Daniela Hanna
RBC British Airways Visa Infinite – Canada Review
The RBC British Airways Visa Infinite is Canada’s only Avios-earning credit card, built for travellers who regularly fly with British Airways or other oneworld airlines. You can earn up to 3 Avios per $1 on eligible British Airways purchases, plus 2 Avios per $1 on dining and food delivery, and unlock a valuable Companion Voucher when you spend $30,000 in a calendar year. Add broad travel insurance, a recurring 10% discount on British Airways flights, and strong partner perks with Petro-Canada, Rexall and DoorDash, and you get a very focused airline card for Canadians who actually plan to fly their Avios.
Quick highlights
- 💰 Intro offer of up to 60,000 Avios when you meet tiered minimum spend requirements in the first 6 months (limited-time offer; see RBC for current promo details).
- ✈️ Earn 3 Avios per $1 on eligible British Airways and British Airways Holidays purchases.
- 🍽 Earn 2 Avios per $1 on dining and food delivery purchases.
- 🛍 Earn 1 Avios per $1 on all other qualifying card purchases.
- 🎟 Companion Voucher when you spend $30,000 in a calendar year – bring a companion on a reward flight or get 50% off the Avios on a solo reward-seat ticket.
- 💺 10% discount on eligible British Airways flights when you book through the dedicated BA link and pay with your card.
- 🩺 Broad travel and protection insurance, including out-of-province/country emergency medical, flight delay, delayed baggage, hotel/motel burglary and auto rental collision/loss damage waiver.
Why we like the RBC British Airways Visa Infinite
The RBC British Airways Visa Infinite is unapologetically niche – and that’s a good thing if you’re the target. Instead of being a general travel card, it’s built around British Airways Executive Club and Avios, with earning rates and perks that make far more sense for people who fly BA or oneworld at least occasionally.
You get up to 3 Avios per $1 on British Airways purchases, 2 Avios per $1 on dining and food delivery, a sizeable welcome bonus (when available), and the all-important Companion Voucher after $30,000 in annual spend. Add in a recurring 10% discount on eligible British Airways flights and broad built-in travel insurance, and you have a card that can more than earn back its $165 annual fee for the right traveller.
Stand-out features
- ✅ Up to 60,000 Avios welcome bonus with tiered minimum spend in the first 6 months (offer details change over time).
- ✅ 3 Avios per $1 on eligible British Airways and British Airways Holidays purchases.
- ✅ 2 Avios per $1 on dining and food delivery, a category many Canadians spend heavily in.
- ✅ Companion Voucher after $30,000 in annual spend to bring a companion on a BA reward flight or cut the Avios cost of a solo ticket in half.
- ✅ Ongoing 10% discount on eligible British Airways round-trip flights originating in Canada when booked through the BA/RBC portal and paid with the card.
- ✅ Automatic British Airways Executive Club membership (if you’re not already a member) to earn and redeem Avios more easily.
- ✅ Broad travel insurance suite and access to Visa Infinite perks such as the Luxury Hotel Collection and concierge.
Good to know
- ⚠️ The annual fee is $165, and additional cards are $75 each.
- ⚠️ Standard interest rates: 20.50% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances (higher cash advance rate in most provinces; Quebec may differ).
- ⚠️ Minimum income requirement is typically $60,000 personal or $100,000 household, making this a true premium card.
- ⚠️ Avios are tied to the British Airways ecosystem; they’re amazing if you can use BA or oneworld, less so if you mainly fly other airlines.
- ⚠️ Like all airline programs, taxes, fees and carrier charges still apply on reward bookings.
Pros
- Up to 60,000 Avios welcome bonus can easily cover one or more transatlantic economy trips (or a chunk of a premium-cabin ticket).
- Strong earn rates on British Airways purchases (3×) and dining/food delivery (2×) help you build Avios quickly.
- Valuable Companion Voucher after $30,000 annual spend for BA reward flights.
- Recurring 10% discount on eligible British Airways round-trip flights from Canada.
- Includes out-of-province/country emergency medical insurance, flight delay and delayed baggage coverage.
- Good partner perks with Petro-Canada, Rexall and DoorDash when you link your card.
- Visa Infinite benefits, including hotel privileges, dining events and concierge access.
Cons
- $165 annual fee plus $75 per additional card is not cheap if you won’t fully use the perks.
- Avios are airline-specific; if you rarely fly British Airways or oneworld, the value drops quickly.
- General spend earn rate of 1 Avios per $1 is just average compared with some flexible points cards.
- Companion Voucher requires $30,000 in annual spend, which is high for many households.
- No included mobile device insurance – you may want a second card for that protection.
- Standard premium-card interest rates mean carrying a balance is expensive and quickly wipes out rewards.
Rewards program
The RBC British Airways Visa Infinite earns British Airways Avios, a versatile airline currency you can use for flights, upgrades, and more with British Airways and oneworld partners. You’ll need a British Airways Executive Club account, but you’re enrolled automatically when you’re approved if you’re not already a member.
- British Airways & BA Holidays: 3 Avios per $1 spent on eligible purchases made directly with British Airways and British Airways Holidays.
- Dining & food delivery: 2 Avios per $1 spent at eligible restaurants and on qualifying food delivery services.
- All other qualifying purchases: 1 Avios per $1 on your everyday card spend.
- Welcome bonus (limited-time offers): Typically up to 60,000 bonus Avios when you meet tiered minimum spend requirements in the first 6 months after approval.
- Companion Voucher: Spend $30,000 in a calendar year to earn a voucher you can use to bring a companion on a BA reward flight for just taxes and fees, or to cut the Avios required for a solo reward seat in half.
How to maximize rewards
-
Hit the welcome bonus thresholds first.
If there’s a welcome offer, plan large upcoming expenses (travel bookings, insurance premiums, home projects, etc.) so you comfortably meet the minimum spend targets in each time window without overspending. -
Put British Airways purchases on this card every time.
You’ll earn 3× Avios on eligible BA and BA Holidays purchases plus get a recurring 10% discount on eligible round-trip flights booked through the dedicated landing page and paid with your card. -
Use it as your main dining / food delivery card.
Charging restaurant meals and food delivery to this card at 2× Avios helps you grow your balance quickly, especially in bigger cities where eating out is a regular part of life. -
Work toward the Companion Voucher if your spend is high enough.
If your annual credit-card spend hits $30,000 or more, consciously running that spend through this card can unlock the voucher, which can be worth hundreds of dollars in Avios value on the right itinerary. -
Redeem Avios where they shine.
Focus redemptions on sweet spots: off-peak flights to/from London, short-haul oneworld partners, or upgrades into premium cabins where the cents-per-Avios value tends to be higher. -
Link partner programs.
Connect your card to Petro-Canada, Rexall Be Well and DoorDash to stack extra discounts and points on top of your Avios earnings.
Insurance & benefits
Included coverage
- Out of Province/Country Emergency Medical Insurance for you and eligible family members when travelling:
- Unlimited emergency medical coverage (in excess of government and other plans) for the first 31 consecutive days of a trip if you’re under 65.
- Unlimited emergency medical coverage for the first 7 consecutive days if you’re 65 or older.
- Coverage can be automatically extended in some situations when common-carrier delays push your trip beyond the covered days.
- Travel Accident Insurance when travelling on a common carrier (up to a set maximum benefit amount if a covered loss, including death, occurs).
- Flight Delay Insurance for reasonable expenses like meals and accommodation when eligible flights are significantly delayed or connections are missed.
- Delayed Baggage Insurance to cover essential items when your checked luggage is delayed beyond a set number of hours.
- Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance if your personal property is stolen from your hotel/motel room or cruise cabin during a covered stay.
- Auto Rental Collision/Loss Damage Waiver Insurance when you decline the rental agency’s collision coverage and charge the full rental cost to your card (up to the vehicle MSRP limit and number of rental days specified).
- Purchase Security Insurance for eligible items stolen or damaged within a limited period after purchase when charged to the card.
- Extended Warranty Insurance that typically doubles the manufacturer’s warranty up to a maximum of one additional year on eligible purchases.
Travel & lifestyle perks
- British Airways Executive Club benefits, including the ability to earn and redeem Avios, track your balance online and access BA-only offers.
- Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection perks such as room upgrades (when available), daily breakfast and other on-property benefits at participating hotels.
- Visa Infinite Dining Series & Wine Country benefits at select restaurants and wineries across Canada.
- Petro-Canada partnership: savings on fuel per litre and extra Petro-Points when you link your card.
- Rexall Be Well partnership: bonus Be Well points per $1 spent at Rexall when your card is linked.
- DoorDash DashPass offers for eligible cardholders, including a complimentary subscription period with $0 delivery fees on qualifying orders (subject to current promo).
- Visa Infinite Concierge available 24/7 to help with travel arrangements, dining reservations and gift ideas.
As with any insurance, coverage is subject to eligibility rules, exclusions, limitations and conditions set out in the official Certificate of Insurance. Always review those documents carefully before relying on specific benefits or travelling.
Rates & fees
| Annual fee | $165 for the primary cardholder. |
|---|---|
| Additional cards | $75 per additional card per year. |
| Purchase APR | 20.50% on purchases. |
| Cash advance APR | 22.99% on cash advances and related transactions (a slightly lower rate may apply for Quebec residents). |
| Balance transfers | Generally 22.99% unless a promotional balance transfer offer is active. |
| Foreign transaction fee | 2.5% on purchases made in foreign currencies, on top of the exchange rate. |
| Grace period | Typically at least 21 days of interest-free grace on new purchases when you pay your statement balance in full by the due date. No grace period applies to cash advances. |
| Minimum payment | A small percentage of your statement balance plus any past-due amount and fees, subject to RBC’s minimum payment rules. |
| Income requirement | Minimum $60,000 personal or $100,000 household annual income is generally required. |
Best for
- ✈️ Travellers who fly British Airways or oneworld partners regularly enough to fully use Avios and the Companion Voucher.
- 🍽 Cardholders who spend a lot on dining and food delivery and like the idea of earning airline miles rather than cash back.
- 🌍 Canadians planning transatlantic trips who want a recurring 10% discount on eligible BA round-trip flights from Canada.
- 🧳 Travellers who value built-in emergency medical, flight delay and baggage coverage on out-of-province/country trips.
- 💼 Higher-income households able to put $30,000 or more of annual spend on one card to trigger the Companion Voucher.
Where it falls short
- Not a good fit if you rarely or never fly British Airways or oneworld; Avios are most valuable within that ecosystem.
- $165 annual fee and $75 per additional card can be hard to justify if your travel or dining spend is modest.
- 1 Avios per $1 on non-bonus spending is beaten by many flexible-points or cash-back cards.
- High $30,000 spend requirement for the Companion Voucher limits it to bigger spenders.
- No mobile device insurance; you may want another card to cover phone purchases.
- Standard premium-card interest rates mean carrying a balance negates much of the card’s value.
Customer reviews
Positive feedback
“I fly to London twice a year to see family, so the 10% flight discount and the Avios earn rate add up quickly. The Companion Voucher made one of our trips significantly cheaper in terms of points.”
“I like that my restaurant spending works toward flights. I put all my dining and British Airways bookings on this card, and redeem Avios for off-peak flights to Europe.”
Critiques
“If you’re not using British Airways, this card doesn’t make as much sense. I ended up pairing it with a general travel card for trips that aren’t on oneworld.”
“The Companion Voucher threshold is high. We hit it one year when we renovated and put everything on the card, but in normal years we fall short.”
Community insights
Among Canadian points enthusiasts, the RBC British Airways Visa Infinite is often seen as a specialized tool rather than an everyday catch-all card. It shines for BA loyalists and those who know how to squeeze outsized value from Avios on partner airlines, especially for transatlantic flights and certain short-haul routes. Many people keep this card specifically for the welcome bonus, flight discount, Companion Voucher potential and travel insurance, while putting non-bonus spending on a more flexible rewards or cash-back card.
AI review (straight talk)
This card is excellent if your travel patterns line up with what it offers. If you fly British Airways or oneworld at least once in a while, are happy to learn a bit about Avios sweet spots and can put meaningful spending on the card, the RBC British Airways Visa Infinite can deliver serious value.
If you mostly travel within Canada or rarely fly BA, you’re probably better off with a general travel card or a strong cash-back card. Avios are powerful, but only if you can actually use them. Think of this card as a surgical tool: fantastic for targeted transatlantic and partner redemptions, less compelling as a one-size-fits-all solution.
Alternatives & comparison
| Card | Annual Fee | Top Categories / Earn | Other Purchases | Key Perks | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RBC British Airways Visa Infinite | $165 | 3× Avios on British Airways, 2× Avios on dining & food delivery | 1× Avios per $1 | Companion Voucher, 10% BA flight discount, broad travel insurance, Visa Infinite perks | Frequent or aspiring British Airways / oneworld flyers |
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite | Similar or slightly higher | Elevated Avion points on travel and everyday spend | 1× Avion per $1 | Flexible points, transfer partners, broad travel insurance | Travellers who want flexible points, not airline-specific miles |
| Co-branded Aeroplan Visa Infinite (various issuers) | Around $139–$150 | Bonus Aeroplan points on Air Canada, travel and everyday categories | 1× Aeroplan point per $1 | Strong Air Canada ecosystem, preferred pricing, some lounge and priority perks | Canadians who mostly fly Air Canada and Star Alliance |
| Typical no-fee cash-back card | $0 | 1–2% cash back in limited categories | 0.5–1% cash back | Simple cash rewards, minimal extras | Light spenders or those who rarely travel |
| Premium flexible travel rewards card | $150–$599+ | High multipliers on travel, dining, groceries, recurring bills | 1–2× points per $1 | Global lounge access, hotel status, large welcome bonuses | Frequent travellers wanting maximum flexibility and perks |
FAQ
What is the annual fee for the RBC British Airways Visa Infinite?
The annual fee is $165 for the primary cardholder, and $75 for each additional card.
What are the interest rates on this card?
The standard interest rate is 20.50% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances and balance transfers, with a slightly lower cash advance rate in Quebec.
How does the rewards program work?
You earn 3 Avios per $1 on eligible British Airways and BA Holidays purchases, 2 Avios per $1 on dining and food delivery, and 1 Avios per $1 on all other qualifying purchases. Avios can then be redeemed for flights, seat upgrades, hotel stays and more with British Airways and oneworld partners.
Is there a welcome bonus?
RBC often runs limited-time offers of up to 60,000 bonus Avios when you meet tiered minimum spend requirements in the first 6 months. The exact structure and end date of promotions can change, so always check RBC’s website for the most up-to-date offer before applying.
What is the Companion Voucher and how do I earn it?
When you spend $30,000 or more on the card in a calendar year, you earn a Companion Voucher. You can use it to bring a companion on an eligible British Airways reward booking (paying only taxes, fees and carrier charges for their ticket) or to reduce the Avios cost of a solo reward-seat ticket by 50%. Terms and blackout dates apply.
What travel insurance is included?
The card includes out-of-province/country emergency medical insurance, travel accident insurance, flight delay insurance, delayed baggage insurance, hotel/motel burglary insurance, and auto rental collision/loss damage waiver, plus purchase security and extended warranty. Coverage amounts, age limits and conditions are detailed in the Certificate of Insurance.
Does this card offer lounge access?
The RBC British Airways Visa Infinite does not include its own dedicated airport lounge membership, but you can still access BA and oneworld lounges when flying in eligible cabins or holding status through British Airways Executive Club or alliance partners. Visa Infinite hotel and travel perks help soften the edges of your trip, even without a built-in lounge program.
Who should consider the RBC British Airways Visa Infinite?
This card is best suited to Canadians who either already fly British Airways and oneworld or plan to, want to build an Avios balance, and can take advantage of the Companion Voucher and 10% BA flight discount. If your travel is mostly domestic or on other airlines, a more flexible travel rewards card may be a better starting point.
Final verdict & ratings
Our take The RBC British Airways Visa Infinite is a very solid airline card in Canada – as long as you’re actually going to fly the airline (or its partners). It trades generic flexibility for deeper value in a specific ecosystem, rewarding loyal or semi-regular British Airways travellers with richer earn rates, a useful Companion Voucher and ongoing flight discounts.
If you’re just dipping your toes into travel rewards, a flexible points or cash-back card is probably a safer first pick. But if you already have a few European trips in mind, don’t mind connecting through London and can stomach the $165 annual fee, this card can absolutely pull its weight – especially when you maximize the welcome bonus, Avios sweet spots and the Companion Voucher.
| Overall | ★★★★☆ 4.1 / 5 |
|---|---|
| Rewards value | 4.2 / 5 — excellent for BA and dining spend, average on general purchases. |
| Benefits & protections | 4.3 / 5 — strong travel insurance and solid Visa Infinite and partner perks. |
| Fees & costs | 3.7 / 5 — fair for a premium airline card but requires real usage to justify. |
| Ease of approval | 3.8 / 5 — premium income requirements mean it’s aimed at established borrowers. |
