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RBC Avion Rewards is the loyalty program of the Royal Bank of Canada. Formerly known as RBC Rewards until August 2022, it allows you to earn Avion points on everyday purchases and use them for travel, gift cards, or transfers to other airline loyalty programs.
You can join the program for free, or earn points faster with an RBC credit card. Here’s how the program works, how to maximize your points, and which Avion card suits your profile.
RBC Avion Rewards comes in two families, which offer different point redemption options:
If you’re earning Avion points with the goal of traveling, aim for an Avion Elite card.
Joining Avion Rewards is free. There are two possible paths:
To enroll in the program, visit avionrewards.com. If you are already an RBC client, you can activate your account directly via Online Banking.
Several ways exist to earn Avion points. You can combine them to boost your balance without changing your shopping habits.
This is the fastest method. Depending on the card, you earn 1 to 1.25 Avion points per dollar spent on all your purchases, in addition to a substantial welcome bonus.
To compare current offers, consult our page on RBC Avion card offers.
By linking your RBC credit card to several partner programs, you earn additional points on everyday spending. Here are the available links:
The avionrewards.com website and mobile app (iOS and Android) feature over 2,000 partner brands. You’ll find reduced prices and earn points on brands you already frequent.
The app also gives you access to cash back and personalized offers. Download it from the App Store or Google Play.
AchatsExtra is the Avion Rewards browser extension. It installs for free on Chrome (desktop) and iOS. It automatically compares prices and applies available discounts while you shop online.
You also earn points on your eligible online purchases, without changing your routine. It’s free and works with hundreds of Canadian merchants.
Here are the main ways to use your Avion points, ranked from most to least advantageous.
This is where you get the most out of your Avion points. RBC offers a six-tier schedule based on the flight destination:
The trick: choose a flight whose fare approaches the maximum price (excluding taxes) for the tier. The more expensive the ticket (without exceeding the cap), the better the value of your points.
The flights are direct, operated by Air Canada Rouge but sold by United.
Looking at the fare details on ITA Matrix, we see that the ticket price excluding taxes is $370 + $345 = $715, which is below RBC’s $750 cap for tickets costing 35,000 points.
The flexible schedule allows you to use your points on any travel purchase, without being tied to the fixed scale. The ratio depends on the type of card you hold.
For Avion Elite cards, 100 points = $1.
For Avion Select cards, 172 points = $1.
Use this flexible schedule when:
One of the great strengths of Avion Rewards is the ability to transfer your points to partner programs. This option is only available with Avion Elite cards.
With British Airways Avios, you can also travel on Qatar Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and all Oneworld partners. With Asia Miles, you also get access to Cathay Pacific and Oneworld partners.
You can use your Avion points to purchase gift cards, Apple products, Best Buy electronics, or items from the Avion Rewards online store.
Gift cards are not always the best option, but Avion Rewards regularly offers attractive promotions. A past promotion, found in the Milesopedia Facebook group, for example, allowed you to get a $250 hotels.com gift card for 18,750 Avion points (approximately 1.3¢ per point).
RBC also allows you to use your points for financial purposes:
These options are less rewarding than flights, but they exist if you don’t have short-term travel plans.
RBC Avion Rewards is one of the few Canadian programs to combine three levers at once: a fixed-rate redemption schedule with clear caps, transfers to airline partners, and an ecosystem of partners (Petro-Canada, Rexall, Triangle, Moi, More Rewards) that multiplies points on everyday spending.
In our opinion, this is an excellent program for North American travelers aiming for flights to the United States, Europe, or Asia, who appreciate a predictable pricing structure. If you are more loyal to Air Canada, Aeroplan remains more relevant.
The choice depends on your spending profile, income, and how you plan to use your points. Here are the four Avion Elite cards to consider.
This is the most popular card in the lineup. You earn 1 Avion point per dollar on all your purchases and 1.25 Avion points per dollar on eligible travel purchases.
The entry-level option for the Avion Elite program. You get 1 Avion point per dollar on all your purchases. It is accessible with a minimum income of $15,000. If you want access to transfers and the fixed schedule without the income requirement for the Visa Infinite, this is your best entry point.
RBC’s premium card. You get 1.25 Avion points per dollar on all your purchases, with no categories.
For small business owners and self-employed individuals. You earn 1.25 Avion points per net dollar spent up to $75,000 per year. The welcome bonus is 35,000 Avion points. It includes access to the Visa Airport Companion program, which provides access to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide.
In addition to earning Avion points, your RBC credit card gives you access to several exclusive benefits.
To learn more about using points, consult our guide on how to use your RBC Avion points for travel rewards. You can also consult our selection of the best credit cards in Canada.
Savings this way:
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