RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card Review

If you’re looking to accumulate points swiftly and travel more affordably, my review of the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card is essential reading. This card is often overlooked among travel credit cards in Canada. It features a generous welcome bonus, and Avion Rewards boasts one of the most versatile travel programs in the country.

Alongside its noteworthy welcome package, the card also offers a variety of valuable benefits, including travel insurance, mobile device coverage, and extended warranty protection, which can be particularly useful should you need to file a claim. Discover why the RBC Visa Infinite Avion might be one of the best-kept secrets in the realm of credit cards in my detailed review.

Welcome Bonus and Earning Rates

One of the standout features of the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card is the initial offer of 35,000 Avion Rewards points upon approval. Notably, there is no minimum spending threshold required to earn these points. Occasionally, an enhanced welcome bonus may be available, allowing you to earn an extra 15,000 to 20,000 points by spending a specific amount within a designated timeframe. The welcome bonus generally appears on your first statement but may take one or two billing cycles to reflect.

The card’s earning potential stands at 1.25 Avion points for every dollar spent on travel, while all other purchases earn 1 point per dollar spent. While various credit cards exist, Avion Rewards showcases significant value, which will be discussed further.

Key Benefits and Perks

Although the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card may not frequently appear on lists of top travel credit cards in Canada, it offers several unique perks worth noting.

Discounts at Petro-Canada

By associating your RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card with your Petro-Points account, you’ll enjoy a savings of 3 ¢/L on fuel with every fill-up, along with an additional 20% in Petro-Points.

Be Well Points at Rexall

Linking your card to your Rexall Be Well account lets you earn 50 Be Well points for every $1 spent on qualifying purchases at Rexall stores.

No Delivery Fees with DoorDash

As a cardholder, you’ll receive a complimentary DashPass subscription for 12 months, granting you free delivery on DoorDash orders over $15, along with various discounts throughout the year.

Mobile Device Coverage

When you acquire a mobile device (smartphone or tablet) using your RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card, you’re eligible for mobile device insurance up to $1,500, which covers loss, theft, and damage. A depreciation rate of 2% applies for each month following the purchase.

Travel Insurance

• Travel medical – unlimited coverage for 15 days / 3 days if you’re 65 or older
• Trip cancellation – up to $1,500 per person / $5,000 overall
• Trip interruption – up to $5,000 per person / $25,000 total
• Flight/trip delay – up to $250 / 4 hours
• Delayed and lost baggage – up to $500 / 4 hours
• Auto rental collision/loss damage coverage – 48 consecutive days / $65,000
• Hotel/motel theft coverage – $2,500
• Common carrier travel accident – $500,000

The travel insurance associated with the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card is particularly noteworthy, offering unlimited medical coverage. However, it’s important to note that coverage lasts only 15 days for those under 65, which may lead to less visibility compared to other cards.

Purchase Protection

• Purchase security – 90 days
• Extended warranty – Up to an extra year

When purchases are made in full with your RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card, you benefit from 90 days of purchase protection against loss, theft, or damage. Additionally, the warranty on your items may be extended by up to one additional year.

Redeeming Your Points

Avion Rewards, previously known as RBC Rewards, enables you to redeem 1,000 Avion points for $10 towards travel booked through their travel portal. There’s a wide range of travel options available, including flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and more. However, one drawback is that travel booked outside of the portal cannot have points applied retroactively, which might limit your ability to scout the lowest prices or capitalise on loyalty benefits.

On the upside, you can significantly enhance the value of your points using the RBC fixed points program. For instance, you can redeem 15,000 Avion Rewards points for a round-trip flight within or to an adjacent province or U.S. state, with a base fare of up to $350. By optimally utilising this option, your points could be worth more than double their standard rate, at 2.33 cents each.

Additionally, Avion Rewards allows for point transfers to a variety of airline partners, including British Airways Avios, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, WestJet dollars, and American Airlines AAdvantage miles. This characteristic positions the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card as one of the leading airline credit cards in Canada.

Clearly, RBC Rewards stands out as one of the premier bank travel loyalty programs in Canada.

Eligibility for RBC Avion Visa Infinite

The eligibility requirements for the RBC Avion Visa Infinite are quite clear, as detailed on the application page.

• You must be a resident of Canada
• You should be of the age of majority in your province or territory
• A minimum personal income of $60,000 or a household income of $100,000 is necessary.

While there aren’t strict credit score requirements mentioned, a score of 660 or higher is generally advisable to be in good standing.

Comparison with Other Cards

Finding cards that are directly comparable to the RBC Avion Visa Infinite can be somewhat challenging, as different cards attract attention for various reasons. Some users might prioritize the earning rate, while others might favour the flexibility of the points system.

RBC Avion Visa Infinite vs. American Express Cobalt

The American Express Cobalt Card offers the highest earning rates in Canada, providing 5 points per $1 on food and beverage purchases, 3 points for streaming services and recurring payments, 2 points for transit spending, and 1 point on everything else. In terms of earning potential, it simply outshines the RBC Avion. Moreover, American Express Membership Rewards offer greater flexibility than Avion Rewards.

RBC Avion Visa Infinite vs. TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite

The TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card grants 3 points per $1 on all purchases (1.5% value), excluding transactions through Expedia for TD, where users earn 9 points per $1 (4.5% return). It’s evident that the TD card provides a superior earn rate compared to the RBC Avion Visa Infinite. However, TD Rewards lack the flexibility that Avion Rewards provides.

While I appreciate the perks of the RBC Avion card and its rewards structure, numerous alternatives offer more generous earning potential.

Concluding Thoughts

My assessment of the RBC Avion Visa Infinite is largely favorable. Though it may not feature the best earning rates, it remains a solid choice, particularly for individuals in the following scenarios:

• RBC Customers – As RBC’s premier credit card, it accrues Avion Rewards effortlessly.
• Seek Flexibility – You can book travel on the portal, benefit from fixed points options, or transfer points to partner airlines.
• Frequent Rexall Shopper – Linking your card enables you to earn Be Well points when shopping at Rexall.

Ultimately, RBC’s travel loyalty program is known for its flexibility across Canada. If you aim to improve your credit and travel affordably, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card is definitely a worthwhile option.