The RBC Visa Platinum Avion card is a flexible travel rewards credit card that allows you to earn RBC Rewards points with every purchase while offering flexible options for redeeming your points.
With the RBC Visa Platinum Avion card you can redeem your points on any airline without blackout periods or seat capacity restrictions. Points are earned on a 1:1 ratio with each dollar spent on purchases only.
RBC Visa Platinum Avion Card
Earn 15,000 bonus points upon successful enrollment and an additional 2,500 points after the first year upon card renewal.
Cardholders earn RBC Rewards points every time they make a purchase with the RBC Visa Platinum Avion card.
- Earn 1 RBC Reward point for every $1 spent.
- Earn additional RBC Rewards points when you book travel with Carlson Wagonlit Travel or rent a vehicle at any participating Thrifty Car Rental locations in Canada.
- Annual fee of $120
- Additional card charge of $50
Redeeming Points
Redeem your points for air travel rewards from the Air Travel Redemption Schedule on the RBC website. You can book any flight, on any airline at anytime.
Enjoy other travel rewards including packaged holidays, hotels, car rentals, rail travel, cruises and tours. You can also choose gift card rewards, specially selected merchandise items, or financial rewards.
There is an option to transfer RBC Rewards points to Asia Miles, Avios points or AMERICAN AIRLINES AADVANTAGE miles. In addition, you can also exchange RBC Rewards points for Esso Extra points.
How many points can I earn with this card?
I use my credit card for all of my everyday purchases, plus my monthly bill payments in order to maximize my rewards. I spend about $2,600 per month on my credit card. Here’s a look at how many points I can earn from the RBC Visa Platinum Avion card in the first year:
- 1 point for every $1 spent – 31,200
- 15,000 bonus points on sign-up – 15,000
- Total rewards points earned in the first year = 46,200
100 RBC Rewards points are worth $1, which means that 46,200 RBC Rewards points works out to $462 worth of travel in the first year. After subtracting the $120 annual fee, the first year total equals $342 worth of travel points on $31,200 in annual spending. That’s a redemption rate of only 1.10%, which is pretty disappointing for an annual fee credit card.
After the first year, the total RBC Rewards points earned each year drops to 31,200. Subtract the $120 annual fee and you’re left with just $192 worth of travel points on $31,200 in annual spending. That’s a redemption rate of 0.6%, which is terrible compared to some of the best travel rewards credit cards.
The same spending with the Capital One Aspire World MasterCard will give you 3% back in travel rewards points.
Final Thoughts
The RBC Visa Platinum Avion card is pretty disappointing when you consider the other travel rewards options available in Canada. This program has tremendous flexibility when redeeming points, however that doesn’t make up for the low rate of return that cardholders earn with this card.
Stay away from the RBC Visa Platinum Avion card – there are much better options out there for frequent flyers and travel rewards junkies.