The RBC ION+ Visa Card is a credit option that tends to be overlooked, despite offering significant benefits. Cardholders can earn substantial rewards in key spending categories such as dining, food deliveries, and groceries. It also provides mobile device insurance, making it a solid choice for a modest monthly fee of just $4.
However, the card does face some limitations with its rewards program. Users earn Avion points, which are tiered into three categories, with the ION cards earning the least valuable points. Nevertheless, your points maintain a level of versatility, and there’s an opportunity to elevate them to a higher tier. Check out my comprehensive RBC ION+ Visa review for more details.
Welcome Bonus and Earning Rate
The RBC ION+ Visa credit card often provides a welcome bonus ranging from 7,000 to 14,000 Avion points, translating into a gift card value of approximately $50 to $100.
The earning potential on the RBC ION+ Visa is impressive. You’ll accrue 3 Avion points for every $1 spent on groceries, dining, food delivery, rideshares, public transport, gas, EV charging, streaming, digital gaming, and subscriptions. Other purchases will earn you 1 Avion point per dollar.
A monthly fee of $4 ($48 annually) applies to this card. While many student credit cards boast no or very low annual fees, $4 is a reasonable price for the perks it offers. Furthermore, if you maintain an RBC Signature No Limit Banking or RBC Advantage Banking account for students, the fee is waived.
Benefits and Perks
In this RBC ION+ Visa review, you will discover that the majority of the benefits align with the standard offerings from RBC. However, there’s one feature that stands out and may attract many consumers.
Mobile Device Insurance
If you purchase a mobile device (including cellphones and tablets) using the RBC ION+ Visa Card, you will receive mobile device insurance that covers up to $1,000 for a period of two years. This coverage includes protection against damage, theft, and loss. If you’re on a subsidized plan, it’s imperative to pay your bill in full with your RBC ION+ Visa Card. Keep in mind that depreciation will affect your payout when filing a claim.
Discounts at Petro-Canada
Frequent customers at Petro-Canada will appreciate that you can save 3¢ per litre on fuel, in addition to earning 20% more Petro points when you pay with your linked RBC ION+ Visa Card. Although this may seem minor, it not only results in savings at the pump but also boosts your earnings on gas purchases, while simultaneously accruing Petro points.
Earn Be Well Points at Rexall
While Be Well points are not the most advantageous loyalty program, frequent shoppers at Rexall can collect 50 Be Well points for every dollar spent when they present their Be Well card and make payments with the linked RBC ION+ Card.
Delivery Fee Savings with DoorDash
Cardholders of the RBC ION+ Visa card receive a complimentary three-month DashPass subscription. With this, you won’t incur delivery fees with DoorDash as long as you make a minimum purchase of $15 and pay with your RBC ION+ Visa Card. This benefit comes without any delivery fee limits.
Purchase Insurance
- Purchase security – 90 days
- Extended warranty – Up to one additional year
While you hope to never need to use purchase security, it’s a great asset if the need arises. By charging your purchases to the RBC ION+ Visa card, you protect them against loss, theft, and damage for 90 days. The extended warranty doubles the manufacturer’s warranty for purchases, extending it for up to one additional year, and capping at five years.
Redemption of Points
As previously noted, Avion Rewards is structured into three tiers. Holders of the ION card access the most fundamental tier and have several redemption options:
- Gift Cards: 140 points = $1
- Travel: 172 points = $1
- Pay with Points: 172 points = $1
This means that gift cards are valued at 0.71 cents per point (CPP), while travel and statement credits are valued at 0.58 CPP. Consequently, while earning 3x on select categories, your effective value would be about 2.13 cents per dollar spent when opting for gift cards, and 1.74 cents for travel or statement credits.
Interesting enough, Avion points can be transferred to WestJet Rewards at a standard conversion rate of 100 Avion points equating to 1 WestJet dollar, which enhances the point’s value to 1 CPP.
If you later decide to upgrade to a premium Avion card such as the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card, your points will also be upgraded, allowing access to additional airline transfer partners and the RBC Air Travel Redemption Schedule, which could offer substantial flight discounts.
RBC ION+ Visa Card Eligibility
- Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Must be at least the legal age in your province or territory
One of the appealing aspects of the RBC ION+ Visa Card is the absence of a stipulated minimum income requirement. This makes it an attractive option for students or newcomers seeking a credit card with competitive earning potential without the pressure of a high income threshold. While there isn’t a defined minimum credit score for approval, a score of at least 660 is advisable to improve approval chances.
Comparative Overview of RBC ION+ Visa
To conclude my RBC ION+ Visa review, comparing this card to others can provide better insight. Due to its unique rewards system and low annual fee, direct comparisons may be challenging, but I will highlight a few similar options.
RBC ION+ Card vs. American Express Cobalt Card
Although the comparison may not be entirely equitable, many consumers pit the RBC ION+ Visa card against the American Express Cobalt Card. Both cards bear monthly fees and offer high rewards potential. The Amex Cobalt card incurs a monthly fee of $12.99 ($155.88 annually) and offers 5 points per $1 on food and drinks, 3 points on streaming services, and 2 points on travel expenses. Other transactions yield 1 American Express Membership Rewards point per dollar. Despite the higher fee, the Amex card may be worthwhile given the significant value of American Express Membership Rewards points.
RBC ION+ Card vs. RBC ION Card
Within RBC’s offerings, you may also consider the RBC ION Visa Card, which has no annual fee. This basic ION Card earns 1.5 Avion points per dollar on select categories and only 1 point on other purchases. It does not offer mobile device insurance, making it less appealing compared to the ION+ Card.
RBC ION+ Card vs. WestJet RBC Mastercard
Given the possibility of transferring Avion points to WestJet dollars at an advantageous rate, a comparison with the WestJet RBC Mastercard is worth mentioning. The WestJet card comes with a $39 annual fee and earns 1.5% back on WestJet flights or vacation packages and 1% back on other purchases. While an argument can easily be made favoring the RBC ION+ Card, the WestJet RBC Mastercard offers an annual companion voucher, which holds substantial value.
Final Observations
This review of the RBC ION+ Visa Card confirms its strengths. It serves various demographics effectively, including:
- Individuals with lower income – With no minimum income requirement, this card is accessible.
- Those wary of high annual fees – At $4 monthly, the fee is quite reasonable for the benefits provided.
- Those considering future upgrades – The flexibility in points makes it easier should you wish to transition to a premium Avion card in the future.
For a minimal fee, users benefit from good earning rates alongside mobile device insurance. While this card may not stack up against premium offerings, it’s regarded as one of the top student credit cards in Canada, especially for individuals searching for a budget-friendly credit option.
*Refer to the RBC website for the latest offer terms and conditions.