To find the best travel credit cards in the RBC Avion family, we’re pitting two siblings against each other: the RBC Avion Visa Infinite and the RBC Visa Platinum Avion. While they share rewards and worldwide acceptance, the differences between their benefits and insurance ultimately make the RBC Avion Visa Infinite the winner.
Key Takeaways
- The RBC Avion Visa Infinite provides premium perks, extra travel rewards, and a comprehensive insurance package for the same annual fee.
- It’s easier to qualify for the RBC Avion Visa Platinum, but you’ll lose out on rewards, benefits, and insurance.
- Provided you meet its income requirements, there’s no reason not to take the RBC Avion Visa Infinite over the Platinum.
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RBC Avion Visa Infinite vs. Platinum Avion overview
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite and Avion Visa Platinum are travel credit cards issued by RBC. With the stability and funding of a big bank, they can offer decent rewards and a great selection of benefits:
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite | RBC Visa Platinum Avion | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $120 | $120 |
| Welcome bonus |  $100 GeniusCash + 55,000 bonus points (terms) | 55,000 bonus points (terms) |
| Maximum rewards | 1.25 points per $1 spent | 1 point per $1 spent |
| Highest earning purchase category | Travel | General purchases |
| Insurance types included | 12 | 10 |
| Special features | Earn 25% more rewards on travel | No income requirements |
| Income requirements | $60K personal or $100K household | None |
| Additional card fee | $50 | $50 |
| Get started | Apply now | Apply now |
If you’re comparing these two cards, you’re probably wondering if you should upgrade from the Avion Visa Platinum to the Avion Visa Infinite. We’ll begin by looking at the similarities between the two so you know what rewards, benefits, and insurance you can count on regardless of your choice.
RBC Avion rewards and benefits
The Avion Rewards program stands among the best rewards programs in Canada. It offers 6 redemption options, multiple ways to earn points, and decent value for your points. Redeeming your points using the Avion Air Travel Redemption Schedule can yield up to 2.33 cents per point (CPP).
Value of reward in CAD / cost in points x 100 = value in cents per point (CPP)
There are 3 levels of Avion membership, each with different qualifications and access to different rewards and benefits. Signing up for either the RBC Avion Visa Infinite or RBC Visa Platinum Avion gives you automatic Avion Elite membership status.
Not only are you eligible to collect cash back and points from 2,400+ partner brands and stores, but you also get access to travel, charity, gift card, and merchandise rewards, plus:
- 50 Be Well points per $1 spent at Rexall
- 20% bonus Avion and Petro-Points and 3 cents off per litre at Petro-Canada
- 20% off Hertz car rentals and no additional driver fee
- 2-for-1 ski lift passes on Fridays at participating resorts
- A complimentary 12-month DashPass subscription
Avion Elite members can also grab extra points and savings from partner stores. At the time of writing, linking your RBC Avion credit card to a Moi Rewards account gives you 1 extra point per $2 spent (with a minimum purchase).
RBC insurance
Credit card insurance is one of the most underrated features of premium credit cards. Cardholders get coverage for a wide variety of circumstances and multiple trips per year, all for a single annual fee.
The Avion Visa Infinite and Avion Visa Platinum cards share 10 types of insurance coverage worth an estimated $336, including:
- 1 year of extended warranty coverage
- 90 days of purchase protection
- $500,000 of travel accident insurance
- $500 each of flight delay, baggage delay, lost/stolen baggage, and hotel burglary insurance
- Theft and damage rental car insurance
We’ll talk more about the most valuable types of coverage and why you might prefer the RBC Avion Visa Infinite later.
Worldwide acceptance
As the most popular payment network in the world, Visa sets the standard for convenience, security, and benefits. Any store that accepts credit is almost guaranteed to accept Visa and you can report a lost or stolen card, request an emergency card, or request emergency cash using a 24/7 helpline.
Now that we’ve established the advantages of both cards, let’s take a look at their unique strengths.
What we love about the RBC Avion Visa Infinite
×1 Award winner 
GC: $100
1x Award winner Pros:
- 2 ways to earn rewards (more on this below)
- More insurance coverage
- Slightly higher returns on travel
- Worldwide acceptance for Visa
- Visa Infinite benefits
Cons:
- Requires $60,000 of personal income or $100,000 of household income
We named the RBC Avion Visa Infinite the best RBC credit card in Canada because it provides superb value for money. In exchange for a moderate annual fee of $120, cardholders enjoy decent and flexible travel rewards, a selection of premium benefits, and sensible insurance coverage.
Rewards
- 1.25 points per $1 spent on travel
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite only rewards 2 types of purchases: travel and everything else. Fortunately, "travel" includes everything from airline tickets to vacation packages, and you aren’t limited to specific platforms or providers.
Assuming you spend your points on travel, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite produces an average return rate of 2.36% or $2.36 in rewards for every $100 spent. It’s slightly better than the Platinum card and fairly competitive compared to other premium cards.
Benefits
If it weren’t for the Visa Infinite program, we’d say don’t bother with the RBC Avion Visa Infinite’s high income requirements – but Visa’s second-best credit card benefits package offers perks such as:
- 24/7 assistance with restaurant reservations, gift purchases, event planning, and more via Visa Infinite Complimentary Concierge
- A complimentary room upgrade, $25 USD food or drinks voucher, daily breakfast for 2, and more at 900+ hotels and resorts in the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection
- Access to exclusive culinary events in major cities across Canada courtesy of the Visa Infinite Dining Series
- Automatic Platinum status at Sandman and Sutton Place hotels thanks to Visa RSVP Rewards
- Automatic Silver Status in Troon Rewards and 10% off fees, merch, and lessons
- Complimentary tours, tastings, and gifts at wineries across Ontario and British Columbia through Visa Infinite Wine Country
- Exclusive perks at the Toronto International Film Festival through the Visa Infinite Screening Series
Not counting insurance, the RBC Avion VI provides an estimated $1,000 of additional value in credit card benefits. The Visa Infinite program alone adds over $500 of extra value to the total.
Insurance
The Avion Visa Infinite has 3 more types of insurance coverage than the Avion Visa Platinum, and they’re worth your consideration.
Given how much Canadians use their phones, cell phone insurance is a modern must-have. You can submit a claim for up to $1,500 if your phone is ever lost, stolen, or damaged.
You’re much less likely to need the 15 days of emergency medical term coverage, but it’s reassuring to have, and you save about $133 compared to buying it separately. The same goes for 3 days of emergency medical travel insurance for seniors over 65.
That’s over $300 of additional value in insurance if you go for the Avion VI compared to the Avion Visa Platinum. Don’t forget, they have the same annual fee!
RBC Avion Visa Infinite
| Extended Warranty | 1 year |
| Purchase Protection | 90 days |
| Mobile Device | $1,500 |
| Travel Accident | $500,000 |
| Emergency Medical Term | 15 days |
| Emergency Medical over 65 | 3 days |
| Trip Cancellation | $1,500 |
| Trip Interruption | $5,000 |
| Flight Delay | $500 |
| Baggage Delay | $500 |
| Lost or Stolen Baggage | $500 |
| Hotel Burglary | $2,500 |
| Rental Car Theft & Damage | Yes |
Please review your insurance certificate for details, exclusions and limitations of your coverage.
What we love about the RBC Visa Platinum Avion
Pros:
- 1 way to earn rewards
- No income requirements
- Worldwide acceptance for Visa
Cons:
- Fewer benefits
- Less insurance coverage
- Slightly lower returns on travel
The RBC Visa Platinum Avion has no formal income requirements, but you sacrifice a lot for this advantage. Compared to the RBC Avion Visa Infinite, the Visa Platinum offers fewer rewards, fewer benefits, and less insurance. That said, it’s still a decent credit card – especially if you don’t travel as much.
Rewards
- 1 point per $1 spent on all purchases
Compared to the Visa Infinite, the Avion Visa Platinum lacks a 25% point bonus on travel. It’s not a big deal if you don’t travel a lot – we estimate the Avion Visa Platinum’s average return rate to be only 0.03% lower than the Avion Visa Infinite – but if you spend a lot on airfare, car rentals, hotels, and the like, you may want to consider the Infinite.
Insurance
The RBC Visa Platinum Avion offers a little less than half the estimated insurance value of the Avion Visa Infinite. You probably won’t miss the extra travel coverage, but you may miss the lack of mobile device insurance.
RBC Visa Platinum Avion
| Extended Warranty | 1 year |
| Purchase Protection | 90 days |
| Travel Accident | $500,000 |
| Trip Cancellation | $1,000 |
| Trip Interruption | $2,500 |
| Flight Delay | $500 |
| Baggage Delay | $500 |
| Lost or Stolen Baggage | $500 |
| Hotel Burglary | $2,500 |
| Rental Car Theft & Damage | Yes |
Please review your insurance certificate for details, exclusions and limitations of your coverage.
How do the RBC Avion VI and RBC Visa Platinum Avion compare?
In a category-by-category comparison, the winner becomes clear.
Best benefits: RBC Avion Visa Infinite
The Avion Visa Infinite enjoys all the same benefits as the Avion Visa Platinum, plus the excellent Visa Infinite program. You’ll have to wine, dine, and travel to get your money’s worth, but it should be an enjoyable exercise!
Best insurance: RBC Avion Visa Infinite
Higher coverage limits are nice to have, but the real worth of the Avion Visa Infinite’s insurance package lies in its mobile device and emergency medical term coverage. You’ll be prepared for a few more unlucky situations with the Avion Visa Infinite in your wallet.
Best rewards: RBC Avion Visa Infinite
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite earns a 25% bonus on travel-related purchases. A quick glance at your own spending habits should reveal what this advantage is worth to you.
Highest acceptance: Tie
Visa is used in over 170 countries and territories around the world. Not only is this very convenient, but it’s also a better use of your rewards – after all, you only earn points on the purchases you make!
Interest fees: Tie
Both the Avion Visa Infinite and Avion Visa Platinum carry the same standard interest rates. You’ll pay 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, and 22.99% on balance transfers.
Lowest annual fee: Tie
You can take either theRBC Avion Visa Infinite or Avion Visa Platinum for $120 per year. RBC occasionally offers a 1-year fee waiver on select credit cards if you open a banking or investment account, and either card could potentially qualify.
Lowest eligibility requirements: RBC Visa Platinum Avion
The RBC Visa Platinum Avion’s greatest advantage is its lack of income requirements. You’ll need at least $60,000 of personal income to $100,000 of combined household income to qualify for the Avion Visa Infinite.
The winner: RBC Avion Visa Infinite
Assuming you meet the Visa Infinite income requirements, there’s no reason you shouldn’t pick it over the Avion Visa Platinum. You’ll get more benefits, more insurance, and more travel rewards for the same annual fee – it’s a win-win-win!
Top travel alternative
It’s easy to see why you should take the RBC Avion Visa Infinite over the RBC Visa Platinum Avion; choosing the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card over the Avion Visa Infinite is just as much of a no-brainer. The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card has the same income requirements but for $19 more per year, you get all the same Visa Infinite benefits plus:
- More Aeroplan points in more purchase categories
- More travel insurance
- Free first checked bags on Air Canada flights
The only reason you should skip this card is if you’ll miss RBC’s partner promos with Petro-Canada, Rexall, and DoorDash, or you don’t like to fly Air Canada.
FAQ
What’s the difference between an Avion Infinite and an Avion Platinum card?
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite adds more insurance and Visa Infinite benefits – including access to exclusive dining events, free hotel room upgrades, and a complimentary concierge – to the Avion Platinum.
Does the Avion Visa Infinite have lounge access?
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite does not provide airport lounge access.
What is the minimum income for the RBC Avion Visa Infinite?
Applicants must have $60,000 of personal income or $100,000 of combined household income to qualify for the RBC Avion Visa Infinite.
Is Visa Platinum worth it?
Visa Platinum credit cards benefit from the strong security and worldwide acceptance of the Visa payment network and can be worthwhile credit tools if you don’t meet the income requirements for a Visa Infinite card.
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