RBC Avion to British Airways Avios Transfer Bonus Guide: How It Works (and When It’s Worth It)

What is the RBC Avion → BA Avios transfer bonus?

Every so often, RBC runs a limited-time promo where your RBC Avion points convert to more British Airways Avios than usual.

• Normal transfer rate (most commonly): 1 Avion = 1 Avios
• During the promo (most commonly): 30% bonus
  • Example: 10,000 Avion → 13,000 Avios (effective 1:1.3)

These bonuses matter because Avios can unlock flight redemptions that can be far better than using Avion points in a portal—but only if you use Avios correctly (and avoid high-fee traps).

How the bonus works (the mechanics)

1) You transfer Avion points to your British Airways account

Transfers are done from Avion Rewards into your British Airways account (British Airways Club / Executive Club branding varies depending on the year/region).

2) You receive an uplift (during promo periods)

When the bonus is live, RBC applies an uplift to the Avios you receive—commonly 30%, turning a 1:1 transfer into an effective 1:1.3.

3) Minimum transfer is typically required

Recent promos have required a minimum transfer of 10,000 Avion points to qualify.

4) Transfers are one-way

Once you transfer points into Avios, you should assume you can’t “undo” it. Treat it like exchanging currency: only do it once you have a plan.

Transfer bonus history (last 3 years)

Below are the RBC Avion → BA Avios transfer bonuses we can verify from Feb 23, 2023 to Feb 23, 2026.

| Promo window (PT) | Bonus | Effective rate | |---|---:|---:|---| | Apr 3, 2023 → May 15, 2023 | 30% | 1:1.3 | | Oct 2, 2023 → Nov 13, 2023 | 30% | 1:1.3 | | May 7, 2024 → Jun 21, 2024 | 30% | 1:1.3 | | Oct 1, 2024 → Nov 12, 2024 | 30% | 1:1.3 | | Jun 2, 2025 → Jul 11, 2025 | 30% | 1:1.3 | | Nov 10, 2025 → Dec 19, 2025 | 30% | 1:1.3 |

Pattern takeaway:

• Over the last 3 years, RBC ran 1–2 Avios bonuses per year, and in 2025 it ran two (summer + Black Friday/holiday). We can probably expect the same for the foreseeable future.
• All of the transfer bonusses were for a 30% bonus on however many points you transfer. It's unlikely that this will change, but also not impossible.

When the transfer bonus is worth it (the decision framework)

This is the simplest way to decide.

It’s usually worth it if ALL of these are true

1) You have a specific Avios redemption in mind

Examples where Avios often shines (check our full Avios redemption guide for more):

• Short-haul flights (distance-based pricing can be very efficient)
• Partner flights where fees are reasonable
• Situations where cash fares are expensive but award pricing stays manageable

2) You have verified award availability

Avios can be powerful, but availability can be the limiting factor—especially on popular dates. You'll want to make sure you've already checked for the specific flight that you want to book on British Airways.

3) Your taxes/fees are reasonable

One of the biggest mistakes Canadians make: transferring to Avios for a route that has huge surcharges, which can destroy the “value” even if the points price looks low.

It’s usually NOT worth it if any of these are true

• You’re transferring “just because there’s a bonus” with no booking plan.
• You only fly once every few years and you'd rather keep flexibility in Avion.
• Your likely redemptions are ones that typically carry heavy surcharges.

Quick math: what the 30% bonus really gives you

Let’s say you were going to transfer anyway.

• Without bonus: 50,000 Avion → 50,000 Avios
• With 30% bonus: 50,000 Avion → 65,000 Avios

That extra 15,000 Avios can be the difference between:

• booking a flight vs not having enough points,
• upgrading to a better routing,
• covering a second person on a short-haul redemption.

The bonus is most valuable when you’re:

• topping up to reach a target,
• booking multiple passengers,
• or booking premium cabins with low fees.

Bottom line

RBC’s Avion → Avios transfer bonuses are one of the most consistent “easy wins” for Canadians—but only when you transfer with a real redemption plan.

Use the table above to time your transfers, and treat Avios like a specialized tool:

• powerful for the right jobs,
• mediocre (or expensive) for the wrong ones.

Not sure if transferring to Avios is right for your next trip? Start with our RBC Avion Points Guide to understand all your redemption options, then check our Avios booking guide to see if your route is a good fit.