RBC British Airways Visa Infinite

Overview

The RBC British Airways Visa Infinite is a co-branded Avios travel card issued by RBC Royal Bank on the Visa Infinite network — the only credit card in Canada that earns British Airways Avios directly on everyday spending. Avios are British Airways' loyalty currency, usable for flights on British Airways and the full oneworld partner network, including Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Iberia, American Airlines, and others. At $165 CAD annually with a $60,000 CAD individual or $100,000 CAD household income requirement, this card targets Canadians whose travel patterns align with oneworld routes or who value Avios for short-haul redemptions.

Who this card is for

This card is for Canadians who fly British Airways or oneworld partner airlines at least occasionally, or who have learned that Avios can offer strong value on specific redemptions — particularly intra-Europe short-haul flights, transatlantic routes on partner carriers, or Cathay Pacific Asia-Pacific flights. It's also for Canadians who want to build a dedicated Avios balance separate from their Aeroplan accumulation. If your travel is primarily domestic or WestJet-based, this card has limited natural fit — its value is concentrated in international and oneworld network redemptions.

Key benefits

The earn rate is 3 Avios per $1 CAD spent on British Airways and BA Holidays purchases, 2 Avios per $1 on eligible dining and food delivery, and 1 Avios per $1 on all other eligible purchases (including groceries). Spend $700 CAD per month on dining and food delivery and you're generating about 16,800 Avios per year from that category — enough, in some Avios pricing zones, to cover a short-haul one-way award.

At $30,000 CAD in annual card spend, the card issues a companion ticket certificate — a Companion Ticket that allows a travel companion to fly at a reduced base fare on select British Airways routes out of Canada, plus taxes and surcharges. Alternatively, if you're travelling solo, the certificate can be used for a 50% Avios discount on a single BA award flight booking — a useful fallback when you don't have a travel companion lined up. This is the card's marquee perk and its primary fee justification for heavy spenders.

Welcome bonus offers have reached 60,000 Avios in recent promotions; check the RBC website for the current offer.

Potential drawbacks

Avios carry the quirk of distance-based pricing: they're excellent value on short-haul routes and moderate-distance redemptions, but the per-point value drops on very long-haul routes where fuel surcharges are also added by BA. The companion ticket requires $30,000 CAD in annual spend — that's $2,500 per month — which is a high threshold for cardholders who won't naturally reach it. The $165 CAD annual fee is higher than comparable Avion or Aeroplan earning cards.

How it compares

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite earns Avion points at $120 CAD annually, with the option to transfer Avion points to British Airways Avios (not at 1:1) — a more flexible approach if you're not exclusively focused on Avios. The CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite earns Aeroplan points at $139 CAD annually, which transfer to British Airways Avios at a 1:1 ratio and may offer more versatile accumulation for Canadians who fly Air Canada domestically and BA internationally.

Bottom line

A compelling card for Canadians who actively use Avios and fly British Airways or oneworld partners internationally — particularly those who can realistically hit $30,000 CAD annually to unlock the companion ticket. Less compelling if your oneworld flying is occasional or Avios-specific redemptions aren't in your travel plans.