RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege Review

October 16, 2022
Reviews

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege card is a travel credit card with an annual fee of $399 issued by the Royal Bank of Canada, one of the largest banks in Canada. It comes with a very generous welcome bonus of 55,000 Avion points that you can redeem for flights, packaged holidays, cruises, and hotel stays.

With this card, you will gain access to exclusive access to The Avion Collection, a series of experiences reserved for Avioners, plus bonus Avion points when filling up at Petro-Canada gas stations. Additionally, you will have access to airport lounges worldwide, fast track lanes, and dedicated airport parking at select Canadian airpots.

What Is The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card?

RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege is one of the travel credit cards offered by RBC. It is designed for people with high incomes (at least $200,000 for personal and household) and regular travellers who want to earn as many RBC Rewards points as possible. You can earn 1.25 Avion points for every dollar spent and exchange them for bill payments, investments, in-store and online purchases, and premium travel rewards. RBC will also give you 20,000 bonus points when you spend at least $5,000 in the first six months, plus an additional 35,000 welcome points upon approval. You should apply before October 31, 2022, to claim this reward. 

This card is best for big spenders and frequent travellers who wish to retain a single credit card for spending on items and collecting points while they are out on a business trip or vacation. If you're looking for a different type of card check our full list of the best credit cards in Canada.

Features Of RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege Card

#1 Earn 1.25 Avion Points For Every Dollar You Spend

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege credit card has an annual fee of $399 and offers an excellent way to earn Avio points. With this card, you can earn 1.25 Avion points per $1 spent on all eligible purchases. Avion points can be redeemed to pay for travel expenses and more; here are all the options:

  • Travel purchases 
  • Exchange your Avion points for CAD at a rate of 100:1 and use them to pay for travel purchases like hotel stays, flights, car rentals, and more.  
  • Pay household bills
  • Use your points to make in-store and online purchases 
  • Interac e-Transfers
  • Charitable donations

#2 Exclusive Benefits For Avioners

Only Avioners can access an ever-expanding selection of premium experiences, deals, and advantages. From the red carpet and the dining room to the entertainment venue, you can discover all the rewards of becoming an Avioner. You can enjoy the following benefits in general. 

  • Avion Rewards ShopPlus – a shop browser extension for iOS mobile phones to find more cash back deals and coupons from stores.
  • Rewards flexibility – exchange points for purchases, payments, investments, and transactions
  • Avion points redemption on retail – buy the latest products from Apple, Best Buy, and other items from various merchants. 

#3 Extensive Travel Insurance Coverage 

The best travel credit cards in Canada tend to offer emergency medical coverage, trip cancellation, and interruption insurance, and the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege credit card is no exception. All qualified transactions made with the card are insured. However, RBC will activate the travel insurance products if the entire trip is charged to your card and booked directly using your RBC Avion points or a combination of the two. 

Out of Province or Country Emergency Medical Insurance 

This provides 31 days of emergency medical travel insurance for travellers under the age of 65 and seven days of coverage for those 65 and older. 

Travel Accident Insurance

Covers you in the event of an accidental bodily injury resulting in a loss, including death, while travelling on a common carrier. This ensures you up to $500,000.

Auto Rental Collision/Loss Damage Insurance

This gives you insurance for loss or damages up to the cash value of the damaged or stolen rental vehicle. It also covers valid rental agency towing and loss of use charges when the conditions are met.

Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance 

In addition to $500,000 in standard carrier accident insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance are up to $2,500, plus $5,000 per person.

When travelling, cardholders can access advantages such as flight delay insurance of up to $1,000

Emergency Purchases and Flight Delay Insurance 

For Flight Delay insurance, the maximum coverage for reasonable and necessary expenses is $500 per day per covered person for a maximum of $1,000

For Emergency Purchases insurance, the maximum coverage for reasonable and necessary expenses is $750 per occurrence, with a maximum of $3,000

Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance

The maximum reimbursement for repairing or replacing your personal property, either lost or damaged due to burglary, is $3,000 per occurrence.

Lost or Stolen Baggage Insurance

Baggage delay insurance of up to $3,000 and $2,500 for lost or stolen luggage.

Purchase Security & Extended Warranty Insurance 

It provides up to two years of an extended warranty and protects you against damages or thefts for up to 120 days after purchase.

Mobile Device Insurance

Specialized mobile device insurance with two years of protection worth up to $1,500

#4 Instant Fuel Savings At Petro-Canada

You can save money and earn points at Petro-Canada by linking your RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege credit card with your Petro-Points card. Keep in mind linking your card may take up to two business days. Here are some of the benefits:

  • Save three cents 3¢ per litre of gas and earn 20% more Petro-Points when using your linked RBC credit card to purchase any grade of gasoline, including diesel, at any Petro-Canada location.
  • Earn a bonus of 20% more Avion points than you usually make for every $1 purchase when you use your linked Avion Rewards credit card

There is also a 25,000 Petro-Points bonus when you have a new credit card to link with your Petro-Points card. To be eligible for this offer, the application must be approved and linked before May 31, 2023.  

#5 Earn 50 Be Well Points At Rexall

To participate in this promotion, you must have an eligible RBC Debit Card, Personal Credit Card, or Business Credit Card issued by the Royal Bank of Canada (excluding RBC commercial credit cards). These include your RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege card, and you need to link this card to your Be Well card to qualify for the offer. You can take advantage of these offers at any Rexall location. 

  • Pay with a linked RBC debit or credit card for qualified transactions.
  • Get 50 Be Well points per $1 spent on eligible purchases at Rexall by scanning your Be Well card digitally or at the counter. 
  • Earn Be Well points in-store to receive discounts on your qualifying purchases (25,000 Be Well points = $10)

Remember that you may link only two (2) business credit cards and one RBC debit card to a Be-well card if you are an RBC business owner.

#6 Get 20% Off At Hertz And Earn 3x The Points

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege credit card also offers a 20% discount and 3x the Avion points when you use your credit card to rent a car at any Hertz locations in Canada and the U.S. To access this offer follow these steps.

  1. Log in to your RBC Online Banking 
  2. Find the Your Available Offers section and click on Select Retailer
  3. Choose Hertz and get your offer.

You can also use the first digits of your eligible Avion credit card in the CPD ID number field when you make a reservation. Keep in mind this is only applicable to personal credit cards. 

#7 Complimentary 12-Month DoorDash Membership

If you constantly have your food delivered to your doorstep, then you will like the offer from DoorDash. The complimentary DoorDash membership includes 12 months of free food delivery on orders over $15 if you activate the subscription before July 5, 2023. 

If you have already paid for DashPass, DoorDash will refund the monthly subscription fee from the month you start your free subscription. 

  • Complimentary 12-month DashPass subscription (worth $120)
  • Free Unlimited deliveries on orders of $15 or more when you pay with your RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege credit card or any other eligible RBC card

#8 Optional Add-On Services

There are also additional or optional services that you can purchase from RBC. These add-on services can be very helpful if you travel often or want to cover yourself for a worst-case scenario. Here are some of the services you can choose from:

  • BalanceProtector Max Insurance ($1.20 per $100 in your credit card balance): Covers you for up to 25% of your account balance (capped at $6,250 per month) in case you lose your job or self-employed income, or become totally disabled. In each case, you are covered for up to $25,000, paid over a 4-month period.
  • Medical Emergency Insurance: This add-on offers medical insurance if you’re travelling abroad. Keep in mind this covers you only for the first 31 days (7 days for travellers over 65 years old).
  • Travel Insurance: Covers you for flight delays, trip interruptions & cancellations, baggage, and burglary insurance on your hotel stays.
  • RBC Roadside Assistance (From $79.99 to $144.99 per year): This add-on includes road assistance and covers services like emergency fuel delivery, towing, flat tires, and battery boosts. Here's a list of the credit cards that offer complimentary roadside assistance.
  • Identity Theft & Credit Protection: For 30 days, you will have free access to FirstReport-ID and FirstReport-Advantage, which includes 24/7 Online Identity Monitoring, Credit Score & Credit Report, Historical Alert Scan, SMS and email notifications, and Identity Restoration

Pros & Cons Of The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege Card

Pros

  • Earn 1.25 Avion points for every $1 spent
  • Receive 50 Be Well points for every dollar spent at Rexall
  • Get a 20% discount and 3x the points when renting a car at Hertz.
  • Convert Avion points to CAD (100:1)
  • Complimentary 12 months DoorDash subscription
  • Use your points to purchase travel packages, lodging, cruises, and tours.
  • Save 3¢ per litre of fuel and earn 20% more Petro-Points and Avion points at Petro-Canada
  • Enjoy dedicated airport parking, fast-track security lanes, and access to international airport lounges at a few Canadian airports.
  • Get more points when you purchase from specific RBC partners, including CWT and UBER.
  • Regular promotions can increase your transfer to British Airways Avios mileage by 30–50%.
  • Access to a DragonPass lounge membership with six complimentary visits each year
  • Allow Visa Infinite Privilege Concierge to help you with tasks such as gift choices and restaurant or event ticket reservations as soon as they go on sale.

Cons

  • High annual fee ($399)
  • High annual income requirement ($200,000)
  • High-interest rates on purchases (19.99%) and cash advances (22.99%)
  • No cash back rewards (you can check our list of the best cash back credit cards in Canada)

Pricing

RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege has a higher annual fee than RBC Visa Infinite since it offers more benefits, perks, and insurance coverage. To get this card, your personal and household income must be $200,000, and you must have a good credit score of between 725 and 900. The table below shows the essential fees you must consider before applying for this card.

Fees and Interest Rates
Annual Fee$399
Minimum Monthly Payment$10 plus interest and fees
Supplementary Card Fee$99
Purchase Interest Rate19.99%
Cash Advance Interest Rate22.99%
Cash Advance Fee$3.50
Overlimit Fee$29
Balance Transfer22.99%
Foreign Conversion Fee2.5%

While, like most good cash back cards, this is a free credit card, it lacks many perks and features to make it a truly compelling card. When considering the best cards in the Canadian market, it's usually better to pay an annual fee in exchange for great bonuses and additional perks that can save you hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars down the line. This is the case with premium options like the Amex Platinum but also with less expensive cards like the Cobalt, the Gold Card and the American Express Marriott Bonvoy card.

That said, these cards require a high credit score, so you may have to start lower with cards like the CT Triangle Mastercard, which are much cheaper (free even) but reward you handsomely.

In Summary

RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card stands out in the travel rewards category among other credit cards. With no blackout dates, you can redeem the Avion points earned for any flight, any time, and at any airline. It also covers a wide range of insurance for car rentals, trip cancellations, emergencies, flight delays, lost baggage, and more. Aside from travel, you can convert your points into cash to pay for your household or credit card bills or use them to shop at stores like Apple and Best Buy. You can enjoy these points in various ways, especially if you know how to handle your finances well. Of course, such freedom comes at a cost. In this case, the credit card costs $399 annually plus a relatively high personal and household income of $200,000.

RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card FAQs

How Much Does RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card Cost?

RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege credit card costs $399 annually, with additional supplementary cards that cost $99.

Is RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege Card Worth It?

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege credit card may or may not be worth it for you, depending on your financial needs and objectives. The credit card is distinctive regarding its annual fee, welcome bonus, reward flexibility, and insurance. Hence, knowing these before you apply for credit is essential. 

RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege may be worth it for you if:

  • You are looking for a hefty welcome bonus and a high earning rate on every dollar you spend on purchases.
  • You travel frequently and can take advantage of all the travel benefits
  • You are looking for a card that offers travel, emergency, and purchase insurance.
  • You regularly buy at Petro-Canada, Rexall, or DoorDash, or rent a car at Hertz. 

RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege may not be worth it for you if:

  • You do not have the minimum of $200,000 for both personal and household income
  • The annual fee of $399 is expensive for you
  • You are likely to fall behind on payments 

Is The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege Card Safe?

RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege is safe because it has a credit lock feature in which you can lock your card whenever you lose or misplace it. Log in to your RBC Mobile app and choose which card you want to close. You can also enjoy your safety with its premium travel and financial protection whenever you go on a vacation or an important business trip.

Is There A Difference Between RBC Visa Infinite and RBC Visa Infinite Privilege? 

The difference between RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege and RBC Avion Visa Infinite can be distinguished in three ways: annual fee, minimum income, and rewards. The yearly charge for the Avion Visa Infinite Privilege card is usually $399, while the price for the Avion Visa Infinite Privilege card is at a lower cost of $120. Regarding its minimum income requirement, Avion Visa Infinite Privilege requires at least $200,000 for both personal and household income. On the other hand, it takes at least $60,000 for personal or $100,000 for the household for Avion Visa Infinite. 

Lastly, it is also the benefits or rewards that tell the cards apart. Having an Avion Visa Infinite Privilege credit card offers you 1.25 Avion points for every dollar you spend in any spending category. In comparison, Avion Visa Infinite offers you 1 Avion point for every dollar with an additional bonus of 25% on eligible travel purchases.

Does The RBC Avion Infinite Privilege Have Lounge Access? 

Yes, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege has lounge access. Upon registration, you will get six (6) free lounges per year; your companions can also use the free service. 

How Many RBC Avion Points Do You Need For A Flight?

The RBC Avion points you need for a flight depend on the destination or if you prefer to return to your place after your trip. For example, a one-way ticket requires at least 7,500 points, while a round-trip ticket requires as few as 15,000 points.  

What Happens To My RBC Avion Points If I Cancel My Card? 

If you cancel your credit card, you will lose all your collected points if your credit card account is 90 days past the due date. For any RBC Bank credit card accounts that are put on hold or are voluntarily or involuntarily closed, RBC may not transfer the remaining points to a new or active account. Hence, you will lose all rewards or points.

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