RBC® British Airways Visa Infinite

RBC® British Airways Visa Infinite‡

Earn British Airways Avios on all your purchases, plus get a yearly Companion Award eVoucher when you spend $30,000 with the RBC British Airways Visa Infinite card.

$165.00
Annual fee
Learn more
$1,170
Welcome bonus
60k Avios + $120
$494
Annual rewards
Learn more
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Monthly Spending:
$

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Up to 60,000 Avios.
  • Triple Avios on British Airways flights.
  • 10% off British Airways flights.
  • Includes 9 types of insurance.
  • Get a Companion Award eVoucher when you spend $30,000 annually.
  • Save 3 cents per litre on fuel at Petro-Canada.

Cons

  • Only earns 1 Avios per $1 spent on almost all purchases.
  • High income requirements of either $60,000 personal or $100,000 household.

Your rewards

Getting your welcome bonus

Based on $2,000 in monthly spending, you can get up to 60k Avios + $120 which translates to an estimated $1,170.

For all welcome bonus details click here.

How you earn rewards

Each card earns rewards differently. Part of choosing your card is deciding what type of rewards you want to get. With RBC British Airways Visa Infinite, here's how you earn rewards:

  • 3 Avios per $1 spent on British Airways and BA Holidays
  • 2 Avios per $1 spent on restaurants
  • 1 Avios per $1 spent on all other purchases

For all reward details click here.

How much your rewards are worth

The dollar value of your rewards depends on the specific rewards program ‒ and what you choose to redeem your points for. For RBC British Airways Visa Infinite in particular, if you spend $2,000 per month, here's our estimated annual rewards earned depending on which reward you choose:

Flights $494
Rewards Points Calculator
Enter your rewards balance to calculate how much your points are worth. Review your redemption options and recommendations to get the most value.
Point Values
Redemption OptionPoint ValueTotal Value
Flights1.75 cents$18
Redemption Options
Flights
Flights on British Airways and partner airlines
$18

Calculating your annual rewards

$24,000 annual spending x 2.06% return on spending = $494 annual rewards

$494 annual rewards $165.00 annual fee = $329 net annual rewards

Details and eligibility

Estimated Credit Score
660 - 724
Personal Income
$60,000
Household Income
$100,000
Canadian resident who has reached the provincial age of majority.
Annual Fee
$165.00
Extra Card Fee
$75
Card type
Credit
Purchase
20.50%
Cash Advance Δ
22.99%
Balance Transfer
22.99%
Δ Cash advance interest rate for Quebec residents is 21.99%.

Insurance coverage

Extended Warranty
1 year
Purchase Protection
90 days
Travel Accident
$500,000
Emergency Medical Term
31 days
Emergency Medical over 65
7 days
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, terms and conditions apply.

Learn more about the value of credit card insurance coverage.

Genius Rating

RBC British Airways Visa Infinite's 3.4 Genius Rating is based on the weighted average of the following scores:

Rewards
2.0
Fees
2.0
Insurance
3.0
Interest
1.6
Perks
2.9
Approval
4.0
Acceptance
4.6
User Reviews
3.0

Methodology

All scores are produced by our math-based rating algorithm that takes into account over 126 credit card features.

Learn more about our rating methodology.

RBC British Airways Visa Infinite review

creditcardGenius Team
Fact Checked
Fact Checked
Accuracy is important to us so this article has gone through a thorough 3-stage review process and fact-checked by our team.

If you travel often with British Airways, look no further for the ultimate travel rewards card for you.

RBC has teamed up with British Airways and their oneworld alliance partner airlines to give you the RBC British Airways Visa Infinite card, which offers outstanding rewards, comprehensive insurance, and Visa Infinite privileges.

Earning British Airways Avios

It's got the British Airways logo on it, so it's no surprise you'll be earning Avios on all your purchases.

You'll earn Avios at these rates:

  • 3 Avios per $1 spent on British Airways and BA Holidays
  • 2 Avios per $1 spent on restaurants
  • 1 Avios per $1 spent on all other purchases

We value each Avios at 1.75 cents each, giving a return on your spending of between 1.75% to 3.5% on your spending.

And even though you're earning points with British Airways, you'll be able to redeem them on any oneworld carrier, with the ability to get you almost anywhere in the world.

4 benefits to the British Airways Visa Infinite

Above the rewards, here are 4 other reasons to get excited about the RBC British Airways Visa Infinite.

1. Huge welcome bonus

This card is particularly remarkable for its sign-up bonus. You receive 15,000 Avios upon approval, plus add 35,000 bonus Avios when you spend $6,000 during your first 3 months. So, if there's a big purchase you've been putting off, now could be the time to take advantage of this awesome sign-up bonus.

Plus, when you renew your card for a second year, you get another 10,000 Avios on top of that.

Those 60,000 Avios are worth up to $1,050 – an amazing welcome bonus.

2. Flight rewards and companion eVoucher

Your rewards can be redeemed on flights and upgrades with British Airways and any oneworld alliance partners, like

  • American Airlines,
  • Cathay Pacific,
  • Finnair,
  • Japan Airlines,
  • Qantas,
  • and many others around the world.

Another awesome reward? When you spend $30,000 annually, you get a Companion Award eVoucher for a second passenger ‒ for either economy or business class. Now THAT is a bonus.

Please note: This voucher can only be used in conjunction with an Avios award ticket for a British Airways flight, and not a paid ticket. This voucher only covers the base air fare, so you will also have to pay any applicable taxes, fees, and carrier charges. However, if you use it to fly solo, you'll be able to use it and use 50% fewer Avios to get your booking.

3. Visa Infinite benefits

While standard on many Visa cards, Visa Infinite benefits are here to make things better.

Some of these benefits include:

  • concierge service,
  • Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection,
  • Visa Infinite Dining series, and
  • Visa Infinite Wine Country program.

4. Complimentary insurance package

To top it all off, with this card, you get 9 different types of insurance, which include:

RBC® British Airways Visa Infinite

Extended Warranty1 year
Purchase Protection90 days
Travel Accident$500,000
Emergency Medical Term31 days
Emergency Medical over 657 days
Flight Delay$500
Baggage Delay$500
Lost or Stolen Baggage$500
Hotel Burglary$2,500
Rental Car Theft & DamageYes

Please review your insurance certificate for details, exclusions and limitations of your coverage.

So, you know you’ll be covered for nearly anything that could happen throughout your travels.

3 downsides to the British Airways Visa Infinite

It's far from perfect however. Here are 3 things to keep in mind.

1. Limited flight options

One very obvious negative to this card is its inflexibility when it comes to Avios redemption ‒ British Airways and oneworld alliance airline partners flights are the only options available.

And that means, you can't use your Avios for flights within Canada. It's international travel or bust.

So, if those airlines do not work for you, you might want to consider a different card.

2. Limited use Companion Voucher

The Companion Voucher isn't overly exciting either.

First, you need to spend $30,000 per year just to access it.

And when you do get it, your companion Award eVoucher can only be used with an Avios award ticket for a British Airways flight, not a paid ticket. So, this means you need to earn enough Avios to redeem for a ticket in order to use the eVoucher.

3. High income requirements

Finally, there are some high income requirements to meet. You'll need either a personal income of $60,000 or a household income of $100,000 to qualify for this card.

Comparison to the RBC Avion Visa Infinite

There's another way to earn British Airways Avios on purchases, and that's with the RBC Avion Visa Infinite.

It doesn't earn Avios directly, but your RBC Avion Rewards transfer at a 1:1 ratio to Avios.

RBC British Airways Visa Infinite RBC Avion Visa Infinite
Earn Rates * 3 Avios per $1 spent on British Airways and BA Holidays
* 2 Avios per $1 spent on restaurants
* 1 Avios per $1 spent on all other purchases
* 1.25 points per $1 spent on travel
* 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus 60,000 points (terms) 55,000 points (terms)
Annual Fee $165 $120
Insurance Coverage 9 12
Perks * Annual Companion Voucher * Transfer points to 5 airlines
* Avion Air Travel Redemption chart
* Redeem for any travel
Apply Now Apply Now Apply Now

When it comes to earning rewards on your daily purchases, these cards are identical – you'll earn 1 point per $1 spent on most of your purchases.

So, the major differences lie within the perks and annual fees.

With an RBC Avion card, you get many more ways to use your points for travel. And, it's for a lower annual fee.

However, if you're a big spender, the Companion Voucher can lead to some big time savings every year you have the card, assuming you can fly with British Airways once per year.

But otherwise, an RBC Avion card is probably going to be better for you.

Your turn

It's an interesting airline credit card, especially useful for international travel. But, if you're thinking you may use miles for travel within Canada, this card won't be of much help.

Have this card? Had it in the past?

Leave a user review so others can see what your experience was.

FAQ

What does the British Airways Visa Infinite offer for rewards?

The British Airways Visa Infinite offers Avios on all purchases. You'll earn 1 Avios per $1 spent on all purchases, which is doubled on British Airways purchases.

Does the RBC British Airways Visa Infinite offer any special perks?

The British Airways Visa offers one special perk. Spend $30,000 per year on the card, and you'll unlock a Companion Voucher. Redeem for a rewards flight on British Airways, and you'll be able to take someone else with you for just the taxes and fees. Or if you're flying by yourself, you can use it to pay 50% fewer Avios on your booking. It also includes a 10% discount on British Airways flights.

What is the annual fee and income requirements of the RBC British Airways Visa Infinite?

The British Airways Visa Infinite requires either a personal income of $60,000 or a household income of $100,000. It has a $165 annual fee.

Key benefits

  • Receive up to 60,000 Aviosˆ, here’s how:
  • 30,000 Avios Welcome bonus when you spend $5,000 CAD in the first 3 months.
  • Another 30,000 bonus Avios when you spend $5,000 CAD in months 4-6 of having an account.
  • If you don’t meet the $5,000 CAD spend for the first 3 months, you can still collect 30,000 bonus Avios if you meet the spend requirement in months 4-5
  • Earn 3X Avios when you shop with British Airways and BA Holidays*.(except t
  • Earn 2X Avios for every $1 spent on qualifying dining spend*.
  • Earn 1 Avios for every $1 CAD spent on qualifying net purchases*.
  • Earn a companion voucher when you spend $30,000 CAD annually. You can either take a companion with you or fly solo instead for a 50% Avios discount on the cost of one reward seat ticket. Plus, you'll have the flexibility to pay a lower, flat fee to cover taxes, fees and carrier charges and a fixed Avios amount when you make a Reward Flight booking.˜

User reviews

3.0 out of 5

Reviewed by 9 Canadians

5 stars
11%
4 stars
22%
3 stars
33%
2 stars
22%
1 stars
11%
Jason a year ago
1

Met Annual Threshold for Companion voucher confirmed by RBC, but it was never granted and on repeated follow ups they ignore/say they can't do anything. Statements unprofessional as they do not track your spend/miles so you have nothing to fall back on.

KK 5 years ago
1

I have been chasing for my welcome bonus for more than half a year now, I still haven't received it despite meeting the spending requirement longgg time ago. Customer service is appalling.

PeterW 6 years ago
1

It's good in principle, but the Avios points system stopped working and they haven't been able to fix it.

Richard L 6 years ago
1

The companion ticket voucher is amazing. Two people can fly first class for effectively half the points.

Aquarius 6 years ago
1

No trip cancellation or trip interruption insurance coverage which is very important for travellers

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