The best RBC credit cards in Canada for 2024
August 8, 2024
Explore the best variety of RBC credit cards, tailored to meet your unique needs. Compare, choose, and apply today for a card that matches your purchasing habits.
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Best RBC credit card by category
Best overall RBC credit card and best travel RBC credit card
based on spending $2,200/mo after $120 annual fee
- Earn rewards
1pt – 1.25pts / dollar spent
- Welcome bonus
35,000 points (a $750 value)
- Annual fee
$120
Perks of the RBC Avion Visa Infinite
| Perks | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Lounge access | Not included | You’ll gain complimentary passes to airport lounges. The number of passes and lounges you have access to will vary. |
| Waived foreign transaction fees | Not included | A surcharge that credit card holders pay for purchases made in a foreign currency (typically 2.5%). |
| Travel accident insurance | $500,000 per person | If you suffer a loss as a result of an accidental bodily injury sustained while occupying a common carrier, you are eligible for this coverage. |
| Travel emergency medical | Unlimited for first 15 days | If you require urgent medical care while on a trip outside of your home province, you will be covered for any eligible medical expenses incurred. |
| Car rental insurance | MSRP of up to $65,000, for 48 days | Credit card rental car insurance usually covers theft, loss and damage to your rental car in the case of an accidental collision. |
| Trip cancellation | Not included | If you have to cancel your trip before it’s even started, your prepaid travel costs will be covered up to a maximum amount if the cause of cancellation is eligible for the insurance. |
| Trip interruption | Up to $5,000 per person | If your trip has to be cut short or is delayed after the scheduled departure date, you will be covered up to a maximum amount for an eligible cause of interruption or delay. |
| Flight delay insurance | $250 per person; 4 hours or more | If your flight departure is delayed by a certain number of hours, you’ll be reimbursed a certain amount for necessary and reasonable expenses. |
| Baggage loss insurance | Included | If your checked bag cannot be located by a common carrier, you’ll be reimbursed for a portion of the replacement cost of lost personal property. |
| Baggage delay insurance | $500 per person; 4 hours or more | If your checked bag is not delivered within a specified time upon your arrival, you’ll be reimbursed for the cost to replace essential items. |
| Hotel/motel burglary | Included | Provides protection, while you’re checked in, for your personal belongings when left unattended in your room up to a certain dollar amount. |
| Mobile insurance | Up to $1,500 per occurence | Reimburses a portion of your cell phone in the event it’s damaged or lost. Device coverage is limited to a certain period of time after purchasing with your credit card. |
| Purchase assurance | Covered for 90 days | Automatically protects new purchases by insuring them for 90 days from the date of purchase in the event of loss, theft or damage. |
| Extended warranty | Up to one additional year | Either doubles the length of the item’s manufacturer’s warranty coverage or extends it by 1 year, whichever is less. |
| Price protection | Included | If, within a certain amount of time of purchasing an item, its price drops or you find an identical item offered for a lower retail price than what you paid, you will be reimbursed for the difference. |
Other perks
- Get 35,000 welcome Avion points on approval** (travel value of $750†). Enough to fly anywhere in Canada & the U.S† (Alaska and Hawaii require more points).
- Earn 1 Avion point for every dollar you spend* and an extra 25% on eligible travel purchases.
- Avioners can book flights with points on any airline, on any flight, at any time, early or last minute, with no blackout periods or restrictions.
- Avioners earn points that never expire so your points will be waiting for your next adventure.
- Redeem your points for travel and more. Use points for anything from paying bills and paying your card balance to redeeming for Gift Cards and Merchandise at top brands like Apple. The Avion Rewards program gives you the freedom of choice to use your points your way, and helps you make the most as an Avioner.
- Eligible Avion rewards members can also convert points to other loyalty programs including WestJet dollars, British Airways Avios points and Hudson’s Bay Rewards points.
- Link your RBC card with a Petro-Points membership to instantly save 3₵ per litre on fuel at Petro-Canada stations and earn 20% more Petro-Points and 20% more Avion points
- Link your RBC card with a Rexall Be Well account and get 50 Be Well points for every $1 spent on eligible products at Rexall. Redeem Be Well points faster for savings in store on eligible purchases where 25,000 Be Well points = $10
- Get $0 delivery fees for 12 months from DoorDash^
- Add your eligible RBC credit card to your DoorDash account to:
- Get a 12-month complimentary DashPass subscription± – a value of almost $120
- Enjoy unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees on orders of $15 or more when you pay with your eligible RBC credit card
Ratehub’s take
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite credit card is a versatile travel credit card that offers flexible rewards for frequent flyers. With a strong emphasis on travel perks and a valuable rewards program, it’s an excellent option for travellers looking to elevate their experience.
Pros
- Flexible travel redemption: This card provides unparalleled choice when it comes to redeeming points as it does not have blackout dates or seat restrictions. You can book flights, hotels, car rentals, and more with your points
- Comprehensive travel insurance: Benefit from extensive travel insurance coverage most notably including trip cancellation and interruption and emergency medical. Travel with peace of mind knowing you are protected
- Exclusive concert access: Enjoy exclusive access to concert tickets, like the highly sought-after Taylor Swift Eras concert. With this perk, you’ll have the opportunity to secure tickets before they are available to the general public.
Cons
- Annual fee: This card comes with an annual fee of $120 which may be high for some. However, for frequent travelers who take full advantage of the card’s perks, the benefits can often outweigh the cost.
- No waived foreign transaction fees: Foreign transaction fees are not waived, so consider this if you plan to use the card for shopping abroad
- Low earn rate: The standard earn rate of 1 point per $1 may not be as competitive as other travel credit cards
Eligibility requirements
Minimum income: $60,000/yr
Interest rates
Purchase interest: 20.99%
Cash advance: 22.99%
Balance transfer: 22.99%
Ratehub.ca's take
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite credit card is a versatile travel credit card that offers flexibility and impressive rewards for frequent flyers. With a strong emphasis on travel perks and a valuable rewards program, it's an excellent option for travellers looking to elevate their experience.
Pros
- Flexible travel redemption: This card provides unparalleled flexibility when it comes to redeeming points as it does not have blackout dates or seat restrictions. You can book flights, hotels, car rentals, and more with your points
- Comprehensive travel insurance: Benefit from extensive travel insurance coverage most notably including trip cancellation and interruption and emergency medical. Travel with peace of mind knowing you are protected
- Exclusive concert access: Enjoy exclusive access to concert tickets, including the highly sought-after Taylor Swift concert. With this perk, you'll have the opportunity to secure tickets before they are available to the general public.
Cons
- Annual fee: This card comes with an annual fee of $120 which may be prohibitive to some. However, for frequent travelers who take full advantage of the card's perks, the benefits can often outweigh the cost.
- No waived foreign transaction fees: Foreign transaction fees are not waived, so consider this if you plan to use the card for shopping abroad
- Low earn rate: The standard earn rate of 1 point per $1 may is not as competitive as other travel credit cards
Ratehub.ca's take
In search of an airline credit card? RBC partnered with WestJet to bring you the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard offering impressive travel benefits and a generous earn rate for WestJet dollars.
Pros
- Generous earn rate for WestJet dollars: Earn WestJet dollars on every purchase allowing you to save on future WestJet flights, covering not only base fares but also taxes and fees
- Travel perks: Enjoy a range of travel benefits, including free first checked bag for the primary cardholder and up to eight companions and priority boarding,
- Companion voucher: Receive one annual round-trip companion voucher that allows you to bring a travel companion along for a WestJet flight at a significantly reduced fare
- Comprehensive travel insurance: Enjoy coverage for emergency medical, trip interruption, flight delay, and more
Cons
- Annual fee: While the card offers exceptional WestJet travel benefits, it does come with an annual fee of $119
- Limited airline choice: The card's rewards are primarily designed for WestJet flights, which may limit your travel options depending on your flight path
- Income requirement: A minimum personal income of $80,00 may limit eligibility for some
Best cash back RBC credit card
based on spending $2,200/mo after $99 annual fee
- Earn rewards
1.5% / dollar spent
- Annual fee
$99
Perks of the RBC Cash Back Preferred World Elite Mastercard
| Perks | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Lounge access | Not included | You’ll gain complimentary passes to airport lounges. The number of passes and lounges you have access to will vary. |
| Waived foreign transaction fees | Not included | A surcharge that credit card holders pay for purchases made in a foreign currency (typically 2.5%). |
| Travel accident insurance | Not included | If you suffer a loss as a result of an accidental bodily injury sustained while occupying a common carrier, you are eligible for this coverage. |
| Travel emergency medical | Not included | If you require urgent medical care while on a trip outside of your home province, you will be covered for any eligible medical expenses incurred. |
| Car rental insurance | Included | Credit card rental car insurance usually covers theft, loss and damage to your rental car in the case of an accidental collision. |
| Trip cancellation | Not included | If you have to cancel your trip before it’s even started, your prepaid travel costs will be covered up to a maximum amount if the cause of cancellation is eligible for the insurance. |
| Trip interruption | Not included | If your trip has to be cut short or is delayed after the scheduled departure date, you will be covered up to a maximum amount for an eligible cause of interruption or delay. |
| Flight delay insurance | Not included | If your flight departure is delayed by a certain number of hours, you’ll be reimbursed a certain amount for necessary and reasonable expenses. |
| Baggage loss insurance | Not included | If your checked bag cannot be located by a common carrier, you’ll be reimbursed for a portion of the replacement cost of lost personal property. |
| Baggage delay insurance | Not included | If your checked bag is not delivered within a specified time upon your arrival, you’ll be reimbursed for the cost to replace essential items. |
| Hotel/motel burglary | Not included | Provides protection, while you’re checked in, for your personal belongings when left unattended in your room up to a certain dollar amount. |
| Mobile insurance | Not included | Reimburses a portion of your cell phone in the event it’s damaged or lost. Device coverage is limited to a certain period of time after purchasing with your credit card. |
| Purchase assurance | Not included | Automatically protects new purchases by insuring them for 90 days from the date of purchase in the event of loss, theft or damage. |
| Extended warranty | Included | Either doubles the length of the item’s manufacturer’s warranty coverage or extends it by 1 year, whichever is less. |
| Price protection | Included | If, within a certain amount of time of purchasing an item, its price drops or you find an identical item offered for a lower retail price than what you paid, you will be reimbursed for the difference. |
Other perks
- Earn up to 1.5% cash back on all your purchases1
- Get unlimited cash back, no limit to what you can get back*
- Stay connected with Boingo‡ Wi-Fi at one million hotspots worldwide
- Get exclusive benefits and offers4 from a variety of on-demand apps and subscription services, like foodora‡ and Ritual‡.
- Premium purchase protection for 120 days2
- Extended warranty triples the manufacturer’s original Canadian warranty2
- Protect your rental car with Auto Rental collision/Loss Damage Insurance3
- Instantly save 3₵ per litre on gas▲ & earn 20% more Petro-Points§ when you link your Petro-Points card to any RBC Card online.
Ratehub’s take
The RBC Cash Back Preferred World Elite Mastercard is considered to be RBC’s best cash back credit card, earning impressive cash back rewards for everyday spending. It is an excellent card for those seeking generous rewards and benefits.
Pros
- High cash back earnings: Earn 1.5% cash back on the first $25,000 in annual spend, making this card ideal for those who want substantial rewards on various spending categories
- Flexible cash back redemption: Redeem cash back at any time in increments of $25
Cons
- Limited insurance coverage: This card is lacking in travel medical, accident and trip delay insurance but does offer rental car coverage and standard purchase protection
- Income requirement: A minimum personal income of $80,000 may limit eligibility for some
- Limited perks and extras: While you do benefit from some perks like Mastercard travel rewards offers and a complimentary DragonPass airport lounge membership, you’ll have to pay $32 USD for each airport lounge visit with the card
Eligibility requirements
Minimum income: N/A
Interest rates
Purchase interest: 20.99%
Cash advance: 22.99%
Balance transfer: 22.99%
Ratehub.ca's take
The RBC Cash Back Preferred World Elite Mastercard is considered to be RBC's best cash back credit card earning impressive cash back rewards for everyday spending. It is an excellent card for those seeking generous rewards and benefits.
Pros
- High cash back earnings: Earn 1.5% cash back on the first $25,000 in annual spend, making this card ideal for those who want substantial rewards on various spending categories
- Flexible cash back redemption: Redeem cash back at any time in increments of $25
Cons
- Limited insurance coverage
- Income requirement: A minimum personal income of $80,000 may limit eligibility for some
Best no fee RBC credit card
based on spending $2,200/mo after $0 annual fee
- Earn rewards
1pt – 1.5pts / dollar spent
- Welcome bonus
3,500 points (a $25 value)
- Annual fee
$0
Perks of the RBC ION Visa
| Perks | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Lounge access | Not included | You’ll gain complimentary passes to airport lounges. The number of passes and lounges you have access to will vary. |
| Waived foreign transaction fees | Not included | A surcharge that credit card holders pay for purchases made in a foreign currency (typically 2.5%). |
| Travel accident insurance | Not included | If you suffer a loss as a result of an accidental bodily injury sustained while occupying a common carrier, you are eligible for this coverage. |
| Travel emergency medical | Not included | If you require urgent medical care while on a trip outside of your home province, you will be covered for any eligible medical expenses incurred. |
| Car rental insurance | Not included | Credit card rental car insurance usually covers theft, loss and damage to your rental car in the case of an accidental collision. |
| Trip cancellation | Not included | If you have to cancel your trip before it’s even started, your prepaid travel costs will be covered up to a maximum amount if the cause of cancellation is eligible for the insurance. |
| Trip interruption | Not included | If your trip has to be cut short or is delayed after the scheduled departure date, you will be covered up to a maximum amount for an eligible cause of interruption or delay. |
| Flight delay insurance | Not included | If your flight departure is delayed by a certain number of hours, you’ll be reimbursed a certain amount for necessary and reasonable expenses. |
| Baggage loss insurance | Not included | If your checked bag cannot be located by a common carrier, you’ll be reimbursed for a portion of the replacement cost of lost personal property. |
| Baggage delay insurance | Not included | If your checked bag is not delivered within a specified time upon your arrival, you’ll be reimbursed for the cost to replace essential items. |
| Hotel/motel burglary | Not included | Provides protection, while you’re checked in, for your personal belongings when left unattended in your room up to a certain dollar amount. |
| Mobile insurance | Not included | Reimburses a portion of your cell phone in the event it’s damaged or lost. Device coverage is limited to a certain period of time after purchasing with your credit card. |
| Purchase assurance | Included | Automatically protects new purchases by insuring them for 90 days from the date of purchase in the event of loss, theft or damage. |
| Extended warranty | Included | Either doubles the length of the item’s manufacturer’s warranty coverage or extends it by 1 year, whichever is less. |
| Price protection | Not included | If, within a certain amount of time of purchasing an item, its price drops or you find an identical item offered for a lower retail price than what you paid, you will be reimbursed for the difference. |
Other perks
- Get 3,500 Avion points on approval with the RBC ION Visa Card! Apply by January 15, 2025.
- Earn 1.5X Avion points1 on:
- Grocery – Satisfy your taste buds by earning points on groceriesi
- Rides, Gas & EV Charging – Enjoy earning points on gas, rideshare, daily public transit, electric vehicle charging, and more.ii
- Streaming, Digital Gaming & Subscriptions – Stay entertained while earning points on streaming, gaming, eligible digital subscriptions, eligible digital downloads, and in-game purchases.iii
- Earn 1 Avion point for every $1 spent on all other qualifying purchases1
- Exclusive savings and rewards
- Automatically become an Avion Rewards Premium member when you get the RBC ION Visa. Download the Avion Rewards app to access points, cash back deals, and savings all in one program. Plus, download the Avion Rewards ShopPlus browser extension to save with cash back deals right where you shop online from 1,900+ retailers.
Ratehub’s take
The RBC Ion Visa is the best entry-level card offered by RBC with no annual fee allowing you to earn 1.5 points per dollar spent on grocery, rides, gas, EV charging, streaming, digital gaming, and subscriptions and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Pros
- No annual fee or income requirement
- Flexible redemption options: You can use your points for pay bills, your credit card balance or even send money to friends with Interac e-transfer, with a minimum redemption of only $10.
Cons
- Limited insurance coverage
- Low points value: With this card, you earn a slightly modified Avion Rewards point which are worth less than those earned through other RBC Avion cards
Eligibility requirements
Minimum income: N/A
Interest rates
Purchase interest: 20.99%
Cash advance: 22.99%
Balance transfer: 22.99%
Ratehub.ca's take
The RBC Ion Visa is the best entry-level card offered by RBC with no annual fee allowing you to earn 1.5 points per dollar spent on grocery, rides, gas, EV charging, streaming, digital gaming, and subscriptions and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Pros
- No annual fee or income requirement
Cons
- Limited insurance coverage
- Low points value: With this card, you earn a slightly modified Avion Rewards point which are worth less than those earned through other RBC Avion cards
Additional considerations for RBC credit cards
As of September 28th, HSBC credit cards are no longer available as they have been acquired by RBC. Equivalent cards and details on the acquisition will be released soon.
Note: at the request of the card issuer, we have been asked not to display these credit cards.
RBC credit card partnerships
RBC has teamed up with select retailers to offer credit cards tailored to reward their loyal customers. RBC’s credit card partnerships include:
- The RBC Esso VISA for gas and auto rewards
- The WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard lets you earn rewards towards eligible flights or vacation packages provided by WestJet.
More on RBC
The Royal Bank of Canada is Canada's largest bank as measured by assets and market capitalization, and is among the largest banks in the world, based on market capitalization. It is a diversified financial services company, with personal and commercial banking, wealth management services, insurance, and corporate and investment banking. It employs approximately 78,000 employees who serve close to 18 million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients through offices in Canada, the U.S. and 51 other countries. In Canada, RBC serves approximately 10 million clients through its 1,209 branches.
Natasha Macmillan, Business Director of Everyday Banking
With over a decade of experience in the finance industry, Natasha works closely with Canada's top financial institutions - from banks to credit unions - to help Ratehub.ca's 1,200,000 monthly users get matched with the right banking products. read full bio
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Other card types
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Banks
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Credit Card Basics
Types of Rewards Credit Cards
Insurance Products
- Credit Card Rental Car Insurance
- Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance
- Travel Medical Insurance
- Travel Accident Insurance
- Delayed Baggage Insurance
- Lost Luggage Insurance
- Flight Delay Insurance
- Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance
- Purchase Security Insurance
- Price Protection Insurance
- Extended Warranty Insurance