purchases.
  • Insurance and protection: out of province/country emergency medical expenses (15 days of coverage for those under 65; three days for those 65 and over), trip cancellation insurance (up to $1,500 per person per trip), trip interruption insurance (up to $5,000 per person per trip), flight delay insurance (up to $500 per trip), stolen/lost baggage insurance (up to $1,000), hotel/motel burglary insurance (up to $2,500), car rental collision and loss damage insurance (up to the actual cash value of the rental vehicle to a maximum of $65,000), travel accident insurance (up to $500,000), emergency purchase insurance (up to $500), mobile device insurance (two years of coverage up to $2,000), purchase security and extended warranty protection.
  • Access to Visa Spend Clarity for Business, a web-based reporting solution for expense management, and the Receipt App, for taking photos of receipts and tracking expenses in real time.
  • Preferred rates: 19.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances.

RBC® Business Cash Back Mastercard‡

RBC® Business Cash Back Mastercard‡
  • Annual Fee
    $0
  • Interest Rates
    19.99% / 22.99%
  • Rewards Rate
    1%-2%
  • Intro Offer
    N/A
Our Take
Why we like it

Like most no-fee cards, the RBC Business Cash Back Mastercard is light on perks, but the savings it provides on gas and other business-related purchases can make a real difference for small businesses.

Pros
  • No annual fee.
  • Offers savings on gas and other purchases, plus automatic enrolment in Mastercard’s Easy Savings Program.
  • 21-day interest free grace periods can be extended to 51-days upon request.


Cons
  • The 2% introductory earn rate expires after three months.
  • Cash back redemption is capped at $650 a year.
  • Limited insurance offerings.
Product Details
  • Earn 2% cash back on purchases made in the first three months.
  • Earn 1% cash back on purchases made after three months.
  • $650 annual cash back redemption limit.
  • Cash back can be redeemed for account credits at any time once the balance reaches $25 or more. Otherwise, the rewards will be automatically credited every January.
  • No annual fee for the first card and one additional card.
  • Automatic enrolment in Mastercard’s Easy Savings Program, which provides rebates on products and services from participating merchants.
  • Linked cards save 3 cents per litre on fuel and 20% more Petro-Points at Petro-Canada locations.
  • $0 delivery fees for 3 months from DoorDash.
  • Access to the RBC Offers program, which provides cash savings or bonus points on business spending at brands like Apple, ADP and Telus.
  • Purchase security and extended warranty protection on eligible business purchases.
  • Fraud prevention and zero liability protection.
  • Preferred rates: 19.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances.

RBC Avion Visa Platinum

RBC Avion Visa Platinum
  • Annual Fee
    $120
  • Interest Rates
    20.99% / 22.99%
  • Rewards Rate
    1x Point
  • Intro Offer
    35,000 Points
Our Take
Why we like it

Travellers looking for a no-frills credit card may find what they’re looking for in the RBC Avion Visa Platinum. The perks are relatively few, but the travel insurance offered is well-rounded and the ability to book flights without seat restrictions can bring reliability and convenience to travel planning.

Pros
  • A generous welcome bonus upon approval.
  • Extensive travel insurance.
  • Savings on gas purchases and food delivery.


Cons
  • Limited perks and few opportunities to earn extra points.
  • No travel medical insurance offered.
  • Cashing in on the introductory offer may require more spending than what some cardholders find comfortable.
Product Details
  • 55,000 bonus points (a value of up to $1,1000). Apply by January 31, 2023 and get 35,000 Welcome Points on approval, plus earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $5,000 in your first six months.
  • Earn 1 Avion Rewards point for every dollar spent on qualifying purchases.
  • Earn bonus points through purchases at selected retailers when using an Avion Rewards credit card.
  • No blackouts or seat restrictions when redeeming points, even during peak travel seasons.
  • Points can be converted for use with multiple partner airline loyalty programs.
  • Avion members get access to exclusive travel, food, wellness and entertainment offers.
  • Annual fee: $120. Additional card: $50.
  • 19.99% interest rate on purchases; 22.99% on cash advances (21.99% for cardholders residing in Quebec).
  • Travel insurance includes travel accident coverage (up to $500,000), auto rental insurance (up to the value of the rental car damaged or stolen), trip cancellation insurance (up to $1,000 per covered person per trip), trip interruption insurance (up to $2,500 per covered person per trip), emergency purchase coverage (up to $500), flight delay insurance (up to $250 per day, or a $500 maximum p per flight), extended warranty insurance (up to $50,000) and coverage for belongings stolen from a hotel or motel (up to $2,500).
  • Linking an RBC Avion Visa Platinum card at Petro Canada allows cardholders to save three cents per litre on fuel, earn 20% more Petro-Points and earn 20% more Avion Rewards points.
  • Avion cardholders receive 20% off and 2x the points at Hertz Rent a Car.
  • Link the RBC Avion Visa Platinum to a Rexall Be Well card and earn 50 Be Well points for every dollar spent on eligible products at Rexall.
  • Add an eligible RBC credit card to a DoorDash account and enjoy no delivery fees for 12 months.
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Summary of the best RBC credit cards

RBC credit cardInterest RateIntro Offer
RBC ION+ Visa Credit Card20.99%Up to 7,000 Points (terms apply)
RBC ION Visa20.99%3,500 Points (terms apply)
RBC RateAdvantage Visa Credit CardPrime + 4.99%-8.99%%N/A
RBC Visa Classic Low Rate Option12.99%N/A
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business19.99%25,000 Points (terms apply)
RBC® Business Cash Back Mastercard‡19.99%N/A
WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard19.99%Up to $450 (terms apply)
RBC® British Airways Visa Infinite‡20.50%Up to 60,000 Miles (terms apply)
RBC Avion Visa Platinum20.99%35,000 Points (terms apply)
RBC Cash Back Mastercard‡20.99%N/A
RBC Avion Visa Infinite20.99%Up to 55,000 Points

How RBC credit cards work

The Royal Bank of Canada, commonly known as RBC, is one of Canada’s Big 6 Banks. RBC credit card options include co-branded cards that may be of interest to those who frequently fly WestJet, Cathay Pacific and British Airways. RBC’s proprietary travel rewards program, Avion, is also popular with travelers.

General types of RBC credit cards

RBC’s collection of credit cards includes a large array of travel rewards cards, including a selection of Avion cards, as well as co-branded cards with other airlines. 

The bank also offers other types of cards, including those geared toward students, business owners and people looking for general rewards or cash back.

Common features of RBC credit cards

Often available as Visa cards

One common feature among RBC cards is their affiliation with the Visa network (though there are a few RBC Mastercards, such as the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard). 

Average interest rates

As is common among Canadian credit cards, the interest rate for many RBC credit cards is 19.99% (though it can be as much as 20.50% and as low as 12.99%). RBC also has two cards that work akin to a line of credit with a variable rate: the RBC Visa CreditLine for Small Business and RBC RateAdvantage Visa. Cash advances usually feature a rate of around 22.99%. 

Annual fees are common

Many, but not all, RBC credit cards charge an annual fee; an amount paid upfront, once a year, every year you carry the card. An annual fee may be worth it if the value of the rewards you’ll earn exceeds the cost. Here’s a look at the annual fees of the RBC credit cards in our list.

Rewards on everyday spending

Another common feature of almost all personal RBC credit cards is that most of them (including even the most basic no-fee card) come with:

How to choose the best RBC credit card for you

When choosing any credit card, be sure to look for the eligibility requirements. It doesn’t make sense to apply for a credit card card that has age, location, income or credit score requirements you can’t satisfy. 

Annual fees Cards that charge annual fees tend to have more and higher value perks than those that don’t. Be sure that the value of any rewards you’ll earn with the card offset what you’ll pay to carry it.

Interest rate. If you tend to keep a balance on your card, it’s wise to look for a card with a lower interest rate.

Rewards or cash back: Rewards can be more lucrative than cash back but can be complicated to redeem.

Who should consider an RBC credit card?

Anyone who currently banks with RBC and is in need of a credit card should consider RBC’s credit card options. If you’re already a customer, RBC will have access to much of your financial information, and applying for a card will be easier.

RBC credit cards can be particularly attractive to those looking for a flexible travel rewards program that gives you numerous redemption options, has no blackout dates and even lets you transfer points to several other loyalty programs. Furthermore, RBC is the only financial institution that offers Canadians WestJet, Cathay Pacific and British Airways-branded credit cards.

How to get an RBC credit card

  1. To apply for an RBC credit card, visit the bank’s website, then click on the “Apply Now” button for the card you want. Depending on what card you apply for, you may even get a response in as little as 60 seconds. 
  2. At this stage, RBC may list the income requirements to apply for a card; this is especially true if it’s a premium card with a high annual fee. 
  3. You’ll then be asked if you’re an existing client or not. If you already bank with RBC, the application process is much faster, as you’ll log in to your pre-existing account (so the bank will already have much of your personal information) and go from there. 
  4. You’ll then be asked to give your name and contact info, such as a phone number and email address. 
  5. The bank will also ask about your monthly rent or mortgage payment, your employment status and the address and phone number of your employer. You’ll be expected to provide your income, how much (if any) you earn from investments and whether you pay alimony. 
  6. Once you’ve provided the required info, you’ll be asked to review the terms and conditions of the card and submit your application. You may be approved instantly or the bank may have to review your details and contact you at a future date to let you know if your application was successful.

Even if the credit card company doesn’t explicitly state it, you generally need to be a permanent resident of Canada and the age of majority in your territory or province to apply for a credit card.

Frequently asked questions about RBC credit cards

How do I apply for an RBC credit card?

You can apply for an RBC credit card online, over the phone, or by booking an appointment at a branch location near you. It generally takes about 7 to 10 business days to get your RBC credit card in the mail, once your application is approved.

What’s the best RBC credit card?

The best RBC credit card depends on your spending habits and financial goals, but in general, RBC’s Avion cards are a good fit for those looking for a flexible travel reward program. The RBC Cash Back Mastercard is worth considering if you want a no-fee credit card and you spend a lot on groceries (the card earns you 2% cash back on groceries and 1% cash back on all other spending).

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