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RBC throws around a lot of credit cards, but which ones actually deliver? Let’s cut through the marketing fluff. Some of these cards are genuinely worth your wallet space. Others? Not so much.
If you’re banking with RBC already, you’re probably getting pitched their credit cards constantly. Fair enough. But before you sign up for whatever the teller’s pushing, you need to know which RBC cards actually work for your lifestyle. Because here’s the thing: the wrong card costs you money every single day you use it.
RBC Avion Visa Infinite: The Flight Booking Freedom Card
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite changed the game for Canadian travelers who hate airline loyalty programs. You know the drill. Try booking an award flight with Aeroplan or Air Miles and suddenly there’s no availability, blackout dates everywhere, or the “award” flight costs more points than buying the ticket outright would cost in cash.
This card says forget all that. Book any airline. Any flight. Any time. No blackouts, no restrictions, no begging for award space. The distance-based redemption chart means short flights within Canada often cost just 15,000 points even when the cash price is $500+. That’s incredible value when you need to book last minute or during peak season.
You get 35,000 welcome points worth up to $750 in travel. Earn 1.25 points per dollar on travel purchases, 1 point on everything else. Not amazing earning rates, honestly. But the flexibility makes up for it. Transfer points to British Airways or American Airlines when it makes sense. Use the fixed redemption chart when it doesn’t.
The $120 annual fee is reasonable for what you get. Comprehensive travel insurance including medical coverage. Purchase protection. Extended warranty. All the boring stuff that matters when things go wrong. Income requirement is $60,000 individual or $100,000 household. Most established professionals qualify.
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege: When You’ve Made It (Or Want to Look Like You Have)
Step up to the Infinite Privilege and you’re playing in different territory. This is RBC’s premium travel card with a $399 annual fee that makes most people’s eyes water. But hold on. Let’s talk about what you actually get.
Up to 70,000 Avion points as a welcome bonus. That’s potentially $1,500 in travel value right there. Six airport lounge passes annually through Visa Airport Companion. Priority security lanes at major Canadian airports. Dedicated airport parking. The Friday Friend Pass gets you buy-one-get-one lift tickets at major ski resorts.
The earning structure? Same modest 1.25 points on travel, 1 point on everything else. For a premium card, that’s disappointing. Cards like the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege earn way more on bonus categories. But again, you’re paying for flexibility and perks, not earning rates.
Income requirement jumps to $200,000 personal or $250,000 household. That’s executive territory. The comprehensive insurance package is bulletproof. Trip cancellation, interruption, medical, baggage, rental car, mobile device. Everything’s covered with high limits.
Worth it? If you travel monthly and actually use the lounge passes, parking benefits, and ski passes, absolutely. If you fly twice a year to visit family in Winnipeg, save your money.
WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard: The WestJet Loyalist’s Dream
Fly WestJet regularly? This card’s a no-brainer. The annual companion voucher alone pays for the $119 annual fee multiple times over. Bring someone along for $119 within Canada and continental US, or $399 to anywhere else WestJet flies. That voucher typically saves $300-800 annually.
Free first checked bag for you and up to eight guests on the same reservation. Family of four going to Mexico? That’s $240 saved right there. Round trip? $480. The card basically prints money if you’re a WestJet family.
Earn 2 WestJet points per dollar on WestJet purchases, 1.5 on everything else. Welcome bonus of 45,000 points (worth $450) when you spend $5,000 in three months. Plus you get Status Lift, earning tier qualifying spend toward elite status just by using your credit card.
The catch? You need to actually fly WestJet. These benefits mean nothing if you’re loyal to Air Canada or book whoever’s cheapest. Income requirement is $80,000 personal or $150,000 household. Insurance coverage is solid but not spectacular.
Trade your companion voucher for four lounge passes if you prefer. Get a year of DashPass for free food delivery. Save 3 cents per liter at Petro-Canada. Nice extras but the companion voucher is the real star here.
RBC ION+ Visa: The Digital Generation Card
This card gets it. Your life runs on subscriptions, food delivery apps, and Uber. The ION+ rewards that reality with 3x Avion points on streaming services, online gaming, digital subscriptions, food delivery, rideshares, groceries, and transit. Finally, a card that knows Netflix matters more than hotels.
The $48 annual fee is basically nothing. Welcome bonus of 14,000 Avion points. No income requirements so students and young professionals can actually qualify. Mobile device insurance up to $1,000 because RBC knows you’re more likely to break your phone than lose your luggage.
Three months of free DashPass. Save at Petro-Canada. Enhanced Be Well points at Rexall. It’s all very practical, very millennial, very “I live downtown and don’t own a car.”
The problem? Avion points. They’re flexible but complicated. Most people earning them on the ION+ would be better off with straight cash back. You need 172 points for a dollar of value in most redemptions. That’s not intuitive. Still, if you’re heavy on digital subscriptions and food delivery, those 3x categories add up fast.
RBC Cash Back Mastercard: The Keep It Simple Card
Sometimes you just want cash back without the homework. The RBC Cash Back Mastercard delivers exactly that. No annual fee. 2% on groceries up to $6,000 annually. 1% on everything else. Cash back credited automatically every December.
Is it exciting? Absolutely not. Will it change your life? Nope. But for RBC customers who want a simple backup card or families with predictable grocery spending, it works. No points to manage, no redemption charts to study, no transfer partners to optimize.
The $6,000 grocery cap limits its appeal. That’s $500 monthly, which many families blow through by the 15th. After that you’re earning just 1% while other no-fee cards offer 1.25% or higher base rates. But if you’re already deep in the RBC ecosystem and want their purchase protection and extended warranty, it’s fine.
Save 3 cents per liter at Petro-Canada when you link your card. Get DoorDash benefits. Standard RBC perks that add marginal value but won’t swing your decision.
Which RBC Card Actually Makes Sense?
Here’s the truth. RBC credit cards work best for RBC customers already drinking the Kool-Aid. Banking packages waive annual fees. Multiple RBC products unlock better perks. The ecosystem rewards loyalty even when individual cards might not be best-in-class.
Travel frequently with flexible dates? Avion Visa Infinite for the booking freedom.
High earner who values luxury perks? Avion Visa Infinite Privilege if you’ll actually use those lounge passes.
WestJet family? WestJet World Elite Mastercard pays for itself with one companion voucher.
Digital native? ION+ Visa for those 3x categories on modern spending.
Want simplicity? Cash Back Mastercard for no-fee, no-fuss rewards.
The Hidden Costs Nobody Mentions
Every RBC card charges 2.5% foreign transaction fees. Buying something from a US website? Add 2.5%. Traveling abroad? Add 2.5% to everything. For international spenders, this kills the value proposition compared to no-forex-fee cards from Scotiabank or Home Trust.
Avion points sound valuable but redemption can be complicated. Transfer partners have varying ratios. The booking portal has its own pricing. Statement credits offer poor value. You need to do research to maximize value, which most people won’t.
RBC’s customer service ranks 11th out of 13 major issuers according to J.D. Power. When problems arise (and they will), expect long hold times and frustrating experiences. The premium cards offer dedicated service lines but even those get mixed reviews.
The RBC Credit Card Strategy That Actually Works
Want to maximize RBC cards? Here’s what smart cardholders do:
Get an RBC banking package that waives your credit card annual fee. The Preferred Package waives fees up to $120. That makes cards like the Avion Visa Infinite essentially free.
Stack multiple RBC cards for different spending categories. ION+ for digital and groceries. WestJet for travel. Cash Back as a backup. RBC allows product switching so you can change cards without new applications if your needs change.
Link everything to Petro-Canada and Rexall for stacked savings. Those 3 cents per liter add up. Be Well points accelerate. Small optimizations that require zero effort once set up.
Use RBC Offers for bonus points and cash back at specific merchants. Hidden in online banking but occasionally valuable. Free money if you’re shopping there anyway.
Should You Get an RBC Credit Card?
Look, RBC makes solid cards for specific situations. They’re rarely the absolute best in any category but they’re consistently good enough, especially if you’re already an RBC customer. The banking integration, fee waivers, and ecosystem benefits add value beyond the cards themselves.
But if you’re shopping purely on card merits? You can probably do better. The Avion Visa Infinite’s flexibility is unique, granted. The WestJet card’s companion voucher is unmatched for WestJet flyers. Otherwise, competitors offer better earning rates, lower fees, or superior perks.
Get an RBC card if it fits your banking relationship and travel patterns. Skip them if you’re chasing maximum rewards or don’t already bank with RBC. Simple as that.
Your wallet has limited space. Every card should earn its spot. These RBC cards earn theirs for the right cardholder in the right situation. Whether that’s you depends entirely on how you bank, how you spend, and where you’re trying to go.
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