To the point
Here is our detailed comparison of the HSBC World Elite Mastercard and RBC Avion Visa Infinite.
RBC and HSBC each offer a travel rewards credit card:
- RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card
- HSBC World Elite® Mastercard® (discontinued)
But which one is the most advantageous?
Let’s look at each of their features in detail, to distinguish these two credit cards.
The Benefits
Annual Travel Credit
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card does not offer benefits.
Each year of membership, the HSBC World Elite® Mastercard® cardholder has a total of $100 available to apply to travel expenses.
Advantage : HSBC World Elite® Mastercard®
The HSBC World Elite® Mastercard® is the only one to offer an annual travel credit. In fact, for each year of membership, $100 can be deducted from the account through a travel expense. This could be a flight, baggage fee or airport lounge fee.
Exclusive benefits and savings
With some partners, credit cards offer more points or attractive discounts for everyday purchases.
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card has exclusive benefits for Visa Infinite cardholders.
- Luxury Hotel Collection and its VIP benefits
- Culinary experiences in the best restaurants
- Experiences in wine regions
- Free concierge service
With this card, you are also entitled to :
- 3 cents per liter savings and 20% more points at Petro-Canada
- 50 Be Well points per dollar at Rexall
- Free 12-month subscription to Doordash DashPass
- Tons of points and rebate offers at various retailers with RBC offers
Because it is a World Elite Mastercard, the cardholder has access to privileges and experiences that are out of the ordinary with Priceless:
- Guided tours and special experiences
- Discounts on activities and museums
- Priority access to activities
- Inspirational courses
This card also gives :
Advantage: RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card
For both its travel benefits and offers and its everyday life, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card wins this round.
Access to airport VIP lounges
Having access to an airport lounge before a flight is convenient.
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card does not offer membership or airport lounge access.
This card provides a free membership to DragonPass, but does not provide free access to airport lounges.
You have the option of purchasing your DragonPass network lounge admission for $32 USD.
Advantage : HSBC World Elite® Mastercard®
Although it doesn’t offer free access to airport lounges, the HSBC World Elite® Mastercard® still has the merit of offering membership.
One trick is to pay the $32 USD access fee to a lounge, then have it refunded via the $100 travel credit.
Use the card abroad
What about using these credit cards abroad (or for your Internet purchases in foreign currency)?
With the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card you pay a 2.5% conversion fee on each foreign currency transaction.
With the HSBC World Elite® Mastercard®, there are no conversion fees for foreign currency transactions.
Advantage : HSBC World Elite® Mastercard®
A rare benefit offered by a handful of credit cards in Canada is the absence of foreign currency conversion fees.
This is the case with the HSBC World Elite® Mastercard®, unlike the card offered by RBC.
Earning reward points
Both credit cards offer purchase categories that allow you to earn more rewards points.
Accelerated purchasing categories
With the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card, you earn 1.25 Avion point per dollar for travel purchases.
This has a value of 1.25%.
With the HSBC World Elite Mastercard, you can earn 6 points per dollar (or 3%) for travel purchases and 4 points per dollar (or 2%) for purchases in:
- Grocery store
- Gas station
- Drugstore
Advantage : HSBC World Elite® Mastercard®
The HSBC World Elite® Mastercard® is the winner of this game: not only does it earn you the equivalent of 3% on your travel purchases, it also earns you the equivalent of 2% on your grocery, gas and drugstore purchases.
Basic earning level
Outside these accelerated accumulation purchase categories, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card and the HSBC World Elite® Mastercard® offer a basic accumulation rate.
With the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card, you can earn 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
This is a 1% value.
With the HSBC World Elite® Mastercard®, you can earn 2 points per dollar on all other purchases.
This is a 1% value.
IT'S A DRAW
Both the HSBC World Elite® Mastercard® and the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card earn 1% on all other purchases.
However, if you are a Costco customer, you should know that you can use the HSBC credit card in the warehouse since it is a Mastercard credit card (unlike the RBC card which is a Visa credit card).
Redeeming points
Both cards are reward point cards, mainly for travel.
However, the loyalty programs are completely different:
- Avion Rewards for the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card
- HSBC Rewards for the HSBC World Elite® Mastercard®
This means that the ways you can redeem your points are different.
Points redeemed for trips purchased with the card
You can use the points from both credit cards for travel.
With the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card, you can apply your points to travel purchases.
The redemption rate is:
- 100 points = $1 for purchases of your choice that you make yourself, directly at the hotel or for airline tickets, cruises, car rentals, etc.
Or, via the Avion Rewards website, which acts as a travel agency, choose the airline, the one-way or round-trip flight and the date of your choice. There are no blackout periods or reservations imposed, even in high season.
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15,000 points Flight within a province or neighbouring state. Maximum ticket price: $350 |
35,000 points Fly anywhere in Canada or the United States (except Hawaii and Alaska). Maximum ticket price: $750 |
45,000 points Western Canada or the United States to Mexico, Hawaii or Alaska. Eastern Canada to Bermuda, Central America or the Caribbean. Maximum ticket price: $900 |
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55,000 points Eastern Canada or the United States to Mexico, Hawaii or Alaska. Western Canada to Bermuda, Central America or the Caribbean. Maximum ticket price: $1,100 |
65,000 points Flight from Canada or United States to Europe. Maximum ticket price: $1,300 |
100,000 points Fly from Canada or United States to … anywhere in the world! Maximum ticket price: $2,000 |
So this equates to about 2 cents per point ($350 divided by 15,000 points) on average.
With the HSBC World Elite® Mastercard®, you can apply your points to travel purchases charged to the card.
You must apply at least 25,000 points (or a minimum of $125), thereafter it will be in increments of 10,000 points (or $50). For example, it will be :
- 25,000 points = $125 statement credit
- 35,000 points = $175 statement credit
- 45,000 points = $225 statement credit
- 105,000 points = $525 statement credit
- 125,000 points = $625 statement credit
- … and so on
So, this is equivalent to 0.5 cents per point. ($125 divided by 25,000 points)
Advantage: RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card
For the best redemption rate, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card has a higher value when using its Avion Rewards portal.
Points for other rewards
Both the HSBC World Elite® Mastercard® and the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card allow points to be used for other rewards: everyday purchases, gift cards, products, investments.
But we do not recommend these uses because of the low value.
With the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card, you can contribute to an RRSP, TFSA, line of credit or mortgage: 12,000 points = $100.
You can also:
- Get a gift card from the extensive catalog: 12,000 to 14,000 points for a $100 gift card
- make a donation
- buy items
Finally, you can apply your points to everyday purchases: 4,300 points = $25
With the HSBC World Elite® Mastercard®, you can pay off your mortgage: 25,000 points = $100
You can contribute to an RRSP or TFSA: 25,000 points = $75.
You can apply your points to everyday purchases: 25,000 points = $75.
Finally, you can use 33,400 points for a $100 gift card.
IT'S A DRAW
It’s hard to tell the difference between the two cards on this aspect: the usage rate is bad on both sides. Better to use the points for travel!
However, depending on your situation, it can be practical for your needs. It is up to you to analyze whether you use these financial institutions in your daily operations.
Transfers to partners
Being able to transfer your points to another program is a strength.
Avion points can be transferred to RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card points can be transferred to :
- WestJet Rewards
- American Airlines
- British Airways
- Asia Miles
- Hudson’s Bay Reward Points
With the HSBC World Elite® Mastercard®, you can transfer your travel points into miles of airline programs.
HSBC Rewards partners with 3 airline loyalty programs:
- Asia Miles – Cathay Pacific
- Krisflyer – Singapore Airlines
- Executive Club – British Airways
Advantage: RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card has more transfer partners.
It should be noted that a few times during the year, these two cards have transfer bonuses. This is very interesting to increase the value of the points of each.
Annual fee
Both credit cards have roughly similar annual fees.
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card has an annual fee of $120. It is rare to have an annual fee rebate promotion for this card.
The HSBC World EliteMD Mastercard® has an annual fee of $149.
However, this card offers a $100 annual Travel Privilege credit, so it only costs $49 per year!
And if you have an HSBC Premier account, you get an additional $50 rebate.
Advantage : HSBC World Elite® Mastercard®
Using the $100 annual travel credit, the HSBC World Elite® Mastercard® has a net annual fee of $49.
Insurance
Both credit cards offer extensive insurance.
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card has extensive insurance coverage. View the complete insurance booklet here:
| Travel Medical Insurance | Yes, unlimited up to 15 days |
| Trip Cancellation Insurance | $ 1,500 per person |
| Baggage Delay or Loss insurance | $ 500 per person |
| Trip Interruption Insurance | $ 5,000 per person |
| Car rental insurance | 48 days and $65,000 |
| Purchase Insurance | 90 days |
| Extended Warranty Insurance | 1 year |
| Mobile Device Insurance | $ 1,500, for 1 year |
| Hotel/motel burglary insurance | $2,500 |
| Travel accident insurance | $500,000 |
| Flight Delay Insurance | $250 per day |
The HSBC World Elite® Mastercard® offers a range of insurances. View the insurance summary here:
| Travel Medical Insurance | $2,000,000 and 31 days (under 65) or 21 days (over 65) |
| Trip Cancellation Insurance | $ 2,000 per person |
| Baggage Delay or Loss insurance | $1,000 |
| Trip Interruption Insurance | $ 2,000 per person |
| Car rental insurance | 31 days and $65,000 |
| Purchase Insurance | 90 days |
| Extended Warranty Insurance | 1 year |
| Mobile Device Insurance | $1,000 |
| Hotel/motel burglary insurance | $1,000 |
| Travel accident insurance | $ 750 000 |
| Flight Delay Insurance | $250 per day |
Advantage : HSBC World Elite® Mastercard®
With its more generous medical insurance cover, the HSBC World Elite® Mastercard® is the best!
Minimum income
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card requires :
- a minimum individual income of $60,000
- or $100,000 minimum family income
- or total assets of $250,000 or more
To be a cardholder of the HSBC World Elite® Mastercard® you must meet one of the following criteria:
- $80,000 individual income
- $150,000 household income
- or assets under management of $400,000 or more
Advantage: RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card is easier to obtain than its competitor.
Bottom Line
So? Which Card is the winner?
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card has an excellent value, especially with its welcome offer. In addition, it is better for :
- Savings opportunities with exclusive offers and discounts
- Using your points for travel
- Its lowest minimum income requirement
But the HSBC World Elite® Mastercard® also has some remarkable upsides:
- Higher earning rate for travel purchases
- Higher earning rates for grocery, gas station and pharmacy purchases
- Unbeatable no conversion fees for foreign currency transactions
- $ 100 Annual Travel Credit
- Lower net annual fee
- The ability to use it at Costco
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