RBC Avion Credit Cards: New Offers for 55,000 Avion Points!

RBC® has just released new offers on its trio of Avion personal credit cards: the RBC® Avion Visa Infinite, RBC® Avion Visa Platinum, and the RBC® Avion Visa Infinite Privilege. This time, we’ve seen a return to the record-high welcome bonus that was available for much of last year.

These new offers are valid through April 30, 2024, which leaves just over three months to consider how they fit into your overall travel strategy.

RBC® Avion Visa Infinite: Up to 55,000 Avion Points!

After a brief drop in its welcome bonus this winter, there’s once again a record-high offer available on the RBC® Avion Visa Infinite†

Until April 30, 2024, you can earn a welcome bonus of up to 55,000 Avion points, structured as follows:

  • Earn 35,000 Avion points upon approval
  • Earn 20,000 Avion points upon spending $5,000 in the first six months

The card’s $120 annual fee isn’t rebated as part of this current offer; however, that shouldn’t dissuade you from applying since the offer is so lucrative.

We value RBC® Avion points at 2 cents apiece, given their flexibility and frequent transfer bonuses to airline loyalty programs.

Using this valuation, we’d estimate that the record-high welcome bonus of up to 55,000 RBC® Avion points is worth at least $1,100. Subtract the $120 annual fee from that, and we’d value the current offer at a minimum of $980, which is outstanding.

With this offer, you’ll get a large chunk of the welcome bonus upon being approved for the card.Then, you have a full six months to meet the $5,000 minimum spending requirement to unlock the second allotment of 20,000 points.

That averages out to $833 per month for six months; however, if you have any large purchases coming up, you can unlock the full welcome bonus even sooner.

If you haven’t yet added the RBC® Avion Visa Infinite† to your portfolio, head to the RBC website to learn more.

RBC® Avion Visa Platinum: Up to 55,000 Avion Points with No Minimum Income

The RBC® Avion Visa Platinum is the entry-level product in the Avion family; however, it’s similar to the flagship Visa Infinite in many ways.

Currently, its welcome bonus is also set at up to 55,000 Avion pointswith the same structure:

  • Earn 35,000 Avion points upon approval
  • Earn 20,000 Avion points upon spending $5,000 in the first six months

There are a few minor differences between the RBC® Avion Visa Platinum and the RBC® Avion Visa Infinite, including the following:

  • The Visa Infinite earns 1.25 Avion points per dollar spent on eligible travel purchases, whereas the Visa Platinum earns a flat 1 Avion point per dollar spent on all eligible purchases
  • The Visa Platinum offers a less comprehensive insurance package – emergency medical insurance and mobile device insurance aren’t included, whereas they are included on the Visa Infinite
  • The Visa Platinum doesn’t offer the unique dining, hotel, and events benefits that are exclusive to Visa Infinite cards

However, the most important difference is that the RBC® Avion Visa Platinum has no minimum income requirement, so this would be the right choice for you if you don’t meet the $60,000 or $100,000 in personal or household annual income, respectively, required for the Visa Infinite.

RBC® Avion Visa Infinite Privilege: Up to 55,000 Avion Points + VIP Benefits

The high-end premium product in the Avion family, the RBC® Avion Visa Infinite Privilege, has the same welcome offer as the other two personal Avion cards in RBC’s lineup.

You’ll earn up to 55,000 RBC® Avion points with the current offer, structured as follows:

  • Earn 35,000 Avion points upon approval
  • Earn 20,000 Avion points upon spending $5,000 in the first six months

The welcome bonus of up to 55,000 Avion points surely outweighs the $399 annual fee on this card, although it’s not quite as good of a deal as only paying a $120 annual fee on the lower-tier Visa Infinite or Visa Platinum cards.

Moreover, the $200,000 minimum personal or household income requirement may be prohibitive for some applicants. 

Nevertheless, if you’re looking to earn 1.25x Avion points on all purchases, and try out the ability to redeem points directly against premium fares at 2 cents per point, now’s as good of a time as any to apply for the RBC® Avion Visa Infinite Privilege with this bonus in play. 

The Best Ways to Redeem RBC® Avion Points

RBC® Avion is a transferable points currency, which allows you to transfer the points you earn from any of these Avion cards to four frequent flyer programs:

Therefore, you have the option of converting the 55,000 Avion points you’d earn from the welcome bonus into any of the following:

  • 55,000 British Airways Avios
  • 55,000 Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
  • 38,500 American Airlines AAdvantage miles
  • 550 WestJet dollars
RBC convert airline pints graphic

On top of the usual transfer ratios, RBC® is known for offering occasional transfer bonuses of 20%, 30%, or even 50% to its transfer partners.

If you’re wondering what 55,000 Avion points can get you, you may be happy to hear that it’s more than enough for a one-way flight in business class from Eastern North America to Spain on Iberia, assuming you can find off-peak award availability.

In addition, RBC® features Air Travel Redemption Schedule, which allows you to redeem a fixed number of points for a flight to a certain region with a maximum cash ticket cost allowance.

graphic with demonstrations on how you can use your airline points to take vacations

With this chart, the value is capped due to the maximum ticket cost, so it’s generally recommended to maximize your opportunities with RBC®’s frequent flyer partners instead.

Indeed, that’s where the bulk of the value in the Avion program lies, since you can transfer to any of their partners for a desired booking and aren’t locked in to a single loyalty program.

If, however, you find yourself in a situation in which you’re looking to book a one-way or round-trip flight within Canada and the mainland US, and you aren’t able to find any satisfactory options via British Airways Executive Club or WestJet Rewards, then the RBC® Travel Redemption Chart is a solid option.

It’ll allow you to use the 55,000 points from one of the RBC® Avion cards to cover the base fare of any flight within North America, including Hawaii and Alaska, up to a maximum of $1,100, so that you don’t have to worry about any award availability constraints.

Conclusion

The welcome bonuses on RBC®‘s major Avion credit cards have been set at up to 55,000 Avion points across the board, matching the all-time high.†

If you’re able to combine the offers with a potential transfer bonus to one of RBC®’s frequent flyer partners, or if you can leverage the RBC Air Travel Redemption Schedule, you’re all set to be booking some spectacular travel in 2024 and beyond.

Be sure to take advantage of these offers by April 30, 2024, which is when they’re set to expire.

†Refer to the RBC® website for up-to-date offer terms and conditions.

†This post contains affiliate links. Please read our disclaimer for more info.

This is a recurring article, regularly updated with the latest promotion. Some comments may refer to past promotions that are no longer available.
57 Comments
  1. Mike

    I have the avion infinite and avion infinite privilege already.
    If I apply for the platinum will I still receive the welcome bonus?

    1. christopher

      yes, as long as the 90 days application rule is adhered to

  2. Chelsie

    Hi. We’ve had a terrible experience booking with avion points. There customer service is atrocious. Any chance you have a contact or a better way to make a complaint or at least try to get our issue resolved? I had to cancel a flight but my husband still went first they rebooked our flight home and didn’t put us on it. Then they didn’t return my points. The cancellation fee of $300 plus another $500 worth of points that they have not returned. I can’t get anywhere with trying to call them. After 25+ hours on the phone with them and I haven’t had one good customer service person. If you have a way to contact them or an email that would be fabulous. Thank you!
    Chelsie

  3. Jason

    Hi Ricky,

    You recommend picking up a second Avion product prior to the offer expiry but the T&Cs state: Additional cardholder(s), as well as existing cardholders of any RBC Royal Bank personal credit cards, applying for or transferring to an RBC Avion Visa Infinite, RBC Avion Visa Platinum, or RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege card as of the offer eligibility period, are not eligible for this offer.

    Wouldn’t this just preclude someone from qualifying for this offer with a second Avion product?

  4. Dan

    Have you heard if Avion will be announcing a transfer bonus with BA anytime soon? Looking back over the years, there has been a traditional bonus period over August and September. Wondering if the move from RBC Rewards to Avion Rewards has delayed any announcements?

  5. Roy

    Am I able to apply to the VI twice with 90days in between instead of VI and then the Plat?

  6. Daniel

    If I have the infinite visa from last year, what are the chances of getting the platinum despite the t@cs?

    1. Rachel YYZ

      You never know until you try. 😉

  7. Jose

    There is a much better offer to get 55000 points plus $50 UPON APPROVAL without having to spend a penny. Hope I am not reading it wrong but only for first time people applying.

    In order to qualify for the Promotion, You must:

    Not currently have or have had in the past at any time a RBC Avion Visa Infinite. The Promotion is open only to new applicants for the RBC Avion Visa Infinite who have not before held a RBC Avion Visa Infinite either in their name, or jointly with another individual or entity. Other RBC terms and conditions may apply to qualify for the full welcome bonus;

  8. Abraham

    Will I get the signup bonus if I do a product change?

    1. Rich

      RBC is hit or miss. Last time out it was a miss for me.

  9. Ozzy Ayyad

    from the T&C “Additional cardholder(s), as well as existing cardholders of any RBC Royal Bank personal credit cards, applying for or transferring to an RBC Avion Visa Infinite, RBC Avion Visa Platinum, or RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege card as of the offer eligibility period, are not eligible for this offer.”

    I already have an rbc personal credit card, does that mean I don’t qualify for this offer?

    1. Bernadette Condon

      I just phoned RBC to get clarification as I had just read those terms and conditions. Agent confirmed I would not receive the Platinum card’s welcome bonus of 35,000 RBC rewards points as I already hold 2 other personal RBC credit cards. Too bad.

      1. Ozzy Ayyad

        I can confirm I got the full bonus despite having previous RBC cards! This is rarely enforced unless you get too aggressive.

    2. EH

      This is the first time such T&C are associated with Avion cards. Later data points will tell.

      1. Jacob

        It actually looks like it’s been on there for a few years (a quick check on wayback machine confirms). Other DPs I’ve found online say that it’s rarely enforced unless you get too aggressive.

  10. Peter

    Hi PoT team, I (plus P2) each picked up the Avion VI in late Dec 2021 and got the 35k. I’ll apply for the Avion Plat just before April 18th deadline to try for the 35k again, but wondering if I should PS the VI t to WJ in early April before applying.

  11. bricktank900

    Right now, RBC is offering a 30% transfer bonus to British Airways Avios until September 24, 2021.

    1. Ricky YVR

      Ooh thanks for that!

  12. DM

    Here is a DP for those concerned with holding the cards last year –

    I had originally applied for Avion VI card in Feb 2020, got the 35k bonus then (applied in branch and the annual fee was waived), and switched to BA VI sometime in summer 2020. Got 15k bonus on that PS plus pro-rata refund of annual fee for Avion VI (which I never paid in the first place) and charged $165 for the new BA card. Then sometime in fall/winter last year (don’t remember the details but it was certainly before the April 19, 2021 date), PS from BA VI to Cashback MC with no fee. Received pro-rate refund of BA’s fee. Now, on Nov 2, 2021, applied for Avion VI as new application and have already received the 35k sign-up bonus. The annual fee is yet to post to my account.

  13. Jon

    Are the Visa Infinite benefits really that much better? i.e. applying for the Platinum vs the Infinite?I would assume that the person obtaining these cards have alternate cards with better insurance benefits, etc.

  14. Navim

    RBC Business cards run on a separate 1/90 cycle than personal cards. So you can apply for a personal card, then in 20 days, apply for a business card. You would wait 90 days from the first application to be eligible for a new personal card and 110 days from the first application to be eligible for a business card.

  15. Al

    You can’t get 70.000 point for RBC Avion Visa Platinum and RBC Avion Visa Infinite at the same time:
    ” Additional cardholder(s), as well as existing RBC Avion Visa Infinite or RBC Avion Visa Platinum, Cathay Pacific‡ Visa Platinum, British Airways‡ Visa Infinite, RBC Rewards Visa Preferred, RBC Rewards+ Visa, RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege and RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege for Private Banking credit cardholders, applying for or transferring to an RBC Avion Visa Infinite credit card, RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege credit card or RBC Avion Visa Platinum credit card as of the start of the Offer Period, are not eligible for this offer. ”
    You get 35.000 for one card and 15.000 for another.

    1. Ricky YVR

      Many have gotten 70,000 points from the two cards under these rounds of offers.

      1. Al

        Looks like they extremely lucky: me and my wife got 35.000 + 15.000…

  16. Terry

    Did I read this correctly, I can hold Avion infinite and platinum at the same time? I just got the infinite so sounds like a no brainer to get the platinum.

    1. Ricky YVR

      Yes, it’s possible!

  17. Larry

    The RBC VI British Airways card perhaps does not earn a lot of Avios as HSBC for example, and indeed, the voucher might not be top value yet it does have two superb features: 10% off total price of BA flights (huge) the only such card in Canada with actual discount, and 31-days emergency travel insurance, these 2 features by themselves are worth having the card, if you happen to fly once per annum with BA

  18. Viola

    Just did a product switch from Cashback MasterCard to Avion Visa. They originally said no bonus will be awarded to PS, but after a contest to their CS, now a 15,000 points appears on my avion account as sign-up bonus!

  19. Evan

    So if I read the fine print correctly if I already have the Cathay Platinum card, I won’t qualify for this offer even if I do a new application?

    1. Mike

      For Evan. Westjet isnt listed. So PS to westjet from cathay pacific card. Then from westjet to Avion card then it should work becauze fine print says avion products or cathay or birtish airways cards. Which still gives room to movement.

    2. Ricky YVR

      If the fine print is enforced, yes.

  20. Aryan

    How about redeeming 35k points for merchandise if someone doesn’t want to go for flight redemption? What option do i have!

    1. DM

      I had redeemed those for $360 worth of gas gift card before I product switched that card. Usually the GCs have less than 1cent value but RBC was running some promotion last year that gave 25% discount on points for GC redemptions.

  21. Melissa Daley

    Hi Ricky, do you think we would be able to cancel these cards after the first month and still keep the points?

    1. Ricky YVR

      Even if it worked out, that would be a great way to harm your relationship with the issuer in the long run.

  22. Daniel

    Ricky I dont think that if you can qualify for more than one card in this RBC Family. For this special offer. So you wont get 70k points, just 35k. Can you please read the 1st point of the T&Cs and verify? It says that new or existing cardholders holding one of these cards cannot get another one with the 35k bonus. Thanks.

    1. Ricky YVR

      I’ve read the T&Cs. There are two ways to interpret them.

      “Additional cardholder(s), as well as existing RBC Avion Visa Infinite or RBC Avion Visa Platinum, Cathay Pacific Visa Platinum, British Airways Visa Infinite, RBC Rewards Visa Preferred, RBC Rewards+ Visa, RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege and RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege for Private Banking credit cardholders, applying for or transferring to an RBC Avion Visa Infinite credit card, RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege credit card or RBC Avion Visa Platinum credit card as of the start of the offer period on April 19, 2021, are not eligible for this offer.”

      1) As of the offer’s start date of April 19, any existing cardholder of one of the listed cards is not eligible for this card. In this case, you’d be able to get 35,000 points from one product, but not 70,000 points from both, since you’d be an existing cardholder by the time you apply.

      2) If you were an existing cardholder of one of the listed cards as of April 19, you aren’t eligible for this offer. In this case, you’d be able to get 70,000 points from both, since you were not an existing cardholder of either product as of April 19.

      I like the second interpretation better.

      1. Daniel

        What matters is how RBC sees it. I guess I need DPs on this.

      2. Daniel

        Tricky stuff. Yes, youre right Ricky. Thanks.

    2. Jay*

      Same can be said for AMEX in regards to bonuses and that doesn’t stop people, just saying. 🙂

      1. Daniel

        Yea true Jay. Though I dont churn two same Amex cards unless at least a year apart, so not a big concern. But here its as long as promotion lasts so the timeline is potentially a lot shorter for RBC to notice.

  23. Eric

    Any DPs on upgrading from VI to VIP with Avion product?

  24. Rick

    Are we eligible for this if we applied to the one last year? Recently cancelled my card in Feb. Is there a time period we need to wait?

    1. Ricky YVR

      The terms and conditions only preclude “existing cardholders” (and even then, it’s anyone’s guess how strictly they’re enforced), so I’d say you should be good to apply.

    2. susan

      Rick, can you keep us updated if you apply and receive again, as we cancelled 2 of these in Feb. also. Thanks, Susan

  25. Tom

    Any thought on churning this card? if i cancelled a year ago? Is that long enough?

  26. IceH

    Is this offer specific to the person received it, or anybody can get it? Don’t see this offer on RBC site.

    1. Ricky YVR

      It’s now publicly available on the RBC website.

      1. Wayne

        Thanks Ricky! i was having some trouble finding it at first but I can also see the offer now for Platinum

        1. Ricky YVR

          I’ve added a direct link to the RBC website to help people find it, cheers.

    2. L Lau

      If you Google rbc avion in Chrome incognito mode, you should see it as an ad in the first result

  27. Arsalan Hassan

    There is a 25k fyf offer floating around as well, if you value the cash over the 10k extra points.

  28. DM

    If I product switch to this card from another RBC card, will that be eligible for the 35k bonus as well? I had this card last year when the 35k bonus was around but then I switched to a different product later. Thanks!

    1. TIm

      Only new applications are eligible for this or any “promo” offers, unfortunately

  29. Geoff Hunt

    Hi Ricky, P2 has the BA VI currently and a product switch sounds interesting for this offer. However this language in the T&C’s makes me iffy.

    Additional cardholder(s), as well as existing RBC Avion Visa Infinite or RBC Avion Visa Platinum, Cathay Pacific Visa Platinum, British Airways Visa Infinite, RBC Rewards Visa Preferred, RBC Rewards+ Visa, RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege and RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege for Private Banking credit cardholders, applying for or transferring to an RBC Avion Visa Infinite credit card, RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege credit card or RBC Avion Visa Platinum credit card as of the start of the Offer Period, are not eligible for this offer. ”

    Any feedback on if a PS will be successful despite the language of the T&C’s?

    1. Tim

      Unfortunately PS are not eligible for this or any offer, only new applications

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