RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege is positioned as a top-tier travel rewards card in Canada. It targets frequent travellers who value flexible redemptions, travel insurance and lounge access. Key public-facing features include an earn rate of 1.25 RBC Avion points per dollar, six complimentary Priority Pass lounge visits, and comprehensive travel insurance.

Unboxing Experience

La presentación se siente premium: una caja enviada por UPS contiene un estuche estilo libro de cuero con la tarjeta colocada cuidadosamente en la parte superior. Dentro se encontró:

• La tarjeta RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege
• Una carta de bienvenida firmada por el Vicepresidente Senior de Tarjetas
• Un folleto de marketing que detalla los beneficios y muestra imágenes de estilo de vida
• Una pequeña pestaña de cartón con ranuras para tarjetas adicionales (útil si se solicitaron tarjetas suplementarias)
• Un sobre etiquetado como “Documentos importantes” que contiene las divulgaciones, el contrato de crédito y los certificados de seguro

Algunos de los elementos físicos se conservaron: la caja, la pestaña de cartón y el sobre negro, aunque la mayoría de las personas probablemente prefiera consultar las copias digitales de las divulgaciones cuando sea necesario.

What’s Included in the Welcome Package

• Activation instructions and a note about the Priority Pass membership (six complimentary visits/year)
• A booklet that highlights the 1.25x Avion points earning rate and insurance details
• Disclosure and insurance certificates in a separate envelope
• A formal welcome letter from RBC leadership

Key Features & Benefits

• Earning rate: 1.25 RBC Avion points per CAD$1 spent on purchases.
• Priority Pass access: Six complimentary visits per year via the Visa Infinite Privilege benefits.
• Travel medical insurance: Coverage for the first 31 consecutive days of a trip outside Canada or the cardholder’s province.
• Visa Infinite Privilege perks: Concierge services and access to exclusive dining events and experiences.

Benefits

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege offers a suite of premium benefits designed to enhance both everyday spending and travel experiences:

• Comprehensive Travel Insurance: Coverage for trip cancellation, lost baggage, and medical emergencies abroad.
• Priority Pass Access: Six complimentary lounge visits per year for comfort and convenience at airports.
• Purchase Protection & Extended Warranty: Added security on eligible purchases.
• Exclusive Visa Infinite Privilege Perks: Concierge services, access to luxury dining events, and other exclusive experiences.
• Flexible Avion Rewards Program: Redeem points for flights, hotels, merchandise, or statement credits, providing versatility in how rewards are used.

This consolidated set of benefits positions the Avion Visa Infinite Privilege as a truly premium travel rewards card for frequent flyers and high-spending individuals.

Fees, Rates & Limits

• Annual fee: CAD$399 for the primary cardholder; CAD$99 per supplementary card.
• Foreign transaction fee: 2.5% on foreign purchases (common among Canadian cards, though disappointing for a travel-focused product).
• Interest rates: Around 20% on purchases and 23% on cash advances (standard disclosure — cardholders should pay balances in full to avoid interest).
• Sign-up bonus: 25,000 Avion points (relatively modest for a premium card at this annual fee).

Unique Advantage: 2 Cents Per Point Redemptions on Premium Tickets

What truly sets the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege apart is the direct redemption option:

• Cardholders can redeem Avion points directly against the cost of business or first-class tickets at a fixed rate of 2 cents per Avion point.
• This privilege is exclusive to the Visa Infinite Privilege (and the Avion Visa Infinite Business) — regular Avion cards do not include it.
• Redeeming at 2 cents per point can provide excellent value when offsetting premium cash fares, especially for hard-to-book experiences (e.g., Swiss First or Singapore Airlines First) when a reasonable cash fare is available.
• Unlike transferring Avion points to airline partners (which limits bookings to that partner alliance), this redemption method allows cardholders to purchase any airline ticket and cover it with Avion points, including access to Star Alliance, SkyTeam, Oneworld (via partners), and more.

How This Compares to Other Premium Cards

On paper, competitors (other Visa Infinite Privilege cards from major banks and premium American Express cards like the Aeroplan Reserve) often offer larger introductory bonuses, sometimes enough to offset the first-year annual fee. By contrast, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege’s 25,000-point sign-up bonus is modest.

However, the fixed 2 cents-per-point premium-fare redemption is a strategic differentiator. For someone able to accumulate Avion points quickly, this redemption can unlock significant value for premium cabin travel and bookings that would otherwise be difficult or expensive via traditional frequent flyer charts.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Flexible 1.25x earning rate on all purchases — simple and predictable points accumulation.
• Ability to directly offset premium cabin cash fares at 2 cents per Avion point — highly valuable in certain scenarios.
• Six Priority Pass visits and solid travel insurance for short trips.
• Premium packaging and strong first impression from welcome materials.

Cons

• High CAD$399 annual fee — difficult to justify based on points and basic perks alone.
• Modest sign-up bonus compared to other premium cards.
• 2.5% foreign transaction fee — not ideal for a card marketed to travelers.
• Card is plastic rather than metal, which feels less premium than competitors at this price point.

Who This Card Is Best For

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege makes the most sense for:

• Travelers who can accumulate Avion points quickly (through spending or multiple Avion products) and plan to redeem them against premium cabin fares.
• Those who value the flexibility to offset cash fares on a wide range of airlines without being constrained by airline award charts.
• Cardholders who will use the Priority Pass visits and travel insurance enough to add incremental value.

It is less attractive to casual spenders or those who want a large immediate sign-up rebate to offset a high first-year fee.

Conclusion

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege offers a premium experience with unique redemption options, solid travel perks, and flexible points earning. While the annual fee and foreign transaction charges may be high, the ability to directly offset premium cabin fares at 2 cents per point makes it a strong choice for frequent travelers who can maximize Avion points. Careful consideration of the fees and personal travel habits will help determine if this card is the right fit.