RBC^® Avion Visa Infinite^†

VIP Banking clients can waive the fee entirely with qualifying balances, turning this into a no-fee card with Elite redemption access. Even without VIP status, the upfront 35,000 points justify the first-year cost on their own.

The split structure works in your favour – you’ve secured most of the value immediately upon approval, and the moderate spending threshold makes the full bonus accessible through everyday household spending.

Use this for direct travel bookings to earn the bonus rate, but swap to category earners for everyday spending – the base rate isn't competitive. The real value is maintaining Avion Elite access for transfers and fixed-value redemptions, not chasing earn on groceries or gas.

Pair with ION Plus for a two-card RBC setup: that card handles everyday categories at 2x while this one stays in the drawer except for flights and hotels.

The real value lies in transferring to British Airways Avios, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, or American AAdvantage – all offering access to premium oneworld cabins at far better rates than fixed-point redemptions. Qatar Qsuites and multi-carrier awards through Avios are standout sweet spots.

Transfer bonuses, which appear regularly, can push redemptions well beyond 2 cents per point. Fixed-rate travel bookings at 1 cent per point are fine for domestic economy, but international premium cabin redemptions through partners justify holding this card.

The real value here is airline flexibility – Avion Elite unlocks four transfer partners including British Airways Avios for short-haul positioning flights and Cathay Asia Miles for premium cabin redemptions across Asia. This access alone justifies carrying the card, even if you're earning most points elsewhere on the ION Plus.

Use this as your transfer hub, not your daily earner. The Elite tier persists as long as you hold any Avion Infinite card, so you can keep the card for as long as the value makes sense

Primary rental car coverage is the standout benefit here, saving you the hassle and cost of filing through your own auto insurance. The $65,000 vehicle cap covers most rental scenarios, including mid-size SUVs and luxury sedans.

Trip cancellation at $1,500 per person is adequate for economy redemptions but falls short if you're booking business class to Europe or Asia – consider supplemental coverage for high-value trips. The 90-day pre-existing condition window is standard but means you'll need standalone medical insurance if you have recent health changes.