Head to Head: RBC Avion Visa Infinite vs National Bank World Elite Mastercard
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Here are two travel credit cards our readers compare all the time:
On one side, the RBC card earns Avion points you can transfer to airline programs such as British Airways and Cathay Pacific. On the other, the National Bank card earns À la carte points with a simple, fixed value, but it pays handsomely on groceries and restaurants. This RBC Avion vs National Bank World Elite comparison also weighs a factor that often settles the question: where you already bank. To widen your search, see our list of the best credit cards in Canada or our head-to-heads RBC Avion vs TD Aeroplan and RBC Avion vs Scotiabank Passport.
The figures in this comparison come from our card database and from the official RBC and National Bank websites, as of October 20, 2026.
The comparison table
Here are both cards side by side. We then go through each item in detail.
| Feature | RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card | National Bank World Elite Mastercard |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $120 | $150, refunded in year one (Milesopedia offer until November 4, 2026) |
| Additional card | $50 | $50 |
| Income required | $60,000 personal or $100,000 household | $80,000 personal or $150,000 household |
| Welcome offer | Up to 70,000 Avion points, apply by November 25, 2026 | First-year fee refunded ($150) |
| Earn rates | 1.25 pts/$ on travel; 1 pt/$ elsewhere | 5 pts/$ on groceries and restaurants ($2,500 monthly threshold); 2 pts/$ on gas, recurring bills, À la carte Travel; 1 pt/$ elsewhere |
| Airline transfers | British Airways, Cathay Pacific, AAdvantage, WestJet | None |
| Milesopedia valuation | 1.7¢ per point | 0.9¢ per point |
| Annual travel credit | None | Up to $150 |
| Airport lounges | No access | National Bank Lounge at YUL, free and unlimited |
| Medical insurance (54 and under) | 15 days | 60 days, up to $5,000,000 |
| Foreign transaction fee | 2.5% | 2.5% |
Welcome offer
The two offers are not in the same league. RBC pays out points, while National Bank refunds the first-year fee.
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card currently offers up to 70,000 Avion points for applications submitted by November 25, 2026:
- 35,000 points upon approval;
- 20,000 points after $5,000 in purchases in the first 6 months;
- 15,000 points on the first account anniversary.
At our valuation of 1.7¢ per Avion point, those 70,000 points are worth about $1,190 in travel.
The National Bank World Elite Mastercard, for its part, has an offer exclusive to the Milesopedia network: your first-year annual fee ($150) is refunded. The bank charges the fee to your account, then credits it back on your statement within five months of opening. To qualify, you must not have held a National Bank personal Mastercard credit card as primary cardholder in the past 24 months.
On the welcome offer alone, RBC wins easily: about $1,190 in value versus $150 in savings.
Annual fee and income requirement
The annual fee
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card costs $120 a year, plus $50 per additional card. The fee is not waived in the first year.
The National Bank World Elite Mastercard costs $150 a year, plus $50 for an authorized user. However, its annual travel credit fully offsets that fee if you use it. More on that below.
Both cards charge a 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases in foreign currencies.
The income requirement
The gap is real here. Here is the minimum gross income required:
- RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card: $60,000 personal or $100,000 household
- National Bank World Elite Mastercard: $80,000 personal or $150,000 household
Interest rates, on the other hand, are close:
- Purchases: 20.99% on both cards
- Cash advances, RBC: 22.99% (21.99% in Quebec)
- Cash advances, National Bank: 22.49%
Earning points
This is where the two cards differ the most. RBC keeps a very simple earn structure, while National Bank boosts several everyday categories.
Earn rates
The National Bank World Elite Mastercard earns:
- 5 points per dollar on groceries and restaurants;
- 2 points per dollar on gas and EV charging;
- 2 points per dollar on recurring bills;
- 2 points per dollar on trips booked through À la carte Travel;
- 1 point per dollar on everything else.
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card earns 1.25 Avion points per dollar on travel purchases and 1 point per dollar on everything else. No everyday category gets a boost.
The $2,500 monthly threshold
This detail matters. At National Bank, the 5-points-per-dollar rate only applies within the first $2,500 in gross monthly purchases, all categories combined. Beyond that, groceries and restaurants earn 2 points per dollar.
In other words, this is not a cap on groceries alone. If you charge $3,000 to the card in a month, grocery spending made after the first $2,500 earns only 2 points per dollar. RBC has no such threshold, since it has no bonus category.
Real return per dollar
An earn rate means little without the value of the point. Milesopedia values the Avion point at 1.7¢ and the À la carte point at 0.9¢. Here is the return in cents per dollar spent.
| Spending category | RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card | National Bank World Elite Mastercard |
|---|---|---|
| Groceries and restaurants, under the $2,500 monthly threshold | 1 pt/$, or 1.7¢/$ | 5 pts/$, or 4.5¢/$ |
| Groceries and restaurants, above the threshold | 1 pt/$, or 1.7¢/$ | 2 pts/$, or 1.8¢/$ |
| Gas and EV charging | 1 pt/$, or 1.7¢/$ | 2 pts/$, or 1.8¢/$ |
| Recurring bills | 1 pt/$, or 1.7¢/$ | 2 pts/$, or 1.8¢/$ |
| Travel | 1.25 pts/$, or 2.1¢/$ | 2 pts/$ through À la carte Travel, or 1.8¢/$; 1 pt/$ elsewhere, or 0.9¢/$ |
| All other purchases | 1 pt/$, or 1.7¢/$ | 1 pt/$, or 0.9¢/$ |
The gap on groceries and restaurants is huge. On the other hand, on non-bonus purchases, each dollar charged to the RBC card is worth almost twice as much.
Redeeming points
Avion: transfers and a fixed chart
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card automatically makes you an Avion Elite member. That tier unlocks transfers to airline partners:
- British Airways Club: 10,000 Avion points = 10,000 Avios;
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles: 10,000 Avion points = 10,000 Asia Miles;
- American Airlines AAdvantage: 5,000 Avion points = 3,500 miles;
- WestJet Rewards: 1,000 Avion points = 10 WestJet dollars.
Avios and Asia Miles open the door to oneworld partners. RBC also runs regular transfer bonuses. Our guide to transferring Avion points walks you through every step.
If you would rather not transfer, the Air Travel Redemption Schedule sets the price in points. Two examples from RBC's chart:
- 15,000 points: a round-trip flight within a province or to a neighbouring province, up to a maximum ticket value of $350
- 35,000 points: a long-haul round-trip flight within Canada or the U.S., up to a maximum ticket value of $750
Taxes and surcharges are extra. For other travel, 100 points equal $1. The RBC Avion Rewards program page and our analysis of what Avion points are worth fill in the picture.
À la carte: simple value
National Bank points do not transfer to any airline program. Their strength lies elsewhere: simplicity. Through the À la carte Travel agency, 10,000 points give you $100 off a trip, or 1¢ per point. You can also redeem them for gift cards or a statement credit, at a lower value.
Our 0.9¢ valuation reflects those different uses. The NBC À la carte Rewards program page and our guide to using À la carte points for travel cover the options.
A one-year example
Take a household that charges $24,000 a year to its card, split as follows:
- Groceries and restaurants: $6,000
- Gas and EV charging: $3,000
- Recurring bills: $3,000
- Travel booked directly: $3,000
- Other purchases: $9,000
That household spends about $2,000 a month, so it stays under National Bank's monthly threshold. Here is its estimated net gain at our valuations:
- National Bank World Elite, every year: 54,000 points (about $486), plus the $150 travel credit, minus the $150 fee, for about $486
- National Bank World Elite, first year: about $636, thanks to the fee refund
- RBC Avion Visa Infinite, every year: 24,750 points (about $421), minus the $120 fee, for about $301
- RBC Avion Visa Infinite, first year: about $1,491, thanks to the 70,000-point bonus
In short, the RBC card wins year one because of its bonus. After that, the National Bank card takes the lead for this profile, especially if a large share of the budget goes to groceries and dining.
Insurance
This is where the gap is widest. The emergency medical coverage on the National Bank World Elite Mastercard reaches $5,000,000 and covers trips of:
- 60 days for ages 54 and under;
- 31 days for ages 55 to 64;
- 15 days for ages 65 to 75.
At RBC, medical coverage applies to trips of 15 days up to age 64 and 3 days from age 65.
For the rest of the travel insurance, here is where each card stands:
- Trip cancellation: $2,500 at National Bank, $1,500 at RBC
- Lost baggage: $1,000 at National Bank, $500 at RBC
- Trip interruption: $5,000 on both cards
- Flight delay and delayed baggage: $500 each, on both cards
- Car rental: up to 48 days, on both cards
On purchases, the National Bank card protects what you buy for 180 days, versus 90 days at RBC. Its extended warranty adds up to 2 years, versus 1 year. RBC still holds a few advantages:
- Mobile device: $1,500 at RBC, $1,000 at National Bank
- Travel accident: up to $500,000 at RBC
- Hotel burglary: up to $2,500 at RBC
For the full details, see our National Bank World Elite insurance guide.
Annual perks and lounges
Travel credit and the YUL lounge
The National Bank World Elite Mastercard reimburses up to $150 in travel expenses per calendar year. Eligible expenses are airport parking, baggage fees, seat selection, airport lounge access and flight upgrades. You must submit your claim within 60 days of the purchase, and any unused amount does not carry over. Our article on the NBC annual travel credit explains how it works.
It also gives free, unlimited access to the National Bank Lounge at Montreal-Trudeau, with one guest and two children aged 12 and under. According to National Bank, the lounge has been temporarily relocated since October 5, 2026, due to major renovations. Our article on the lounge renovation has the details. Finally, the card includes a DragonPass membership, with no free visits included.
RBC perks
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card gives no airport lounge access. It makes up for it with everyday partnerships:
- Petro-Canada: save 3¢ per litre and earn 20% more Avion points once your card is linked;
- Rexall: 50 Be Well points per dollar on eligible purchases;
- DoorDash: a free 12-month DashPass subscription;
- Hertz: up to 20% off.
Your main bank matters
The choice often comes down to where you already bank. If you are already a client, you track your card, your accounts and your points in the same app.
At National Bank, the World Elite adds a discount on the monthly fees of The Total and The Connected banking packages. At RBC, the card plugs into the Avion Rewards ecosystem, with partners such as Petro-Canada and Rexall. That is not a good enough reason to pick a card that does not pay off for you, but it is a fair tiebreaker when both are close.
The verdict by profile
No single answer fits everyone. Here are the most common profiles.
You bank with National Bank
The National Bank World Elite Mastercard is the clear pick. You get the banking package discount, 5 points per dollar on groceries and dining, and longer travel insurance. Check the 24-month rule, though: the free-first-year offer excludes anyone who held a National Bank Mastercard during that period.
You bank with RBC
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card is the natural choice, especially if you fill up at Petro-Canada. Its lower income requirement also makes it available to more households. Its 70,000-point bonus remains the best first-year value of the two cards.
You want to transfer your points
Avion wins hands down. À la carte points do not transfer to any airline program, while Avion points convert to Avios and Asia Miles. It is the only one of the two cards that lets you aim for a business class seat on a oneworld partner.
You often fly out of Montreal-Trudeau
National Bank comes out ahead. Unlimited YUL lounge access, the $150 travel credit and 60-day medical coverage add up to a package the RBC card cannot match.
Why not both?
Nothing forces you to choose. Many readers put groceries and restaurants on the National Bank card, then travel and non-bonus spending on the RBC card. Both welcome offers stack, since the cards come from two different issuers.
Conclusion
So which card wins this matchup? Over the long run, the National Bank World Elite Mastercard comes out on top for most households that spend heavily on groceries and dining. Its insurance, travel credit and Montreal lounge weigh heavily in its favour.
That said, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card still has strong arguments. Its 70,000-point bonus is worth about $1,190, its income requirement is lower and its points transfer to airline programs. For travellers who want to stretch their points into business class, it is the only option of the two.
Exclusive
- Annual feeNo annual fee the first year
- $0 $150
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueAnnual fee rebated$150Total$150Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $150
- Welcome offer$150 annual fee rebated
- First Year Annual Fee Rebate
- Ends Nov 4, 2026
Apply Now
on National Bank's website
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RBC Avion vs NBC World Elite: frequently asked questions
Which card has the better welcome offer?
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card leads with up to 70,000 Avion points for applications submitted by November 25, 2026. At our 1.7¢ valuation, that is about $1,190. The National Bank World Elite Mastercard instead refunds the first-year annual fee, or $150, through an offer exclusive to Milesopedia that runs until November 4, 2026.
How much are Avion points and À la carte points worth?
Milesopedia values Avion points at 1.7¢ and À la carte points at 0.9¢. Through the À la carte Travel agency, 10,000 À la carte points are worth $100, or 1¢ per point. Avion points can be worth more thanks to the fixed redemption chart and transfers to British Airways or Cathay Pacific. Our page on Avion point values breaks down each scenario.
Which card earns the most points on groceries?
The National Bank World Elite Mastercard, by a wide margin. It earns 5 points per dollar on groceries and restaurants, or about 4.5¢ in value per dollar, within the first $2,500 of monthly purchases. The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card earns 1 point per dollar in those categories, or about 1.7¢.
Which one has better travel insurance?
The National Bank card, clearly. Its emergency medical coverage reaches $5,000,000 and covers trips of 60 days for ages 54 and under, versus 15 days at RBC. It also offers more on trip cancellation and lost baggage. The RBC card does add travel accident and hotel burglary coverage.
Can National Bank points be transferred to Aeroplan?
No. National Bank À la carte points do not transfer to any airline program. They are mainly used to pay for travel, at 1¢ per point through the À la carte Travel agency. If transfers matter to you, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card lets you convert points to Avios, Asia Miles, AAdvantage miles or WestJet dollars.
Which card gives airport lounge access?
Only the National Bank World Elite Mastercard gives access to a lounge: the National Bank Lounge at Montreal-Trudeau, free and unlimited, with one guest. It also includes a DragonPass membership, with no free visits. The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card gives no lounge access. Our ranking of the best cards for airport lounges lists other options.
Can I hold both cards at the same time?
Yes, since the two cards come from different issuers. A common strategy is to put groceries and restaurants on the National Bank card, then travel and non-bonus purchases on the RBC card. That way you collect both welcome offers, as long as you meet the spending threshold for the RBC bonus.