Overview
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege is the premium tier of RBC's flagship Avion travel card. At $399/year, it's positioned for high-income travellers who want airport lounge access, fast-track security, and a richer welcome bonus — all while keeping the core Avion flexibility of booking any flight, on any airline, at any time with no blackouts.
The current welcome offer is up to 70,000 bonus Avion points (travel value of up to $1,500). The bonus is structured as follows: 35,000 Avion points upon approval, 20,000 Avion points after spending $5,000 in the first 6 months, and an additional 15,000 Avion points on your 1-year anniversary. Beyond the bonus, the Privilege tier offers an enhanced redemption rate for Business and First Class flights — you can pay for all or part of a premium cabin ticket at 100 points = $2.00 CAD, double the standard 100 points = $1.00 rate for other travel. For a complete breakdown of how to maximize your points, read our RBC Avion Points Guide.
Earning Avion Points
The Privilege card earns Avion points on every purchase:
- 1.25 Avion points per $1 on all qualifying purchases
Unlike the standard Avion Visa Infinite, the 1.25x rate applies to all spending — not just travel. On $3,000/month in total spending, you'd earn approximately 45,000 Avion points per year on top of any welcome bonus.
Avion Points Never Expire
Just like the standard Avion card, your points never expire as long as your account remains open. No activity requirements, no 36-month clocks — your balance stays intact indefinitely.
What Are Avion Points Worth?
Avion points have variable value depending on how you redeem them (we cover this in depth in our RBC Avion Points Guide):
| Redemption Method | Value per Point | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Air Travel Redemption Schedule | ~2.0¢ | Fixed pricing, best value |
| Business/First Class (Privilege) | ~2.0¢ | 100 points = $2.00 — Privilege exclusive |
| Hotel, car rental, travel expenses | ~1.0¢ | 100 points = $1.00 |
| Statement credit | ~0.7¢ | Poorest value |
| Partner program transfer | Varies | Can exceed 2¢ depending on partner |
The enhanced Business and First Class redemption is a Privilege-exclusive perk. For premium cabin flights, you can pay for all or part of your ticket — including taxes, surcharges, and fees — at 100 points = $2.00 CAD. That's double the standard travel redemption rate of 100 points = $1.00.
Transfer Partners
Avion points can be converted to several airline loyalty programs, unlocking premium redemption opportunities:
- British Airways Executive Club (Avios) — Oneworld alliance flights worldwide
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles — Premium cabin flights to Asia
- American Airlines AAdvantage — Domestic U.S. and international flights
- WestJet Rewards — Domestic Canadian and transborder flights
- And more — Check avionrewards.com for the full list
Transfer ratios vary by partner, but strategic transfers can unlock outsized value — especially for Business and First Class award flights on partner airlines. We break down exact transfer ratios and sweet spots in our Avion Points Guide.
Airport & Travel Perks
This is where the Privilege card separates itself from the standard Infinite:
6 Global Airport Lounge Passes
You receive 6 complimentary lounge visits per membership year through DragonPass, valued at $375. These passes provide access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide — ideal for making layovers comfortable with complimentary food, drinks, Wi-Fi, and seating.
Fast-Track Airport Security
Skip the regular security line at select Canadian airports with dedicated VIP fast-track security lanes. For frequent travellers, this alone can save hours over the course of a year.
Priority Airport Parking
Get dedicated premium parking at select Canadian airports (Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, and Toronto City Airport Terminal) — closer spots so you can get to your gate faster.
Insurance & Benefits
The Privilege tier comes with one of the most comprehensive insurance packages of any Canadian credit card:
Unlimited Emergency Medical Insurance
Like the standard Avion Infinite, the Privilege version provides unlimited emergency medical insurance with no trip-length cap. This is a standout benefit — most travel cards cap coverage at 15–21 days per trip.
Full Insurance Package
- Unlimited travel emergency medical insurance — No trip-length restriction
- Travel accident insurance — Coverage for accidental death or dismemberment
- Trip cancellation & interruption insurance — Reimbursement for pre-paid, non-refundable travel costs
- Trip delay insurance — Coverage when flights are delayed
- Mobile device insurance — Covers your smartphone against damage and theft
- Car rental collision/loss damage waiver — Decline the rental company's coverage
- Purchase protection & extended warranty — 90 days of purchase protection
- Baggage delay & loss insurance — Coverage for delayed, lost, or damaged luggage
- Hotel/motel burglary insurance — Coverage for theft of personal belongings from your hotel room
Visa Infinite Privilege Benefits
As a Visa Infinite Privilege cardholder, you unlock the full premium Visa suite:
- Visa Infinite Hotel Collection — Free nights, room upgrades, and breakfast at 900+ luxury properties worldwide
- OpenTable Primetime Access — Exclusive reservations at in-demand restaurants
- Visa Infinite Dining Series — Curated dining events at top Canadian restaurants
- Visa Infinite Wine Country — Complimentary tastings and discounted wine deliveries
- GigSky International Data — 1GB/15 days complimentary plan twice per year, plus 30% off all plans in 175+ countries
- Troon Rewards Platinum — 20% off golf fees, merchandise, and lessons at 150+ courses worldwide
- Visa Concierge — 24/7 personal concierge for travel, dining, and gifts
Partner Perks
The card includes ongoing savings with popular Canadian brands:
- Petro-Canada — Save 3¢/L on fuel and earn 20% more Petro-Points when you link your card
- Rexall — Earn 50 Be Well™ points per $1 on eligible purchases
- Hertz — Up to 20% off rentals and 3x Avion points
- DoorDash — Free 12-month DashPass subscription (vs. 6 months on the standard Infinite)
Drawbacks to Consider
Annual Fee ($399)
The $399 annual fee is steep. You'll need to extract at least that much in value from the lounge passes ($375 alone nearly covers it), insurance, and the 2x Business/First Class redemption bonus to justify the cost. If you don't fly frequently or value lounge access, the standard Avion Visa Infinite at $120/year is the better bet.
Foreign Transaction Fee (2.5%)
Despite being a premium card, the Privilege still charges a 2.5% foreign transaction fee. For a $399/year travel card targeting high-income, frequent travellers, this is a notable gap. Pair it with a no-FX-fee card for international purchases.
Income Requirement ($200,000)
This card requires a minimum personal or household income of $200,000 — significantly higher than the $60,000/$100,000 threshold for the standard Avion Infinite. This limits accessibility for many Canadians.
Only 6 Lounge Passes
While 6 lounge passes per year is a solid perk, competitors like the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Privilege and American Express Platinum offer unlimited lounge access. If you fly more than 6 times per year, you may run out of passes before the year is up.
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege vs. Infinite
| Feature | Avion Visa Infinite | Avion Visa Infinite Privilege |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $120 | $399 |
| Additional Card | $50 | $99 |
| Earn Rate | 1.25x on travel, 1x on everything else | 1.25x on all purchases |
| Business/First Class | 100 pts = $2.00 | |
| Lounge Access | 6 passes/year | |
| Fast-Track Security | ||
| Priority Parking | ||
| Emergency Medical | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| DashPass | 12 months | 12 months |
| Income Required | $60,000 / $100,000 | $200,000 |
| Points = Travel Value | 100 pts = $1 | 100 pts = $1 (or $2 for Business/First) |
Who Is This Card Best For?
This card is an excellent choice if you:
- Want airport lounge access bundled with a flexible Avion points card
- Frequently fly Business or First Class and want the enhanced 100 points = $2.00 redemption rate
- Earn $200,000+ and want a premium travel card from a Big Five bank
- Value unlimited emergency medical insurance for extended trips
- Want all the flexibility of Avion — any airline, no blackouts — with premium perks layered on top
It's not the best choice if you:
- Don't fly often enough to use 6 lounge passes and fast-track security
- Spend frequently in foreign currencies and need to avoid FX fees
- Want a lower annual fee — the standard Avion Infinite at $120 covers the basics
- Need unlimited lounge access (consider AMEX Platinum or Scotiabank Passport Privilege)
Bottom Line
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege is Canada's strongest premium flexible travel card for travellers who value lounge access, enhanced premium cabin redemptions, and Avion's any-airline flexibility. The 100 points = $2.00 rate on Business and First Class is a Privilege-exclusive advantage, and the 6 lounge passes nearly pay for the annual fee on their own.
At $399/year, it's not for everyone — but for high-income travellers who fly frequently and want a single card covering lounges, insurance, and flexible points, it punches above its weight. If the annual fee gives you pause, the standard Avion Visa Infinite at $120/year delivers most of the same core benefits without the premium tier extras.
Want to maximize your Avion points? Read our complete RBC Avion Points Guide for the full Air Travel Redemption Schedule, transfer partner strategies, and real-world redemption examples.
