RBC ION Visa Card review

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Overall rating

First year value

$323

Get this card if you:

  • want to earn rewards without an annual fee
  • need basic insurance benefits
  • have a fair credit score

Scores by category

Student 3.3

Rewards 2.8

No Annual Fee 2.6

At a glance

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.

Highlights

$323

First year value

7,000 Avion points

Welcome bonus

Interest Rates

20.99%

Purchase APR

22.99%

Balance transfer APR

21.99% if you reside in Quebec

22.99%

Cash advance APR

21.99% if you reside in Quebec.

Eligibility

Fair

Recommended credit score

Quick overview of the RBC ION Visa Card

The RBC ION Visa is as basic as it gets in a crowded field of entry-level cards. This no-fee option offers up to 1.5 Avion points per dollar on everyday purchases, redeemable for bills, credit card payments, or e-Transfers with a low $10 minimum redemption. 

Who’s the RBC ION Visa for?

  • New credit card users seeking a simple, no-annual-fee rewards option
  • Occasional spenders who prefer small, frequent redemptions (just $10 minimum)
  • Budget-conscious consumers who value the fuel savings at Petro-Canada
  • Rexall shoppers who can leverage the Be Well points earning opportunity
  • Cardholders who prioritize flexible redemption options (bills, credit card payments, e-Transfers)
  • RBC clients looking to add a supplementary card without paying extra annual fees
  • Consumers who value simplicity over maximizing point values
  • Students or young adults building credit with their first rewards card

Pros and cons

Pros

Pros

  • No annual fee

  • Minimum redemption is only $10

  • DoorDash subscription worth $30

Cons

Cons

  • Miserly welcome bonus, valued at less than many cash back bonuses

  • Pretty “meh” on points collection through daily spending

RBC ION Visa Card welcome bonus

The RBC ION Visa Card comes with a very straightforward welcome bonus for new accounts:

  • Get 7,000 Avion points upon approval - that’s $50 of value in gift cards! Apply by May 14, 2025.

Thanks to that 7,000 Avion points sign-up bonus and decent rewards on purchases, we estimate that the Ion Visa offers a first-year value of $323.

How to earn Avion Rewards points with the Ion Visa

The RBC ION Visa Card earns the following Avion points on purchases:

  • Earn 1.5 Avion points for every $1 spent on groceries, transportation (gas, rideshare, transit, EV charging), and streaming services and subscriptions.
  • Earn 1 Avion point for every $1 spent on all other qualifying purchases.

Not bad, right? Unfortunately, however, there's a catch.

ION tier points are worth 50% less than standard Avion points—100 ION points equal just $0.58 compared to $1.00 for regular Avion points.  To get the full value of Avion Rewards you need either the RBC Avion Visa Infinite PrivilegeRBC Avion Visa Infinite or RBC Avion Visa Platinum.

  • Earn 20% more Petro-Points when you link your RBC card to your Petro-Points card

  • Receive 50 Be Well points for every $1 spent at Rexall when you scan your Be Well card

  • Points post automatically to account following qualifying transactions
  • No point expiration while account remains in good standing
  • 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
  • Minimum redemption threshold: 2,500 points ($14.50 value)

How to redeem Avion points

Avion Rewards offers impressive flexibility that puts you in control of your rewards. The redemption process is straightforward through the RBC Rewards portal, but maximizing value requires strategic choices.

Travel redemptions consistently deliver the highest return on points in the Avion program, with options including flights, hotels, car rentals, vacation packages and associated taxes and fees through the Avion Travel Rewards Centre,

And while technically possible to redeem your Avion ION points for travel, it’s important to remember this card isn't for travel redemptions. Remember that ION tier points are valued differently than standard Avion points - 100 ION points = $0.58 in redemption value.

That said, there might be great travel awards available in the Avion Travel Rewards Centre, but the dedication and time you’d have to dedicate to collect sufficient points for even short-term travel makes this a bit far-fetched.

Merchandise makes slightly more sense than travel, but not by much. You can redeem your Avion points for merchandise such as electronics, home goods, fashion and more through the Avion Merchandise Rewards Centre.

Gift cards and statement credits seems to be the best way to use your Avion ION points (and RBC knows it, with their $25 value calculated in gift card). Plus the minimum $10 redemption means you can pay off that cheeky pint you regretted springing for quickly and guilt free.

You can also convert points into RBC Financial Rewards vouchers: and apply points toward RBC financial products.

Avion points also transfer to three airline loyalty programs:

  • British Airways Avios (also work with Aer Lingus and Iberia Air)
  • Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
  • WestJet Rewards points

No annual fee

The RBC ION Visa stands out as a truly no-cost credit card option in the Canadian market. This zero-fee structure provides several advantages:

  • Save $120-$150 annually compared to premium travel cards
  • Lifetime value proposition with no recurring costs to justify
  • Perfect supplementary card to pair with premium cards for specific spending categories
  • Excellent starter card for building credit without ongoing expenses
  • No minimum income requirement makes this accessible to most Canadians

Everyday rewards structure

The ION Visa offers a tiered rewards structure that focuses on common spending categories:

  • 1.5 Avion points per $1 spent on grocery purchases (approximately 0.87% return)
  • 1.5 Avion points per $1 on recurring bill payments including utilities, subscriptions, and more
  • 1 Avion point per $1 on all other eligible purchases (approximately 0.58% return)
  • Points never expire as long as your account remains active and in good standing
  • No limit on the total points you can earn annually

Low minimum redemption

Unlike many rewards programs that require substantial point accumulation before redemption:

  • Redeem with as little as 2,500 Avion points ($14.50 value)
  • Flexible redemption options, including statement credits and bill payments
  • No complicated travel booking processes required for basic redemptions
  • Points can be redeemed anytime through the RBC Mobile app or online banking
  • Perfect for casual spenders who prefer frequent, smaller redemptions

RBC ION Visa Card insurance coverage

Insurance Coverage amount
Extended warranty Doubles the manufacturer's warranty, up to an additional year
Purchase protection Protection against loss, theft and damage for 90 days.

  • Add your credit card to your DoorDash account and get a 3-month complimentary DashPass subscription
  • Save $0.03 per litre on fuel and earn 20% more Petro-Points and Avion Points
  • Get the Avion Rewards ShopPlus browser extension to access deals where you shop online
  • Stay connected to your money with the built-in intelligence of NOMI AI financial assistant

“The RBC ION card isn't that great as the points are worth at max 0.58 cpp unless you do a conversion to WestJet Dollars.

What exactly are you looking for in a card aside from no annual fees? If you want a no annual fee travel card, look at the Scotiabank AMEX (red card). If you want a cash back card, look to the Tangerine MasterCard, Simplii Visa or AMEX SimplyCash.”

I think /u/deltatux nails it here. The points aren’t that great, and if you’re looking to convert them to WestJet Dollars (aka, you’re a travel fan) there are better point card options that you can tap into with the same good credit score you need to be considered for the RBC ion Visa.

More than that, no annual fee cards are a dime a dozen! And the beautiful thing about cold, hard, cashback cards is that if you make them your daily spender, it’s pretty easy to earn more in real value (as in actual money) than the nerfed points offered by the RBC ion.

The RBC Ion card isn't that great as the points are worth at max 0.58 cents per point unless you do a conversion to WestJet Rewards.

Reddit user u/deltatux

How the RBC ION Visa Card compares

up to 7% cash back^

Welcome Bonus

$346

First Year Value

$276

Annual Value

Welcome Bonus: Get up to 7% cash back in the first 3 months up to a total of $1,000 in purchases^. Expires Jul 08, 2025

Learn More Apply Now On RBC's Secure Site

Well, putting these two head to head is really an arm wrestle between weaklings.The RBC Cash Back Mastercard is a low-tier cash back card that offers limited cash back on daily spending, often lower than many competitor cash back cards. The card offers 2% cash back on groceries and up to 1% cash back on all other purchases. Mercifully, it has no annual fee. 

The ION Visa Card doesn’t exactly trump it in value, but honestly with the perks considered, it may actually be the superior card. I’d say if you’re not really into the points thing, shop around for a different cash back card as the RBC Cash Back Mastercard falls short in just about every way. 

RBC ION Visa Card RBC Cash Back Mastercard
Annual fee:
$0
Annual fee:
$0
Welcome offer:
Get 7,000 Avion points upon approval - that’s $50 of value in gift cards! Apply by May 14, 2025.
Welcome offer:
Get up to 7% cash back in the first 3 months up to a total of $1,000 in purchases^.
Insurance:
Purchase security, extended warranty
Insurance:
Purchase security, extended warranty
Other benefits:
DashPass subscription, Petro Points, BeWell points at Rexall
Other benefits:
DashPass subscription, Petro Points, BeWell points at Rexall
Apply Now Apply Now

Disclosures:

  • Refer to RBC page for up to date offer terms and conditions.

    This post contains affiliate links. Please read disclaimer for more info.

    Disclaimer: Money.ca may engage in affiliate marketing, which is done by embedding tracking links into Money.ca. If you click on a link for an affiliate partnership, a cookie will be placed on your browser to track any sales for purposes of commissions.

RBC ION+ Visa

3.7

Winner: Best Student

14,000 Avion points

Welcome Bonus

$556

First Year Value

$456

Annual Value

Welcome Bonus: Get 14,000 Avion points upon approval - that’s $100 of value in gift cards! Apply by May 14, 2025. Expires May 14, 2025

Learn More Apply Now On RBC's Secure Site

The RBC ION Visa is the entry-level, no-fee option offering modest rewards on everyday spending categories like groceries and recurring payments. It comes with basic merchant partnerships and a complimentary food delivery subscription, making it suitable for occasional spenders who want simple rewards without any financial commitment.

The ION+ Visa charges a small monthly fee but substantially increases the earning potential across popular spending categories, particularly dining and transit. It adds valuable mobile device insurance and a more generous welcome bonus, making it the better choice for regular spenders who can easily offset the fee through enhanced rewards and protections.

RBC ION RBC ION+
Annual fee:
$0
Annual fee:
$48
Welcome offer:
Get 7,000 Avion points upon approval - that’s $50 of value in gift cards! Apply by May 14, 2025.
Welcome offer:
Get 14,000 Avion points upon approval - that’s $100 of value in gift cards! Apply by May 14, 2025.
Insurance:
Purchase security, extended warranty
Insurance:
Mobile device, purchase security, extended warranty
Other benefits:
DashPass subscription, Petro Points, BeWell points at Rexall
Other benefits:
DashPass subscription, Petro Points, BeWell points at Rexall
Apply Now Apply Now

Disclosures:

  • Refer to RBC page for up to date offer terms and conditions.

    This post contains affiliate links. Please read disclaimer for more info.

    Disclaimer: Money.ca may engage in affiliate marketing, which is done by embedding tracking links into Money.ca. If you click on a link for an affiliate partnership, a cookie will be placed on your browser to track any sales for purposes of commissions.

up to 55,000 points

Welcome Bonus

$1,313

First Year Value

$213

Annual Value

Welcome Bonus: Get up to 55,000 Avion points* (a value of up to $1,100†). Expires Jun 11, 2025

Learn More Apply Now On RBC's Secure Site

Hello fellow travellers, now we’re talking – this is a card I’ve had and would recommend. The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card is pretty darn decent for those who want to earn travel rewards. The card offers 1.00 Avion point per $1 spent on purchases and a generous welcome offer. 

This card really defies comparison with the RBC ION Visa Card. First, it’s got a $120 annual fee, totally worth it for the points, but probably a bit steep if you’ve even seriously considered the ION Visa. Plus, you need a minimum personal income of $60,000 for the Avion Visa Infinite, which squarely rules out the students the ION Visa is targeting. 

Now for some inside baseball – the Avion Visa is relatively easy to churn. In fact, I applied to both the Avion Visa and a lower tiered card back to back, and RBC automatically upgraded my application to a SECOND Avion Visa – which means I was able to double dip on the welcome bonus while running both cards simultaneously (a note for the travel heads).

RBC ION RBC Avion Visa Infinite
Annual fee:
$0
Annual fee:
$120
Welcome offer:
Get 7,000 Avion points upon approval - that’s $50 of value in gift cards! Apply by May 14, 2025.
Welcome offer:
Get up to 55,000 Avion points* (a value of up to $1,100†).
Insurance:
Purchase security, extended warranty
Insurance:
Purchase security, extended warranty, mobile device coverage, emergency medical coverage, travel accident insurance, trip interruption/cancellation, flight delay, hotel burglary, rental car coverage
Other benefits:
DashPass subscription, Petro Points, BeWell points at Rexall
Other benefits:
DashPass subscription, Petro Points, BeWell points at Rexall
Apply Now Apply Now

Disclosures:

  • Refer to RBC page for up to date offer terms and conditions.

    This post contains affiliate links. Please read disclaimer for more info.

    Disclaimer: Money.ca may engage in affiliate marketing, which is done by embedding tracking links into Money.ca. If you click on a link for an affiliate partnership, a cookie will be placed on your browser to track any sales for purposes of commissions.

Is the RBC ION Visa Card worth it?

Is it worth $0 for the annual fee? Still no, because your money could earn you more spent through other cards. Quite literally – the value you’re pulling in on this card (if spent on regularly) would be less than the cold hard cash you could pull in on decent cash back cards.

I’m not sure who exactly would want this card specifically, but if for some reason you were an RBC Avion diehard and wanted to collect ‘em all, paying no fee on this card makes it incredibly unintimidating. There’s just a veritable buffet of better options out there.

Eligiblity requirements

  • Age: 18+
  • Residency: Canadian resident
  • Credit needed: Fair
  • Income needed: N/A

Disclosures:

  • Refer to RBC page for up to date offer terms and conditions.

    This post contains affiliate links. Please read disclaimer for more info. 

    Disclaimer: Money.ca may engage in affiliate marketing, which is done by embedding tracking links into Money.ca. If you click on a link for an affiliate partnership, a cookie will be placed on your browser to track any sales for purposes of commissions.

FAQs

  • Does RBC ION Visa card offer travel insurance?

    +

    There is no travel insurance offered through the RBC ION Visa card, but insurance is available for mobile coverage and purchase security. You get up to $1000 towards damage, theft and loss for your mobile, and purchase protection for 90 days.

  • Does RBC ION Visa have car rental insurance?

    +

    If you’re looking for built in car insurance, this is not the card for you as there is no car rental insurance offered through the RBC ION Visa card.

  • Are foreign transaction fees waived on the RBC ION Visa?

    +

    Foreign transaction fees aren’t waived and are still applied to purchases made on the RBC ION Visa Card, which is another factor to consider for travellers interested in adding a points card to their collection.

  • What is the cash advance rate for the RBC ION Visa?

    +

    The cash advance APR is 22.99%, which is pretty standard among similar cards.

Cameron Smonk Freelance Writer

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.

Cory Santos Credit card expert

Cory Santos is a finance writer, editor and credit card expert with nearly a decade of experience in personal finance. Cory joined Wise Publishing from BestCards, with bylines in numerous print and digital publications across North America, including the Miami Herald, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Debt.ca, AOL, MSN and Medium as well as financial podcasts like KOFE Talk.

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