The RBC Avion Visa Platinum credit card is a premium travel card offered by the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). It stands out with its flexible rewards system, designed to cater to travelers who want maximum control over their flight options. Whether you’re booking a vacation during peak travel season or redeeming points for a last-minute getaway, the RBC Avion Visa Platinum ensures there are no blackout periods or seat restrictions.

Additionally, the card comes with various travel and lifestyle perks, including extensive insurance coverage and fuel savings at Petro-Canada. With an enticing welcome bonus of up to 35,000 Avion points upon approval, this card offers substantial rewards right from the start.

Key information about the RBC Avion Visa Platinum

The RBC Avion Visa Platinum credit card offers a variety of features that make it a strong contender in the travel credit card category. One of the key highlights is the welcome offer of 35,000 Avion points upon approval, with an additional 20,000 bonus points when you spend $5,000 in the first six months.

These points can be redeemed for a range of rewards, including flights on any airline at any time, with no blackout periods or seat restrictions. Flights start at as low as 7,500 points for a one-way ticket, giving you plenty of redemption options.

How does the annual fee work?

The RBC Avion Visa Platinum comes with an annual fee of $120, which is billed once a year. If you choose to add additional cards for authorized users, the fee is $50 per card. While there is no direct option to waive the annual fee, the welcome offer of 35,000 Avion points alone holds a travel value of up to $750, which can easily offset the cost of the annual fee for the first year.

How is the credit limit determined?

When it comes to determining the credit limit for the RBC Avion Visa Platinum, RBC assesses various factors. These include your credit score, income, and overall financial situation. Unlike prepaid cards, where the credit limit is decided by the cardholder through deposits, the RBC Avion Visa Platinum functions as a conventional credit card. The credit limit is set based on the applicant’s creditworthiness and ability to manage debt responsibly.

Credit card benefits 

• 35,000 welcome points: Get 35,000 Avion points upon approval, and earn an additional 20,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first six months.
• Flexible travel redemption: Redeem your points for flights on any airline at any time, with no blackout dates or seat restrictions.
• 1 Avion point for every dollar spent: Earn 1 Avion point for every $1 spent on qualifying purchases, with bonus points available at select retailers.
• Comprehensive travel insurance: Enjoy extensive travel coverage, including trip cancellation, trip interruption, and protection for eligible purchases and belongings.
• Fuel savings at petro-canada: Instantly save 3¢/L on fuel when you link your card to your Petro-Canada account, and earn 20% more Petro-Points and Avion points.
• Optional add-on services: Enhance your coverage with services like travel insurance, RBC Road Assist, and BalanceProtector Max Insurance.

Flexible travel redemption

The standout feature of the RBC Avion Visa Platinum is its flexible travel redemption program. Cardholders have the freedom to choose any airline, flight, or destination with no blackout dates or seat restrictions. This flexibility ensures that you can redeem your points on your own terms, even during peak travel seasons.

Disadvantages

• $120 annual fee: While competitive for a travel card, the annual fee might be a drawback for those who do not use the card’s benefits frequently.
• No bonus categories: The card offers a flat 1 point per dollar on all purchases, meaning there are no accelerated earning rates for specific categories like groceries or dining.
• Higher interest rates: With a purchase rate of 20.99% and a cash advance rate of 22.99%, carrying a balance on this card can become costly if not paid off regularly.

No bonus categories

One notable downside of the RBC Avion Visa Platinum is the lack of bonus categories for point accumulation. While earning 1 point per dollar on all purchases is simple and straightforward, it falls short compared to other travel cards that offer higher earning rates in specific categories, such as dining, travel, or grocery shopping. This flat-rate earning structure may limit the potential to accumulate points quickly, especially for users who spend heavily in those categories.

Who can apply for this card?

To apply for the RBC Avion Visa Platinum, you must meet a few key requirements. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, which is the legal age of majority in Canada. You must also have a steady source of income and a good credit score to qualify for the card. RBC assesses each applicant’s creditworthiness, and a higher credit score increases the likelihood of approval and access to a higher credit limit.

Although RBC does not publicly specify a minimum income requirement for this card, your personal financial situation will play a role in the approval process. Unfortunately, the RBC Avion Visa Platinum is not marketed toward individuals with poor credit or those who are bankrupt. As such, applicants with poor credit scores or inconsistent income may face challenges during the application process.

How to apply for the RBC Avion Visa Platinum

Applying online

The RBC Avion Visa Platinum application process is simple and can be completed online in just a few steps. First, navigate to the RBC website and locate the RBC Avion Visa Platinum credit card page. From there, click on the “Apply Now” button to begin your application.

You’ll be asked to provide personal information, including your name, address, employment details, and income. RBC will also conduct a credit check to assess your financial standing. Once you’ve completed the application form, review the terms and conditions before submitting.

In most cases, you’ll receive a decision within 60 seconds. If approved, you’ll receive your RBC Avion Visa Platinum card in the mail within 7-10 business days. After activating the card, you can start earning rewards and enjoying all the travel benefits associated with your new card. This straightforward process ensures you can quickly gain access to one of RBC’s most flexible travel rewards cards, making it easy to start accumulating points and saving on travel.