RBC Avion Rewards guide
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RBC Avion is Canada's largest bank-owned rewards program, offering cardholders more ways to shop, earn, save, and redeem than with the old RBC Rewards. Overseen by the Royal Bank of Canada, RBC Avion Rewards is one of the most popular loyalty programs in Canada. Though it offers an impressive variety of redemption options overall, the program is particularly appealing to frequent fliers who covet the bank’s Avion Rewards credit cards.
The Avion program began as RBC Rewards. The RBC Rewards program changed to the Avion Rewards program in August 2022, with the new program offering improved ways to earn and redeem points, including transfer partners, exclusive offers with brands like Lyft and more. All you need is an eligible RBC Avion credit card.
Ampli Rewards was the latest program to merge with Avion, making Canada's largest bank-operated program even bigger. The Ampli app was Canada's leading (and free) cash back app that offered cash back (think money, not points) on everyday purchases.
The best way to earn RBC Avion Rewards points is by making purchases with an RBC Avion credit card such as the RBC Avion Visa Infinite and RBC ION+ Visa. Our full list below and summary RBC Avion Rewards chart shows all the RBC credit cards you can use to rack up points and how much they earn.
The quickest way to earn a bunch of Avion points is by taking advantage of the welcome offers with RBC Avion credit cards. Typically, you'll need to spend a specific amount on your new card within a set time frame to earn a sign-up bonus, usually between 90 days and 6 months.
Here are the current welcome bonuses for RBC Avion credit cards:
Card | Latest welcome bonus | Learn more |
---|---|---|
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege | Get up to 70,000 Avion points* (a travel value of up to $1,500†). | |
RBC Avion Visa Infinite | Enjoy 35,000 Avion points upon approval^ (a value of up to $750†). | |
RBC Avion Visa Platinum | Get 55,000 welcome Avion points on approval. | |
RBC ION+ Visa | Get up to 7,000 Avion points^ - that’s up to $50 of value in gift cards!† | |
RBC ION Visa | Get 3,500 Avion points on approval^ - that's a $25 value in gift cards†! |
Disclosures
*Refer to RBC page for up to date offer terms and conditions.
The easiest way to earn Avion Rewards points is by making purchases with your eligible RBC credit card.
Card | Base Avion points on purchases | Bonus categories | Learn more |
---|---|---|---|
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege | 1.25x | N/A | |
RBC Avion Visa Infinite | 1x | 25% extra Avion points on eligible travel purchases (1.25x) | |
RBC Avion Visa Platinum | 1x | N/A | |
RBC ION+ Visa | 1x | 3 Avion points† on grocery, dining, food delivery, gas, rideshare, public transit, EV charging, streaming, digital gaming and online subscriptions | |
RBC ION Visa | 1x | 1.5 Avion points on groceries, transportation (gas, rideshare, transit, EV charging), and streaming services and subscriptions |
There's no distinction between the points earned from a standard RBC card vs. an Avion card, like the RBC Avion Visa Infinite. Both cards earn Avion Rewards points—though some Avion cardholders may mistakenly refer to their points as such.
The difference between an Avion card and a standard RBC rewards card is that Avion cards are intended to appeal to those looking specifically for travel rewards cards. Avion cards have higher annual fees, better welcome offers, and feature additional travel-friendly perks (like good travel insurance packages and exclusive experiences). Finally, though both Avion and non-Avion cardholders use the same travel portal to redeem points, Avion cardholders get better value for their points when redeemed for travel.
If you don’t feel comfortable using credit, keep in mind that you can still earn RBC Rewards points with a debit card. If you enroll an eligible RBC bank account (such as the RBC Day to Day Banking or Advantage Banking accounts) in the Value Program you can earn RBC points every time you use your debit card.
The following RBC Royal Bank credit cards earn Avion points on net purchases and are points-earning credit cards:
Disclosures
*Refer to RBC page for up to date offer terms and conditions.
Money.ca may engage in affiliate marketing, which is done by embedding tracking links into Money.ca. If you click on a link for an affiliate partnership, a cookie will be placed on your browser to track any sales for purposes of commissions.
Avion Rewards members can earn even more points when shopping with select Avion partners. RBC Avion Rewards is an impressive selection of special deals for both Avion members and non-members, making it a great way to maximize value for money. These offers fall under two categories: "save & earn" and "Save now."
How much an RBC Avion point is valued at depends on how you redeem those points. That said, RBC Avion Rewards points have a value of around one cent per point.
Here's how the value of RBC Avion points differs based on how you redeem points:
No, Avion Rewards points never expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. However, you’ll have limited time periods to redeem your points after closing your account: 90 days for self-serve, online point redemption and 365 days to redeem by calling in to the RBC advice centre.
Avion Points value varies substantially depending on how they are redeemed, and Avoon Rewards can be redeemed for a wide variety of purposes, including travel, merchandise, charitable donations, paying with points and gift cards. You can also use the Avion Rewards ShopPlus browser extension to earn money back when shopping online.
Redeeming points is a straightforward process: Head to the Rewards portal and sign in when you’re ready to redeem. There may be minimum redemption requirements depending on what redemption option you use. For example, there are set point minimums required when you convert points to other loyalty programs, as well as a minimum of 12,000 points needed to redeem points for RBC Financial Rewards.
When you want to redeem your RBC Rewards for travel, you’ll notice that there’s a different redemption option based on whether you have an RBC Avion card or not.
If you don’t have an Avion card, then your redemption options for travel are very straightforward: 100 points = $1 travel value. To redeem your points for travel you simply sign in to the RBC Rewards Travel page and select a travel purchase. There is no minimum number of points required to redeem for travel, and if you don’t have enough points to cover a full travel redemption you can pay the remaining balance with your credit card.
If you are an Avion cardholder, you can select round-trip flights on any airline based on the Air Travel Redemption Schedule. The number of points you need to redeem depends on your destination, and each destination has a maximum ticket price (not including fees and taxes). If you exceed the maximum ticket price, RBC lets you charge the additional cost to your credit card or pay the difference at a rate of 100 points = $1.
Points Needed | Region | Max Ticket Price | Max Value Per Point |
---|---|---|---|
15,000 | Within or to an adjacent province, territory, or U.S. state | $350 | $0.0233 |
35,000 | From/to anywhere in Canada or U.S. except Hawaii and Alaska | $750 | $0.0214 |
45,000 | Western Canada or U.S. to Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska /Eastern Canada to Bermuda, Central America, Caribbean | $900 | $0.02 |
55,000 | Eastern Canada or U.S. to Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska /Western Canada to Bermuda, Central America, Caribbean | $1,100 | $0.02 |
65,000 | Canada or U.S. to Europe | $1,300 | $0.02 |
100,000 | Canada or U.S. to Asia, Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific, Middle East, Africa, South America | $2,000 | $0.02 |
It’s clear from the travel redemption schedule that Avioners get more value for their points when they redeem them for travel compared to non-Avioners. Whereas the value of one point for non-Avioners is locked in at 1 point = 1 cent, Avioner point values range from 2 cents to as high as 2.33 cents per point.
Note that while there are redemption differences between Avion and non-Avion cardholders, there are some important benefits that both cardholders share. Both can redeem their points for a number of different travel-related purchases, such as flights, cruises, vacation packages, hotels, and car rentals. Furthermore, both enjoy no blackouts or seat restrictions when they book their travel. Plus, both can use RBC Rewards points to cover air travel fees and taxes at a rate of 100 points per $1.
The Avion Rewards program is incredibly flexible and points can be redeemed for an impressive variety of pursuits outside travel, including merchandise, charitable donations, and gift cards. You can also put points toward an RBC Financial Reward, by transferring them to accounts like an RBC investment portfolio or RESP. Finally, you can take advantage of a relatively new feature called Pay With Points that lets you pay bills, pay down your credit card statement, or even make purchases in-store with an eligible digital wallet app like Google Pay.
Another appealing feature of the Avion Rewards program is that you can transfer your Avion points to a few other participating loyalty programs.
All Avion Rewards cardholders can convert their Avion Rewards points into WestJet dollars and Hudson’s Bay Rewards points. For every 100 RBC Rewards points converted, you receive 1 WestJet dollar (minimum 1,000 pts needed to convert). For every 500 RBC Rewards points converted, you receive 1,000 Hudson’s Bay Rewards points (minimum 500 pts needed).
RBC Avion cardholders have even more conversion options. They can transfer points to the aforementioned programs, but they can also convert RBC Rewards points to other participating travel rewards programs:
Note that all cardholders can also transfer RBC Rewards points to a second RBC Rewards account held in their name. You can also transfer RBC Rewards points to a family member or friend if they have an RBC Rewards account.
RBC has point-earning partnerships with both Rexall and Petro-Canada. With Petro-Canada, you earn 20% more RBC Rewards points when you use a linked eligible RBC Rewards credit card to make purchases. You also instantly save 3 cents per litre at Petro-Canada locations. With Rexall, RBC cardholders with a linked debit or credit card earn 50 Be Well points (Rexall’s rewards program) per $1 they spend at Rexall stores.
RBC also has a new partnership with DoorDash that gets eligible cardholders a free DashPass subscription for up to 12 months, as well as unlimited deliveries with no delivery fees on orders over $12.
35,000 Avion points
Welcome Bonus
$963
First Year Value
$213
Annual Value
Welcome Bonus: Enjoy 35,000 Avion points upon approval^ (a value of up to $750†).
Get this card if you...
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$120
Annual Fee
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
Our Take
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card is a flexible travel rewards credit card that allows cardholders to earn Avion points on everyday purchases, with additional benefits such as comprehensive travel insurance and access to exclusive events. It is well-suited for frequent travelers seeking a versatile rewards program and value-added perks.
Eligibility
Very Good (671 - 739)
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Annual Interest Rates
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$120
Annual Fee
2.50%
Foreign Transaction
5.00%
Balance Transfer
Rewards Avion Elite
1
Earn 1 Avion point for every dollar you spend*.
25%
extra Avion points on eligible travel purchases
$1,500
mobile device insurance
3¢/L
savings on fuel at Petro-Canada and always earn 20% more Avion points
50
Be Well points for every $1 spent on eligible products at Rexall
20%
off at Hertz and earn 3x the Avion points
$0
delivery fees for 12 months from DoorDash
Insurance Benefits
$1,500
Mobile device insurance amount
3
Emergency medical insurance over 65 days
$500,000
Travel accident insurance amount
$2,500
Hotel burglary insurance
$65,000
Rental car insurance amount
Enjoy 35,000 Avion points^ (a value of up to $750†), that’s enough for a roundtrip flight to fly anywhere in Canada & the U.S (Alaska and Hawaii require more points). Taxes and fees extra.†
^This offer only applies to new applications for an RBC Avion Visa Infinite or RBC Avion Visa Platinum credit card (each, an “Eligible Credit Card”) approved by Royal Bank of Canada, subject to the conditions below. Additional cardholders(s) (co-applicant and authorized user(s)) on the Eligible Credit Card account, as well as existing cardholders on any RBC Royal Bank personal credit card transferring to an Eligible Credit Card account, are not eligible for this offer.
Our Take
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card is a flexible travel rewards credit card that allows cardholders to earn Avion points on everyday purchases, with additional benefits such as comprehensive travel insurance and access to exclusive events. It is well-suited for frequent travelers seeking a versatile rewards program and value-added perks.
Eligibility
Very Good (671 - 739)
Recommended Credit Score
$60,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Annual Interest Rates
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$120
Annual Fee
2.50%
Foreign Transaction
5.00%
Balance Transfer
Rewards Avion Elite
1
Earn 1 Avion point for every dollar you spend*.
25%
extra Avion points on eligible travel purchases
$1,500
mobile device insurance
3¢/L
savings on fuel at Petro-Canada and always earn 20% more Avion points
50
Be Well points for every $1 spent on eligible products at Rexall
20%
off at Hertz and earn 3x the Avion points
$0
delivery fees for 12 months from DoorDash
Insurance Benefits
$1,500
Mobile device insurance amount
3
Emergency medical insurance over 65 days
$500,000
Travel accident insurance amount
$2,500
Hotel burglary insurance
$65,000
Rental car insurance amount
Enjoy 35,000 Avion points^ (a value of up to $750†), that’s enough for a roundtrip flight to fly anywhere in Canada & the U.S (Alaska and Hawaii require more points). Taxes and fees extra.†
^This offer only applies to new applications for an RBC Avion Visa Infinite or RBC Avion Visa Platinum credit card (each, an “Eligible Credit Card”) approved by Royal Bank of Canada, subject to the conditions below. Additional cardholders(s) (co-applicant and authorized user(s)) on the Eligible Credit Card account, as well as existing cardholders on any RBC Royal Bank personal credit card transferring to an Eligible Credit Card account, are not eligible for this offer.
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite is the mid-range offering from RBC Avion but provides its best rewards. The card earns 1.25x Avion points per $1 spent on eligible travel purchases* and 1.00 Avion point per $1 spent on purchases. You can earn even more points when travelling, including 3 Avion points at at Hertz (plus bonus Be Well points when using the card at Rexall).
What makes it a great travel card option is the insurance it provides. From $1,500 worth of mobile phone insurance to $500,000 in travel accident protection the Avion Visa Infinite has you covered.
Disclosures
Refer to RBC page for up to date offer terms and conditions.
This post contains affiliate links. Please read disclaimer for more info.
Disclaimer: Money.ca may engage in affiliate marketing, which is done by embedding tracking links into Money.ca. If you click on a link for an affiliate partnership, a cookie will be placed on your browser to track any sales for purposes of commissions.
up to 7,000 points†
Welcome Bonus
$506
First Year Value
$456
Annual Value
Welcome Bonus: Get up to 7,000 Avion points^ - that’s up to $50 of value in gift cards!†
Get this card if you...
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$48
Annual Fee
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
Our Take
The RBC ION+ Visa is a rewards credit card offering elevated Avion points on categories such as groceries, dining, gas, rideshare, public transit, EV charging, streaming services, digital gaming, and online subscriptions, with a standard earn rate on all other purchases. Cardholders benefit from a welcome bonus, mobile device insurance, and savings on fuel at Petro-Canada; however, the card carries a modest annual fee, which is waived for students with an RBC Advantage Banking account.
Eligibility
Good (620 - 670)
Recommended Credit Score
Annual Interest Rates
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$48
Annual Fee
2.50%
Foreign Transaction
3.00%
Balance Transfer
$5
Cash Advance
Rewards Avion Premium
3
Avion points† per $1 on qualifying grocery, dining, food delivery, gas, rideshare, public transit, EV charging, streaming, digital gaming and online subscriptions
1
Avion point per $1 on all other purchases
Insurance Benefits
$1,000
Mobile device insurance amount
Get up to 7,000 Avion points^ - that’s up to $50 of value in gift cards!†
Get 3,500 Welcome Points and earn 3,500 bonus points when you spend $500 in your first 3 months.^
Our Take
The RBC ION+ Visa is a rewards credit card offering elevated Avion points on categories such as groceries, dining, gas, rideshare, public transit, EV charging, streaming services, digital gaming, and online subscriptions, with a standard earn rate on all other purchases. Cardholders benefit from a welcome bonus, mobile device insurance, and savings on fuel at Petro-Canada; however, the card carries a modest annual fee, which is waived for students with an RBC Advantage Banking account.
Eligibility
Good (620 - 670)
Recommended Credit Score
Annual Interest Rates
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$48
Annual Fee
2.50%
Foreign Transaction
3.00%
Balance Transfer
$5
Cash Advance
Rewards Avion Premium
3
Avion points† per $1 on qualifying grocery, dining, food delivery, gas, rideshare, public transit, EV charging, streaming, digital gaming and online subscriptions
1
Avion point per $1 on all other purchases
Insurance Benefits
$1,000
Mobile device insurance amount
Get up to 7,000 Avion points^ - that’s up to $50 of value in gift cards!†
Get 3,500 Welcome Points and earn 3,500 bonus points when you spend $500 in your first 3 months.^
The Ion+ is an exceptional rewards card with a modest $4 per month fee (equal to $48 per year). Cardholders earn 3 Avion points† on grocery, dining, food delivery, gas, rideshare, public transit, EV charging, streaming, digital gaming and online subscriptions and 1 Avion point on all other purchases. There's also $1,000 of mobile phone protection included.
Disclosures
Refer to RBC page for up to date offer terms and conditions.
This post contains affiliate links. Please read disclaimer for more info.
Disclaimer: Money.ca may engage in affiliate marketing, which is done by embedding tracking links into Money.ca. If you click on a link for an affiliate partnership, a cookie will be placed on your browser to track any sales for purposes of commissions.
3,500 Avion points†
Welcome Bonus
$298
First Year Value
$273
Annual Value
Welcome Bonus: Get 3,500 Avion points on approval^ - that's a $25 value in gift cards†!
Get this card if you...
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$0
Annual Fee
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
Our Take
The RBC ION Visa Card is a no-annual-fee credit card that allows cardholders to earn Avion points on everyday purchases, with elevated rates for spending on groceries, transportation (including gas, rideshare, transit, and EV charging), and streaming services and subscriptions. Cardholders benefit from additional perks such as savings on fuel at Petro-Canada and earning Be Well points at Rexall.
Eligibility
Fair (300 - 619)
Recommended Credit Score
Annual Interest Rates
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
3.00%
Balance Transfer (Introductory)
Fees
$0
Annual Fee
2.50%
Foreign Transaction
3.00%
Balance Transfer
$5
Cash Advance
$45
Return Penalty
Rewards Avion Premium
1.5x
Avion points for every $1 spent on groceries, transportation (gas, rideshare, transit, EV charging), and streaming services and subscriptions
1
Avion point for every $1 spent on all other qualifying purchases
1
year extension on manufacturer's warranty
90 days
of purchase security protection
3¢/L
savings at Petro-Canada
50
Be Well points at Rexall for every $1 spent
3
month DashPass subscription to enjoy unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees from DoorDash.
Get 3,500 Avion points on approval^ - that's a $25 value in gift cards†!
Our Take
The RBC ION Visa Card is a no-annual-fee credit card that allows cardholders to earn Avion points on everyday purchases, with elevated rates for spending on groceries, transportation (including gas, rideshare, transit, and EV charging), and streaming services and subscriptions. Cardholders benefit from additional perks such as savings on fuel at Petro-Canada and earning Be Well points at Rexall.
Eligibility
Fair (300 - 619)
Recommended Credit Score
Annual Interest Rates
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
3.00%
Balance Transfer (Introductory)
Fees
$0
Annual Fee
2.50%
Foreign Transaction
3.00%
Balance Transfer
$5
Cash Advance
$45
Return Penalty
Rewards Avion Premium
1.5x
Avion points for every $1 spent on groceries, transportation (gas, rideshare, transit, EV charging), and streaming services and subscriptions
1
Avion point for every $1 spent on all other qualifying purchases
1
year extension on manufacturer's warranty
90 days
of purchase security protection
3¢/L
savings at Petro-Canada
50
Be Well points at Rexall for every $1 spent
3
month DashPass subscription to enjoy unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees from DoorDash.
Get 3,500 Avion points on approval^ - that's a $25 value in gift cards†!
The RBC Ion Visa is one of the best no annual fee credit cards on the market in Canada. For no fee cardholders earn 1.5 Avion points on groceries, transportation (gas, rideshare, transit, EV charging), and streaming services and subscriptions and 1 Avion point on all other purchases, plus enjoy a decent 3,500 Avion points† welcome bonus.
Disclosures
Refer to RBC page for up to date offer terms and conditions.
This post contains affiliate links. Please read disclaimer for more info.
Disclaimer: Money.ca may engage in affiliate marketing, which is done by embedding tracking links into Money.ca. If you click on a link for an affiliate partnership, a cookie will be placed on your browser to track any sales for purposes of commissions.
MORE: Best RBC credit cards in Canada 2024
So how does RBC stack up? To get a sense of how competitive the RBC Avion Rewards program is, it’s helpful to compare it to the two other most popular travel rewards programs in Canada: Aeroplan and AIR MILES.
The new Aeroplan flight award chart features dynamic pricing, so the value you get for an Aeroplan point depends on numerous factors like flight distance, exact destination, and route popularity. Since Aeroplan recently revamped its program, point values now generally range anywhere from about 1.5 cents per point to as high as 2 cents, which is a lower range than the travel redemption values for Avion cardholders. Unlike Avion, Aeroplan points cannot be transferred to other loyalty programs, but you can transfer points from some other loyalty programs to Aeroplan. That said, there’s a larger selection of Aeroplan credit cards issued by multiple financial institutions (TD, CIBC, and Amex) and they tend to feature more travel perks than Avion cards, including the likes of free checked bags, NEXUS application rebates, and free airport lounge visits.
AIR MILES, while not strictly a travel reward program, gives you the best (if not the most consistent) value when you redeem them for travel. Value ranges anywhere between 8 to 25 cents a point, depending on when and where you fly. However, AIR MILES are slow to add up because AIR MILES credit cards typically only earn 1 MILE per $5–$25 you spend, depending on the card. It’s also worth noting that unlike with RBC, the values for Aeroplan points and AIR MILES don’t change based on which credit card they were earned with. So although an entry-level Aeroplan or AIR MILES card might earn points at a slower rate than a card with a high annual fee, the ‘class’ of the card doesn’t affect how much its points are worth when it’s time to redeem.
All told, I recommend RBC Avion Rewards to those who meet the income and credit score requirements for an Avion card, and who are willing to pay an Avion card’s annual fee for access to its high-value point redemptions. Avion is particularly appealing for those who find themselves making a lot of short-haul flights within Canada or to nearby U.S. states, for which your points get exceptional value. It’s also a great option if you fly frequently with American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, or British Airways, and you like the flexibility of transferring your points to one of those loyalty programs in order to maximize value and get free flights.
On the other hand, if you only qualify for an entry-level, non-Avion card, there are other travel rewards programs or even cash back credit cards out there that might offer more sign-up bonus points, better regular earn rates, and better value for your points.
Sandra MacGregor has been writing about finance and travel for nearly a decade. Her work has appeared in a variety of publications like the New York Times, the UK Telegraph, the Washington Post, Forbes.com and the Toronto Star.
Cory Santos is a finance writer, editor and credit card expert with nearly a decade of experience in personal finance. Cory joined Wise Publishing from BestCards, with bylines in numerous print and digital publications across North America, including the Miami Herald, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Debt.ca, AOL, MSN and Medium as well as financial podcasts like KOFE Talk. He's also the creator and author of the annual Money.ca Credit Card Awards.
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