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Royal Bank of Canada offers an array of credit cards catering to various preferences and spending habits. Whether you prioritize travel rewards with Avion points, seek the flexibility of cash back, or prefer unique benefits like WestJet dollars, RBC has a card for you. With credit cards spanning the Visa and Mastercard networks, cardholders can tailor their shopping experience to suit their preferences. Let’s explore the standout features of the best RBC credit cards in Canada.
| Best credit card by category | Why we love it |
|---|---|
| Best RBC travel credit card RBC Avion Visa Infinite Annual fee: $120 | At least 1 Avion point per $1 spent on all your purchases, and good redemption flexibility |
| Best RBC airline travel credit card WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard Annual fee: $119 | 1.5% earn rate paired with an annual round-trip companion voucher on WestJet |
| Best RBC no-fee travel rewards credit card RBC ION Visa Annual fee: $0 | 1.5 Avion points per $1 spent across six spending categories, including streaming, subscriptions and digital gaming |
| Best RBC cash back credit card RBC Cash Back Preferred World Elite Mastercard Annual fee: $99 | 1.5% cash back on your first $25,000 in purchases annually |
| Best RBC low-interest credit card RBC Visa Classic Low Rate Option Annual fee: $20 | 12.99% interest rate on both purchases and cash advances |
Best RBC travel credit card
At a glance: The RBC Avion Visa Infinite is a premium travel credit card that has a flexible rewards program and exclusive benefits. Cardholders earn 1 Avion point per $1 spent, and a boosted 1.25 points on eligible travel expenses (like flights, cruises and car rentals).
RBC Avion Visa Infinite
Annual fee: $120
- 1.25 Avion points per $1 spent on travel (including flights, hotels, taxis and public transit)
- 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
Welcome offer: Earn up to 35,000 Avion points ($750 value)
Card details
| Interest rates | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances and on balance transfers (21.99% for Quebec residents) |
| Income required | $60,000 per year |
| Credit score | None specified |
| Point value | 1 RBC Avion point = Up to $0.023 when redeemed for travel using RBC’s Air Travel Redemption Schedule. |
Pros
- RBC Avion points can be worth as much as $0.023 each when redeemed for travel, which is a high value among travel rewards cards.
- Avion has a lot of travel redemption flexibility. You can redeem your points for travel using RBC’s Air Travel Redemption chart, transfer points to select airlines (including WestJet), and redeem for travel purchases through RBC.
- There are no blackout periods or seat restrictions, even during periods of high demand.
- Exclusive access to concert tickets, including Taylor Swift.
- Impressive travel insurance coverage, including trip cancellation and interruption and emergency medical. It even features mobile device insurance of up to $1,500.
Cons
- You’ll pay a foreign transaction fee of 2.5% on all purchases not in Canadian dollars.
- The highest earn rate is 1.25%, which is not very high for a premium card; other premium cards feature significantly higher earn rates.
- The personal annual income requirement of $60,000 (or household income of $100,000) may be too high for some applicants.
Best RBC airline travel credit card
At a glance: With perks like a yearly round-trip companion voucher, free checked bags and Boingo Wi-Fi access, the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard makes an attractive travel buddy. In fact, it’s the best credit card in Canada for frequent WestJet flyers—full stop. Cardholders earn 2% back in WestJet dollars on purchases of WestJet flights and vacation packages and get 1.5% back on all other spending. One WestJet dollar has a value of one Canadian dollar.
WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard
Annual fee: $119
- 2% back in WestJet dollars on WestJet flights and vacations packages
- 1.5% back on all other purchases
Welcome offer: Earn up to $450 in WestJet dollars.
Card details
| Interest rates | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances |
| Income required | Personal income of $80,000 or household income of $150,000 |
| Credit score | None specified |
| Point value | 1 WestJet Dollar = $1 CAD when redeemed for eligible flights or vacation packages. |
Pros
- Travel perks include complimentary first checked bags for the primary cardholder and up to eight companions.
- Get an annual round-trip companion voucher for any WestJet destination, starting at $119 (plus taxes, fees and other charges) or opt to exchange it for four lounge vouchers.
- Extensive travel insurance, including emergency medical, trip interruption and flight delay coverage.
- Cardholders can save up to $0.03 on fuel at Petro-Canada and can also earn Rexall’s Be Well points.
- The card grants access to over 1 million Boingo Wi-Fi hotspots worldwide.
Cons
- WestJet dollars can’t be used to pay for taxes and fees.
- Unlike with Aeroplan, for example, rewards are not flexible as they can only be used for WestJet flights and WestJet vacations.
- A minimum personal income of $80,000 (or $150,000 household income) is required to apply.
Best RBC no-fee travel rewards credit card
At a glance: The RBC ION Visa is a no-annual-fee rewards credit card that gives you 1.5 Avion points per $1 spent on groceries, rides, gas (and EV charging), streaming, subscriptions and digital gaming. Get 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
RBC ION Visa
Annual fee: $0
- 1.5 Avion points per $1 spent on groceries, daily transit, gas, EV charging, and streaming / subscriptions
- 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
Welcome offer: Earn 3,500 Avion points. Offer ends Jan. 15, 2025.
Card details
| Interest rates | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers |
| Income required | None specified |
| Credit score | None specified |
| Point value | 1 RBC Avion point = Up to $0.023 when redeemed for travel using RBC’s Air Travel Redemption Schedule. |
Pros
- Some redemption flexibility. You can redeem your points for travel, statement credits, merchandise, gift cards and more.
- Enjoy fuel savings at Petro-Canada, a three-month free DashPass subscription, and Be Well points with purchases at Rexall pharmacies.
- Good for gamers: The RBC ION Visa is one of the only cards in Canada that lets you earn rewards on gaming subscriptions, digital downloads and in-game purchases.
- The card features purchase security and extended warranty insurance.
Cons
- The RBC Avion rewards program includes three different membership tiers: Avion Select, Avion Premium and Avion Elite. The RBC ION Visa is part of the Avion Premium tier, meaning you can’t redeem your points through RBC’s Air Travel Redemption Schedule—which offers the highest value for your points. That feature is part of Avion Elite, which requires having an RBC Avion card.
- The card has limited insurance coverage.
Best RBC cash back credit card
At a glance: With the RBC Cash Back Preferred World Elite Mastercard, you’ll earn cash back on all your purchases. You’ll get 1.5% on the first $25,000 charged to the card annually and 1% thereafter. Enjoy additional benefits like instant fuel savings at Petro-Canada, Be Well points at Rexall and $0 delivery fees for 12 months from DoorDash.
RBC Cash Back Preferred World Elite Mastercard
Annual fee: $99
Rewards: 1.5% cash back on all your purchases
Welcome offer: earn unlimited cash back, no limit to what you can get back
Card details
| Interest rates | 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers |
| Income required | Personal income of $80,000 or household income of $150,000 |
| Credit score | None specified |
Pros
- The annual fee of $99 is lower than many other premium cards.
- If you link your RBC card to your Petro-Points account, you’ll save $0.03 cents per litre on gas at Petro-Canada and also get a 20% bonus of Petro-Points.
- You can earn 50 points per $1 spent at Rexall when you link your RBC card and your Rexall Be Well card.
- Card comes with a 12-month free DashPass subscription.
Cons
- Weak insurance offering compared to other premium cards. It only includes rental theft and car damage, purchase protection and extended warranty.
- The boosted rate of 1.5% is capped at your first $25,000 spent annually.
Best RBC low-interest credit card
At a glance: For individuals trying to tackle credit card debt, the RBC Visa Classic Low Rate Option is a valuable card. It offers a consistent 12.99% interest rate for purchases and cash advances—that can’t be said of all low-interest credit cards in Canada. While it may lack extensive perks, it does provide advantages like discounts at Petro-Canada and complimentary delivery services through DoorDash.
RBC Visa Classic Low Rate Option
Annual fee: $20
Low interest rate: 12.99% on purchases
Welcome offer: None
Card details
| Interest rates | 12.99% on purchases, 12.99% on cash advances, 12.99% on balance transfers |
| Income required | None specified |
| Credit score | None specified |
Pros
- With its affordable $20 annual fee and no minimum income requirement, this card is within reach for the majority of Canadians.
- Additional cards are available at no cost.
- Enjoy RBC Offers, which gives cardholders access to deals and savings.
- Earn more Petro-Points and get a discount on fuel at Petro-Canada.
- The card comes with a three-month complimentary subscription to DashPass.
Cons
- This card doesn’t come with any travel insurance.
- While the low interest rate is a boon to those with credit card debt, it doesn’t feature a balance transfer promotion, so you can’t move debt from a higher-interest card
More of Canada’s best credit cards:
- Best credit cards in Canada
- Best travel credit cards
- Best travel insurance credit cards
- Best Air Miles credit cards
- Best no foreign transaction fee credit cards
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