Is the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Worth It? Discover the Truth

Is RBC Avion Visa Infinite Worth It? Full and Honest Review

RBC Avion Visa Infinite

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If you are looking for convenience without giving up real benefits, understanding the RBC Avion Visa Infinite is the first step toward saving real money on airfare.

We analyzed the RBC Avion Visa Infinite in detail, showing how the points program works, income requirements, insurance coverage, and the best strategies for redeeming flights.

Discover all the secrets of the RBC Avion Visa Infinite now and see how to extract maximum value from this product on your next trips. Continue reading for our step-by-step evaluation!

How Does the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Work in Practice?

rbc avion benefits
RBC Avion benefits (Font: Canva)

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite is one of the most popular travel credit cards issued by Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). It combines the broad global acceptance of the Visa network with the flexibility of the Avion Rewards platform.

Upon approval for this product, you directly enter the Avion Elite category. This tier grants access to exclusive redemption options, allowing you to exchange your points for flights on any airline, route, or schedule, with no blackout dates.

The main proposition of the product is to deliver freedom to the traveler. Unlike programs linked to a single airline, accumulated points remain directly under your control on the bank’s platform.

Who Can Apply? Uncomplicated Income Requirements and Eligibility

rbc avion visa infinite card
RBC Avion visa infinite card (Font: Canva)

Belonging to the Visa Infinite category in Canada, the financial institution adopts specific approval criteria for applicants:

  • Minimum personal income: $60,000 CAD gross per year.
  • Annual household income: Minimum of $100,000 CAD combined in the household.
  • Assets criterion: Minimum of $250,000 CAD in investments or assets under management.
  • Legal status: Be a Canadian resident and have reached the age of majority in your province of residence.

Annual Fee and Costs: See How to Waive the Card Fee

The fixed annual cost to maintain the primary account is $120 CAD. If you wish to issue additional cards for dependents or family members, the fee is $50 CAD per supplementary card.

The standard interest rate on purchases not paid in full is 20.99% per year. For emergency cash advances or balance transfers, the annual rate is 22.99% (except in the province of Quebec, where the legal cap is set at 21.99%).

There is, however, a legitimate way to waive the annual fee. Clients holding a checking account under the RBC VIP Banking package receive a full rebate of the $120 CAD every year, enjoying the complete points structure without fixed maintenance costs.

Unbeatable Bonus: How to Secure Up to 70,000 Welcome Points

The promotional campaign for new members offers up to 70,000 Avion Rewards points. This balance equals a commercial value of up to $1,500 CAD when used for airfare through the fixed award chart.

The mechanics for unlocking the points work gradually across three transparent stages:

  1. Immediate Approval (35,000 points): You receive this score right on your first statement, with no minimum spending requirement on the card. This balance already covers a round-trip flight within North America.
  2. Spending Target in the First 6 Months (20,000 points): Granted upon reaching $5,000 CAD in qualifying purchases within the first six months. This averages around $833 CAD per month.
  3. First Anniversary Bonus (15,000 points): Credited between the 12th and 16th week after the first year of the agreement. Requiring only that the account remains open and in good standing.

This tiered structure makes reaching goals easy even with a balanced household budget, rewarding continuous use of the card.

Accelerate Your Earnings: How to Earn More Points Every Day

The card’s base earning rate prioritizes travel and mobility expenses. Every purchase made earns according to the following categories:

  • Qualifying travel expenses: 1.25 Avion points for every Canadian dollar ($1 CAD) spent on flights, hotels, packages, and car rentals.
  • All other everyday purchases: 1 flat Avion point per dollar spent at stores, services, restaurants, and supermarkets.

Accumulated points do not expire as long as your account remains active and in good standing. In case of account cancellation, you have a 90-day grace period to redeem or transfer your credits.

Exclusive Partnerships: Automatic Benefits That Save Money

To accelerate gains on daily purchases, the bank established commercial partnerships with major Canadian brands:

  • Petro-Canada: Instant savings of 3 cents per liter of fuel. Plus earning 20% more Petro-Points and 20% more Avion Rewards points.
  • Rexall Pharmacies: Earn 50 Be Well points for every dollar spent by linking your card to your loyalty program account.
  • DoorDash: Get 12 free months of DashPass subscription, ensuring $0 delivery fees on eligible orders over $15 CAD.
  • Hertz Car Rental: Discounts of up to 20%. Immediate upgrade to Five Star status in the loyalty program, and tripled (3x) Avion points on rentals.

The Secret “Combo” with RBC ION+: Triple Your Points Quickly (RBC Avion Visa Infinite)

The base rate of 1 point per dollar on domestic purchases might seem low for those who spend heavily on groceries and dining. However, a smart strategy exists within the bank’s own ecosystem.

You can pair the RBC Avion Visa Infinite with the complementary entry-level RBC ION+ Visa card (which carries a monthly fee of just $4 CAD). The ION+ card earns 3 times the points on groceries, dining, food delivery, rides and transit, gas, and streaming services.

The decisive advantage is that you can transfer points generated on the ION+ directly to your Avion Infinite at a 1-to-1 ratio. This way, you earn 3 points per dollar on daily expenses and redeem everything at the maximum value of the main card’s Elite tier.

Travel Protected: Top-Tier Insurance and Visa Infinite Perks

The group insurance policy issued by RBC Insurance provides comprehensive coverage for travel within and outside the country:

  • Emergency Medical Insurance: Unlimited coverage for eligible medical expenses for the first 15 days of a trip (for individuals under 65 years old). This coverage is automatic and does not depend on purchasing the ticket with the card.
  • Trip Cancellation and Interruption: Up to $1,500 CAD per person for unexpected cancellations and up to $5,000 CAD for unforeseen interruptions.
  • Flight Delay and Delayed Baggage: Reimbursement of up to $500 CAD for essential expenses after flight delays exceeding 4 hours or lost luggage.
  • Rental Car Insurance (CDW): Covers damage and theft of the rental vehicle up to a cash value of $65,000 CAD for up to 48 consecutive days.
  • Mobile Device Protection: Up to $1,500 CAD against accidental damage, theft, or mechanical breakdown for eligible smartphones.

As a Visa Infinite cardholder. You also enjoy access to the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection (with complimentary breakfast and room upgrades), 24/7 Concierge service, and invitations to exclusive dining events.

Final Verdict: Is the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Right for You?

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite stands out as an exceptional choice for anyone seeking a versatile, reliable travel card with clear redemption rules. Its generous sign-up bonus and seamless redemption without seat restrictions easily offset the annual maintenance cost.

Did you already know all the advantages of this financial product? Share in the comments how you plan to use your points or leave your questions about approval requirements!

If your primary travel goal is earning points directly within Star Alliance or flying with the country’s largest airline. Then it is worth closely reviewing the features and TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite benefits before making a decision.

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Information is provided for comparison purposes only. Eligibility, approval, limits, fees and conditions are determined exclusively by each card issuer.