Overall rating
First year value
$571
Get this card if you:
- want to earn rewards on everyday purchases
- want a low monthly fee
- want mobile device protection and extended warranty
At a glance
The RBC ION+ Visa is a rewards credit card offering elevated Avion points on categories such as groceries, dining, gas, rideshare, public transit, EV charging, streaming services, digital gaming, and online subscriptions, with a standard earn rate on all other purchases. Cardholders benefit from a welcome bonus, mobile device insurance, and savings on fuel at Petro-Canada; however, the card carries a modest annual fee, which is waived for students with an RBC Advantage Banking account.
Highlights
$571
First year value
14,000 Avion points
Welcome bonus
$48
Annual fee
$4 per month
Interest Rates
20.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Balance transfer APR
22.99%
Cash advance APR
21.99% for residents of Quebec
Eligibility
Good
Recommended credit score
Quick overview: RBC ION+ Visa
The RBC ION+ Visa Card is an intriguing rewards credit card that's great for students or anyone who wants robust rewards and a modest annual fee in one convenient package. For those shy of big fees, the RBC ION+ Visa might make sense for its decent rewards rate in popular spending categories and a comparatively modest fee. Even better, students with an RBC Advantage Banking account for students get the $48 waived - talk about student savings!
Who’s the RBC ION+ Visa for?
With no income requirements, the RBC ION+ makes a great student card for those looking for an entry into the RBC Avion program, or maybe to test out point collecting for the first time. Even without an income requirement, this card still requires you to have a “Good” credit score — above 650. This RBC ION+ Visa recently won Gold for Best Student Card in Money.ca's best credit card Canada awards.
Pros and cons
Pros
-
Decent rewards rate in everyday spending categories.
-
Low monthly fee, (rebated for students with the no-monthly fee RBC Advantage Banking account).
-
Perks like mobile device insurance and fuel savings at Petro-Canada.
Cons
-
Complex rewards structure with less valuable Avion points in the ION tier.
-
Limited insurance benefits (but you can pay to add-on travel insurance).
RBC ION+ Visa welcome bonus
Get 14,000 Avion points upon approval - that’s $100 of value in gift cards! Apply by May 7, 2025.
How to earn points
- Earn 3 Avion points†per $1 on qualifying grocery, dining, food delivery, gas, rideshare, public transit, EV charging, streaming, digital gaming and online subscriptions
- Earn 1 Avion point per $1 on all other purchases
- You can receive bonus points with regular offers found in RBC’s online banking portal. Many offers come from popular brands like Pet Valu, Indigo.ca and The Keg to name a few.
- Note: Avion points are calculated at 100 points for $1 in savings. With ION cards, you’ll need 172 points for $1 (a point value of $0.58 cents per point). No maximum limit mentioned for earning points.
How to redeem points
You can redeem Avion points at a rate of 100 points per $1.00 (minimum 1,000 points), whereas 100 ION points are worth $0.58 (and you must redeem a minimum of 2,500 points). This means you’re effectively getting half the bang for your buck, and with the modest (and that’s putting it lightly) welcome bonus, it’s going to take a long while to save for your dream trip on the back of this card.
You can redeem points for gift cards, merchandise from popular stores like Apple and Best Buy through avionrewards.com. You can also pay your credit card balance or send an Interac e-transfer with points.
Key benefits of the RBC ION+ Visa
- Decent rewards rate in everyday spending categories.
- Low $4 per month, which comes to $48 annually
- Annual fee waiver with an RBC Advantage Banking account for students
Insurance coverage
- Mobile device insurance: Up to $1,000 coverage for damage, theft and loss
- Purchase security: Protection against loss, theft, and damage for 90 days
- Extended warranty: Doubles the manufacturer's warranty, up to 1 additional year
Extra benefits
- Earn 50 Be Well points per dollar at Rexall with linked RBC ION+ Card
- Complimentary three-month DashPass subscription from DoorDash
- Save $0.03 per litre on fuel and earn 20% more Petro-Points and Avion Points
- Enjoy customized alerts, insights and reminders courtesy of NOMI, RBC's AI-driven assistant
How the RBC ION+ Visa Card compares
up to 60,000 points
Welcome Bonus
$1,070
First Year Value
$470
Annual Value
Welcome Bonus: up to 60,000 Membership Rewards® points* by earning 5,000 Membership Rewards points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $1,000
Get this card if you...
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$250
Annual Fee
21.99%
Purchase
21.99%
Cash Advance
Our Take
The American Express® Gold Rewards Card is a travel credit card that allows cardholders to earn points on everyday purchases, with accelerated rates for categories such as gas, groceries, and travel. These points can be flexibly redeemed for travel bookings, merchandise, or transferred to various airline and hotel loyalty programs, offering versatility for those seeking to maximize rewards on routine expenditures.
Eligibility
Very Good (671 - 739)
Recommended Credit Score
Pros
Cons
Annual Interest Rates
21.99%
Purchase
21.99%
Cash Advance
30.00%
Penalty
Fees
$250
Annual Fee
$2.5
Foreign Transaction
$2.75
Cash Advance
$29
Over The Limit Penalty
$45
Return Penalty
Rewards Membership Rewards
2
Earn 2 points for every $1 in Card purchases at eligible gas stations, grocery stores and drugstores in Canada
2
Earn 2 points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible travel purchases, including flights, hotels, car rentals, and more
1
Earn 1 point for every $1 in Card purchases everywhere else
1
Earn 1 additional Membership Rewards point for every $1 you charge to your Gold Rewards Card on eligible hotel or car rental bookings made with American Express Travel
Insurance Benefits
$5,000,000
Emergency medical insurance amount
$500,000
Travel accident insurance amount
$500
Hotel burglary insurance
$85,000
Rental car insurance amount
Earn up to 60,000 Membership Rewards® points* by earning 5,000 Membership Rewards points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $1,000 on your Card in your first year as a new Cardmember.*
That’s up to $600 towards your next vacation.
*Current or former Cardmembers with this Card are not eligible for this offer. Other terms apply.
Our Take
The American Express® Gold Rewards Card is a travel credit card that allows cardholders to earn points on everyday purchases, with accelerated rates for categories such as gas, groceries, and travel. These points can be flexibly redeemed for travel bookings, merchandise, or transferred to various airline and hotel loyalty programs, offering versatility for those seeking to maximize rewards on routine expenditures.
Eligibility
Very Good (671 - 739)
Recommended Credit Score
Pros
Cons
Annual Interest Rates
21.99%
Purchase
21.99%
Cash Advance
30.00%
Penalty
Fees
$250
Annual Fee
$2.5
Foreign Transaction
$2.75
Cash Advance
$29
Over The Limit Penalty
$45
Return Penalty
Rewards Membership Rewards
2
Earn 2 points for every $1 in Card purchases at eligible gas stations, grocery stores and drugstores in Canada
2
Earn 2 points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible travel purchases, including flights, hotels, car rentals, and more
1
Earn 1 point for every $1 in Card purchases everywhere else
1
Earn 1 additional Membership Rewards point for every $1 you charge to your Gold Rewards Card on eligible hotel or car rental bookings made with American Express Travel
Insurance Benefits
$5,000,000
Emergency medical insurance amount
$500,000
Travel accident insurance amount
$500
Hotel burglary insurance
$85,000
Rental car insurance amount
Earn up to 60,000 Membership Rewards® points* by earning 5,000 Membership Rewards points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $1,000 on your Card in your first year as a new Cardmember.*
That’s up to $600 towards your next vacation.
*Current or former Cardmembers with this Card are not eligible for this offer. Other terms apply.
RBC ION+ Visa Card vs. American Express Gold Card
If you’re familiar with Amex cards, you’re familiar with their higher annual fees. The American Express Gold Card is no exception (with a $250 fee), and if you’re deterred by an upfront expense, there’s no comparing these two cards. But with that cost comes a slew of benefits surpassing anything offered by the RBC ION+ Visa. For instance, the Amex fee is offset by a pretty sweet $100 travel credit, good for hotels, car rentals and other necessary expenses you might incur on a trip.
And while both cards reward your spending on everyday purchases like groceries and gas, the Amex welcome bonus of up to 60,000 Membership Rewards® points* is absolutely going to be more appealing to would-be travellers than the paltry ION+ points offered by the Avion card. And let’s not forget the extended travel insurance on the Amex that is notably missing on RBC’s Ion+ card. Neither card has income requirements. So, despite the high cost of the Amex gold card, there are far more rewards to be had with it. If you’re a traveller, the ability to transfer Amex points 1-1 for Aeroplan or 1.5-1 for Marriott Bonvoy points is going to make your rewards far more flexible.
Contact American Express for the most up-to-date referral bonus figures.
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
up to $50
Welcome Bonus
$253
First Year Value
$203
Annual Value
Welcome Bonus: Earn a value of $50†in TD Rewards Points†to use on eligible Amazon.ca purchases plus, no Annual Fee. Conditions Apply. Offer effective as of January 7, 2025.
Get this card if you...
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$0
Annual Fee
19.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
Our Take
The TD Rewards Visa* Card is a no-annual-fee credit card offering TD Rewards Points on everyday purchases, with elevated rates for travel booked through Expedia® For TD, as well as on groceries, dining, and recurring bill payments. Cardholders benefit from flexible redemption options, including travel, merchandise, and statement credits.
Eligibility
Excellent (740+)
Recommended Credit Score
$0
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
Pros
Cons
Annual Interest Rates
19.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$0
Annual Fee
$2.5
Foreign Transaction
3.00%
Balance Transfer
Rewards TD Rewards
4 Points
Earn 4 TD Rewards Points for every $1 you spend on travel through ExpediaForTD.comâ€
3 Points
Earn 3 TD Rewards Points for every $1 you spend on groceries and restaurantsâ€
2 Points
Earn 2 TD Rewards Points for every $1 you spend on recurring billsâ€
1 Points
Earn 1 TD Rewards Point for every $1 you spend on all other purchasesâ€
50%
Earn 50% more TD Rewards Points and 50% more Stars at Starbucksâ€
Insurance Benefits
$1,000
Mobile device insurance amount
Earn 15,152 TD Rewards Points†(a value of $50 on Amazon.ca†) when you spend $500 within 90 days of Account opening†. Conditions apply. Offer effective as of January 7, 2025.
Our Take
The TD Rewards Visa* Card is a no-annual-fee credit card offering TD Rewards Points on everyday purchases, with elevated rates for travel booked through Expedia® For TD, as well as on groceries, dining, and recurring bill payments. Cardholders benefit from flexible redemption options, including travel, merchandise, and statement credits.
Eligibility
Excellent (740+)
Recommended Credit Score
$0
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
Pros
Cons
Annual Interest Rates
19.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$0
Annual Fee
$2.5
Foreign Transaction
3.00%
Balance Transfer
Rewards TD Rewards
4 Points
Earn 4 TD Rewards Points for every $1 you spend on travel through ExpediaForTD.comâ€
3 Points
Earn 3 TD Rewards Points for every $1 you spend on groceries and restaurantsâ€
2 Points
Earn 2 TD Rewards Points for every $1 you spend on recurring billsâ€
1 Points
Earn 1 TD Rewards Point for every $1 you spend on all other purchasesâ€
50%
Earn 50% more TD Rewards Points and 50% more Stars at Starbucksâ€
Insurance Benefits
$1,000
Mobile device insurance amount
Earn 15,152 TD Rewards Points†(a value of $50 on Amazon.ca†) when you spend $500 within 90 days of Account opening†. Conditions apply. Offer effective as of January 7, 2025.
RBC ION+ Visa Card vs. TD Rewards Visa Card
The TD Rewards Visa is another starter card that doesn’t offer much in the way of interest to serious point collectors, but might be a decent option for students or folks with fee-phobia.
Unlike the RBC ION+ Visa, you won’t have to pay a dime in annual fees on the TD Rewards Visa. There’s a modest welcome bonus, which in my opinion falls short of the Avion points offered by the RBC card.
The real value might be for students looking to open a TD account for the first time – TD currently offers a promotion where students opening a TD chequing account automatically receive a TD Rewards Visa, all without any fee.
This offer is not available for residents of Quebec. For Quebec residents, please click here.
The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) is not responsible for the contents of this site including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on any TD product, please click the Apply Now button. Sponsored Content.
†Terms and conditions apply.
7,000 Avion points
Welcome Bonus
$280
First Year Value
$230
Annual Value
Welcome Bonus: Get 7,000 Avion points upon approval. Apply by May 7, 2025. Expires May 07, 2025
Get this card if you...
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$0
Annual Fee
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
Our Take
The RBC ION Visa Card is a no-annual-fee credit card that allows cardholders to earn Avion points on everyday purchases, with elevated rates for spending on groceries, transportation (including gas, rideshare, transit, and EV charging), and streaming services and subscriptions. Cardholders benefit from additional perks such as savings on fuel at Petro-Canada and earning Be Well points at Rexall.
Eligibility
Fair (300 - 619)
Recommended Credit Score
Pros
Cons
Annual Interest Rates
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
3.00%
Balance Transfer (Introductory)
Fees
$0
Annual Fee
$2.5
Foreign Transaction
3.00%
Balance Transfer
$5
Cash Advance
$45
Return Penalty
Rewards Avion Premium
1.5x
Avion points for every $1 spent on groceries, transportation (gas, rideshare, transit, EV charging), and streaming services and subscriptions
1
Avion point for every $1 spent on all other qualifying purchases
1
year extension on manufacturer's warranty
90 days
of purchase security protection
3¢/L
savings at Petro-Canada
50
Be Well points at Rexall for every $1 spent
3
month DashPass subscription to enjoy unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees from DoorDash.
Get 7,000 Avion points upon approval - that’s $50 of value in gift cards! Apply by May 7, 2025.
Our Take
The RBC ION Visa Card is a no-annual-fee credit card that allows cardholders to earn Avion points on everyday purchases, with elevated rates for spending on groceries, transportation (including gas, rideshare, transit, and EV charging), and streaming services and subscriptions. Cardholders benefit from additional perks such as savings on fuel at Petro-Canada and earning Be Well points at Rexall.
Eligibility
Fair (300 - 619)
Recommended Credit Score
Pros
Cons
Annual Interest Rates
20.99%
Purchase
22.99%
Cash Advance
22.99%
Balance Transfer
3.00%
Balance Transfer (Introductory)
Fees
$0
Annual Fee
$2.5
Foreign Transaction
3.00%
Balance Transfer
$5
Cash Advance
$45
Return Penalty
Rewards Avion Premium
1.5x
Avion points for every $1 spent on groceries, transportation (gas, rideshare, transit, EV charging), and streaming services and subscriptions
1
Avion point for every $1 spent on all other qualifying purchases
1
year extension on manufacturer's warranty
90 days
of purchase security protection
3¢/L
savings at Petro-Canada
50
Be Well points at Rexall for every $1 spent
3
month DashPass subscription to enjoy unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees from DoorDash.
Get 7,000 Avion points upon approval - that’s $50 of value in gift cards! Apply by May 7, 2025.
RBC ION+ Card vs. RBC ION Card
The RBC ION and its + kin are (as you probably guessed) cut from the same cloth. The big difference comes down to the fee and the welcome bonus. Where the ION+ really earns that plus distinction is in its spending categories. For the stock ION, you’ll only be pulling in1.5 Avion points on groceries, transportation (gas, rideshare, transit, EV charging), and streaming services and subscriptions. In the same categories the ION+ offers 3 points per dollar spent. If you’re spending a lot of money in the designated categories, the ION+ is going to offer more down the road, in addition to the substantially larger welcome bonus.
What a Reddit user had to say about the ION+ Visa
“This ION+ is probably the best points card for anyone who can't qualify for the AMEX Cobalt, Scotia Gold AMEX, the MBNA [Rewards World Elite] card or the National Bank World Elite MasterCard or don't care for premium card features and want to save on the annual fee.
- Reddit user @deltatux
Is the RBC ION+ Visa Card worth it?
It’s hard to put it better than @deltatux above. If you can’t qualify for better cards, the RBC ION+ Visa Card is worth considering. Otherwise, there are better cards.
But if you’re working on developing your credit score, or intent on keeping your fees low, the RBC ION+ Visa may be a fit for those looking for a low-fee card with a high rewards rate in everyday spending categories.
In particular, it’s a good option for students or those with an RBC banking account. But for big travellers and point collectors, you might want to explore other options. The card's value increases if you frequently shop at Rexall or fill up at Petro-Canada, leveraging its unique perks.
Disclosures:
Refer to RBC page for up to date offer terms and conditions.
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FAQs
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Cam is a content marketer with a passion for saving, financial independence, and pulling off elaborate credit card point schemes. He has worked in Fintech and Finserve (specifically Group Retirement) and loves researching and writing about finance.
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†Terms and Conditions apply.