RBC Avion Visa Platinum

Overview

The RBC Avion Visa Platinum is RBC Royal Bank's entry-level Avion travel card — a Visa product earning Avion points on all purchases with no income requirement. Avion points are transferable to British Airways Avios, American Airlines AAdvantage, WestJet Rewards, and Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, making this one of the most accessible transferable-points cards in Canada for cardholders of any income level. At $120 CAD annually, it carries the same fee as the Avion Visa Infinite but without the income threshold, offering a path into the Avion ecosystem for Canadians who don't yet meet the Infinite's income requirement.

Who this card is for

This card is for Canadians who want access to a transferable points program but don't meet the $60,000 CAD income requirement for the Avion Visa Infinite. It's particularly relevant for younger cardholders, new-to-Canada residents, or anyone building their credit and rewards profile who still wants the optionality of converting points to British Airways Avios or WestJet Rewards. It's also a good choice for someone who prefers the simplicity of earning 1 point per $1 across the board without category restrictions.

Key benefits

The earn rate is 1 Avion point per $1 on all eligible purchases — no elevated categories, no caps, no complexity. Every dollar spent builds the same Avion balance, redeemable by transferring to partner airline programs or using RBC's own travel redemption portal. Transfer flexibility is the card's main strength: Avios from British Airways allow redemptions on oneworld partner airlines, while WestJet points work for domestic and transborder Canadian travel.

Welcome bonus offers have recently reached 55,000 Avion points or more for new applicants; check the RBC site for the current promotion. There's no income requirement barrier, making the welcome bonus accessible regardless of your salary.

The card also includes purchase security and extended warranty protection on eligible purchases, providing a baseline of shopping protection.

Potential drawbacks

The 1x flat earn rate is the minimum in the Avion family — the Avion Visa Infinite earns 1.25x on travel, and the ION+ Visa earns 3x on everyday categories. If you qualify for and can afford those cards, this Platinum doesn't offer the same return. The $120 CAD annual fee is identical to the Infinite, meaning you pay the same fee for a lower earn rate — for most applicants who qualify for the Infinite, the Platinum's only advantage is the absence of an income threshold.

How it compares

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite costs the same $120 CAD and earns 1.25x on travel spending — a strictly better card if you meet the $60,000 CAD income requirement. The RBC ION+ Visa earns 3x on groceries, dining, gas, streaming, and more for only $48 CAD annually, with Avion points that combine into the same ecosystem. For high-value Avion accumulation without the income gate, the ION+ is a more efficient starting point.

Bottom line

The right entry point into RBC's Avion ecosystem for Canadians who don't meet the Infinite's income bar. If you do qualify for the Avion Visa Infinite, apply for that card instead — same fee, better earn rate.