RBy Rez · 3 min read
Overview
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business is RBC Royal Bank's business travel Visa Infinite, designed for Canadian business owners who want a transferable points currency for business spending. Issued by RBC at $175 CAD annually, the card earns 1.25 Avion points per $1 on the first $75,000 of eligible business purchases each year, then 1 point per $1. Avion is RBC's proprietary points currency and one of the more flexible Canadian programs — points transfer to British Airways Avios, American Airlines AAdvantage, WestJet Rewards, and Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, giving access to oneworld airline programs and WestJet from a single business card.
Who this card is for
This card fits Canadian business owners and self-employed professionals who want a flexible travel rewards card for business expenses. The 1.25 Avion per $1 flat earn rate suits businesses with diverse expense categories where category-specific multipliers don't naturally fit. It's also a strong fit for businesses with multi-airline travel patterns — consultants flying to client meetings on whatever carrier serves the route, or businesses booking employee travel across different alliances. The income requirement aligns with Visa Infinite tiers ($60,000 CAD individual / $100,000 CAD household), which most established business owners will clear.
Key benefits
The 1.25 Avion points per $1 rate applies to every category up to $75,000 of annual spend, so there's no category tracking — every dollar under that ceiling earns at the same elevated rate. On $5,000 CAD per month in business spend, that's roughly 75,000 Avion points per year, enough for several short-haul redemptions or to pair with a welcome bonus toward a long-haul business class booking.
The transfer flexibility is the differentiator: Avion points convert to British Airways Avios (excellent for short-haul European flights and Aer Lingus or Iberia redemptions), American Airlines AAdvantage (Oneworld), WestJet Rewards, and Cathay Pacific Asia Miles. For Canadian businesses with cross-border or international travel needs, that range of partners is broader than what most Canadian business cards offer.
Comprehensive business travel insurance — emergency medical, trip cancellation, trip interruption, baggage protection, flight delay, and rental car coverage — is bundled at this tier. Visa Infinite benefits also include access to the Visa Infinite Concierge service for travel and dining bookings.
Potential drawbacks
The 1.25 Avion flat rate is competitive but not exceptional — businesses with concentrated spending in specific categories (dining, travel, fuel) can find higher category multipliers on other cards. Avion's transfer ratios to some partners are not 1:1, which can dilute point value depending on the redemption program. Business benefits like dedicated employee card management and detailed expense reporting are present but more limited than dedicated business card products from American Express. The $175 CAD annual fee is mid-range for a business Visa Infinite — heavier business spenders will want to ensure spend volume justifies it.
How it compares
The American Express Platinum Business charges $799 CAD annually but earns 1.25 MR points per $1 with unlimited Centurion Lounge access, $200 CAD travel credit, and stronger premium travel insurance — a step up if your business spending volume and travel patterns justify the higher fee. The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Business charges $599 CAD and earns 3x Aeroplan on Air Canada — the right pick if your business heavily favours Air Canada. For a flat-rate flexible business card without the premium-tier fee, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business sits in the middle ground.
Bottom line
A solid choice for Canadian business owners who want a transferable points currency with multi-airline flexibility and don't fly enough on a single carrier to justify a co-branded business card. The 1.25 flat rate paired with British Airways Avios, AAdvantage, and WestJet transfer options is genuinely useful for businesses with varied travel patterns.
