travel insurance on rbc avion card

RBC Avion Visa Infinite Review

If you want to earn points fast and travel for less, you’ll want to read my RBC Avion Visa Infinite Review. The card is one of the most underrated travel credit cards in Canada . It comes with an impressive welcome bonus, and Avion Rewards is one of the most flexible travel programs in Canada.

The other standard benefits included, such as travel insurance, mobile device insurance, and extended warranty, are also impressive and handy in the event you need to make a claim. Read my RBC Visa Infinite Avion review now and find out why this may be one of the best-kept secrets when it comes to credit cards.

RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card

• $120 annual fee
• 35,000 Avion points on approval
• 20,000 Bonus points when you spend $5,000 in the first 6 months
• Earn 1.25 Avion points for every $1 spent on travel purchases
• Earn 1 Avion point per $1 on all other purchases
• Comprehensive travel insurance
• Mobile device insurance up to $1,500

Welcome bonus and earn rate

What’s fascinating about the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card is that you get 35,000 Avion Rewards points on approval . Unlike other cards, there’s no minimum spend required to get your points. Occasionally, there’s an enhanced welcome bonus where you can earn an additional 15,000 – 20,000 points. The welcome offer will typically appear on your first statement, but it can take up to two statements to show up.

The earn rate of 1.25 Avion points for every dollar spent on travel and 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases . Admittedly, there are many credit cards out there, but Avion Rewards has a lot of value (more on that below).

Benefits and perks

Even though the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card doesn’t often make the list of the best travel credit cards in Canada, you shouldn’t sleep on it. It has a few interesting and unique benefits that will interest many people.

Petro-Canada discounts

When you link your RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card to your Petro-Points card, you’ll save 3 ¢/L on gas with every fill-up and get 20% more Petro-Points.

Earn Be Well points at Rexall

Linking your RBC Avion Visa Infinite to your Rexall Be Well account allows you to earn 50 Be Well points per $1 spent on eligible purchases at Rexall.

$0 delivery fees with DoorDash

As an RBC Avion Visa Infinite cardholder, you get a free DashPass subscription for 12 months. This entitles you free delivery on orders of $15 or more with DoorDash and additional discounts throughout the year.

Mobile device insurance

When you purchase a mobile device (cellphone or tablet) with your RBC Avion Visa Infinite card, you’re entitled to up to $1,500 in mobile device insurance. This applies to loss, theft, and damage. That said, a depreciation rate of 2% applies to each completed month from the time of purchase.

Travel insurance

• Travel medical – unlimited for 15 days / 3 days if you’re 65 or older
• Trip cancellation – up to $1,500 per person / $5,000 total
• Trip interruption – up to $5,000 per person / $25,000 total
• Flight/trip delay – up to $250 / 4 hours
• Delayed and lost baggage – up to $500 / 4 hours
• Auto rental collision/loss damage – 48 consecutive days / $65,000
• Hotel/motel burglary – $2,500
• Common carrier travel accident – $500,000

Interestingly enough, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite travel insurance is some of the best out there since you get unlimited medical protection. However, the card doesn’t get nearly as much attention as other cards since you’re only covered for 15 days if you’re under the age of 65.

Purchase protection

• Purchase security – 90 days
• Extended warranty – Up to one additional year

When you pay for your purchase in full with your RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card, you get purchase protection for 90 days. This covers your purchases from loss, theft, and damage. In addition, your manufacturer’s warranty is doubled up to one additional year.

How to redeem your points

Avion Rewards , formerly known as RBC Rewards, allows you to redeem 1,000 Avion points for $10 in travel booked through their travel portal. Like other bank travel portals, you’ll find almost every type of travel available, including flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and more. The downside is that you can’t book travel outside the portal and apply your points later. That means you can’t shop for the lowest prices or take advantage of status benefits.

On a positive note, you can double the value of your points by using the RBC fixed points program . For example, you can claim 15,000 Avion Rewards points for a round-trip flight within or to an adjacent province or U.S. state with a base ticket value of up to $350. If you maximized this option, your points would now be worth 2.33 cents each, more than double the regular rate.

Avion Rewards also allows you to convert your Avion points to British Airways Avios, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, WestJet dollars and American Airlines AAdvantage miles. Because of the airline transfer partners, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card is one of the best airline credit cards in Canada.

As you can imagine, RBC Rewards is one of the best bank travel loyalty programs in Canada .

RBC Avion Visa Infinite eligibility

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite eligibility is straightforward, as it outlines what’s required on the application page.

• You must be a resident of Canada
• You must be at least the age of majority in the province or territory in which you reside
• You must have a minimum personal income of $60,000 or a household income of $100,000.

Like other credit card providers, no formal credit score requirement is listed. That said, you likely want your credit score to be 660 or higher since that would put you in at least good standing.

How the RBC Avion Visa Infinite compares

Finding comparable cards to the RBC Avion Visa Infinite can be a bit tricky since other cards are popular for different reasons. Some people will focus on the earn rate, while others will look at the flexibility of the points.

RBC Avion Visa Infinite vs. American Express Cobalt

Using the American Express Cobalt Card as a comparable is necessary since it has the highest earning rate in Canada with 5 points per $1 spent on eats and drinks, 3 points per $1 spent on streaming services and recurring bills, 2 points per $1 spent on travel and transit, and 1 point per dollar spent on everything else. Simply put, there’s no comparison. In addition, American Express Membership Rewards is more flexible than Avion Rewards.

RBC Avion Visa Infinite vs. TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite

The   TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card gives you 3 points per $1 spent (1.5% value) on all your purchases except those made via Expedia for TD, which gives you 9 points per $1 spent or a 4.5% return. Clearly, the TD card has a higher earn rate compared to the RBC Avion Visa Infinite . However, TD Rewards aren’t nearly as flexible.

Although I like the RBC Avion cards and Avion Rewards, there are many cards out there with a much higher earning rate.

Final thoughts

My RBC Avion Visa Infinite review is positive. Although the card doesn’t have the best earning rate, it’s a good card overall and is ideal for people in the following situations:

• You bank with RBC – This is RBC’s flagship credit card that earns you Avion Rewards.
• You want flexible points – You can book any travel found on the travel portal, through the fixed points program, or you can transfer your points to select partners.
• You shop at Rexall regularly – When you link your card, you can earn Be Well points at Rexall.

In the end, RBC is one of the most flexible travel loyalty programs in Canada. If you’re looking to build your credit and travel for less, then the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card is worth considering.

About Barry Choi

Barry Choi is a Toronto-based personal finance and travel expert who frequently makes media appearances. His blog Money We Have is one of Canada’s most trusted sources when it comes to money and travel. You can find him on Twitter: @barrychoi

Regarding your comments about the “INSURANCE BENIFITS”, I am Sorry but from my experience with over 20 years as a “RBC Visa Infinite Avion” card holder you are totally wrong.

My experience dealing with “the insurance” for the first and only time has been nothing but STRESSFUL and MONTHS of delays and EXTREMELY slow response times only to be told that I am not covered for a reimbursement of a “Airline Cancelled” flight.

The insurance benefits I’ve listed are accurate. However, every insurance policy has different rules in place when it comes to making a claim.

A topic not discussed is that RBC Avion charges on average over 2 percent more on US purchases over 3 of my other credit cards. Very dissapointing to say the least for using my card for foreign travel.

RBC cards charge the standard 2.5% FX fee. This is standard with many credit cards in Canada. Here’s a list of cards that don’t charge FX fees – https://www.moneywehave.com/the-best-no-foreign-transaction-fee-credit-cards-in-canada/

You mention the TD card is effectively 1.5% reward value for every day spending and book your own way travel, but i beleive TD changed their redemption rates slightly a few years back to a tiered scale where redemptions under $1200 are charged at one rate and above $1200 (in the same redemption transaction) are charged at a the better, original redemption rate. I beleive it is 250 points per dollar below $1200 and 200 points per dollar above $1200. Wouldn’t this mean 200/$1, I’d spend $200 for 600 points, then redeem 600 points for $3, which is 1.5%. but if i was under the threshold I’d instead spend $500 for 1500 points, then redeem 1500 points at 250:1 for $6, which works out to 1.167%. so your redemption rate is a sliding scale between 1.167% and 1.5% depending on how long you save points to redeem in a large transaction. Can you confirm your understanding and my math and perhaps do an updated comparison? TD still is a better “raw return rate” but the gap is smaller to the improved partner options RBC has.

I made a comment earlier that wasn’t entirely clear. So the 1.5% return on every day spending assumes you’re using your points on Expedia for TD. As for the sliding scale, the way I read it is that any redemption under $1,200 is 250 TD points for $1 and then 200 point for $1 for anything that costs $1201+. However, that lower redemption rate doesn’t apply for the full amount. It appears the first $1,200 will always be 250 points for $1. So if your purchase is $1,300, only $100 will be 200 points for $1.

So yes, your return when using Book any kind of travel is 1.2% – 1.5%.

As for how it compares to others, Scene+ and American Express Membership Rewards are better since it allows you to redeem your points on any type of travel purchases with no devaluation to your points.

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Important travel updates and what you need to know

Last Updated: June 27, 2023

Attention: Important Travel Updates

To get the most recent update on your flight status, visit the website of the airline you are travelling with. You’ll need your booking reference number (airline confirmation) on your itinerary to access your flight information.

If you’d like to manage or change your existing booking, please log into Avion Rewards Travel . Once you are in the travel portal click the blue “Help” button at the bottom right corner to make changes or cancel your booking.To cancel or change your trip details:

• Go to Avion Rewards Travel
• Select "My Trips" in the top right corner
• Select your upcoming trip and click “Manage booking”
• Choose “Cancel Flight”, “Change Flight”, or “Change Reservation” and follow the instructions
• To book new travel using Avion points

To book a new flight using an airline travel credit

Airline travel credit rules to remember, insurance policies, cwt vacations update, rbc avion visa infinite privilege for private banking cardholders: new travel advisor service details, to book new travel using avion points:.

Book through Avion Rewards Travel or contact the Avion Rewards Travel Call Centre at 1-877-636-2870 (additional service fees apply).

If you have an airline credit due to a flight cancellation that you’d like to use, contact the Avion Rewards Travel Call Centre at 1-877-636-2870.

Be sure to have the following ready when you call:

• Itinerary number of the original booking
• Travel credit amount
• Traveller name(s)
• Details of your new flight options, including flight numbers for your preferred outbound and/or inbound flights
• Each airline sets their own policy for how you can redeem your credit
• If you use an airline travel credit for a ticket to a destination in a different jurisdiction or region than the original booking, you may incur additional taxes and fees. Applying the credit to a new set of taxes and fees vary based on airline policy. Our agents can’t waive them.
• Some airlines may require you to use the entire credit value at once to receive the full value. Please contact Avion Rewards Travel Call Centre at 1-877-636-2870 for more information
• Airline credits (including taxes and fees) can only be used for air travel with the airline you originally booked with. They cannot be used for other services such as checked bags, upgrades, etc.
• Each airline credit is in the original traveller’s name; you can’t combine airline credits or transfer them to another person
• Airline credits have a travel-by date (sometimes called credit validity)
• When planning to travel, please check your airline’s website for possible changes to your flight experience and any new passenger requirements. Many airlines are making temporary changes to prioritize traveller safety

For credit card insurance coverage, refer to your travel insurance policy/certificate for further details. For other travel insurance, please contact your travel provider directly.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption insurance coverage included with your RBC credit card provides coverage for trips that are paid in full with your RBC credit card (and/or Avion points). Trips booked using a travel credit/voucher are not covered, even if originally purchased on your RBC credit card. Please consider your options, such as purchasing travel insurance when using a travel credit/voucher. If you require assistance or have questions about your coverage, please contact Assured Assistance Inc .

Effective July 31, 2022, you are no longer able to redeem your Avion Points at CWT Vacations locations.

Please contact the location where you originally booked your travel unless otherwise advised. Please refer to the travel advisor contact information on the invoice or email provided to you when you made your original reservation.

CWT Harvey’s Travel will service your existing CWT Vacations’ booking. You can contact CWT Harvey’s Travel by calling at the same number (1-866-926-4070).

Your new travel advisor service is provided by Avion Rewards Travel Concierge for Private Banking . To book travel, call 1-888-ROYAL 8-5, choose a language, select Travel (option 2), then select Travel Concierge for Private Banking (option 2).

Making changes to existing bookings with CWT Vacations

CWT Vacations will continue to service existing bookings. You can contact CWT Vacations at 1-888-ROYAL 8-5, select language and option 2 and 3.

RBC Emails : Please know that RBC will never ask you to provide, confirm or verify personal, login or account information through regular email, text message, phone calls or when signing into an online service. Please disregard any emails or text messages requesting that you reply with confidential information. If you have received a suspicious message from RBC, please forward it to [email protected] .

Supporting Clients Impacted by COVID-19

We remain committed to keeping you informed about actions we’re taking, to support you during this time. Get important information on the support and assistance RBC has made available to help you as we focus on keeping clients and employees safe during this difficult time.

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RBC Avion Visa Infinite Review 2024: Is It Worth It?

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own.

RBC Avion Visa Infinite Review 2023: Is It Worth It?

NerdWallet CA

Good for travellers who collect Avion points.

With this card, you can earn one Avion point for every CAD spent, and enjoy perks like 12 months free Doordash deliveries.  Learn more about our star rating methodology.

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite card offers new cardholders up to 55,000 Avion Points. There are no spending categories to keep track of; cardholders earn one Avion point on all purchases and 1.25 points on eligible travel purchases. However, the card’s $60,000 minimum income requirement and $120 annual fee may be high for some applicants.

RBC Avion Visa Infinite

• Annual Fee $120
• Interest Rates 20.99% / 22.99% 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances.
• Rewards Rate 1x-1.25x Points Earn 1.25x Avion points on eligible travel-related purchases and 1x on everything else.
• Intro Offer Up to 55,000 Points Get 35,000 Welcome Points on approval and 20,000 bonus points when you spend $5,000 in your first 6 months1. Apply by April 30, 2024.
• Get up to 55,000 Avion points* (a value of up to $1,100†), that’s enough to fly anywhere in North America or the Caribbean!
• Earn 1 Avion point for every dollar you spend* and an extra 25% on eligible travel purchases.
• Avioners can book flights with points on any airline, on any flight, at any time, early or last minute, with no blackout periods or restrictions.
• Avioners earn points that never expire so your points will be waiting for your next adventure.
• Redeem your points for travel and more. Use points for anything from paying bills and paying your card balance to redeeming for Gift Cards and Merchandise at top brands like Apple. The Avion Rewards program gives you the freedom of choice to use your points your way, and helps you make the most as an Avioner.
• Eligible Avion Rewards members can also convert points to other loyalty programs including WestJet dollars, British Airways Avios points and Hudson’s Bay Rewards points.
• Link your RBC card with a Petro-Points membership to instantly save 3₵ per litre on fuel at Petro-Canada stations and earn 20% more Petro-Points and 20% more Avion points.
• Link your RBC card with a Rexall Be Well account and get 50 Be Well points for every $1 spent on eligible products at Rexall. Redeem Be Well points faster for savings in store on eligible purchases where 25,000 Be Well points = $10.
• Get access to RBC offers which provides access to earn points faster at specified brands.
• Extensive insurance including: mobile device insurance, travel insurance (trip cancellation, interruption and emergency medical) and other eligible purchases to protect you and your family.
• Avioners get access to luxury Visa Infinite benefits including first in line for exclusive events, and hotel and dining benefits.
• Avioners no longer need 14-days to book travel using the RBC grid.
• Get $0 delivery fees for 12 months from DoorDash¹⁷ – Add your eligible RBC credit card to your DoorDash account to:
• Get a 12-month complimentary DashPass subscription± – a value of almost $120.
• Enjoy unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees on orders of $15 or more when you pay with your eligible RBC credit card.
• Corresponding legal references and product terms are available on the RBC website, which will be available and agreed upon in the customer onboarding process.
• Full review
• Customer ratings
• Eligibility
• How to apply

RBC Avion Visa Infinite vs TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite

• Rating methodology

RBC Avion Visa Infinite full review

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite card is one of six personal credit cards from the Royal Bank of Canada that offers Avion points — a loyalty program specific to RBC. You can spend Avion points on a range of products like flights, electronics, investments and more. The company’s Visa Infinite card is among the more expensive of RBC’s personal Avion credit cards. 

Benefits of the RBC Avion Visa Infinite card

• 35,000 Avion Points upon approval and 20,000 bonus points when you spend $5,000 in your first 6 months. Apply by Apr. 30, 2024.
• No seat restrictions or blackouts when you book travel using Avion points.  
• Free Doordash deliveries for 12 months. (Must activate before Jan. 1, 2024).
• Discounts and additional Avion points available when you rent with Hertz, or link the card to a Petro-Canada card. 

Drawbacks of the RBC Avion Visa Infinite card

• Minimum income requirement of $60,000 ($100,000 for household).
• No airport lounge access. 
• RBC has low Trustpilot and BBB ratings. 

Who should get the RBC Avion Visa Infinite card?

You may want to get the RBC Avion Visa Infinite card if you:

• Want to collect Avion points on all purchases.
• Have a Be Well or Petro-Canada card and want to take advantage of extra discounts. 
• Use Hertz or Doordash and want to take advantage of the card’s free delivery offer and rental car discounts.

Is RBC Avion Visa Infinite worth it?

If you want a card that offers consistent Avion points across all purchases the RBC Avion Visa Infinite may be right for you. However, the high income requirement, lack of airport lounge access and an average earn rate that’s lower than other RBC credit cards may reduce this card’s value for some people. 

Our Nerd’s verdict: A mid-tier travel card with flexible rewards

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite touts itself as a premium travel card, but I’m not sure I agree. Premium cards in this category offer complimentary airport lounge access, annual travel credits and NEXUS fee rebates, to name a few — all of which the RBC Avion Visa Infinite is missing. That said, I think the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card is a fine choice for Canadians on the hunt for a well-rounded rewards card. You can earn up to 1.25 Avion points per $1 spent, and the card offers fuel discounts at Petro-Canada, Hertz rental discounts and insurance coverage that includes trip cancellation, trip interruption and emergency medical coverage. Overall, the card will appeal to those who want to collect rewards with diverse redemption options and travellers seeking the peace of mind provided by a card with travel insurance.  — Shannon Terrell

RBC customer ratings

• Below average in customer satisfaction: RBC ranks 8 out of 13 in J.D. Power’s 2023 Canada Credit Card Satisfaction Study.
• Low Trustpilot rating: 1.2 out of 5 possible stars based on over 1,000 customer reviews, as of this writing.
• Low Better Business Bureau rating: 1.2 out of 5 possible stars based on over 130 customer reviews, as of this writing. RBC is not accredited by the BBB itself.

RBC Avion Visa Infinite eligibility

Who qualifies for the rbc avion visa infinite card.

To qualify for the RBC Avion Visa Infinite card, you must earn a gross income of at least $60,000 ($100,000 per household) or have a minimum of $250,000 investable assets. 

In general, you must be at least the age of majority and a resident of Canada to qualify, unless otherwise stated by the card issuer. 

Approximate credit score needed for approval

Canadian credit card issuers rarely disclose required credit scores, which makes it hard to know your chances of approval when comparing credit cards. What we do know is that higher scores have better chances of approval — that’s true no matter what type of credit you’re applying for. Want to learn more? Visit our “ What Credit Score is Needed for a Credit Card? ” page.

» MORE: How to Check Your Credit Score

RBC Avion Visa Infinite rewards

Earn 35,000 Avion points when you’re approved for the RBC Avion Visa Infinite card and 20,000 bonus points when you spend $5,000 in your first 6 months (must apply by April 30, 2024).

You could save up to $1,100 on flights. The card’s 35,000 welcome points can be used to purchase a long-haul return flight to eligible destinations with a maximum ticket price of $1,100.

• Earn 1 Avion point for every CAD spent on all purchases. 
• Earn 1.25x Avion points on eligible travel purchases. 
• Earn 1.20x Avion points on eligible Petro-Canada purchases. 
• Earn 3x Avion points on eligible Hertz purchases. 

How to apply for the RBC Avion Visa Infinite card

• Click the Apply Now and then the Get Started buttons on the RBC Avion Visa Infinite web page.
• Confirm if you are an existing RBC customer or not. Sign in if you are an existing customer for a faster application process. 
• If you are not an existing member, review the card’s terms and conditions and click Continue. 
• Enter your personal details, such as full name, email, date of birth and address.
• Enter any employment or financial information requested. 
• Review and submit your application.

Both cards have similar income requirements, but have different loyalty programs and earn rates.

Reasons you might want a different card

If you’re looking for a rewards card outside of the Avion points program, that has higher earn rates and offers airport lounge access, you may want to look elsewhere. 

RBC Avion Visa Infinite facts

Rating methodology.

NerdWallet Canada rates credit cards according to overall consumer value and their suitability for specific kinds of consumers. Factors in  our evaluation methodology  include annual and other fees, rewards rates, the earning structure (for example, flat-rate rewards versus bonus categories), redemption options, bonus offers for new cardholders, introductory and ongoing APRs, and other noteworthy features such as airline or hotel perks or the ability to transfer points.

Frequently asked questions about RBC Avion Visa Infinite

No. RBC Avion Visa Infinite does not offer access to airport lounges. The bank’s higher-tiered card (RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege) does offer lounge access.

You must have a minimum gross income of $60,000 ($100,000 for the household) or at least $250,000 of investable assets to be eligible for this card.

About the Author

Georgia Rose is a lead writer on the international team at NerdWallet. Her work has been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Independent and The Associated…

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RBC ® Travel Insurance

Taking a trip see if your rbc ® credit card covers you..

In just a few minutes, you can see what travel insurance you have on your RBC credit card, whether you have enough coverage for your trip, or if you need to buy additional coverage. It’s that simple!

See what travel insurance coverage your card has:

Required Information

Which RBC credit card did you use to pay for the full cost of your trip?

Good news! Your card has some travel insurance coverage.

Your card provides some valuable travel insurance coverage for you and other covered persons (opens modal window) .

Covered Persons

Covered Persons refer to you (the cardholder), your spouse and your dependent child/children who travel with you or join you and/or your spouse on the same trip. Plus, if your card includes Trip Cancellation and Interruption insurance your dependent children who are age 16-24 can travel on their own (without you or your spouse) and be covered for Trip Cancellation and Interruption. (Note: children under 16 travelling on their own are not covered). Other travellers on the same trip are not covered under your credit card travel insurance coverage.

Covered Persons refer to you (the card applicant), your spouse and your dependent child/children who travel with you or join you and/or your spouse on the same trip. Plus, if your card includes Trip Cancellation and Interruption insurance your dependent children who are age 16-24 can travel on their own (without you or your spouse) and be covered for Trip Cancellation and Interruption. (Note: children under 16 travelling on their own are not covered). Co-applicants and authorized users are also covered but their spouse and dependent children are not covered. Other travellers on the same trip are not covered under your credit card travel insurance coverage.

Refer to the credit card Certificate of Insurance for complete coverage details, limitations and exclusions.

Summary of Your Card’s Coverage

• Under age 65: Unlimited coverage Disclaimer 1 for first fifteen (15) consecutive days of your trip
• Age 65+: Unlimited coverage Disclaimer 1 for first three (3) consecutive days of your trip

Out of Province/Country Emergency Medical Insurance

This insurance covers reasonable and customary expenses, in excess of any medical expenses payable by your government health insurance plan or any other insurance plan, for emergency treatment medically required during your trip as a result of a medical emergency.

This is a summary only. All travel insurance is subject to limitations and exclusions. Refer to the credit card Certificate of Insurance for complete coverage details, limitations and exclusions.

Trip Cancellation Insurance

This insurance protects eligible cardholders against the cost of non-refundable prepaid travel arrangements if the trip is cancelled prior to your departure, due to a covered reason. For this coverage to be effective, you must have purchased your prepaid travel arrangements with your RBC ® credit card and/or Avion ® points.

Trip Interruption Insurance

Flight delay insurance.

If you miss your connecting flight, are denied boarding or your flight is delayed, this insurance reimburses you, up to a certain maximum, for reasonable and necessary expenses you may have (for example, a hotel room or restaurant meals) as long as you have checked in with the air carrier and you paid for your airline ticket with your RBC ® credit card and/or Avion ® points.

Delayed Baggage Insurance

If your checked baggage is lost or delayed, this insurance reimburses you, up to a certain maximum, for reasonable and necessary emergency purchases that you need, as long as you paid for your airline ticket with your RBC ® credit card and/or Avion ® points.

Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance

If you need to repair or replace personal property that has been damaged or lost due to a burglary of your hotel/motel room or cruise cabin and you are a registered guest, this insurance reimburses you, up to a certain maximum, as long as you paid for your hotel/motel room or cruise cabin with your RBC ® credit card and/or Avion ® points.

Travel Accident Insurance

This insurance covers you for accidental bodily injury or death if you are injured during an accident that occurs while you are travelling on a common carrier (such as a passenger plane) as long as you paid for these transportation arrangements with your RBC ® credit card and/or Avion ® points before departing on your trip.

Auto Rental Collision/Loss Damage Waiver Insurance

When you pay for the entire cost of the rental vehicle using your RBC ® credit card and/or Avion ® points, this Insurance covers you and/or a rental agency for loss/damages to eligible rental vehicles up to the actual cash value of the damaged or stolen rental vehicle. The length of time you rent the same vehicle must not exceed forty-eight (48) consecutive days.

All insurance is subject to limitations and exclusions. Download the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Certificate of Insurance (opens PDF in new window) for complete details.

Legal Disclaimer 1) Unless otherwise noted in the Certificate of Insurance, the maximum benefit for emergency medical insurance is unlimited.

All insurance is subject to limitations and exclusions. Download the RBC Avion Visa Platinum Certificate of Insurance (opens PDF in new window) for complete details.

Lost/Stolen Baggage

We will pay the covered person for loss or damage to owned baggage and personal effects used for the personal use of the covered person while in transit as checked-in baggage or carried on board the air carrier when the full cost of the airline ticket is paid with your RBC ® credit card and/or Avion ® points.

All insurance is subject to limitations and exclusions. Download the RBC ® Avion ® Visa Infinite Business ‡ Certificate of Insurance (opens PDF in new window) for complete details.

All insurance is subject to limitations and exclusions. Download the RBC Avion Visa Business Certificate of Insurance (opens PDF in new window) for complete details.

• Under age 65: Unlimited coverage Disclaimer 1 for first thirty one (31) consecutive days of your trip
• Age 65+: Unlimited coverage Disclaimer 1 for first seven (7) consecutive days of your trip

All insurance is subject to limitations and exclusions. Download the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege Certificate of Insurance (opens PDF in new window) for complete details.

All insurance is subject to limitations and exclusions. Download the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege for Private Banking Certificate of Insurance (opens PDF in new window) for complete details.

All insurance is subject to limitations and exclusions. Download the RBC Rewards ® Visa ‡ Preferred Certificate of Insurance (opens PDF in new window) for complete details.

All insurance is subject to limitations and exclusions. Download the RBC ® U.S. Dollar Visa ‡ Gold Certificate of Insurance (opens PDF in new window) for complete details.

All insurance is subject to limitations and exclusions. Download the RBC ® British Airways Visa Infinite ‡ Certificate of Insurance (opens PDF in new window) for complete details.

Next Step: Tell us who is travelling so we can give you an accurate quote.

Who do you want to get a quote for?

Why we ask: Since your credit card’s travel insurance covers you, your spouse and/or your dependent children, your quote will calculate the coverage you already have on your card—saving you money!

Why we ask: Since your credit card’s travel insurance does not cover travellers other than you (the cardholder), your spouse and/or your dependent children, your quote for these travellers will not factor in your credit card coverage.

Tip: You will need to get a quote and buy travel insurance for other eligible travellers separately so that we can give you an accurate quote for everyone.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this insurance coverage, a traveller must be:

• A client of the RBC companies or a spouse or child of a client
• A Canadian resident (applicable for Emergency Medical Insurance coverage)

Travel Insurance coverage is not included on your card, but we can cover you!

Although the card you used to purchase your trip does not include coverage, you can get a quote and buy affordable travel insurance now.

We are unable to determine the travel insurance coverage on your card

We can help make sure you’re protected financially every time you travel with affordable trip cancellation and interruption insurance, emergency medical insurance and more. Get a quote and buy affordable travel insurance now.

Review: RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card

Josh Bandura Jan 22, 2024 / Card Review , RBC Rewards / 6 comments

Credit Cards

by [author_plus] | Published Sep 5, 2023 | Edited [modified_date]

Card Review , RBC Rewards

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Difficulty:

Categorized: Credit Cards

In the Canadian market, often credit card rewards programs are useful only for a specific type of redemption or travel agency. The options available to you for redeeming can be limited. Part of my mantra when it comes to miles and points is flexibility, and some cards and programs simply do not provide the level of flexibility that I need as a traveler.

On the other hand, there are some cards and rewards programs that can be considered a jack of all trades in both utility and redemption options. The RBC Avion Visa Infinite card and the RBC Avion Rewards program are two such elements that you need to involve yourself in if you want to truly maximize miles and points for your travels.

Let’s dive into our review of the RBC Avion Visa Infinite credit card and why it is one of our favorite cards at Frugal Flyer.

Welcome Bonus

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite credit card currently has a welcome bonus in which new cardholders can earn up to 55,000 Avion points :

• Earn 35,000 Avion points upon credit card approval
• Earn 20,000 Avion points when you spend $5,000 in your first 6 months

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite card earns Avion Elite points and gives cardholders the opportunity to earn 1.25x Avion Elite points  on all travel purchases. In 2024, we awarded this card as the Best Flexible Points Travel Credit Card.

Check out our RBC Avion Visa Infinite card review for more details.

This offer has an expiry date of April 30th, 2024.

55,000 Avion points which equates to $1,100 are enough for a round-trip flight to anywhere in North America, Mexico, Bermuda, Central America, or the Caribbean†. Taxes and fees are extra.

Typically, the bonus Avion points from this welcome offer will show up in your credit card account once your first statement has been posted.

Earning Rates

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite card earns points on a two-tier structure:

• 1.25 Avion points for every dollar spent on all eligible travel purchases (merchants that code as travel within the Visa network)
• 1 Avion point for every dollar spent on all purchases on the card

As with many credit cards, the welcome bonus far outpaces the rate at which you can expect to earn points on your organic spending. If you are looking for a simple-to-understand earning structure, you may find that this card is a decent fit for your wallet.

The card’s earning structure isn’t terrible, but there are much better options out there depending on the category of purchases. For example, you could earn up to an effective 6% back on groceries if you used one of the best credit cards for grocery purchases .

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite credit card has an annual fee of $120 which is in line with many comparable cards within the Canadian market.

Redeeming RBC Avion Points

One of the greatest strengths of earning Avion points in the RBC Rewards program is that there are a variety of solid options for redemption. Avion points are worth roughly 1.9 cents per point when used for a variety of travel redemptions, including fixed point travel and transferring to partner mileage programs.

The RBC fixed travel redemption schedule gives cardholders the opportunity to redeem Avion points for a flight up to a set dollar amount. For example, 35,000 Avion points can get you up to $750 towards a round-trip flight in North America (except Hawaii or Alaska). This can be a straightforward way to redeem points for travel if you don’t want to deal with any third-party travel program.

On the other hand, if you hold an eligible RBC credit card, Avion can also be transferred to third-party airline mileage programs including British Airways Avios , American Airlines AAdvantage, WestJet Rewards , and Cathay Pacific Asia Miles . This makes this card one of the best Visa credit cards in Canada for those who are interested in travel rewards.

Transferring to partners can present some unique and outsized opportunities for value, such as transferring Avion points to Avios at a ratio of 1:1 to redeem for Qatar Airways QSuites . On the other hand, transferring Avion to WestJet Dollars may also be a good fit if you are looking to top up your WestJet Dollars balance for a WestJet Vacations redemption at a ratio of 100:$1.

More in-depth information on redeeming Avion points and the best way to redeem your points can be found in our RBC Rewards Guide .

Insurance Coverage

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite card comes with a comprehensive suite of travel insurance coverage, plus a few additional coverages:

• Emergency medical insurance
• Travel accident coverage
• Car rental collision and loss damage coverage
• Trip cancellation insurance
• Trip interruption insurance
• Flight delay coverage
• Hotel and motel burglary insurance
• Purchase security
• Extended warranty
• Mobile device insurance

As always, we recommend that you refer to the RBC Avion Visa Infinite certificate of insurance to understand the terms, conditions, and eligibility. 

For example, the trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance on the RBC Avion Visa Infinite covers trips fully charged to the card or redeemed with Avion points, but it would not cover a trip booked where you redeemed WestJet Dollars.

Keeping that in mind, you should always be aware of how credit card travel insurance can be applied towards your bookings and if your bookings would even be eligible.

Who is the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card Best For?

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite card fits the bill for those who are interested in a card that has a flexible points currency. Outside of American Express Membership Rewards , there are not many other points currencies in Canada that can be transferred to frequent flyer programs which makes collecting Avion points that much more desirable.

While I personally love transferring my Avion points to British Airways Avios for some of the outsized redemption options, others may find satisfaction in further building their WestJet dollars balance or simply redeeming for fixed points travel.

The flexibility of Avion points makes them an important cornerstone in the Canadian miles and points scene, and one that every traveler should consider.

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite card is the crown jewel of RBC’s credit card lineup. I always have this card in my wallet and recommend that you add it to your wallet too.

Remember that you can apply for a new RBC credit card every 90 days and that you can product switch credit cards with RBC . With that in mind, if you are looking for a new travel-focused credit card to add to your wallet, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite is a great fit.

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6 comments on “ Review: RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card ”

With Forex fees, it’s clearly a card to only use in Canada, though…

Hey Tom, that is very true. Better to have a US card or No FX fee credit card for use abroad.

I heard Avion points can be redeemed via refundable AC booking for AC credits. Would you please update with a guide?

We’ve hinted at refundable bookings before however its not something we would provide an explicit guide for. Also at scale, RBC may not like it…

Hi Josh, If after 11 month, you close that card. Decide to make a new demand of the same card after a ‘certain’ delay. Bonus points again on that ‘new’ card ? I hope…. In that situation, no problem with the 90 days rule, but how long do I have to wait until a new demand ? What if I wait 2 to 3 week ?

Hi Colonel,

I think you have a good plan on how to proceed.

Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. For complete and current information, please consult the entity's website.

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RBC® Avion Visa Infinite†

Best offer is available until April 30, 2024

Signup bonus:, annual fee:, interest rates:, earning rate:.

The RBC ® Avion Visa Infinite † is RBC ® ‘s flagship product, and currently offers a record-high welcome bonus with a lengthy time window to meet the minimum spending requirement.

Bonuses & Fees

This card is currently offering a promotional welcome bonus of up to 55,000 RBC Avion points † for new cardholders, which are awarded as follows:

• Earn 35,000 Avion points upon approval †
• Earn 20,000 Avion points upon spending $5,000 in the first six months †

The card has an annual fee of $120 † . If you have an RBC ® VIP Banking Account , you’ll be able to get a fee waiver on one of RBC ® ‘s premium credit cards, including this one.

You have until April 30, 2024 to apply for this offer.

Earning Rewards

The RBC ® Avion Visa Infinite † offers the following earning rates:

• 1.25 RBC Avion points per dollar spent † on qualifying travel purchases
• 1 RBC Avion point per dollar spent † on all other qualifying purchases

Redeeming Rewards

There are a variety of ways to redeem RBC Avion points for a high value.

As a transferable currency, RBC Avion points can be converted into British Airways Executive Club† and Cathay Pacific Asia Miles† at a 1:1 ratio, WestJet Rewards† at a 100:1 ratio, as well as American Airlines AAdvantage† at a 1:0.7 ratio.

Avios, Asia Miles, and AAdvantage will all provide a means to book business class and First Class flights on Oneworld airlines, which will be by far the best value for your Avion points if you’re interested in travelling internationally in style.

Look out for 10–50% transfer bonuses to these partners too, which can boost the value of your points even further.

These can be some of highest value uses of RBC Avion points. If you signed up via the current offer for 55,000 Avion points, for example, and transferred the points over to Avios during a 30% promotion, you’d get 71,500 Avios — good for a number of short-haul flights, a one-way flight in Qatar Airways Qsuites from North America to Doha, or enough to make solid progress towards a multi-carrier ticket .

You can also redeem via the Air Travel Redemption Schedule † , which lets you use Avion points to book round-trip economy class tickets departing from Canada, up to a certain maximum ticket price. As a baseline, you can also apply Avion points to any travel purchase at a rate of 1 cent per point † .

Perks & Benefits

The RBC ® Avion Visa Infinite † includes a host of interesting benefits, including 12 months of free DashPass from DoorDash as part of the wider partnership between RBC and DoorDash † .

It also includes a 3¢/L saving on fuel at Petro-Canada † , along with earning 20% more Petro-Points and RBC Avion points upon using your card to pay † .

Furthermore, RBC Avion cardholders can save 20% at Hertz † , as well as earn 2x the points if using your card † .

Finally, you can earn 50 Be Well points for every $1 spent on eligible products at Rexall † , as well as an improved redeeming ratio of 25,000 Be Well points = $10.

Insurance Coverage

The RBC ® Avion Visa Infinite † comes with pretty strong protection, as would be expected for a premium credit card:

Emergency medical insurance † for the first 15 days of any out-of-province trips for travellers under the age of 65 or the first three days for those 65 and up

Travel accident insurance † , covering death or dismemberment, of up to $500,000

Car rental collision/loss damage insurance † , which allows you to save on the daily insurance charged by car rental companies for vehicles up to a MSRP of $65,000

Trip cancellation insurance † of up to $5,000 and trip interruption insurance † of up to $25,000

Flight delay insurance † of up to $500 for reasonable expenses incurred

There’s also a very compelling purchase protection scheme †  in place that will reimburse you for accidentally lost or damaged personal property within 90 days of purchase, up to a maximum of $50,000 per year, as well as an extended warranty †  feature that automatically doubles the original manufacturer’s warranty.

Overall, the insurance on this card is on par with other premium cards in the market, making it a solid option for any big purchases.

Historical Offers

Legal disclaimers.

† Terms and conditions apply. Refer to the RBC website for up-to-date offer terms and conditions.

† This website contains affiliate links. Please read our disclaimer for more info.

As a Visa Infinite product, this credit card has a minimum personal annual income requirement of $60,000 or a minimum household income of $100,000 to be eligible. Refer to RBC® page for up to date offer terms and conditions.

27 Comments

Do you have a way to compare this card vs the ION+ form RBC? I’m trying to figure out if I should cancel this one and do the ION.

If you cancelled the Avion card, your ION or ION+ won’t have access to transfer the points to British airways, Cathay Asia Miles, American Airlines. You could still transfer to Westjet though. So just FYI

Just applied and got approved for this credit card for the bonus. I’ve the HSBC World Elite so it’d be interesting to know if I’ll have 2 same credit cards.

Hi Ricky! I just discovered your website and feel like a whole new world has been opened up to me! I have the West Jet World Elite M/C (RBC) and I don’t see the benefits of the card really helping me, so not worth the annual fee. The anniversary is in December, and I’m wondering if it’s possible to switch to the RBC Avion rather than cancel and apply for a new card, because I’m reading that’s not always the best option. But since these card are from the same bank, it may work? And then I could qualify for the new welcome bonus for the Avion?

Would I get the full points if I switch from an RBC cashback card to an RBC Avion visa infinite?

** Product switch only earned 15,000 points

Hi Ricky, Is there a card that has a better return than the 2.14 this one has for long haul in Canada? I currently use my rewards every two years to fly across Canada at Xmas. Family is now 4 travellers and only have points for 3 so looking to maximize.

I just got approved for the Avion Visa Infinite. I’m interested to see how beneficial the welcome bonus points of 35000 will be when redeeming them for a flight from Toronto to California. Would you suggest to use the points to upgrade my seats? I’m also interested in the cellphone protection insurance as I haven’t seen that offered in other cards.

Points are almost always better spent on making bookings directly rather than upgrading seats.

Just applied and got approved for Avion Visa Platinum, would you say this card is really good if you only want to carry 2 cards in your wallet? (btw my other card is American Express Cobalt Card)

I’d say it’s a decent choice, but you may be able to do better. For example, pairing the Cobalt with the HSBC World Elite would deliver a lot more benefits for your non-Amex spending for only a $49 net annual fee.

I checked flights using Avios search engine going to South America (Buenos Aires) and other destinations. The economy seats are really expensive. It practically makes your points WORTHLESS to use. What’s the point of following this point system if you cant fly where you want to go. It’s better if you stick with cheapflights.com or any of these third-party websites for really cheap flights.

Correct. Points are better used on higher-value trips like business class and First Class.

Since I hold the rbc rewards+ visa I can’t get the 35000 points welcome bonus l even if I product switch or apply for the avion visa infinite right? So I am basically out of luck?

I have this card and received the bonus points. If I use the bonus points then product switch to a card with no AF, is there any chance that they require the points back or something? How long would you hold the card before doing this? I’ve been told by an RBC agent that they’ll provide a pro-rated refund on the AF if I switch.

Unlikely. The safest timeline for such actions is six months, although some users have “gotten away with” shorter timeframes.

Hi Ricky, I just checked out the link to apply for this RBC card but only the standard offer of 15,000 points and no first annual fee rebate is offered. Has this promotion finished already?

Yep. These “mystery links” that pop up never last too long, so now we’re back to the standard offer of 15,000 points + $120 annual fee. Time to wait for the next one!

I have the Westjet now, if I make a switch product. Would I be entitled to this 20K promotion?

Most of the time a product switch only gives you the public bonus that isn’t found through a special link – in this case it’d be the usual 15k.

And it wouldn’t be FYF right?

It would appear that the additional 10,000 RBC Avion bonus points (for making purchases of $1000) is no longer on offer. Today, Oct 1, I started to sign up through the link above. The lead page now references the 15,000 bonus only.

Looks like you’re right Al. Back down to 15k it is.

Data point for reference: I product switched from the Avios to this and did not receive the bonus points. (But I did receive bonus points when I product switched from the RBC Westjet to the Avios prior to that).

Just applied and approved. Thanks for the link

Any idea if it’s possible to apply and get the bonus if I already have this card currently open?

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RBC Avion Visa Platinum Card review

Get 35,000 welcome Avion points on approval

• Rates & Fees

1 Avion point for every dollar you spend qualifying purchases, plus earn bonus points through purchases at selected retailers using your Avion Rewards credit card.

3 cents per litre savings on fuel and 20% more Petro-Points at Petro-Canada gas stations

50 Be Well points for every $1 spent on eligible products at Rexall

20% savings and 2x the Avion points with Hertz rental cars.

$0 delivery fees for 12 months from DoorDash with a DashPass subscription

$500,000 Travel accident insurance

48 consecutive days of rental car insurance for cars up to $65,000 MSRP

$1,000 of trip cancellation insurance for each covered person, up to an overall maximum of $5,000

$250 of flight delay insurance per covered person to a maximum of $500 total per occurrence.

$500 for delayed baggage insurance per occurrence for each covered person to a maximum of $25,000 per occurrence.

$2,500 for hotel/motel burglary insurance per occurrence.

1 year of manufacturer's extended warranty insurance

$50,000 purchase security insurance for loss or accidental physical damage to insured items purchase with your card for ninety (90) days from the date of purchase.

$120 Annual Fee $50 for each additional card

20.99% Purchase APR

22.99% Cash Advance APR

Good Recommended Credit Score

By Justin da Rosa

Fact Checked: Amy Tokic

Updated: March 21, 2024

   min read

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Quick overview of the RBC Avion Visa Platinum Card

The RBC Avion Visa Platinum Card is a flexible travel rewards card aimed at the frequent flyer who likes to travel often and easily. Its point system is simple, allowing cardholders to use their points on any airline, on any flight, at any time with no blackouts or seat restrictions, even during peak seasons.

With an extensive travel insurance package and fuel savings, the RBC Avion Platinum card has features that’ll appeal to the frequent flyer and driver alike. 

Who is the RBC Avion Visa Platinum for?

Are you interested in travel rewards but find all of the options confusing? This card might be for you. While other cards have tiered rewards structures that offer different amounts of points for different spending categories, the Platinum RBC Avion Visa keeps things super simple, offering one point for every dollar spent. See? Nothing confusing here.

That philosophy carries over to how points are redeemed. While some cards only allow you to book on certain airlines at certain times of the year, the Avion card allows you to use your points for travel on any airline, for any seat, at any time of year – even during peak travel seasons.  Don’t be fooled by its simplicity, though. The card also comes with travel insurance that includes trip cancellation and interruption. However, if you’re looking for premium travel perks like no foreign exchange fees and lounge access, you’ll have to look elsewhere. Those features aren’t included with the RBC Avion Visa Platinum. 

Pros and cons

Get up to 35,000 bonus points

The welcome bonus is simple and doesn’t require a minimum spend

Included travel insurance

Save 3 cents per litre on fuel at Petro Canada

No lounge access

Earn only 1 point per dollar spent

High-interest rates

RBC Avion Visa Platinum Card welcome bonus

• Earn 35,000 welcome Avion points
• Points will appear on your first statement following approval
• 35,000 points are enough to fly you anywhere in Canada or the US, excluding Hawaii and Alaska

How to earn Avion points with the RBC Avion Visa Platinum card

When you open a RBC Avion Visa Platinum card, you’ll earn 35,000 points right off the bat, just for opening the card – no minimum spend required. That little nest egg, valued at around $750, will get you started on your Avion point-earning journey. From there, you’ll earn one point for every dollar spent, no matter where you shop. Groceries? Check. Gas? Check. Netflix, bar tab, new clothes? Check, check, check. It’s nice not to have to tailor your spending at specific retailers to earn points. And, if you’d like to maximise your point-earning potential, you can link your Avion card to a free Petro Points card. Not only will you save 3 cents per litre at the pump, you’ll also earn 20% more Petro Points and 20% more Avion points when you purchase anything at the gas station. 

How to redeem Avion points

RBC makes it easy to redeem Avion points with its online portal. To redeem your points, visit the website and navigate to the redeem tab. Once there, you can use your points to pay some or all of your credit card balance, pay back purchases, pay bills, send Interac e-transfers, donate to charity, or shop. You can also use your points to book travel . RBC provides estimates to help you figure out how many points you might need to book specific flights. 

For example, 15,000 points can be used to book quick getaways within or to an adjacent province or state; 35,000 points can help you explore North America; 45,000 points can get you Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska, Bermuda, Central America, or the Caribbean; 55,000 points can pay for a full vacation to one of those destinations; 65,000 points can get you to Europe; and 100,000 points can take you far-flung destinations such as New Zealand, Australia, Africa, Asia, the South Pacific, or South America. 

Another way to redeem Avion points is to download the Avion Rewards app in the Apple or Google Play store.

RBC Avion Visa Platinum key benefits

• Generous welcome bonus of 35,000 points
• Travel insurance
• Save on gas at Petro Canada

RBC Avion Visa Platinum insurance coverage

• Travel accident insurance: Coverage for accidental death or dismemberment. Maximum benefit: $500,000.
• Auto rental collision/Loss damage insurance: Coverage for rental vehicles against damage or theft. Maximum rental period is 48 consecutive days; maximum benefit is the lesser of the vehicle's actual cash value or repair cost.
• Trip interruption insurance: Coverage for eligible expenses if a covered trip is interrupted. Maximum benefit: $2,500 per insured person.
• Emergency purchases insurance: Coverage for essential purchases in the event of delayed baggage. Maximum benefit: $500 per insured person.
• Flight delay insurance: Reimbursement for necessary expenses due to flight delays. Coverage begins after a four-hour delay. Maximum benefit: $500 per insured person.
• Travel emergency medical insurance: Coverage for emergency medical expenses during trips. Maximum benefit: $5,000,000 per insured person for eligible medical emergency expenses. Coverage for the first 15 consecutive days of a covered trip for persons aged 65 or over.
• Hotel/motel burglary insurance: Coverage of up to $2,500 per occurrence.
• Purchase security and extended warranty: Coverage of purchased items from loss or accidental damage for up to 90 days, up to a maximum of $50,000. Extended warranty of up to an additional year on top of the manufacturer’s warranty.  

Extra benefits

• Earn additional Be Well points when shopping at Rexall
• Get 20% off at Hertz car rental and 2x the Avion points
• Get $0 delivery fees with DoorDash for a year

What people have to say about this card

In a Reddit thread entitled “ Is the RBC Avion credit card worth it ?” one user questioned why the pricey card only offers one point for every dollar spent. Others replied, explaining the best ways to take advantage of the rewards.According to a few users, redeeming points toward an RBC investing account is a great way to maximise your rewards. Another user claimed the travel insurance makes up for the yearly cost, claiming it once saved them $3,000. In another Reddit thread entitled “ Is the RBC Avion Visa Platinum worth it for travel? ” users complemented its flexible rewards redemption. However, some noted you can get more points with other cards, such as the American Express Cobalt card. 

How RBC Avion Visa Platinum compares

Rbc avion visa platinum vs. rbc ion visa.

The RBC ION Visa can be thought of as the RBC Avion light. It’ll earn you Avion points, but not as many right off the hop as the Platinum. While the Platinum offers 35,000 welcome points, the ION only provides 3,500. The ION also lacks travel insurance, which you’ll get with the Platinum card.

However, the ION will earn you more points in several spending categories. It offers 1.5 points per dollar spent on groceries, ride-sharing, gas, streaming, subscriptions and digital gaming. It also has no yearly fee, compared to the Platinum’s yearly cost of $120. 

RBC Avion Visa Platinum vs. American Express Cobalt

If you’re considering the RBC Avion Visa Platinum and American Express Cobalt , it might come down to the rewards program you prefer. The Avion is geared more toward travel rewards, whereas the Amex program is a more general rewards program. 

Both have a yearly fee ($120 for the Avion Visa and $155.88, paid $12.99 per month, for the Cobalt), come with travel insurance and have an interest rate of 20.99%. When it comes to points, the Cobalt will earn you up to five points per dollar spent, which is much higher than the one point per dollar earned with the Avion card. The Visa Platinum will earn you more from the start, with a welcome bonus of 35,000 points (compared to 15,000 points with the Cobalt). 

RBC Avion Visa Platinum Vs. TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite

These two cards are quite similar. Sure, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite might cost a little more than the RBC Avion ($139 compared to $120 per year), but it’ll earn you a few more points for that extra cost (50,000 welcome points compared to 35,000) For everyday points earning, the Aeroplan card earns 1.5 points per dollar on gas, groceries and at Air Canada and one point for everything else; the Avion, meanwhile, earns one points per dollar spent for everything.

Both cards come with travel insurance and have the same interest rates but Aeroplan will get you free checked bags. Of course, you’ll save on gas at the Petro Canada with the Avion card, though. 

So, either card is a great choice for the travel rewards earner. The one you choose might come down to whether you prefer Avion points or Aeroplan points.

Is the RBC Avion Visa Platinum card worth it?

The RBC Avion Visa Platinum offers compelling benefits, making it worth considering for avid travellers. With a generous welcome bonus, flexible redemption options and comprehensive travel insurance coverage, it caters to diverse travel needs. 

The ability to earn points on everyday purchases enhances its value, particularly if you’re someone who wants to earn on every single purchase instead of just a few select retailers. However, the annual fee and interest rates should be weighed against the benefits. If you prioritise travel perks, including flight flexibility and insurance and are willing to manage associated costs responsibly, the RBC Avion Visa Platinum can be a valuable addition to your wallet.

Does the RBC Avion Visa Platinum come with lounge access?

While it is a travel rewards card, the RBC Avion Visa Platinum does not come with lounge access.

Does the RBC Avion Visa Platinum have travel insurance?

The RBC Avion Visa Platinum does come with travel insurance. This includes: travel accident insurance, auto rental collision/loss damage insurance, trip interruption insurance, emergency purchases insurance, flight delay insurance, travel emergency medical insurance, and hotel/motel burglary insurance.

Does the RBC Avion Visa Platinum have a welcome bonus?

The RBC Avion Visa Platinum does have a welcome bonus, and a generous one at that. Opening a new account with the Avion Visa Platinum will earn you 35,000 points on your first statement, regardless of how much you spend.

About our author

Justin is a writer and editor who has been covering personal finance for over 10 years. He's written for companies such as KOHO, Ratehub, BMO, Zoocasa, and Questrade, among others. Justin also created a course in Content Creation, which he taught at York University for four years. When not writing, Justin can be found at a live concert, on the golf course, riding a motorcycle, or sailing.

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RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card

Summary of flytrippers' review, why get this card.

• Great welcome bonus of ≈ $780
• Very valuable RBC Avion points
• Excellent travel insurance coverage
• Good gas & food delivery perks

WHO SHOULD GET THIS CARD

• Those who want rewards of the more valuable type
• Go to our editorial card review page (coming soon)
• Keep scrolling here for all the details
• Apply now via RBC secure link
• See all the best credit cards in Canada

Scroll for all details or check out our review (VIDEO or TEXT)

Detailed review of the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card

Card details.

Welcome bonus structure (2 separate bonuses)

35,000 points Bonus after approval (no spending requirement) 20,000 points Bonus after spending 5,000$ (in a maximum of 6 months)

55,000 points Total with the 2 parts of the bonus

Earn on the minimum spending requirement

5,000   points Minimum earn on the minimum spending requirement of $5,000 (at base earn rate of 1 pt/$)

Total rewards by unlocking the welcome bonus

60,000 points  Welcome bonus + earn on the minimum spending requirement to unlock it

‣ Apply for the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card

Value of the welcome bonus offer (at our Flytrippers Valuation of ≈ 1.5¢/pt )

≈ $525 Bonus after approval (55,000 pts) ≈ $300 Bonus after min. spend (20,000 pts) ≈ $75 Earn on min. spend (5,000 pts) –$120 Card fee (deducted from Flytrippers Valuation)

≈ $780  Total net value by unlocking the welcome bonus alone

‣ Learn more about our Flytrippers Valuation of welcome bonuses

Effective return rate

≈ 15.6% Return on the minimum spending requirement (≈ $780  on $ 5,000 in 6 months)

‣Learn more about effective return rates (coming soon)

Rewards acquisition summary

≈ $900  Rewards you get for  $120

Value of redemption options (welcome bonus)

For each available redemption option, here is the value of the 60,000 RBC Avion Rewards points  you get by unlocking the welcome bonus:

≈ $900 to UNLIMITED Specific flights booked via transfers to airline programs ≈ $900 to ≈ $1400  Flights booked with the RBC Avion Rewards award chart $600  Travel booked via the RBC Avion Rewards website $348 Statement credit

‣ Learn more about the best redemptions of RBC Avion Rewards points (detailed guide coming soon)

Value of redemption options (per point)

For each available redemption option, here is the value  per RBC Avion point to help you understand:

≈ 1.5¢/pt to UNLIMITED Specific flights booked via transfers to airline programs ≈ 1.5¢/pt to ≈ 2.3¢/pt Flights booked with the RBC Avion Rewards award chart 1¢/pt Travel booked via the RBC Avion Rewards website 0.58¢/pt Statement credit

‣Learn more about the basics of the values per point (coming soon)

Redemptions with transfers to partners

The more valuable type of reward redemption, with a variable value: the amount of points required is unrelated to the cash price of the flight. The value depends on how many points are required by the reward chart and the cash price. So the value you can get from airline award charts is unlimited. You can redeem only for specific flights: only certain airlines are available and seat availability is limited.

Redeem your 60,000 RBC Avion points for one-way flights (roundtrips are simply twice the price):

4,750 pts Up to 650 miles within Europe on British/Iberia/Aer Lingus (Madrid-Ibiza, Dublin-Amsterdam, London-Nice, etc.) 6,000 pts Up to 650 miles within Asia on Cathay/JAL/Malaysia (Tokyo-Osaka, Kuala Lumpur-Phuket, Taipei-Hong Kong, etc.) 6,000 pts Up to 650 miles elsewhere on Royal Air Maroc/Qantas (Sydney-Melbourne, Casablanca-Marrakech, etc.) 7,250 pts Up to 1151 miles within Europe on British/Iberia/Aer Lingus (London-Lisbon, Dublin-Prague, Madrid-Rome, etc.)  7,500 pts Up to 650 miles from Canada on American/Alaska (Toronto-New York, Montreal-New York, Edmonton-Seattle, etc.) 9,000 pts Up to 1151 miles from Canada on American (Toronto-Miami, Montreal-Charlotte, Vancouver-Los Angeles, etc.) 11,000 pts Up to 2000 miles from Canada on American (Toronto-Miami, Montreal-Miami, Vancouver-Phoenix, etc.) 11,000 pts Up to 2000 miles from Miami on American (Miami-Cartagena, Miami-Costa Rica, Miami-Barbados, etc.) 13,000 pts From Toronto to Ireland on Aer Lingus (Toronto-Dublin) 17,000 pts From Boston/New York/Chicago to Spain on Iberia (Boston-Madrid, New York-Madrid, Chicago-Madrid) 25,000 pts From Montreal/Toronto to the UK on British (Toronto-London, Montreal-London) 34,000 pts Business class from Boston/New York/Chicago to Spain on Iberia (Boston-Madrid, New York-Madrid, Chicago-Madrid) 35,000 pts From Montreal to Qatar on Qatar Airways (Montreal-Doha) 36,250 pts From Vancouver to Asia on Cathay Pacific/JAL (Vancouver-Hong Kong, Vancouver-Tokyo) 47,500 pts From Montreal to Southeast Asia on Qatar Airways (Montreal-Bangkok, Montreal-Bali, Montreal-Hanoi) 50,000 pts Business class from Toronto to Ireland on Aer Lingus (Toronto-Dublin) 51,500 pts From Toronto to Asia on Cathay Pacific (Toronto-Hong Kong) 70,000 pts Business class from Montreal to Qatar on Qatar Airways (Montreal-Doha) 95,000 pts Business class from Montreal to Southeast Asia on Qatar (Montreal-Bangkok, Montreal-Bali, Montreal-Hanoi)

‣ Learn more about the best redemptions of RBC Avion points (detailed guide coming soon)

Redemptions with the RBC Avion rewards chart

Another more valuable type of rewards redemption, with a variable value. All flights and all seats are available, but bank flight reward charts give you the best value when the cash price of a ticket’s base fare is very high. There’s a maximum base fare so the value is not unlimited. Some routes have surcharges, so the value depends on that too.

Redeem your 60,000 RBC Avion points for one-way flights (roundtrips are simply twice the price with twice the maximum base fare):

7,500 pts Within your province/territory/state or to adjacent provinces/territories/states (maximum $175 base fare) 17,500 pts Anywhere in Canada and the US, except Hawaii and Alaska (maximum $375 base fare) 22,500 pts From Eastern Canada to anywhere in Central America, the Caribbean, or Bermuda (maximum $450 base fare) 22,500 pts From Western Canada to anywhere in Mexico, Hawaii, or Alaska (maximum $450 base fare) 27,500 pts From Eastern Canada to anywhere in Mexico, Hawaii, or Alaska (maximum $550 base fare) 27,500 pts From Western Canada to anywhere in Central America, the Caribbean, or Bermuda (maximum $550 base fare) 32,500 pts From major airports in Canada/US to destinations in Europe (maximum $650 base fare) 50,000 pts From major airports in Canada/US to anywhere else in the world (maximum $1000 base fare)

Redemptions on the RBC Avion Rewards website

The more simple type of redemption, but should be avoided as much as possible (get other cards for this type of redemption).

Redeem your 60,000 RBC Avion points  for:

60,000 pts Discount of $600 on travel booked on the RBC Avion Rewards website

Redemptions for anything other than travel

Should  always be avoided , as with  all  rewards!

‣Learn more about why you should always redeem your rewards for travel (coming soon)

Expiry RBC Avion Rewards points never expire as long as you have the card. And even if you no longer have the card, you have a full calendar year to redeem them ( 90 days with the app and then by calling). You can also downgrade the card to its no-fee version to  easily extend the expiration indefinitely.

‣ Learn more about RBC Avion Rewards points expiry (coming soon)

Pooling RBC Avion Rewards points can be pooled with travel companions via transfer partners.

‣ Learn more about pooling RBC Avion Rewards points (coming soon)

Logistics RBC Avion Rewards points can be redeemed directly on the RBC Avion website or RBC Avion Rewards app.

‣ Learn more about how to get started with RBC Avion Rewards (coming soon)

Rewards program summary Rewards: RBC Avion Rewards points Source: Bank rewards  Type: More valuable Flytrippers Valuation: ≈ 1.5¢ per point Minimum value: 1¢ per point Maximum value: Unlimited Transferable: Yes (4 partners)

‣ Learn more about rewards programs basics (coming soon)

1.25 points per $ ( ≈ 1.875% ):

1 point per $ ( ≈ 1.5% ):

• Everywhere else

‣Learn more about credit card earn rates (coming soon)

Earning with additional cards

Fee for additional cards: $50 Quantity allowed: 9 Minimum age: N/A

‣Learn more about additional cards (coming soon)

Free DashPass from DoorDash Get DoorDash’s DashPass free for 12 months, which gives you free delivery and other great perks on food delivery .

‣Learn more about the RBC DashPass benefit (coming soon)

3 ¢/L off at Petro-Canada Link your card and save 3 ¢/L and get 20% more Petro-Points.

‣Learn more about the RBC Petro-Canada benefit (coming soon)

20% discount on rental cars Save 20% on the base fare on rental cars at Hertz.

‣Learn more about the RBC Avion car rental benefit (coming soon)

Bonus points with the Rexall Be Well program Link your card and earn 50 Be Well points per $ spent at Rexall.

‣Learn more about the RBC Rexall benefit (coming soon)

Friday Friend Pass for ski resorts Buy 1 lift pass at regular price, get 1 free on Fridays at 10 ski resorts (3 in Québec, 2 in Ontario, 1 in Alberta, and 4 in British Columbia).

‣Learn more about the RBC ski benefit (coming soon)

RBC Offers program Access to small discounts and credits throughout the year.

‣Learn more about the RBC Offers program (coming soon)

Visa Infinite luxury benefits Access to a 24/7 travel concierge, and luxury benefits at hotels, restaurants, and more.

‣Learn more about Visa Infinite benefits (coming soon)

The Avion Collection program A catalogue of exclusive experiences, offers, and savings on travel, food, wellness, sports, and entertainment.

‣Learn more about The Avion Collection program (coming soon)

Insurance included

Medical travel insurance (15 days) Flight delay insurance Baggage delay insurance Trip cancelation insurance Trip interruption insurance Rental car insurance Lost or stolen luggage insurance Hotel burglary insurance Travel accident insurance Mobile device insurance Purchase insurance Extended warranty

‣Learn more about the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card’s insurance coverage (coming soon)

Insurance not included

‣Learn more about the different types of insurance coverage (coming soon)

Card eligibility Minimum income: $60,000 (personal) OR $100,000 (household) Age: Majority in your province Estimated credit score: Good or Excellent Credit bureau: TransUnion Canada

‣ Learn more about credit card eligibility requirements (coming soon)

Welcome bonus offer eligibility You must not currently have the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card

‣ Learn more about credit card welcome bonus eligibility rules (coming soon)

Offer end date Offer ends April 30, 2024

‣ Subscribe to Flytrippers’ free travel rewards newsletter to get all card updates

Card details Issuer: RBC (Royal Bank of Canada) Network: Visa Card Type: Credit card Product Type: Personal card

‣Learn more about credit card types (coming soon)

Fees and rates Card fee: $120/year Fee for additional card: $50 FX fee: 2.5% Purchases annual interest rate: 20.99% Cash advance and balance transfer annual interest rate: 22.99% Balance transfer fee: Up to 3% of transfer amount Cash advance fee: $5.00

‣ Learn more about why Flytrippers recommends ignoring fees and rates (coming soon)

Get up to 55,000 Avion points* (a value of up to $1,100†), that’s enough to fly anywhere in North America or the Caribbean!

Get 35,000 welcome Avion points on approval** – Enough to fly anywhere in Canada & the U.S (Alaska and Hawaii require more points)

– Earn 1 Avion point for every dollar you spend* and an extra 25% on eligible travel purchases.

– Avioners can book flights with points on any airline, on any flight, at any time, early or last minute, with no blackout periods or restrictions.

– Avioners earn points that never expire so your points will be waiting for your next adventure.

– Redeem your points for travel and more. Use points for anything from paying bills and paying your card balance to redeeming for Gift Cards and Merchandise at top brands like Apple. The Avion Rewards program gives you the freedom of choice to use your points your way, and helps you make the most as an Avioner.

– Eligible Avion Rewards members can also convert points to other loyalty programs including WestJet dollars, British Airways Avios points and Hudson’s Bay Rewards points.

– Link your RBC card with a Petro-Points membership to instantly save 3₵ per litre on fuel at Petro-Canada stations and earn 20% more Petro-Points and 20% more Avion points

– Link your RBC card with a Rexall Be Well account and get 50 Be Well points for every $1 spent on eligible products at Rexall. Redeem Be Well points faster for savings in store on eligible purchases where 25,000 Be Well points = $10

– Get access to RBC offers which provides access to earn points faster at specified brands

– Extensive insurance including: mobile device insurance, travel insurance (trip cancellation, interruption and emergency medical) and other eligible purchases to protect you and your family

– Avioners get access to luxury Visa Infinite benefits including first in line for exclusive events, and hotel and dining benefits.

– Avioners no longer need 14-days to book travel using the RBC grid

• Get $0 delivery fees for 12 months from DoorDash^

Add your eligible RBC credit card to your DoorDash account to:

– Get a 12-month complimentary DashPass subscription± – a value of almost $120

– Enjoy unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees on orders of $15 or more when you pay with your eligible RBC credit card

Get $0 delivery fees for 12 months from DoorDash17 – Add your eligible RBC credit card to your DoorDash account to:

• Get a 12-month complimentary DashPass subscription18 – a value of almost $120

• Enjoy unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees on orders of $15 or more when you pay with your eligible RBC credit card

Refer to RBC page for up to date offer terms and conditions

Start earning rewards today

And make sure to download our free checklist for when you get a new card—it includes very important mistakes to avoid (it will open in a separate tab, or you can click here ).

via RBC secure application

*Beta version of card page. Sign up to get updated guide soon.*

Terms & conditions — Travel rewards

† Terms and conditions apply.

This content is not sponsored. However, this page may contain some affiliate links that allow Flytrippers to earn a commission at absolutely no cost to you. Thank you for using our links and helping us keep all our content free for everyone. This helps us fulfill our mission of helping Canadians travel more for less.

The views and opinions expressed on this page are purely our own. They have not been provided, approved, endorsed, or ratified by any third party mentioned on the site.

Financial institutions are not responsible for updating or ensuring the accuracy of the information on Flytrippers’ website. All the information was independently collected by Flytrippers and not provided by financial institutions.

All offers described on the Flytrippers website are subject to the financial institutions’ latest terms and conditions, which can be found on their official website. No efforts are spared to ensure this page is up to date but offers from financial institutions change quickly. It is your responsibility to ensure the accuracy of these offers on their website. Flytrippers will not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the offers or the result of your actions.

Flytrippers’ website does not contain all available credit card offers or all available credit card products on the market. In addition, Flytrippers never shares an offer if it is not considered advantageous for some travelers, at its sole discretion.

No author on Flytrippers’ website is a financial advisor, a financial planner, a legal professional, or a tax professional. No author on Flytrippers’ website can in any way be considered as such.

All articles, pages, and content on Flytrippers’ website are merely personal opinions of a general nature and are for informational purposes only and should not be considered advice for specific situations. It is your responsibility to perform your own personal research to ensure that travel rewards are appropriate for your own situation.

You can learn more about our terms of use here .

Share this post to help us help more people travel more for less:

Apply now for the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card and get a welcome bonus worth ≈ $ 780 !

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance

Things don't always go as planned.

Protect your travel investment—just in case your trip gets cancelled or interrupted.

Get a Quote

Financial protection for your trip expenses.

Have you bought an airline ticket or made a non-refundable and/or non-transferable hotel deposit? Protect your purchase with trip cancellation and interruption insurance. This coverage protects you financially in case you get sick or an unexpected event forces you to cancel your trip, come home early or delay your return home. Here’s how it can help:

Before Departure Disclaimer 1

Trip cancellation insurance reimburses you for non-refundable and/or non-transferable deposits on pre-paid travel arrangements and cancellation penalties that a transportation carrier or tour guide may charge.

See More See Less

Policy Documents:

For complete coverage details, limitations and exclusions, see:

After Departure Disclaimer 1

Trip interruption insurance covers extra costs if you need to return home sooner or later than planned and reimburses you for non-refundable and/or non-transferable portions of unused, prepaid travel arrangements.

Other Expenses Disclaimer 1

Out of Pocket expenses reimburses you for extra expenses like a hotel, meals, taxi fares (ride sharing, or rental car in lieu of taxi fares)and more if a covered situation happens.

Do you need medical coverage, too?

Consider a travel insurance package instead if you think you may need coverage for emergency medical expenses and other situations. All of our packages include trip cancellation and interruption insurance.

Make sure you have the right travel insurance—get an online quote or talk to a licensed insurance advisor.

View Legal Disclaimers Hide Legal Disclaimers

• Credit Cards
• Best Cash Back Credit Cards With No Annual Fee

The Forbes Advisor editorial team is independent and objective. To help support our reporting work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive payment from the companies that advertise on the Forbes Advisor site. This comes from two main sources.

First , we provide paid placements to advertisers to present their offers. The payments we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers’ offers appear on the site. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market.

Second , we also include links to advertisers’ offers in some of our articles. These “affiliate links” may generate income for our site when you click on them. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Forbes Advisor.

While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, Forbes Advisor does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof.

Best Cash Back Credit Cards With No Annual Fee In Canada For April 2024

Updated: Apr 9, 2024, 4:18pm

Cash-back credit cards make tapping your plastic even more tempting, since they turn some of your everyday purchases into cash rewards. They do so by allowing cardholders to earn back a percentage of their eligible credit card spending, either as a deposit into their bank account or as a statement credit.

That all sounds well and good, but some of the best cash-back credit cards have a major catch: They come with an annual fee that ends up eating into your rewards. And while some of these earn enough cash back that they cancel out said fee, spending enough to cover (or even surpass) the fee can be a big commitment—especially if you’re not sure how much you’ll spend each year on the card in question.

If thinking about such a prospect gives you anxiety, there are cash-back cards that have no annual fee —meaning their rewards don’t come with a yearly cost, so it’s pure reward. These cards can be a way to earn cash back without any kind of barrier hindering your earning potential. Here are the best cash back credit cards with no annual fee in Canada.

Featured Partners

Best Cash Back Credit Cards With No Annual Fee in Canada for April 2024

Rogers red world elite® mastercard®, simplycash card from american express, cibc costco mastercard, triangle world elite mastercard, neo standard mastercard, tangerine money-back credit card, tangerine world mastercard, rbc cash back mastercard, simplii financial cash back visa, bmo cashback mastercard, here’s a summary of best cash back credit cards with no annual fee in canada for april 2024, methodology, what is cash back on a credit card, how to choose a no annual fee cash back credit card, how to apply for a cash back credit card with no annual fee, frequently asked questions (faqs).

• Best Credit Cards
• Best Travel Credit Cards
• Best Airport Lounge Access Credit Cards
• Best Cash Back Credit Cards
• Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit
• Best Aeroplan Credit Cards
• Best No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards
• Best Balance Transfer Credit cards

TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card

On TD’s Website

Welcome Bonus

Up to 85,000 Aeroplan points†

Regular APR (Purchases) / Regular APR (Cash Advances)

20.99% / 22.99%

American Express Cobalt® Card

On American Express’s Secure Website

Up to 15,000 Membership Rewards points

$155.88 ($12.99 per month)

Regular APR

MBNA True Line Mastercard

On MBNA’s Website

0% interest for 12 months on balance transfers within 90 days of account opening, with a 3% transfer fee

12.99%-19.99%

Best For U.S. Dollar Purchases

Regular APR (Purchases)

Not only do you get flat-rate cash back on all purchases, a great 3% cash back rate on all purchases made in U.S. dollars, airport lounge access and five types of insurance, you get all that for no annual fee.

• No annual fee
• Earn 2% cash back on all purchases if you have one qualifying service with Rogers, Fido or Shaw
• Earn 1.5% cash back if you do not have a qualifying service with Rogers, Fido or Shaw
• Earn 3% cash back on U.S. dollar purchases
• Complimentary membership to Mastercard Travel Pass provided by Dragon Pass
• Includes some travel insurance coverage
• High income requirements to qualify
• The highest cash-back rate is for U.S. purchases only
• Airport lounge visits cost $32 USD per person, per visit, on top of the complimentary lounge access membership
• 2% unlimited cash back (exclusively for eligible Rogers, Fido or Shaw customers); otherwise, earn 1.5% unlimited cash back on non-U.S. dollar purchases
• 3% unlimited cash back on U.S. dollar purchases
• 5 Roam Like Home days at no cost with an eligible Rogers mobile plan (up to $75 value)
• 50% more cash back every time you redeem for Rogers, Fido or Shaw purchases
• Annual income requirements of $80,000 personal and $150,000 household
• Complimentary membership to Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass with access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide at a cost of $32 USD per person, per visit
• Included insurance benefits: Extended Warranty and Purchase Protection, Rental Car Collision/Damage, Out-of-Province/Out-of-Country Emergency Medical, Trip Interruption and Trip Cancellation

best for groceries and gas

Up to $100 in statement credits

This card offers a 2% rate on the two areas hardest hit by inflation in Canada: groceries and gas. The icing on the cake is that it comes with no annual fee, a slightly above average 1.25% base rate and even has some other perks like a little travel insurance.

Learn more: Read our SimplyCash Card from American Express Review

• 2% cash back on groceries and gas
• Includes consumer insurance and some travel insurance
• American Express is not accepted at some retailers
• In your first 10 months as a new SimplyCash® Card from American Express Cardmember, you can earn a $10 statement credit for each monthly billing period in which you spend $300 in purchases on your Card. This could add up to $100 in statement credits in the first 10 months
• Earn accelerated earn rates on eligible gas and grocery purchases
• Earn 2% cash back on eligible gas purchases in Canada, 2% cash back on eligible grocery purchases in Canada (up to $300 cash back annually)
• Earn 1.25% cash back on all other eligible purchases
• Access events and special offers curated for Cardmembers with American Express® Experiences
• Insurance coverage and 24/7 Customer Service
• American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information click the Apply now link. Conditions apply

best for restaurants and costco

$0 (requires a Costco membership)

If you’re a Costco member, this card racks up cash back as your stock up on winter essentials. With no annual fee (aside from your Costco membership, of course) there’s no commitment and you can reap oversized rewards at this major retailer.

Learn more: Read our CIBC Costco Mastercard Review

• Earns 3% cash back on restaurants and at Costco Gas
• Includes mobile device insurance, purchase security and an extended warranty
• No welcome bonus
• Only offers 1% cash back at Costco (the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card earns 2%, for instance)
• Earns 3% cash back at restaurants and at Costco Gas
• Earns 2% at other gas stations and on Costco.ca
• Earns 1% cash back on all other purchases (including at Costco brick and mortar stores)
• Your rewards could add up to $367.62 a year in rewards value (or $422.58 with Costco purchases), according to Forbes Advisors calculations based on average spending among Canadians
• Comes with valuable mobile device insurance
• Includes purchase security and extended warranty insurance

Best For Roadside Assistance

This card has no annual fee, yet it earns Canadian Tire Money on your spending and offers a Gold Roadside Assistance plan with up to 250 km towing distance in Canada or the U.S, as well as emergency fuel delivery, battery boosts, accident assistance, flat tire changing and lock-out service.

• High cash back rewards at Canadian Tire
• Built-in car rental insurance
• Complimentary roadside assistance
• Only grants cash-back rewards from specific store chains
• Only gives digital Canadian Tire Money as cash-back rewards
• Gives 4% back in Canadian Tire Money on qualifying pre-tax purchases at Canadian Tire, Sport Chek, Mark’s/L’Équipeur, Atmosphere, Party City, Sports Rousseau, Hockey Experts, L’Entrepôt du Hockey, and participating Sports Experts stores
• Gives 3% Canadian Tire money on groceries up to $12,000 per year (does not include Walmart or Costco)
• Gives 0.5% per litre in Canadian Tire money at gas stations and on all other purchases
• Forbes Advisor estimates $327.64 in annual rewards value based on average Canadian spending
• Car rental collision/loss damage waiver insurance
• Extended warranty protection and return protection
• Roadside assistance with up to 250 km towing distance in Canada or the U.S.
• Requires a minimum annual income of $80,000, or $150,000 in household income

best for retail shopping

Welcome bonus

Up to 15% cash back on the first purchase at a Neo retailer

This card’s earn rate and flexibility are impressive, as are its lack of any annual fee and its welcome bonus offer.

Learn more:  Read our Neo Standard Mastercard Review

• Average of 5% unlimited cash back at Neo partners
• The welcome bonus and cash back only applies to Neo partners
• Does not include travel insurance or other perks
• Welcome bonus of up to 15% cash back on your first purchase at a Neo retail partner. The exact amount depends on what the partner is willing to offer
• Average of 5% instant and unlimited cash back at over 10,000 Neo partners
• Forbes Advisor estimates $577.22 in annual cash back based on average Canadian spending

best for customizable cash back

10% cash back ($100 value)

This card is unique in that it allows you to customize where you earn the most cash back. Users can choose two of 10 spending categories that will earn 2% cash back (without limits) and get 0.5% on everything else. If you opt to deposit your cash-back rewards into a Tangerine Savings Account, you get to add a third category that earns 2% cash back as well.

That said, it is a bit sparing when it comes to other perks, but if you meet the income requirements for its high-end counterparts, the Tangerine Money-Back World Mastercard, you can get a few more frills, like travel perks, rental car collision loss/damage insurance and mobile device insurance.

Learn more:  Read our Tangerine Money-Back Card Review

• Welcome bonus of 10% cash back on up to $1,000 in purchases in your first two months ($100 value) when you apply by April 30, 2024
• Earns 2% back in two spending categories of your choosing
• Get 2% cash back in a third category when you deposit your savings into a Tangerine Savings Account
• Cash back is unlimited and paid monthly
• Includes extended warranty and purchase protection
• No additional perks, aside from extended warranty and purchase protection
• Welcome bonus of 10% cash back on up to $1,000 in purchases in your first two months ($100 value) when you apply by January 31, 2024
• 2% cash back in two spending categories of your choice, including grocery, furniture, restaurants, hotel or motel stays, gas, recurring bill payments, drug store, home improvement, entertainment, public transportation and parking
• Earn 2% cash back in a third category of your choice when you opt to deposit cash-back rewards into a Tangerine Savings Account
• 0.5% cash back on all other spending with no limit
• Forbes Advisor estimates based on average Canadian spending that you can earn $302.69 in cash back per year by using this card
• Balance transfers made in your first 30 days get a 1.95% interest rate on the transferred balance for six months

best for travel perks

The Tangerine World Mastercard is similar to the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card in that cardholders can choose two of 10 spending categories that will earn 2% cash back (without limits) and get 0.5% on everything else. They can also add a third category if they deposit cash back into a Tangerine Savings Account. The only real difference is that the World Mastercard gets you a few more frills, like travel perks, rental car collision loss/damage insurance and mobile device insurance.

• A customizable rewards program
• No annual spending cap for any categories
• Minimum income requirements
• Mediocre rewards for most purchases
• The welcome bonus offers an extra 10% cash back on up to $1,000 in purchases made within the first two months of owning the card when you apply by April 30, 2024.
• Earn 2% cash back in two spending categories of your choice, including groceries, furniture, restaurants, hotels, gas, recurring bill payments, drug stores, home improvement, entertainment, public transportation and parking
• If you deposit your rewards into a Tangerine Bank savings account, you get a third 2% cash-back spending category
• All other spending categories earn 0.5% cash back
• The card carries an estimated annual net earnings of $302.69 per year based on average Canadian spending
• The card requires an annual minimum income of $60,000 personal, $100,000 in household income or $250,000 or more in Tangerine Bank Savings Accounts or Investment Fund Accounts
• A balance transfer rate of 1.95% for six months
• Credit card balance protection
• Rental car insurance
• Cell phone insurance
• Airport lounge access provided by DragonPass
• Checked baggage insurance

best for groceries

This low-maintenance cash back card earns 2% on groceries and 1% on everything else, with no annual fee.

• Unlimited 1% cash back
• Cash-back rewards only apply to every $100 purchase
• $6,000 cap on 2% earn rate
• 2% cash back for every $100 grocery store purchase (up to $6,000)
• 5% cash back for every $100 on qualifying purchases, up to $6,000 (1% cash back applies after)
• Forbes Advisor estimates a rewards value of $338.51 in annual earnings, based on average Canadian spending, with the annual fee factored in

best for restaurants, bars and coffee shops

Up to 20% cash back† ($100 value)

Interest Rate (Purchases) / Interest Rate (Cash Advances)

20.99% / 22.99%‡

This card gives you great cash back at bars and restaurants with no annual fee.

Learn more:  Read our  Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa Review

• 4% cash back at bars and restaurants
• $15,000 in minimum household annual income
• A low selection of insurance options
• Low base rate cash back
• Get 20% cashback in your first 3 months on eligible gas, groceries, drugstore purchases and pre-authorized payments (up to $500 spend)†
• Get a 20.99% interest rate on purchases‡
• Get a 22.99% interest rate on cash advances ‡
• Earn 4% cash back at bars, coffee shops and restaurants up to $5,000 annually, after that 0.5% unlimited†
• Earn 1.5% on eligible gas, groceries, and drugstore purchases, as well as pre-authorized payments up to $15,000 per year, after that 0.5% unlimited†
• Earn 0.5% on all other purchases†
• Purchase security and extended protection insurance are included†
• †Terms and conditions apply. Click ‘Apply Now’ for complete details. This offer is not available for residents of Quebec.”
• ‡ “Purchase” means any Transaction other than a Cash Advance, Balance Transfer or Convenience Cheque. “Cash” means a Cash Advance, Balance Transfer and Convenience Cheque. Interest rates may change from time to time.

best for balance transfers

5% cash back

A basic no-fee cash back card that offers high returns on groceries and has a competitive welcome bonus and balance transfer offer. It even offers discounts on Cirque du Soleil shows.

• Balance transfer offer of 0.99% for 9 months with a 2% transfer fee
• Flexible redemption options
• No minimum income requirement
• Low spending caps
• 0.5% base earn rate
• Welcome offers of 5% cash back on $2,500 in total purchases for three months and 0.99% interest on balance transfers with a 2% fee for nine months
• 3% cash back at eligible grocery stores (up to $500 monthly)
• 1% cash back on recurring bills (up to $500 monthly)
• 0.5% cash back on every other purchase
• Forbes Advisor estimates a rewards value of $289.24 in annual earnings based on average Canadian spending, with the annual fee factored in
• 15% off Cirque du Soleil shows in Canada and 20% off shows in Las Vegas
• Up to 25% off rentals at National Car Rental and Alamo Rent a Car participating locations

When determining a rating for individual credit cards, the Forbes Advisor Canada editorial team factors in an exhaustive list of data points. With no-annual-fee cash back, the scoring model used takes into account factors such as, but not limited to, cash-back rates and categories, fees, welcome bonuses, and other rewards and features. Keep in mind, what may be best for some people might not be right for you. Conduct informed research before deciding which cards will best help you achieve your financial goals.

It offers 3% for purchases made in American dollars.

Rewards: Earn unlimited 2% cash back (exclusively for eligible Rogers, Fido or Shaw customers) on non-U.S. dollar purchases, otherwise earn 1.5% unlimited cash back. Earn unlimited 3% cash back on U.S. dollar purchases.

Welcome Offer: N/A

Annual Fee: $0

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: With this card, you get access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide, extended warranty and purchase protection on select items, rental car collision/damage insurance, out-of-province/country emergency medical care and trip Interruption and cancellation insurance. A drawback: To qualify, your annual personal income must be over $80,000, or your household income over $150,000.

This American Express card is the only Canadian card offering 1.25% cash back on everything—and 2% on groceries and gas, up to a limit of $300 per year.

Rewards: Get 2% cash back on gas and groceries up to $300 cash back annually, and 1.25% cash back for everything else with no limit.

Welcome Offer: In your first 10 months with the card, you can earn a $10 statement credit for each monthly billing period when you spend $300 on your card, which could add up to a total of $100.

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: The card’s benefits include $100,000 travel accident insurance, automatic extended warranty on select purchases made with the card, 24/7 customer service, a fraud protection guarantee and emergency card replacement. One drawback is that American Express still isn’t as widely accepted as Visa and Mastercard .

Related: SimplyCash Card from American Express Review

This card earns you 3% cash back at restaurants and Costco gas stations, 2% at other gas stations and when you shop at Costco.ca and 1% everywhere else.

Rewards: Earn 3% cash back when you dine out at selected restaurants and fill-up at Costco gas stations on the first $5,000 net annual card purchases. You’ll earn 2% at other gas stations and Costco.ca until you hit $8,000 in purchases when it will revert back to the base rate of 1% on all other purchases.

Welcome Offer: None.

Annual Fee:  $0

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: This card offers up to $1,000 in repair or replacement coverage for your phone for up to two years, as well as purchase security and extended warranty insurance for some new items purchased with your card.

Related: CIBC Costco Mastercard Review

This card gives you 4% back in Canadian Tire (CT) Money on select items at a range of retailers beyond CT, five to seven cents  per  litre in CT Money on fuel, and 3% back in CT Money when you buy groceries.

Rewards: Earn 4% cash back in CT Money on select items at retailers including Canadian Tire, Sport Chek, Mark’s and Party City. Also, earn five to seven cents when you pump gas, 3% at grocery stores on the first $12,000 you spend per year (excluding Costco and Walmart) and 1% in CT Money everywhere else.

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: With this card, you get roadside assistance , purchase security, extended warranty and rental car insurance . But the cash-back earnings are in CT Money, making this only a card for those who frequent the home improvement store.

This card earns you up to 15% cash back on the first purchase from a Neo retail partner, then an average of 5% cash back at Neo partner locations.

Rewards: Collect an average of 5% cash back when shopping at Neo partner locations and an extra 0.5% cash back when you meet a minimum spending requirement (until you reach $50 in earnings).

Welcome Offer: Earn up to 15% cash back on the first purchase from a Neo retail partner.

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: With this card, you can choose one or multiple rewards packages for boosted cash back and app subscriptions, but it doesn’t come with any basic insurance or other benefits.

Related: Neo Standard Mastercard Review

This card offers unlimited 2% cash back in two or three purchase categories of your choice and 0.50% cash back on all eligible everyday purchases.

Rewards: Get unlimited 2% cash back in up to three categories of your choice (like groceries , gas and entertainment) and 0.50% cash back on all everyday purchases. Plus, get extra rewards when your earnings are deposited into your Tangerine Savings Account.

Welcome Offer: Receive an extra 10% cash back on up to $1,000 worth of everyday purchases made in the first two months of owning the card.

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: While this card is unique, in that it allows you to choose your cash back categories, it does not offer any additional perks like travel insurance .

Related: Tangerine Money-Back Card Review

Like the above card, this one offers unlimited 2% cash back in two or three categories of your choice and 0.50% cash back on all everyday purchases with a few Mastercard network benefits thrown in.

Rewards: Get unlimited 2% cash back in up to three categories of your choice (like groceries, gas and entertainment) and 0.50% cash back on eligible everyday purchases. Plus, get extra rewards when your cash-back earnings are deposited into your Tangerine Savings Account.

Welcome Offer: Be rewarded with an extra 10% cash back on up to $1,000 worth of everyday purchases made in the first two months of owning the card.

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: Unlike Tangerine’s Money-Back Card, this one offers rewards when travelling outside Canada, access to select airport lounges for a fee and special offers for on-demand and subscription services. However, to apply, your annual personal income must be $80,000 or $150,000 per household.

Collect up to 2% cash back on groceries and unlimited 1% cash back on everything else.

Rewards: Earn 2% cash back on every $100 you spend at grocery stores, up to a maximum reward of $120 per year or $6.000 in annual spend. After that spend threshold is crossed, get 1% cash back per $100 spent on in-store grocery purchases with no spending limit. Also earn an unlimited 0.5% cash back on all purchases other than those at the grocery store, including recurring bill payments, until a maximum of $6,000 net purchases is made for a maximum reward of $30 per year., After the $6,000 limit is reached on all purchases outside of groceries, earn an unlimited 1% on all non-grocery purchases after that.

Welcome Offer: None

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: Get  purchase security, extended warranty protection and special discounts and offers at Petro-Canada, Rexall and DoorDash for no annual fee. However, the low earn rates on this card and restrictive $6,000 spending limits on those rates ensure you won’t be earning a lucrative cash back return with this card.

This card earns a whopping 4% cash back at restaurants, bars and cafes—making it a great card for any foodie to have in their wallet.

Rewards: Earn 1.5% cash back on eligible gas, groceries, drugstore purchases and pre-authorized payments for an annual cash-back earnings maximum of $150.

Welcome Offer: Be rewarded with 20% cash back on eligible gas, groceries and drugstore purchases and any pre-authorized payments, during your first three months, up to a $500 spend ($100 value).

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: Get purchase security and extended protection insurance with this card, but you can only cash in cash back at the end of the year, when it’s automatically applied to your December statement.

Related: Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa Review

The BMO CashBack Mastercard is an ideal choice for individuals that spend less than $500 on groceries and recurring bills every month.

Rewards: 3% cash back on groceries, 1% on monthly bills and 0.5% on other eligible purchases.

Welcome Offer: 5% cash back for the first three months and 0.99% interest on balance transfers for the first nine months.

Other Benefits and Drawbacks: This card offers a pretty high earn rate on groceries—a major spending category. It also has a competitive balance transfer offer. That said, it has low spending caps and has little to offer in the way of other perks.

Some credit cards offer cash-back rewards, meaning cardholders can receive a small percentage of their purchases back in cash. For instance, if your card offers 4% cash back on groceries, and you spend $100 at the grocery store, you’d receive $4 in cash back. The cards act as a way to help you to “save” a little on everyday spending, while helping to pay off your credit card bill or fund your bank account (depending on how you redeem it).

Typically, cardholders can redeem their cash back earnings for a cash deposit in their bank account or a credit towards their monthly bill.In some instances, you can only redeem cash back once per year and it’s applied to your credit card statement automatically. Often, if you redeem as you go, you’ll have to earn a certain amount of cash back to redeem (like a $25 minimum) but some cash-back cards allow you to redeem smaller amounts.

Typically, cash back credit cards have a base earn rate—usually 0.5% to 1%—that applies across all eligible purchases.Often, they’ll allow you to earn more cash back—typically 1% to 4—in select purchase categories, like gas, groceries, restaurants or recurring bills. Some cards have a cap on how much of your spending is eligible. For example, you may get 2% cash back on gas transactions when you spend $500 or less filling up your tank each month, but after that, you’ll only earn the 1% base rate on gas purchases.

How Does Cash Back on a Credit Card Work?

Every time you use your cash back credit card, you earn back a percentage of your spending in cash, which accumulates in your cardholder account. You can typically see how much you’ve accumulated on your online bank account or mobile banking app. Some purchases you make will earn you a higher percentage of cash back rewards than others, depending on the card you have. It’s worth noting that your card may require you to accumulate a minimum amount of cash back before cashing in on the rewards. Once eligible to collect, you can get your rewards deposited into your bank account or credited towards your next monthly bill. You may also be able to get the cash back on a gift card.

What Does No Annual Fee on a Cash Back Credit Card Mean?

Some credit cards charge you an annual fee, which could be as low as $25 or over $500. With a no-annual-fee cash-back card, that fee doesn’t exist—but there may be other fees to consider. Foreign transaction fees, interest charges, balance transfer fees, and cash advance fees are all common with credit cards. Read your card agreement carefully to learn the details about fees so you can avoid those fees when possible.

Why Do Some Cash Back Credit Cards Have an Annual Fee?

Cash back credit cards that have an annual fee typically offer higher rewards rates, more attractive welcome bonuses , and/or other perks. Before selecting a card with an annual fee, carefully evaluate if its extra benefits justify the additional cost. If they don’t, there are many cash-back credit cards that don’t come with an annual fee that also offer fair rewards and perks.

Not every cash-back credit card with no annual fee is perfect for everyone. Since each card offers different perks based on purchasing habits, you’ll need to consider your lifestyle and find the credit card that best compliments it.

Forbes Advisor simply highlights the key facts about each credit card to make it easier for you to compare them and find the best one for you. It’s up to you to do the math and consider which one makes the most sense based on your spending history and plans. Here’s what you should consider:

• Fees: Do you often do balance transfers? Make purchases outside of Canada? You may want to consider a card with low balance transfer and FX fees .
• Annual percentage rate (APR): Will you be paying off your credit card in full every month? Credit card interest rates are often higher than other loans. The best card for you may be one with a low interest introductory APR offer.
• Earn rate: Do you drive a lot? Like to dine out? Consider yourself a frequent flyer? Choose a card that’ll give you the greatest percentage back in those areas.
• Bonus categories: If a card offers 5% on rotating categories (meaning you can swap out the categories from which you get a large percentage of cash back) but you don’t want to keep track of them, it’s probably not the card for you.
• Redemption and rewards: Is it easy to redeem your cash back? Is there a minimum or maximum redemption amount? Make sure you can get your rewards in the way that is ideal for you.
• Other perks: Does the card offer other perks you could benefit from? Some offer rental car insurance, built-in travel insurance, extended warranties and more that could help save you money.

Once you’ve read through all of the card details, found out how much you spend in different categories, and considered the bonus features that could be beneficial to you, you’re better equipped to make a well-informed decision.

Applying for a cash-back credit card with no annual fee is the same as applying for any other credit card. Once you find one that is right for you and you’re eligible for (meaning, your credit score and income requirements align), you can visit a bank to apply in-person or sign up by yourself online. No matter the option you choose, you’ll be asked to provide personal information, including your Social Insurance Number and financial details. Once finished, you could get approved instantly or you may have to wait for your application to be reviewed manually. Once approved, you’ll receive your card in a few days or weeks.

What are the benefits of a no annual fee cash back credit card?

The benefits of a no annual fee cash-back credit card depend on the card. Common benefits include:

• The ability to earn cash back with no annual fee
• Consumer protections like purchase protection and extended warranties
• Travel protections such as rental car insurance

Before choosing the right no annual fee cash back credit card for you, consider your lifestyle, spending habits and compare the offerings of all cards, including the earning rates, fees and other benefits.

How do I choose the best no annual fee cash back credit card for me?

To choose the best cash-back card with no annual fee, take a look at where you spend your money most—groceries, gas, entertainment, etc.—and find a card that offers the greatest cash back for those categories. Also take into account the extra benefits the card offers (such as rental car insurance) to discover if they could be of use for you, as well as its fees (like low FX fees) to decide if they could be an extra perk for your lifestyle.

How do I redeem my cash back rewards?

How you redeem your cash-back rewards will depend on the card you have. Each card has different rules that will dictate how you can use and manage your cash backs. For example, some cards have a minimum redemption amount, meaning you’ll have to wait until you accumulate a certain amount of points before you can retrieve your points, which again, will depend on the card. You can have the cash back deposited into your bank account and/or credited to your monthly bill. Sometimes, you can get them back on a gift card.

What are the drawbacks of a no annual fee cash back credit card?

By choosing a no-annual-fee cash-back credit card, you could miss out on larger amounts of cash back in the long run. That’s because credit cards that charge an annual fee have higher rates and more benefits. To determine if a card with an annual fee makes sense for you, estimate how much cash back you could earn—if it’s higher than the annual fee, it may be the right option.

But remember: Most cash-back cards charge high APRs—so if you don’t think you’ll pay off your card each month in full, you’ll pay a hefty sum in interest. In that case, a credit card or loan with a lower interest rate may be a better option.

How can I improve my chances of getting approved for a no annual fee cash back credit card?

If you want to improve your chances of getting approved for a no-annual-fee cash-back credit card, first check your credit score and report so you know where you stand. If you have a poor credit score, you may not get approved for the card you’re interested in. In that case, work on paying down existing debt to prove you’ll be able to pay off your card balance. You can also find out if you prequalify for a card, which means your credit score and financial profile matches its eligibility criteria.

Renée Reardin is a writer and editor with over a decade of experience in the lifestyle and wellness spaces. She's the former senior digital editor at Best Health magazine and Canadian Living magazine, where she handled content that covered everything from food and fitness to fashion and finance. She currently freelances for publications like Allure, Glossy, InStyle, The Toronto Star, and Teen Vogue.

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DealBook Newsletter

How Low Will They Go? Wall Street’s Big Rethink on Interest Rate Cuts

Investors see Wednesday’s Consumer Price Index report as a pivotal report card on inflation and the Federal Reserve’s next move.

By Andrew Ross Sorkin ,  Ravi Mattu ,  Bernhard Warner ,  Sarah Kessler ,  Michael J. de la Merced ,  Lauren Hirsch and Ephrat Livni

What next on inflation and rate cuts?

The mood music on rate cuts has changed again. Inflation hasn’t fallen as quickly as expected and the economy is performing strongly. All eyes now are focused on the upcoming Consumer Price Index data for clues on when the Fed might finally start cutting interest rates.

Friday’s blowout jobs numbers have shifted sentiment. Economists on Tuesday are forecasting higher growth but also higher-for-longer inflation and rates . Traders are penciling in fewer than three cuts this year — lower than the Fed’s own projection — with the first coming not before July.

That’s a stark change from the start of the year, when Wall Street figured that a slowing economy and cooling labor market would force the Fed to cut rates as many as six times in 2024.

The uncertainty has hit the markets. After climbing more than 10 percent in the first quarter, the S&P 500 is down roughly 1 percent this quarter. Neel Kashkari, president of the Minneapolis Fed, briefly spooked the markets last week when he suggested that persistently high inflation could mean the central bank wouldn’t cut rates this year.

Wednesday’s inflation report could be pivotal. Economists forecast that overall inflation will tick up on the back of rising energy prices. But they expect that core C.P.I., which strips out the volatile fuel and food price fluctuations, could cool to 3.7 percent, from 3.8 percent.

The focus will be on so-called services inflation . This takes into account a range of expenditures from airfare to rent and auto insurance, and has been running hot since the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. Car insurance has risen for 27 consecutive months on an annualized basis, notes Michael Reid, an economist at RBC Capital Markets.

“The risk remains that if the progress in services continues to stall, then the path of Fed cuts may be even shallower than expected,” Reid wrote in an investor note on Monday.

A potential positive sign: The New York Fed’s monthly inflation survey on Monday showed that respondents think inflation will rise by about 3 percent during the next year. That’s still above the Fed’s 2 percent target, but it would be below the projections for Wednesday’s C.P.I. data.

Some prominent Wall Street voices see a bumpy path ahead. Jamie Dimon, the C.E.O. of JPMorgan Chase, issued a fresh warning that a soft landing was no certainty and that inflation could remain higher for a lot longer. Dimon said the bank’s worst-case scenario had interest rates climbing to 8 percent, “or even higher.”

HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING

Elon Musk predicts A.I. will overtake human intelligence within two years. Musk told Nicolai Tangen, C.E.O. of Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, in an interview on X that artificial general intelligence would probably be “smarter than the smartest human” next year or by 2026. The forecast is earlier than many others in the tech industry believe: Some say it will take years for that level of technology to reach the market. Elsewhere, Musk’s Tesla has settled a lawsuit over a fatal crash involving a driver using the car’s driver-assistance software.

Donald Trump’s efforts to delay his criminal hush-money trial are foiled. An appeals judge dismissed the former president’s request to have the case, related to charges that he falsified records to cover up a sex scandal, delayed and moved out of New York. Trump also said he planned to sue the judge overseeing the case, which is probably the only one of the four criminal matters he’s facing that will go to court this year.

President Biden unveils a big student-loan debt relief program. Some 10 million borrowers would see debt relief of $5,000 or more, he announced in Wisconsin, a key battleground state. Republicans have opposed the White House efforts to wipe out billions in payments owed by graduates, accusing Biden of overstepping his authority and adding to the swelling national debt.

Blackstone bets that real estate has bottomed out

Blackstone has doubled down on the volatile real estate market, agreeing to buy the luxury apartment group Apartment Income REIT for about $10 billion to take the company private.

The private equity giant said at the start of the year that it saw opportunities for deals in a market hobbled by high interest rates and last year’s regional banking crisis.

Commercial real estate has been mired in its worst downturn since the 2008 crisis. Office vacancies are soaring, as employers look to renegotiate leases amid a rise in hybrid work and high interest rates that are slamming property values. Investors bought $360 billion of U.S. commercial property in the 12 months ending in February, about half the volume of deals compared to the previous 12-month period, according to MSCI Real Assets.

Blackstone thinks a property rebound is in the cards. “ We can see the pillars of a real-estate recovery coming into place,” Jon Gray, the company’s president, said on an earnings call this year. The firm thinks uncertainty about the economy and the timing of Fed rate cuts creates a buying opportunity. “We want to be aggressive,” Gray told The Financial Times in January.

Blackstone sees growth in big cities. Apartment Income REIT, also known as AIR Communities, owns 76 high-end rental communities in cities including Miami, Los Angeles, Washington and Boston. Shares in AIR jumped almost 20 percent on Monday.

In January, Blackstone paid $3.5 billion to buy Tricon Residential , a Canadian real estate company, and it took a stake in Signature Bank’s $17 billion real-estate loan book last year. In December, it teamed up with Digital Realty to build data centers through a new $7 billion venture.

Blackstone may be betting that rate cuts will help it. But that’s a gamble — and not just because the rates outlook has grown cloudy in recent weeks. Some analysts point out that previous deals came when the economy was more stable but some say that Gray, who used to run Blackstone’s global property investing business, may have the skills to ride that wave of uncertainty.

Paramount’s battle to win over shareholders

As more details emerge about a deal to combine Skydance and Paramount, some shareholders are going public with their opposition, write The Times’ Ben Mullin and DealBook’s Lauren Hirsch.

Paramount’s shares have tumbled since exclusive talks began last week. The stock closed down 8 percent on Monday and has lost about half its value in the past year. David Ellison’s Skydance has tentatively agreed to buy Shari Redstone’s National Amusements, the holding company that controls the group via a supervoting class of stock. Paramount would then merge with Skydance in a deal valued at about $5 billion .

A special panel of independent board members is negotiating with Skydance despite other interest. Apollo Global Management, the investment giant, was willing to pay $26 billion for the whole group, but Paramount ignored the approach because of concerns about its financing. That raised questions about whether the Skydance proposal might be good for Redstone but less good for other investors .

Opposition appears to be growing. “We’ll aggressively defend our rights if they take us down this path,” Justin Evans, the managing member of Blackwood Capital Management, told DealBook, threatening litigation. “It’s a toxic, unfair deal for shareholders.”

The comments came after Matrix Asset Advisors, another investor, sent a blistering letter to Paramount’s board on Monday slamming the Skydance bid. “As reported, this deal focuses on monetizing Shari Redstone’s shareholding for cash at a significant premium,” wrote David Katz, Matrix’s chief investment officer. “The vast majority of shareholders would not receive a similar premium and would be forced to finance a speculative investment in Skydance in a transaction significantly dilutive to shareholder value.”

Both shareholders hold relatively small stakes but they hint at growing concerns about the deal.

Questions about Skydance are another worry. Skydance and Paramount would split ownership of the new company. But because the company is private, Paramount shareholders have no easy way to assess the value of a business in which they may soon be an investor.

Katz urged Paramount to take 30 days to do due diligence and confirm financing on Apollo’s offer, just as Paramount has done for Skydance.

Paramount and National Amusements declined to comment for DealBook.

The eclipse economy: by the numbers

Eclipse mania has swept across North America, leaving people across the continent in awe at the celestial event .

The next time the sun, moon and Earth are scheduled to line up in a row across the region will be in 2044 . For now, DealBook is looking at the economic impact of Monday’s total solar eclipse.

The rarity was expected to be a boon for businesses in the eclipse’s totality path. Estimates of the economic lift range from $1 billion to $6 billion. Hotel bookings and Airbnb rentals sold out long in advance . And eclipse parties were all the rage, from Austin, Texas, to Rockefeller Center in New York.

That said, a solar eclipse in 2017 was estimated to cost nearly $700 million in lost productivity, as workers left their desks en masse to gaze skyward.

The hit to the power grid was minimal. The U.S. has become more reliant on solar power, which accounted for nearly 6 percent of electricity last year. But utilities made adjustments well in advance to make sure customers were unaffected.

There was a run on protective eyewear in many places. ISO-certified glasses — Warby Parker gave them away for free while Target sold pairs for $13.99 — sold out in many locations .

One problem: There were reports of recalls and scam warnings associated with some vendors. And looking directly at the eclipse could damage one’s eyesight, which may explain an apparent uptick in people Googling, “ my eyes hurt .”

One 1980s rocker wasn’t hurting. Spotify reported that searches for Bonnie Tyler’s 1983 chart-topper, “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” surged .

THE SPEED READ

Blackstone is reportedly near a deal to buy L’Occitane and take the skin care company private. (Bloomberg)

The deals mania that is shaking up professional sports leagues around the world is expected to accelerate with a flood of investments into smaller teams, researchers say. (MarketWatch)

“ Biden Is Spending $1 Trillion to Fight Climate Change. Voters Don’t Care.” (WSJ)

Vows by banks to commit trillions to reducing emissions are not working , researchers say. (NYT)

Best of the rest

“ Google to Tone Down Message Board After Employees Feud Over War in Gaza” (NYT)

Inside the black market that helps America’s foes get their hands on Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite-internet devices. (WSJ)

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Andrew Ross Sorkin is a columnist and the founder and editor at large of DealBook. He is a co-anchor of CNBC’s "Squawk Box" and the author of “Too Big to Fail.” He is also a co-creator of the Showtime drama series "Billions." More about Andrew Ross Sorkin

Ravi Mattu is the managing editor of DealBook, based in London. He joined The New York Times in 2022 from the Financial Times, where he held a number of senior roles in Hong Kong and London. More about Ravi Mattu

Bernhard Warner is a senior editor for DealBook, a newsletter from The Times, covering business trends, the economy and the markets. More about Bernhard Warner

Sarah Kessler is an editor for the DealBook newsletter and writes features on business and how workplaces are changing. More about Sarah Kessler

Michael de la Merced joined The Times as a reporter in 2006, covering Wall Street and finance. Among his main coverage areas are mergers and acquisitions, bankruptcies and the private equity industry. More about Michael J. de la Merced

Lauren Hirsch joined The Times from CNBC in 2020, covering deals and the biggest stories on Wall Street. More about Lauren Hirsch

Ephrat Livni reports from Washington on the intersection of business and policy for DealBook. Previously, she was a senior reporter at Quartz, covering law and politics, and has practiced law in the public and private sectors.   More about Ephrat Livni