RBC^® British Airways Visa Infinite^†

The tiered structure makes the 60,000 Avios accessible even if you can't front-load all spending immediately, and the total puts you in range for a round-trip business class redemption within North America – exactly where Avios shine for Canadians booking American or Alaska.

RBC VIP Banking customers get the annual fee waived entirely, turning this into a rare no-fee card with premium perks and a strong welcome bonus – worth exploring if you already bank with RBC or can meet the balance requirements.

The triple earn on British Airways purchases rewards direct bookers and frequent BA flyers, especially when you're layering on seat selections, baggage, or onboard spend across premium cabins. Pair this with the double earning at restaurants for everyday utility, but keep a second card handy for groceries and gas where the base rate falls short.

The uncapped, no-registration structure means you won't chase quarterly limits or optimize categories – ideal if you prefer simplicity and concentrate spending on dining and BA flights rather than maximizing every dollar across rotating bonuses.

Transfer your Avios to Qatar Airways for Qsuites redemptions to the Middle East and Africa, or to Iberia for competitive pricing on flights to Spain and South America. The distance-based award chart rewards short-haul efficiency – direct flights price far lower than connections, even to the same destination.

Avoid fixed-value redemptions through the Avios eStore. Your best value comes from strategic flight bookings on IAG partners, where you can routinely extract 2 cents per point or more on well-chosen routes.

The Companion Award eVoucher unlocks a rare opportunity: bring someone along on a British Airways award flight from Canada to London for nothing but taxes – or cut your solo redemption in half. It's an elegant hedge against British Airways' notorious fuel surcharges, though those surcharges still bite on long-haul awards.

Direct access to London from Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, or Calgary can justify the annual spending threshold if you're planning a premium-cabin transatlantic trip.

RBC Insurance and Aviva underwrite this package, which means straightforward claims processes with established Canadian insurers – a meaningful advantage over co-branded cards that outsource to less familiar names. The 90-day pre-existing condition stability period is standard for premium cards, but worth flagging if you're managing chronic conditions.

Rental car coverage extends to vehicles with an MSRP up to $65,000, which is notably higher than many competing cards and covers most rental scenarios in North America and Europe, including mid-size SUVs and premium sedans. This is travel insurance appropriate for leisure trips and short-haul international travel – for extended stays abroad or adventure activities, layer in supplemental medical coverage.