Earn Up to 500,000 Avion Points with RBC Direct Investing

If you’re a fan of maximizing your rewards, travelling for less, or funding your next big investment, you’re in the right place.

Because RBC Direct Investing is giving new clients the opportunity to earn up to 500,000 Avion points when you open your first account by March 31, 2025 and transfer funds by May 3, 2025.*

On top of that, they’re offering a $300 cash bonus and 50 commission-free trades.* For anyone looking to grow their portfolio and points balance at the same time, this is the perfect opportunity.

Let’s explore how this offer works, why RBC Direct Investing is a top choice for self-directed investors, and how you can take advantage of this promotion to boost your Avion points balance.

How the Winter 2025 Avion Points Promotion Works

RBC Direct Investing’s current promotion is designed to reward new clients for transferring funds and starting their self-directed investing journey.

Here’s what’s on the table:

1. Earn Up to 500,000 Avion Points

You’ll receive 1 Avion point for every $2 of net transferred assets (up to a maximum of 500,000 points) when you open your first RBC Direct Investing account by March 31, 2025, transfer at least $15,000 by May 3, 2025, and maintain the balance until October 3, 2025.

The more you transfer, the more points you’ll earn:

One of the standout features of Avion Points is their versatility. While they are highly valuable for flight redemptions, you’re not limited to just booking airfare.

Avion Points can also be redeemed for hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages, making them an excellent all-around travel currency.

Whether you’re looking to cover your entire trip or simply reduce out-of-pocket expenses, the ability to use Avion Points across different travel categories ensures greater flexibility.

Additionally, RBC offers the Air Travel Redemption Schedule, which allows you to book flights at fixed redemption rates with no blackout dates, covering a set maximum base fare.

For example, 15,000 Avion Points can cover up to $350 on a short-haul round-trip, while 100,000 Avion Points can offset up to $2,000 on long-haul flights. This structure provides consistent value, particularly during peak seasons when cash fares are inflated.

Beyond travel, Avion Points can also be redeemed for gift cards and merchandise through the Avion Rewards platform. Gift cards, in particular, can be a great option, especially during promotional periods when they offer increased value.

Merchandise is available as well, though the best way to maximize Avion Points typically remains through travel-related redemptions. 

For those looking to use their points in other ways, Avion Points can be applied toward bill payments, e-transfers, mortgage payments, or even contributions to your RBC Direct Investing account. While these options may not stretch your points as far as travel rewards, they provide additional flexibility for those who prefer to use their points toward everyday expenses.

With this level of redemption variety, Avion Points stand out as one of the most dynamic and useful rewards programs in Canada, ensuring that no matter how you choose to redeem them, you’ll always find value. 

2. $300 Cash Bonus

You will also receive a $300 cash bonus when you transfer or deposit a minimum of $15,000 from another financial institution into your eligible account(s) by May 3, 2025, and maintain the balance until October 3, 2025. The bonus will be deposited into your first eligible account by November 2025.

3. 50 Commission-Free Trades

As a new client, you’ll also enjoy 50 commission-free trades, valid for one year after account opening^{1^}. These trades apply to Canadian and U.S. stocks, ETFs, and options. No minimum deposit is required to access this benefit, making it a valuable perk for investors of all levels.

Why Avion Points Are So Valuable

Avion points are one of the most flexible and valuable points currencies in Canada. One of the biggest advantages of Avion points is their ability to transfer to airline loyalty programs, such as British Airways Executive Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, and American Airlines AAdvantage.

This makes it possible to unlock amazing redemption opportunities, like flying Qatar Airways QSuites – arguably one of the best business class cabins in the world – for just 70,000 Avios one-way from Montreal to Doha.

Additionally, Avion points are the only Canadian program that allows you to transfer directly into American Airlines AAdvantage points, adding another layer of value. This means you can book experiences like Japan Airlines First Class from New York to Tokyo for 80,000 AAdvantage points.

Considering that we value AAdvantage points at 1.9 cents per point (CAD), the ability to earn significant amounts of this highly valuable currency through RBC Direct Investing’s promotion is a game-changer for frequent flyers.

To unlock the full list of airline transfer partners, you’ll need access to Avion Elite Points, which you automatically receive upon approval of an RBC Avion credit card.

The RBC® Avion Visa Infinite† currently offers up to 55,000 Avion points,† making it an excellent time to sign up along with RBC Direct Investing account.

RBC® Avion Visa Infinite†

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First-Year Value: $1,080

• Earn 35,000 RBC Avion points^† upon approval†
• Earn an additional 20,000 RBC Avion points† when you spend $5,000 in your first 6 months†
• Earn 1.25x RBC Avion points^† on qualifying travel purchases
• Transfer RBC Avion points to British Airways Executive Club and other frequent flyer programs for premium flights^†
• Redeem Avion points for flights with the RBC Air Travel Redemption Schedule^†
• Minimum income: $60,000 personal or $100,000 household
• Annual fee: $120^†
• Supplementary card fee: $50

But travel isn’t the only way to redeem Avion points. They can also be used to pay for trading fees in RBC Direct Investing, including commissions for stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and options trades.

While the financial redemption rate is only 0.83 cents per point, it offers the convenience of offsetting out-of-pocket expenses.

For example, a trade costing $9.95 with Direct Investing would require about 1,200 Avion points. While not the most optimal use, the flexibility to reduce direct costs can still be highly satisfying, especially when immediate savings are a priority.

Why RBC Direct Investing Is a Top Pick for Investors and Miles & Points Enthusiasts

Whether you’re a beginner investor or an experienced trader, RBC Direct Investing provides the tools and resources to help you succeed.

Here’s what sets it apart:

Enjoy Seamless Integration for RBC Clients

If you’re already banking with RBC, the integration between your RBC bank accounts and RBC Direct Investing accounts is seamless. You can instantly transfer funds^{2^} between accounts and manage everything in one place with a single sign-on. This is an extremely beneficial perk that some other platforms in Canada do not offer.

For instance, life happens, and emergencies can arise where you find yourself short on cash, needing to cover unexpected expenses. In such situations, you may need to withdraw funds from your investment account—whether it’s cash in a non-registered account or in a TFSA.

Within the RBC ecosystem, you can access these funds instantly, making it a practical and convenient solution when time is of the essence.

Trade with RBC Direct Investing’s Powerful Platforms

RBC Direct Investing offers investors three powerful platforms, providing flexibility, convenience, and advanced tools to manage and grow your portfolio with ease.

The RBC Mobile App^{3^} allows you to trade on the go and stay connected to your portfolio. The Online Investing Site offers a user-friendly platform that simplifies portfolio management and research.

If you’re new to investing or simply want to test out the platform’s features, RBC Direct Investing also offers Practice Accounts. These accounts give you $100,000 in risk-free practice money, allowing you to explore the platform using the same screens and tools you’d use for actual trades.

It’s a perfect way to gain confidence before committing real funds. Practice Accounts are free for RBC Online Banking and RBC Direct Investing clients, making them an excellent resource for beginner investors.

Build a Diverse Portfolio with a Range of Investment Options

Building a diverse portfolio is another strength of the platform. RBC Direct Investing gives you access to a full range of investment options, including stocks and ETFs from Canadian and U.S. exchanges, mutual funds, bonds, and GICs for more conservative strategies.

Trading online is also currently available for the Hong Kong Exchange, as well as major European markets (London, Paris and Frankfurt).

In non-registered RBC Direct Investing accounts, you can hold up to eight foreign currencies. The available foreign currencies are Hong Kong Dollar (HKD), British pound sterling (GBP), Euro (EUR), Swiss Franc (CHF), Singapore Dollar (SGD), Australian Dollar (AUD), New Zealand Dollar (NZD) and Japanese Yen (JPY).

In addition, RBC Direct Investing offers a variety of account types to suit your financial goals. Whether you’re saving for a home with an FHSA, growing your retirement savings in an RRSP, or exploring flexible options like margin and cash accounts, the platform ensures your needs are covered.

Stay Informed with RBC Direct Investing’s Research Tools

To help you make informed decisions, RBC Direct Investing offers comprehensive research tools, such as real-time streaming quotes⁴, Level 2^{5^} market data for deeper insights, and the Portfolio Analyzer to track performance and asset allocation. Educational resources like the Inspired Investor Trade online magazine are invaluable for both beginners and experienced investors who want to stay ahead of the curve.

Access Real Human Support When You Need It

Even as a self-directed investor, help is always available. RBC Direct Investing’s Investment Service Representatives are just a phone call, web message, or in-person visit away.

While they don’t provide investment advice, they can assist with platform navigation, account setup, and general questions.

Unlike many platforms that rely on automated bots for support—often leading to frustrating, circular conversations—RBC Direct Investing ensures that you can speak to a real person who understands your needs and can provide clear, direct assistance.

Steps to Take Advantage of the Offer

To participate in this promotion, here are the steps you need to follow:

Step 1: Open an Eligible Account

Open one or more of the following eligible RBC Direct Investing accounts before March 31, 2025:

• Cash Account (single or joint).
• Margin Account (single or joint).
• Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA).
• Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP).
• First Home Savings Account (FHSA).

Step 2: Transfer or Deposit Funds

Transfer at least $15,000 in cash and/or securities from another financial institution by May 3, 2025, to qualify for both the Avion points and $300 cash bonus. RBC will even reimburse transfer fees up to $200⁶.

Step 3: Join Avion Rewards

If you’re not already a member, join the Avion Rewards program by May 3, 2025. Membership is free, and it’s easy to enroll online.

Step 4: Maintain Your Balance

Keep your transferred assets in your RBC Direct Investing account(s) until October 3, 2025, to qualify for the rewards.

How to Make the Most of This Promotion

To fully capitalize on RBC Direct Investing’s Winter 2025 Avion points Plus Offer, it’s important to approach it strategically. The more you transfer, the more value you can unlock—not just in points, but in financial and investing opportunities as well.

One of the easiest ways to maximize this promotion is to transfer larger amounts into your RBC Direct Investing account. For example, transferring $1,000,000 will earn you the maximum of 500,000 Avion points, equivalent to a stunning $10,000 in travel rewards^{7^}.

While not everyone has that level of assets readily available, even smaller transfers, like $100,000, can earn 50,000 Avion points and travel value.

Additionally, you can leverage the 50 commission-free trades included in the promotion to build a portfolio that meets your investment goals. With the ability to trade Canadian and U.S. stocks, ETFs, and options without incurring commissions^{8^}, you can explore different strategies or rebalance your holdings during your first year.

Another way to make the most of this promotion is to combine it with RBC Rewards. If you already hold an RBC Avion credit card, you can leverage the points you earn through everyday spending to cover trade commissions or grow your portfolio.

RBC Avion Credit Cards

Credit Card	Best Offer	Value
RBC® Avion Visa Infinite† RBC® Avion Visa Infinite† 55,000 RBC Avion points† $120 annual fee	55,000 RBC Avion points†	$1,080	Apply Now
RBC® Avion Visa Platinum† RBC® Avion Visa Platinum† 55,000 RBC Avion points† $120 annual fee	55,000 RBC Avion points†	$1,080	Apply Now
RBC® Avion Visa Infinite Privilege† RBC® Avion Visa Infinite Privilege† Up to 70,000 RBC Avion points† $399 annual fee	Up to 70,000 RBC Avion points†	$801	Apply Now
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business 35,000 RBC Avion points $175 annual fee	35,000 RBC Avion points	$700	Apply Now
RBC Avion Visa Business RBC Avion Visa Business 35,000 RBC Avion points $120 annual fee	35,000 RBC Avion points	$580	Apply Now

This integration between RBC’s rewards ecosystem and Direct Investing ensures that every transaction adds value to your investments or travel plans.

Lastly, those who can deposit and maintain balances of $250,000 or more for four consecutive months qualify for RBC’s Royal Circle^® Program^{9^}. This exclusive program provides access to benefits like waived administrative fees, up to $500 in transfer fee reimbursements, and premium research from Morningstar^‡ and RBC Capital Markets^®.

You’ll also enjoy priority service, ensuring that you receive the highest level of support and expertise.

This program adds another layer of motivation to invest and grow your assets, as the perks not only reward your loyalty but also enhance your investing experience.

By reaching this threshold, you’re setting yourself up for long-term financial success while enjoying additional privileges that make managing your investments even easier.

Things to Consider with RBC Direct Investing

While RBC Direct Investing offers a robust platform with impressive benefits, it’s important to consider the associated trading costs, particularly if you plan to trade frequently. The platform charges a standard fee of $9.95 per trade, which applies to both stocks and ETFs.

Compared to some other platforms where fees range from $4.95 to $9.95 per trade and ETFs can be purchased commission-free, RBC’s fees are slightly on the higher end.

Given that investing is often a long-term endeavor, strategies like dollar-cost averaging into ETFs and growth stocks are common approaches to building wealth over time. However, after utilizing the 50 commission-free trades offered by RBC Direct Investing, the standard trading fees can add up.

This makes it important to assess how often you trader per year and whether you plan to invest on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis to understand how these fees will impact your overall returns.

That said, RBC Direct Investing’s platform offers unique value through its seamless integration with other RBC products, access to comprehensive research tools, and the ability to earn Avion points, still making it a compelling option.

It’s all about weighing the fees against the platform’s benefits and deciding what aligns best with your financial goals.

Conclusion

RBC Direct Investing’s Winter 2025 Avion points Plus Offer is a rare opportunity to achieve both your financial and travel goals.

With the ability to earn up to 500,000 Avion points (worth up to $10,000 in value), a $300 cash bonus, and 50 commission-free trades, the promotion motivates you to grow your portfolio while earning meaningful rewards.

Balancing a passion for miles and points with the need to focus on building financial assets can often feel like a compromise—focusing too much on one often comes at the expense of the other.

This promotion, however, allows you to do both. It’s a perfect solution for travellers and investors alike, helping you grow your wealth and points balance simultaneously.

Whether you’re saving for your next adventure or working toward long-term financial goals, this promotion combines the best of both worlds.

Don’t miss out on this golden opportunity—open your RBC Direct Investing account today and turn your investments into travel rewards.

Disclosure:

This article is sponsored by RBC Direct Investing. While we receive compensation for promoting their platform, all opinions expressed here are our own.

Disclaimer:

RBC Direct Investing Inc. and Royal Bank of Canada are separate corporate entities which are affiliated. RBC Direct Investing Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada and is a Member of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization and the Canadian Investor Protection Fund. Royal Bank of Canada and certain of its issuers are related to RBC Direct Investing Inc. RBC Direct Investing Inc. does not provide investment advice or recommendations regarding the purchase or sale of any securities. Investors are responsible for their own investment decisions. RBC Direct Investing is a business name used by RBC Direct Investing Inc. ® / ™ Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. RBC and Royal Bank are registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. © Royal Bank of Canada 2025.

*Conditions apply. See full Terms and Conditions here.

^{1^} After the 50 commission free trades have been used or the 1 year has expired, all RBC Direct Investing clients pay $9.95 flat CDN or U.S. per Canadian or U.S. equity trade with no minimum account balance or trading activity required. A lesser fee of $6.95 flat CDN or U.S. per Canadian or U.S. equity trade applies when you trade 150 times or more per quarter, and only to trades placed through an available Automated Service (such term is defined in RBC Direct Investing’s Operation of Account Agreement), and includes the online investing site and mobile application. Additional terms and conditions apply. For complete details, including international trading commissions, visit Pricing or call 1-855-972-1688.

^{2^} Fund transfers in CAD or USD from an RBC Royal Bank account to your RBC Direct Investing account using RBC Online Banking, Direct Investing Online Investing, or the RBC Mobile app are processed in real time between the hours of 4:30 a.m. and 7:54 p.m. ET, seven days a week. Transfers into an RBC Direct Investing account made outside of these hours will be processed the following day. Transfers out of your RBC Direct Investing account (Locked-in, Registered Retirement Income Fund, and Registered Education Savings Plan accounts excluded) to an RBC Royal Bank account are processed in real-time between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. ET, Monday to Friday (excluding Canadian holidays). Transfers out of your RBC Direct Investing account made outside of these hours will be processed the next business day.

^{3^} RBC Mobile is operated by Royal Bank of Canada, RBC Direct Investing Inc. and RBC Dominion Securities Inc.

^{4^} Real-time streaming quotes are available automatically to all clients for exchange listed stocks, ETFs and most over-the-counter (OTC) securities. Real-time streaming quotes for options and grey market OTC securities are available to all clients upon accepting the terms and conditions of all exchange agreements on the RBC Direct Investing online investing site.

^{5^} Level 2 quotes are available on stocks and ETFs that trade on the TSX and TSX-Venture exchanges for all clients. Level 2 quotes are also available on stocks and ETFs that trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange and Nasdaq for Active Trader clients upon accepting the terms and conditions of all exchange agreements on the RBC Direct Investing online investing site.

^{6^} Up to C$200 in transfer fees will be covered when you transfer C$15,000 or more to RBC Direct Investing from an investment account held at a financial institution that is not affiliated with RBC. Clients must provide proof of transfer fee payment to RBC Direct Investing within six months of transfer to be eligible for reimbursement. Please contact an RBC Direct Investing representative for more details at 1 855-611-0798.

^{7^} The Travel Value of $10,000 is based on an Air Travel Redemption from the Air Travel Redemption Schedule that is only available to Avion Elite Members. Air Travel Reward redemptions from the Air Travel Redemption Schedule start at 15,000 Avion points for a round trip short-haul flight within or to an adjacent province/territory or within or to an adjacent U.S. State with a maximum ticket price of $350. All applicable taxes, service fees and surcharges are the responsibility of the traveller.

^{8^} There may be commissions, trailing commissions, investment fund management fees and expenses associated with investment fund and exchange-traded fund (ETF) investments. On or after June 1, 2022, any trailing commissions paid to RBC Direct Investing Inc. will be rebated to clients pursuant to applicable regulatory exemptions. Before investing, please review the applicable fees, expenses and charges relating to the fund as disclosed in the prospectus, fund facts or ETF facts for the fund. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. For money market funds there can be no assurances that the fund will be able to maintain its net asset value per security at a constant amount or that the full amount of your investment in the fund will be returned to you.

^{9^} There are two ways to qualify for the RBC Direct Investing Royal Circle program. The average of the month-end balances from the past four months must be at least C$250,000 per client, or a client’s equity commissions must be greater than C$5,000 annually. Membership in Royal Circle is reviewed annually to ensure the qualification criteria are met. RBC Direct Investing reserves the right to alter the benefits at any time and to remove clients who no longer qualify for the program, without prior notification

^{10^} For Royal Circle members up to C$500 in transfer fees will be covered when you transfer C$15,000 or more to RBC Direct Investing from an investment account held with a financial institution that is not affiliated with RBC. Clients must provide proof of transfer fee payment to RBC Direct Investing within six months of transfer to be eligible for reimbursement

‡ All other trademarks are the property of their respective owner(s).