Lena Hayes
The RBC Avion® Visa Infinite* Card is a flexible travel rewards card that lets you redeem Avion points on virtually any airline, any flight, any time — with no blackout dates. With a welcome offer of up to 55,000 Avion points, 1.25× points on travel purchases, extensive travel insurance and strong transfer partnerships, it’s designed for Canadians who want freedom to choose how and when they redeem.
Quick highlights
- 🎁 Welcome offer: up to 55,000 Avion points — 35,000 points on approval and 20,000 more when you spend $5,000 in the first 6 months (current promo).
- ✈️ 1.25× Avion points on eligible travel-related purchases such as flights, hotels, car rentals and cruises.
- 💳 1× Avion point on all other eligible everyday purchases.
- 🧳 Flexible redemptions via the RBC Air Travel Redemption Schedule or pay-with-points for travel, plus transfers to several airline partners.
- 🛡️ Strong travel insurance including emergency medical, trip cancellation/interruption, baggage, flight delay and mobile device coverage.
Why we like the RBC Avion® Visa Infinite* Card
The big appeal of the RBC Avion Visa Infinite is flexibility. Instead of being locked into one airline, you can redeem Avion points for flights on 500+ airlines through the RBC Air Travel Redemption Schedule, or simply apply points toward travel purchases at a fixed rate. There are no blackout dates or seat restrictions when you use the schedule, which is a huge plus during peak seasons and holidays.
On the earn side, you get 1.25× Avion points on eligible travel-related purchases and 1× on everything else. The welcome offer of up to 55,000 points can easily cover a short-haul round-trip flight (and more if you redeem strategically), and the card comes with a full suite of travel insurance plus mobile device coverage.
Stand-out features
- ✅ Up to 55,000 Avion points for new cardholders who are approved and spend $5,000 in the first 6 months.
- ✅ 1.25× Avion points on eligible travel purchases; 1× on all other eligible purchases.
- ✅ Use the RBC Air Travel Redemption Schedule for fixed-point flight pricing, with no blackout dates or seat restrictions.
- ✅ Transfer Avion points to airline partners (like British Airways, Cathay Pacific, American Airlines and WestJet) when you want more premium flights.
- ✅ Robust travel insurance plus mobile device insurance, rare on a $120-fee card.
Good to know
- ⚠️ Foreign transaction fees still apply (around 2.5% on non-CAD purchases), so this is not a no-FX card.
- ⚠️ The welcome bonus and minimum spend thresholds are time-limited and can change; always verify current details with RBC.
- ⚠️ As a Visa Infinite product, you’ll typically need at least $60,000 personal or $100,000 household income, or sufficient assets, to qualify.
Pros
- Flexible Avion points that can be redeemed on almost any airline with no blackout dates.
- Up to 55,000 Avion points in the first year (35,000 on approval + 20,000 after $5,000 in spend).
- 1.25× earn rate on eligible travel purchases; 1× on everything else.
- Ability to transfer Avion points to multiple airline partners for outsized value on premium flights.
- Strong insurance bundle including emergency medical, trip cancellation/interruption, baggage, flight delay and mobile device insurance.
- Extra perks with partners like Petro-Canada, Rexall, Hertz and DoorDash when you link your card.
Cons
- Standard foreign transaction fee applies — not ideal for heavy non-CAD spending.
- No included airport lounge access, unlike some competing travel cards at a similar or slightly higher fee.
- Base earn rate of 1× on non-travel categories is modest compared to specialized high-earn everyday cards.
- Income and/or asset requirements limit accessibility versus entry-level travel cards.
Rewards program
The Avion Rewards program is built around RBC’s own flexible points currency, Avion points. With the Avion Visa Infinite, you earn at different rates depending on what you buy, and you can then redeem via the Air Travel Redemption Schedule, pay with points, or transfer to airline partners.
- 1.25× Avion points per $1 on eligible travel-related purchases (for example flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises and travel agencies).
- 1× Avion point per $1 on all other eligible everyday purchases.
- Welcome bonus: up to 55,000 Avion points:
- 35,000 Avion points awarded after you’re approved for the card.
- 20,000 additional Avion points when you spend $5,000 in the first 6 months.
- Partner accelerators when you link and use your card at select partners: save on fuel and earn extra points at Petro-Canada, earn bonus points at Rexall, get extra points and discounts with Hertz, and periodic perks like DashPass from DoorDash.
How to maximize rewards
-
Plan your first 6 months to unlock the full welcome bonus.
Map out at least $5,000 in normal spending (groceries, insurance, utilities, travel, etc.) to comfortably reach the threshold for the extra 20,000 points. -
Charge all travel to the card.
Flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises and eligible vacation packages should go on your Avion Visa Infinite to earn 1.25× points instead of 1×. -
Use the Air Travel Redemption Schedule for sweet spots.
Short-haul flights within North America, and some longer-haul economy routes, can be particularly valuable when redeemed via the schedule rather than at a simple cents-per-point rate. -
Take advantage of Avion transfer bonuses.
Periodically, RBC runs bonus transfer offers to partners like British Airways, WestJet or other airline programs. Moving points during these promos can significantly boost the value of your stash, especially for business-class flights. -
Link your card to partner programs.
Connect your card to Petro-Canada, Rexall, etc., to earn extra Avion points and discounts on everyday purchases you’d be making anyway. -
Pair with a high-earn everyday card.
Consider using a separate cash-back or category-focused card for groceries, gas and dining if you want 3–5% returns there, while keeping the Avion Visa Infinite as your dedicated travel card and points engine. -
Redeem for higher-value travel instead of low-value merchandise.
In general, flights (especially via the schedule or after transferring to partners) will squeeze more value from your points than gift cards or small items.
Insurance & benefits
Included
- Out-of-province/out-of-country emergency medical insurance for eligible travellers on trips charged to the card (up to a set number of days depending on age).
- Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance for covered events when you charge eligible trip costs to the card.
- Flight delay insurance to help cover meals and accommodation when flights are significantly delayed.
- Delayed and lost baggage insurance when checked baggage is delayed, lost or stolen on an eligible trip.
- Auto rental collision/loss damage waiver insurance when you decline the rental agency’s coverage and pay with the card.
- Hotel/motel burglary insurance for eligible personal property stolen from your room during a covered stay.
- Travel accident insurance when travelling on a common carrier paid with your card.
- Mobile device insurance (up to a specified maximum) for eligible phones and tablets purchased or financed with the card.
- Purchase security for eligible items against theft, loss or damage for a limited period after purchase.
- Extended warranty that can double the manufacturer’s warranty up to a defined maximum period.
Not included / limitations
- ❌ No built-in airport lounge access — for that you’d need a different premium card or paid lounge membership.
- ❌ No no-FX feature; foreign transaction fees still apply on non-CAD purchases.
- ⚠️ Insurance coverage has age limits, trip length limits, pre-existing condition clauses and other exclusions — always review the certificates.
- ⚠️ Many coverages require you to charge a minimum portion of the trip cost (often most or all of it) to the card for eligibility.
Rates & fees
| Annual fee | $120 for the primary cardholder. |
|---|---|
| Additional cards | $50 per additional card. |
| Purchase APR | 20.99% on purchases. |
| Cash advance APR | 22.99% on cash advances and cash-like transactions (21.99% for Quebec residents in some cases). |
| Foreign transaction fee | Typically 2.5% on top of the exchange rate for purchases in other currencies. |
| Grace period | At least 21 days on new purchases when you pay your statement balance in full by the due date. |
| Minimum income / assets | Generally $60,000 personal income or $100,000 household income, or sufficient assets under management, plus standard credit approval. |
| Minimum credit limit | Typically at least $5,000. |
Best for
- ✈️ Travellers who value flexible points that can be used on many airlines, not just one.
- 🌍 Canadians who fly a few times a year and want a strong mix of insurance and redemption options.
- 💺 People interested in airline transfer partners and the potential to book premium cabins with miles.
- 💳 Cardholders comfortable with a $120 annual fee in exchange for the welcome bonus, travel coverage and redemption flexibility.
Where it falls short
- Foreign transaction fees still apply; there is no no-FX perk for international spending.
- No lounge access or airport fast-track benefits, which some competing travel cards include.
- Earn rate on non-travel spending is just 1×, so heavy grocery, gas or dining spenders might prefer a category-boost card.
- Income/asset requirements mean not everyone will qualify, especially newer credit users.
Customer reviews
Positive feedback
“I like that I’m not locked into a single airline. I’ve used Avion points for flights on different carriers and never had to stress about blackout dates.”
“The welcome bonus got me well on my way to a trip to Europe. I also appreciate having decent insurance and mobile coverage built in.”
Critiques
“For everyday, non-travel spending, the 1× earn rate isn’t amazing. I pair it with another card that earns more at grocery stores.”
“The lack of no-FX fees and lounge access is noticeable when you compare it with some other travel cards at a similar price point.”
Community insights
Among Canadian travel enthusiasts, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite is often viewed as a flexible “points backbone” rather than a pure earn-maximizer. Many people hold it for the welcome bonus, ongoing ability to transfer points to airline partners, and the redemption flexibility through the Air Travel Redemption Schedule. It’s frequently paired with high-cash-back or category cards that cover everyday spending at stronger earn rates.
AI review (straight talk)
If you want one travel card that gives you options — book flights directly with points, transfer to airline partners, mix and match redemptions — the RBC Avion Visa Infinite fits very well. The welcome bonus is generous, the insurance coverage is strong for a $120 fee card, and Avion points are relatively easy to use without getting too deep into award travel strategies.
If you’re chasing maximum earn rates on groceries, gas or dining, or if you need no-FX and lounge access, this isn’t the ultimate choice. But as a flexible, mid-tier travel card with good long-term utility, it’s a solid piece of a Canadian points strategy — especially if you’re willing to learn how to use the Air Travel Redemption Schedule and airline transfers to their full potential.
Alternatives & comparison
| Card | Annual Fee | Top Categories / Earn | Other Purchases | Key Perks | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RBC Avion® Visa Infinite* Card | $120 | 1.25× Avion points on eligible travel purchases | 1× on all other eligible purchases | Flexible Avion program, airline transfers, strong insurance | General travellers who want flexibility |
| RBC Avion® Visa Infinite Privilege* | $399 | 1.25× Avion points on all eligible purchases | Same 1.25× base | Premium perks, lounge access, richer benefits | Frequent travellers who want VIP treatment |
| RBC Avion® Visa Platinum* | $120 | 1× Avion point on all eligible purchases | 1× | Similar flexibility but lighter perks and insurance | Travellers who don’t meet Visa Infinite income requirements |
| Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* | $150 | Up to 3× Scene+ on groceries and travel categories | 1× | No FX fees, six lounge visits, strong insurance | International travellers who value no-FX and lounges |
| BMO Ascend World Elite® Mastercard® | $120 | Up to 5× on travel, 3× on dining/entertainment | 1× | Lounge access, strong travel earn | Travellers who prioritize high earn rates and perks |
FAQ
Is there an annual fee?
Yes. The RBC Avion Visa Infinite has a $120 annual fee for the primary card and $50 for each additional card.
What is the current welcome bonus?
As of late 2025, new cardholders can earn up to 55,000 Avion points: 35,000 points after approval, plus 20,000 additional points after spending $5,000 in the first 6 months. Offers can change, so you should always confirm the current details with RBC.
What are the earn rates on this card?
You earn 1.25 Avion points per $1 on eligible travel-related purchases and 1 Avion point per $1 on all other eligible purchases. Additional bonus points may be available through select partners and targeted promotions.
How can I redeem Avion points?
You can redeem points through the Air Travel Redemption Schedule for fixed-point flights with no blackout dates, apply points against travel purchases at a fixed rate, transfer to select airline partners, or redeem for merchandise, gift cards, statement credits and more. Travel redemptions and airline transfers generally offer the best value.
Does the card charge foreign transaction fees?
Yes. Like most Canadian credit cards, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite charges a foreign transaction fee (typically 2.5%) on purchases made in currencies other than Canadian dollars.
Does this card include travel insurance?
Yes. It includes emergency medical insurance for eligible trips, trip cancellation and interruption, flight delay, delayed and lost baggage, rental car collision/loss damage, hotel/motel burglary and travel accident coverage, plus purchase security, extended warranty and mobile device insurance, all subject to the terms, conditions and limits in the insurance documentation.
Can I transfer Avion points to other loyalty programs?
Yes. You can convert Avion points to several airline programs, including select international carriers. Transfer ratios and partners can change, and RBC sometimes offers limited-time transfer bonuses that increase the value you get.
What income do I need to qualify?
As a Visa Infinite card, typical eligibility criteria include a minimum personal annual income of $60,000 or household income of $100,000, or sufficient assets under management. Approval is still subject to RBC’s credit assessment and may vary by applicant.
Final verdict & ratings
Our take The RBC Avion Visa Infinite is a flexible, well-rounded travel card with a strong welcome bonus, practical earn rates on travel, and an insurance package that punches above its $120 annual fee. Its biggest strengths are the freedom to book flights on many airlines, the option to transfer to airline partners, and the ability to tailor redemptions to your style of travel.
It’s not the best choice if you mainly want high cash-back on groceries or gas, or if you absolutely need no-FX fees and lounge access built-in. But as the core of a Canadian travel rewards strategy — especially when paired with a good everyday earner or a no-FX card — the Avion Visa Infinite earns its spot in a lot of wallets.
| Overall | ★★★★☆ 4.3 / 5 |
|---|---|
| Rewards value | 4.2 / 5 — strong welcome offer and flexible travel redemptions. |
| Benefits & protections | 4.4 / 5 — robust travel and mobile device insurance for the fee. |
| Fees & costs | 3.9 / 5 — reasonable annual fee, but foreign transaction fees still apply. |
| Ease of approval | 3.6 / 5 — income/asset requirements make it less accessible than entry-level cards. |
