Quick overview of the RBC Avion Visa Platinum Card
The RBC Avion Visa Platinum Card is a flexible travel rewards card aimed at the frequent flyer who likes to travel often and easily. Its point system is simple, allowing cardholders to use their points on any airline, on any flight, at any time with no blackouts or seat restrictions, even during peak seasons.
With an extensive travel insurance package and fuel savings, the RBC Avion Platinum card has features that’ll appeal to the frequent flyer and driver alike.
Who is the RBC Avion Visa Platinum for?
Are you interested in travel rewards but find all of the options confusing? This card might be for you. While other cards have tiered rewards structures that offer different amounts of points for different spending categories, the Platinum RBC Avion Visa keeps things super simple, offering one point for every dollar spent. See? Nothing confusing here.
That philosophy carries over to how points are redeemed. While some cards only allow you to book on certain airlines at certain times of the year, the Avion card allows you to use your points for travel on any airline, for any seat, at any time of year – even during peak travel seasons. Don’t be fooled by its simplicity, though. The card also comes with travel insurance that includes trip cancellation and interruption. However, if you’re looking for premium travel perks like no foreign exchange fees and lounge access, you’ll have to look elsewhere. Those features aren’t included with the RBC Avion Visa Platinum.
Pros and cons
Pros
-
Get up to 35,000 bonus points
-
The welcome bonus is simple and doesn’t require a minimum spend
-
Included travel insurance
-
Save 3 cents per litre on fuel at Petro Canada
Cons
-
No lounge access
-
Earn only 1 point per dollar spent
-
High-interest rates
RBC Avion Visa Platinum Card welcome bonus
- Earn 35,000 welcome Avion points
- Points will appear on your first statement following approval
- 35,000 points are enough to fly you anywhere in Canada or the US, excluding Hawaii and Alaska
How to earn Avion points with the RBC Avion Visa Platinum card
When you open a RBC Avion Visa Platinum card, you’ll earn 35,000 points right off the bat, just for opening the card – no minimum spend required. That little nest egg, valued at around $750, will get you started on your Avion point-earning journey. From there, you’ll earn one point for every dollar spent, no matter where you shop. Groceries? Check. Gas? Check. Netflix, bar tab, new clothes? Check, check, check. It’s nice not to have to tailor your spending at specific retailers to earn points. And, if you’d like to maximise your point-earning potential, you can link your Avion card to a free Petro Points card. Not only will you save 3 cents per litre at the pump, you’ll also earn 20% more Petro Points and 20% more Avion points when you purchase anything at the gas station.
How to redeem Avion points
RBC makes it easy to redeem Avion points with its online portal. To redeem your points, visit the website and navigate to the redeem tab. Once there, you can use your points to pay some or all of your credit card balance, pay back purchases, pay bills, send Interac e-transfers, donate to charity, or shop. You can also use your points to book travel. RBC provides estimates to help you figure out how many points you might need to book specific flights.
For example, 15,000 points can be used to book quick getaways within or to an adjacent province or state; 35,000 points can help you explore North America; 45,000 points can get you Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska, Bermuda, Central America, or the Caribbean; 55,000 points can pay for a full vacation to one of those destinations; 65,000 points can get you to Europe; and 100,000 points can take you far-flung destinations such as New Zealand, Australia, Africa, Asia, the South Pacific, or South America.
Another way to redeem Avion points is to download the Avion Rewards app in the Apple or Google Play store.
RBC Avion Visa Platinum key benefits
- Generous welcome bonus of 35,000 points
- Travel insurance
- Save on gas at Petro Canada
RBC Avion Visa Platinum insurance coverage
- Travel accident insurance: Coverage for accidental death or dismemberment. Maximum benefit: $500,000.
- Auto rental collision/Loss damage insurance: Coverage for rental vehicles against damage or theft. Maximum rental period is 48 consecutive days; maximum benefit is the lesser of the vehicle's actual cash value or repair cost.
- Trip interruption insurance: Coverage for eligible expenses if a covered trip is interrupted. Maximum benefit: $2,500 per insured person.
- Emergency purchases insurance: Coverage for essential purchases in the event of delayed baggage. Maximum benefit: $500 per insured person.
- Flight delay insurance: Reimbursement for necessary expenses due to flight delays. Coverage begins after a four-hour delay. Maximum benefit: $500 per insured person.
- Travel emergency medical insurance: Coverage for emergency medical expenses during trips. Maximum benefit: $5,000,000 per insured person for eligible medical emergency expenses. Coverage for the first 15 consecutive days of a covered trip for persons aged 65 or over.
- Hotel/motel burglary insurance: Coverage of up to $2,500 per occurrence.
- Purchase security and extended warranty: Coverage of purchased items from loss or accidental damage for up to 90 days, up to a maximum of $50,000. Extended warranty of up to an additional year on top of the manufacturer’s warranty.
Extra benefits
- Earn additional Be Well points when shopping at Rexall
- Get 20% off at Hertz car rental and 2x the Avion points
- Get $0 delivery fees with DoorDash for a year
What people have to say about this card
In a Reddit thread entitled “Is the RBC Avion credit card worth it?” one user questioned why the pricey card only offers one point for every dollar spent. Others replied, explaining the best ways to take advantage of the rewards.According to a few users, redeeming points toward an RBC investing account is a great way to maximise your rewards. Another user claimed the travel insurance makes up for the yearly cost, claiming it once saved them $3,000. In another Reddit thread entitled “Is the RBC Avion Visa Platinum worth it for travel?” users complemented its flexible rewards redemption. However, some noted you can get more points with other cards, such as the American Express Cobalt card.
How RBC Avion Visa Platinum compares
RBC Avion Visa Platinum vs. RBC ION Visa
The RBC ION Visa can be thought of as the RBC Avion light. It’ll earn you Avion points, but not as many right off the hop as the Platinum. While the Platinum offers 35,000 welcome points, the ION only provides 3,500. The ION also lacks travel insurance, which you’ll get with the Platinum card.
However, the ION will earn you more points in several spending categories. It offers 1.5 points per dollar spent on groceries, ride-sharing, gas, streaming, subscriptions and digital gaming. It also has no yearly fee, compared to the Platinum’s yearly cost of $120.
RBC Avion Visa Platinum vs. American Express Cobalt
If you’re considering the RBC Avion Visa Platinum and American Express Cobalt, it might come down to the rewards program you prefer. The Avion is geared more toward travel rewards, whereas the Amex program is a more general rewards program.
Both have a yearly fee ($120 for the Avion Visa and $155.88, paid $12.99 per month, for the Cobalt), come with travel insurance. When it comes to points, the Cobalt will earn you up to five points per dollar spent, which is much higher than the one point per dollar earned with the Avion card. The Visa Platinum will earn you more from the start, with a welcome bonus of 35,000 points (compared to 15,000 points with the Cobalt).
RBC Avion Visa Platinum Vs. TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite
These two cards are quite similar. Sure, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite might cost a little more than the RBC Avion ($139 compared to $120 per year), but it’ll earn you a few more points for that extra cost (50,000 welcome points compared to 35,000) For everyday points earning, the Aeroplan card earns 1.5 points per dollar on gas, groceries and at Air Canada and one point for everything else; the Avion, meanwhile, earns one points per dollar spent for everything.
Both cards come with travel insurance and have the same interest rates but Aeroplan will get you free checked bags. Of course, you’ll save on gas at the Petro Canada with the Avion card, though.
So, either card is a great choice for the travel rewards earner. The one you choose might come down to whether you prefer Avion points or Aeroplan points.
| Features | RBC Visa Platinum | RBC ION Visa | American Express Cobalt | TD Aeroplan Infinite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $120 | $0 | $155.88 | $139 |
| Welcome offer | 35,000 points | 3,500 points | 15,000 points | 50,000 points |
| Interest rate | 20.99% | 20.99% | 21.99% | 20.99% |
| Travel Insurance | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Benefits |
Earn 1 point per dollar spent.
Save 3 cents per litre on gas at Petro Canada. |
Earn 1.5 points for every dollar spent on groceries, rides, gas, streaming, subscriptions, digital gaming.
No annual fee. |
Earn 5 points on every dollar spent on eligible eats and drinks in Canada, including groceries and food delivery (spend cap applies), 3 points on streaming subscriptions in Canada, 2 points on eligible travel and transit, and 1 point on everything else.
Mobile device insurance. |
Earn 1.5 points on every dollar spent on groceries, gas, and through Air Canada and 1 point on everything else.
Free checked bags with Air Canada. |
Is the RBC Avion Visa Platinum card worth it?
The RBC Avion Visa Platinum offers compelling benefits, making it worth considering for avid travellers. With a generous welcome bonus, flexible redemption options and comprehensive travel insurance coverage, it caters to diverse travel needs.
The ability to earn points on everyday purchases enhances its value, particularly if you’re someone who wants to earn on every single purchase instead of just a few select retailers. However, the annual fee and interest rates should be weighed against the benefits. If you prioritise travel perks, including flight flexibility and insurance and are willing to manage associated costs responsibly, the RBC Avion Visa Platinum can be a valuable addition to your wallet.
FAQs
Justin is a writer and editor who has been covering personal finance for over 10 years. He's written for companies such as KOHO, Ratehub, BMO, Zoocasa, and Questrade, among others. Justin also created a course in Content Creation, which he taught at York University for four years. When not writing, Justin can be found at a live concert, on the golf course, riding a motorcycle, or sailing.
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