Quick overview: RBC ION+ Visa
The RBC ION+ Visa Card is an intriguing rewards credit card that's great for students or anyone who wants robust rewards and a modest annual fee in one convenient package. For those shy of big fees, the RBC ION+ Visa might make sense for its decent rewards rate in popular spending categories and a comparatively modest fee. Even better, students with an RBC Advantage Banking account for students get the $48 waived - talk about student savings!
Who’s the RBC ION+ Visa for?
- Students with RBC student accounts looking for a fee-waived rewards card
- Streaming enthusiasts who spend heavily on streaming and digital platforms and gaming
- Food delivery and rideshare service users seeking maximum points on these purchases
- Commuters who use public transit frequently
- Diners and grocery shoppers seeking strong rewards on food spending
- RBC banking customers who can get the monthly fee waived
Pros and cons
- Decent rewards rate in everyday spending categories.
- Low monthly fee, (rebated for students with the no-monthly fee RBC Advantage Banking account).
- Perks like mobile device insurance and fuel savings at Petro-Canada.
- Complex rewards structure with less valuable Avion points in the ION tier.
- Limited insurance benefits (but you can pay to add-on travel insurance).
RBC ION+ Visa welcome bonus
The RBC ION+ Visa comes with a very straightforward welcome bonus for new accounts:
-
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.^
How to earn Avion points with the ION+ Visa
The RBC ION+ Visa credit card earns RBC Avion Rewards points on the following purchases:
- Earn 3 Avion points† per $1 on qualifying grocery, dining, food delivery, gas, rideshare, public transit, EV charging, streaming, digital gaming and online subscriptions
- Earn 1 Avion point per $1 on all other purchases
Based on the average monthly spend of $2,000 (as outlined in our review methodology), ION+ cardholders can earn the following each month with the card:
- Monthly earnings: 4,400 Avion Premium points
- Annual earnings: 52,800 Avion Premium points
Your annual earnings of 52,800 points would be worth:
- $306 in travel redemptions (at 0.58 cents per point)
- $528 in WestJet Rewards points (if transferred to WestJet Rewards)
- Around $370-$400 in gift cards (depending on redemption rates)
The bonus Avion earning rate applies specifically to merchants assigned these MCCs:
Grocery and dining
- Grocery stores and supermarkets (MCC 5411)
- Restaurants and eating places (MCC 5812)
- Bars, taverns, and nightclubs (MCC 5813) - excluding government liquor stores
- Fast food restaurants (MCC 5814)
Transportation
- Gas stations and fuel services (MCCs 5541, 5542)
- Electric vehicle charging (MCC 5552)
- Taxis and limousines (MCC 4121)
- Local commuter transportation including ferries (MCC 4111)
Digital entertainment
- Digital media, books, movies, music (MCC 5815)
- Digital games (MCC 5816) - excluding gambling
- Digital applications (MCC 5817)
- Large digital goods merchants (MCC 5818)
- Cable, satellite, TV/radio streaming services (MCC 4899)
- Some merchants might sell eligible items but won't qualify for bonus points if they're classified under a different MCC by Visa
- Stores inside eligible locations (like a gift shop inside a gas station) might not qualify
- Points are earned on net purchases only - not on cash advances, balance transfers, interest charges or fees
- Credits for returns will reduce your points accordingly
What are Avion points worth with the ION+?
The RBC ION+ Visa earns Avion Premium points, but their value varies depending on how you choose to redeem them:
- Travel redemptions: 0.58 cents per point (172 points = $1 CDN) when booking travel through the Avion Rewards center.
- Gift cards: 0.71 cents per point when redeeming for gift cards (1,400 points = $10 gift card).
- Transfer to WestJet: 0.1 cents per point (1000 Avion Premium points = 100 WestJet points)
How to redeem Avion points
You can redeem Avion points at a rate of 100 points per $1.00 (minimum 1,000 points), whereas 100 ION points are worth $0.58 (and you must redeem a minimum of 2,500 points). This means you’re effectively getting half the bang for your buck, and with the modest (and that’s putting it lightly) welcome bonus, it’s going to take a long while to save for your dream trip on the back of this card.
You can redeem points for gift cards, merchandise from popular stores like Apple and Best Buy through avionrewards.com. You can also pay your credit card balance or send an Interac e-transfer with points.
Key benefits of the RBC ION+ Visa
- 3x points on groceries, dining, and food delivery
- 3x points on gas stations, EV charging, rideshare services, and public transit
- 3x points on streaming services, digital gaming, and digital subscriptions
- 1x on all other qualifying purchases
- Points never expire as long as your account remains active
- Multiple redemption options including travel, gift cards, and bill payments
- Ability to transfer points to WestJet Rewards at a favorable rate
- Potential to transfer points to premium Avion cards for better redemption value
- Save 3¢/L on fuel at Petro-Canada and earn 20% more Petro-Points
- Earn 50 Be Well points for every $1 spent at Rexall with linked accounts
- 3-month complimentary DashPass subscription from DoorDash
RBC ION+ Visa insurance coverage
| Insurance | Coverage amount |
|---|---|
| Extended warranty | Doubles the manufacturer's warranty, up to 1 additional year |
| Purchase protection | Protection against loss, theft, and damage for 90 days |
| Mobile device coverage | Up to $1,000 coverage for damage, theft and loss |
- Earn 50 Be Well points per dollar at Rexall with linked RBC ION+ Card
- Complimentary three-month DashPass subscription from DoorDash
- Save $0.03 per litre on fuel and earn 20% more Petro-Points and Avion Points
- Enjoy customized alerts, insights and reminders courtesy of NOMI, RBC's AI-driven assistant
What users had to say about the ION+ Visa
This ION+ is probably the best points card for anyone who can't qualify for the Amex Cobalt, Scotia Gold Amex, the MBNA [Rewards World Elite] card or the National Bank World Elite MasterCard or don't care for premium card features and want to save on the annual fee.
Reddit user @deltatux
How does the RBC ION+ Visa Card compare?
up to 110,000 points
Welcome Bonus
$1,180
First Year Value
$80
Annual Value
Welcome Bonus: Earn up to 110,000 Membership Rewards® points*. Expires Aug 18, 2025
Get this card if you...
- are a frequent traveller who wants to earn flexible rewards
- want a great welcome bonus and rewards on everyday spending
- want great travel perks and comprehensive travel insurance
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$250
Annual Fee
21.99%
Purchase
21.99%
Cash Advance
Our Take
The American Express® Gold Rewards Card is a travel credit card that allows cardholders to earn points on everyday purchases, with accelerated rates for categories such as gas, groceries, and travel. These points can be flexibly redeemed for travel bookings, merchandise, or transferred to various airline and hotel loyalty programs, offering versatility for those seeking to maximize rewards on routine expenditures.
Eligibility
Very Good (671 - 739)
Recommended Credit Score
- Generous welcome bonus of up to 110,000 Membership Rewards® points.
- Convertibility of Member Rewards® points to popular airline and hotel loyalty programs (e.g. Aeroplan, Marriott).
- Earn two points per dollar on travel, gas, grocery and drugstore purchases.
- $100 annual travel credit when booking through American Express® Travel online.
- Built-in travel medical insurance and trip coverage.
- $250 annual fee.
- 2.5% foreign transaction fee.
- Travel medical insurance only covers those under age 65.
Annual Interest Rates
21.99%
Purchase
21.99%
Cash Advance
30.00%
Penalty
Fees
$250
Annual Fee
2.50%
Foreign Transaction
$2.75
Cash Advance
$29
Over The Limit Penalty
$45
Return Penalty
Rewards Membership Rewards
2
Earn 2 points for every $1 in Card purchases at eligible gas stations, grocery stores and drugstores in Canada
2
Earn 2 points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible travel purchases, including flights, hotels, car rentals, and more
1
Earn 1 point for every $1 in Card purchases everywhere else
1
Earn 1 additional Membership Rewards point for every $1 you charge to your Gold Rewards Card on eligible hotel or car rental bookings made with American Express Travel
Insurance Benefits
$5,000,000
Emergency medical insurance amount
$500,000
Travel accident insurance amount
$500
Hotel burglary insurance
$85,000
Rental car insurance amount
Experience Amex’s best offer this year on the American Express® Gold Rewards Card.
Earn up to 110,000 Membership Rewards® points*
Here's how:
New American Express® Gold Rewards Cardmembers, earn 5,000 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $1,000 in net purchases on your Card
Earn an additional 30,000 points after you spend a total of $20,000 on your Card in your first 12 months of Cardmembership
Plus, earn 20,000 points when you make a purchase between months 15 and 17 of Cardmembership
Offer ends August 18, 2025
This could add up to 110,000 points in a year. That’s up to $1,100 towards your next vacation!
*Current or former Cardmembers with this Card are not eligible for this offer. Other terms apply.
Our Take
The American Express® Gold Rewards Card is a travel credit card that allows cardholders to earn points on everyday purchases, with accelerated rates for categories such as gas, groceries, and travel. These points can be flexibly redeemed for travel bookings, merchandise, or transferred to various airline and hotel loyalty programs, offering versatility for those seeking to maximize rewards on routine expenditures.
Eligibility
Very Good (671 - 739)
Recommended Credit Score
- Generous welcome bonus of up to 110,000 Membership Rewards® points.
- Convertibility of Member Rewards® points to popular airline and hotel loyalty programs (e.g. Aeroplan, Marriott).
- Earn two points per dollar on travel, gas, grocery and drugstore purchases.
- $100 annual travel credit when booking through American Express® Travel online.
- Built-in travel medical insurance and trip coverage.
- $250 annual fee.
- 2.5% foreign transaction fee.
- Travel medical insurance only covers those under age 65.
Annual Interest Rates
21.99%
Purchase
21.99%
Cash Advance
30.00%
Penalty
Fees
$250
Annual Fee
2.50%
Foreign Transaction
$2.75
Cash Advance
$29
Over The Limit Penalty
$45
Return Penalty
Rewards Membership Rewards
2
Earn 2 points for every $1 in Card purchases at eligible gas stations, grocery stores and drugstores in Canada
2
Earn 2 points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible travel purchases, including flights, hotels, car rentals, and more
1
Earn 1 point for every $1 in Card purchases everywhere else
1
Earn 1 additional Membership Rewards point for every $1 you charge to your Gold Rewards Card on eligible hotel or car rental bookings made with American Express Travel
Insurance Benefits
$5,000,000
Emergency medical insurance amount
$500,000
Travel accident insurance amount
$500
Hotel burglary insurance
$85,000
Rental car insurance amount
Experience Amex’s best offer this year on the American Express® Gold Rewards Card.
Earn up to 110,000 Membership Rewards® points*
Here's how:
New American Express® Gold Rewards Cardmembers, earn 5,000 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $1,000 in net purchases on your Card
Earn an additional 30,000 points after you spend a total of $20,000 on your Card in your first 12 months of Cardmembership
Plus, earn 20,000 points when you make a purchase between months 15 and 17 of Cardmembership
Offer ends August 18, 2025
This could add up to 110,000 points in a year. That’s up to $1,100 towards your next vacation!
*Current or former Cardmembers with this Card are not eligible for this offer. Other terms apply.
If you’re familiar with Amex cards, you’re familiar with their higher annual fees. The American Express® Gold Rewards Card is no exception (with a $250 fee), and if you’re deterred by an upfront expense, there’s no comparing these two cards. But with that cost comes a slew of benefits surpassing anything offered by the RBC ION+ Visa. For instance, the Amex fee is offset by a pretty sweet $100 travel credit, good for hotels, car rentals and other necessary expenses you might incur on a trip.
And while both cards reward your spending on everyday purchases like groceries and gas, the Amex welcome bonus of up to 110,000 Membership Rewards® points* is absolutely going to be more appealing to would-be travellers than the paltry ION+ points offered by the Avion card. And let’s not forget the extended travel insurance on the Amex that is notably missing on RBC’s Ion+ card. Neither card has income requirements. So, despite the high cost of the Amex gold card, there are far more rewards to be had with it. If you’re a traveller, the ability to transfer Amex points 1-1 for Aeroplan or 1.5-1 for Marriott Bonvoy points is going to make your rewards far more flexible.
Disclosures:
-
Contact American Express for the most up-to-date referral bonus figures.
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. Conditions apply. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
15,152 points†
Welcome Bonus
$253
First Year Value
$203
Annual Value
Welcome Bonus: Earn a value of $50† in TD Rewards Points† to use on eligible Amazon.ca purchases. Conditions Apply. Offer effective as of January 7, 2025.
Get this card if you...
- want to earn TD Rewards on everyday purchases
- want a flexible rewards program
- value a good welcome offer
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$0
Annual Fee
21.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
Our Take
The TD Rewards Visa* Card is a no-annual-fee credit card offering TD Rewards Points on everyday purchases, with elevated rates for travel booked through Expedia® For TD, as well as on groceries, dining, and recurring bill payments. Cardholders benefit from flexible redemption options, including travel, merchandise, and statement credits.
Eligibility
Excellent (740+)
Recommended Credit Score
$0
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
- Wide range of point redemption options, including travel†, Amazon.ca†, online retailers†, card statement credits†, etc.
- Good rate of return on spending and redeeming via the travel platform Expedia® For TD†
- Decent value for those that have a high volume of recurring bills
- Point redemption values are moderate to poor
- Low spending limits for earning extra points on groceries and restaurants
- High credit score requirement
Annual Interest Rates
21.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$0
Annual Fee
2.50%
Foreign Transaction
Rewards TD Rewards
4 Points
Earn 4 TD Rewards Points for every $1 you spend on travel through ExpediaForTD.com†
3 Points
Earn 3 TD Rewards Points for every $1 you spend on Groceries, Dining, and Public Transit†
2 Points
Earn 2 TD Rewards Points for every $1 you spend on Recurring Bill Payments and Streaming, Digital Gaming & Media†
1 Points
Earn 1 TD Rewards Point for every $1 you spend on all other purchases†
50%
Earn 50% more TD Rewards Points and 50% more Stars at Starbucks†
Insurance Benefits
$1,000
Mobile device insurance amount
Earn 15,152 TD Rewards Points† (a value of $50 on Amazon.ca†) when you spend $500 within 90 days of Account opening†. Conditions apply. Offer effective as of January 7, 2025.
†Terms and conditions apply.
This offer is not available for residents of Quebec.
The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) is not responsible for the contents of this site including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on any TD product, please click the Apply Now button. Sponsored Content.
Our Take
The TD Rewards Visa* Card is a no-annual-fee credit card offering TD Rewards Points on everyday purchases, with elevated rates for travel booked through Expedia® For TD, as well as on groceries, dining, and recurring bill payments. Cardholders benefit from flexible redemption options, including travel, merchandise, and statement credits.
Eligibility
Excellent (740+)
Recommended Credit Score
$0
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
- Wide range of point redemption options, including travel†, Amazon.ca†, online retailers†, card statement credits†, etc.
- Good rate of return on spending and redeeming via the travel platform Expedia® For TD†
- Decent value for those that have a high volume of recurring bills
- Point redemption values are moderate to poor
- Low spending limits for earning extra points on groceries and restaurants
- High credit score requirement
Annual Interest Rates
21.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$0
Annual Fee
2.50%
Foreign Transaction
Rewards TD Rewards
4 Points
Earn 4 TD Rewards Points for every $1 you spend on travel through ExpediaForTD.com†
3 Points
Earn 3 TD Rewards Points for every $1 you spend on Groceries, Dining, and Public Transit†
2 Points
Earn 2 TD Rewards Points for every $1 you spend on Recurring Bill Payments and Streaming, Digital Gaming & Media†
1 Points
Earn 1 TD Rewards Point for every $1 you spend on all other purchases†
50%
Earn 50% more TD Rewards Points and 50% more Stars at Starbucks†
Insurance Benefits
$1,000
Mobile device insurance amount
Earn 15,152 TD Rewards Points† (a value of $50 on Amazon.ca†) when you spend $500 within 90 days of Account opening†. Conditions apply. Offer effective as of January 7, 2025.
†Terms and conditions apply.
This offer is not available for residents of Quebec.
The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) is not responsible for the contents of this site including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on any TD product, please click the Apply Now button. Sponsored Content.
The TD Rewards Visa is another starter card that doesn’t offer much in the way of interest to serious point collectors, but might be a decent option for students or folks with fee-phobia.
Unlike the RBC ION+ Visa, you won’t have to pay a dime in annual fees on the TD Rewards Visa. There’s a modest welcome bonus, which in my opinion falls short of the Avion points offered by the RBC card.
The real value might be for students looking to open a TD account for the first time – TD currently offers a promotion where students opening a TD chequing account automatically receive a TD Rewards Visa, all without any fee.
Disclosures:
-
†Terms and conditions apply.
This offer is not available to residents of Quebec.
The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) is not responsible for the contents of this site including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on any TD product, please click the Apply Now button. Sponsored Content.
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...
- want to earn rewards without an annual fee
- need basic insurance benefits
- have a fair credit score
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
- No annual fee
- Minimum redemption is only $10
- DoorDash subscription worth $30
- Miserly welcome bonus, valued at less than many cash back bonuses
- Pretty “meh” on points collection through daily spending
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
- No annual fee
- Minimum redemption is only $10
- DoorDash subscription worth $30
- Miserly welcome bonus, valued at less than many cash back bonuses
- Pretty “meh” on points collection through daily spending
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 and its + kin are (as you probably guessed) cut from the same cloth. The big difference comes down to the fee and the welcome bonus. Where the ION+ really earns that plus distinction is in its spending categories. For the stock ION, you’ll only be pulling in1.5 Avion points on groceries, transportation (gas, rideshare, transit, EV charging), and streaming services and subscriptions. In the same categories the ION+ offers 3 points per dollar spent. If you’re spending a lot of money in the designated categories, the ION+ is going to offer more down the road, in addition to the substantially larger welcome bonus.
Is the RBC ION+ Visa Card worth it?
It’s hard to put it better than @deltatux above. If you can’t qualify for better cards, the RBC ION+ Visa Card is worth considering. Otherwise, there are better cards.
But if you’re working on developing your credit score, or intent on keeping your fees low, the RBC ION+ Visa may be a fit for those looking for a low-fee card with a high rewards rate in everyday spending categories.
In particular, it’s a good option for students or those with an RBC banking account. But for big travellers and point collectors, you might want to explore other options. The card's value increases if you frequently shop at Rexall or fill up at Petro-Canada, leveraging its unique perks.
ION+ eligiblity requirements
- Age: 18+
- Residency: Canadian resident
- Credit score: Good
- Income: N/A
Disclosures:
-
Refer to RBC page for up to date offer terms and conditions.
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