RBC ION Visa

Overview

The RBC ION Visa is RBC's gateway rewards card — and one of the best no-annual-fee credit cards in Canada for everyday spending. It earns Avion points on every purchase, with a 1.5x accelerated rate on the categories most Canadians spend the most on: groceries, gas, transit, rideshare, streaming, digital gaming, and subscriptions.

At $0/year with no income requirement, the ION Visa is designed for anyone — students, newcomers, young professionals, or seasoned cardholders who want a free card that earns on everything. You won't get airline transfers or travel insurance (those are reserved for the Avion Visa Infinite tier), but you get something equally valuable for a starter card: simplicity. Earn points on everyday spending, redeem for gift cards from brands like Apple, Amazon, and Best Buy, and start with as few as 1,400 points for a $10 gift card.

The ION Visa is also the on-ramp to the Avion Rewards ecosystem. Points you earn here carry over if you later upgrade to an Avion Visa Infinite or Avion Visa Infinite Privilege — so you're building a balance from day one, even if you plan to move up later.

Welcome Offer

RBC is offering up to 11,000 bonus Avion points — worth approximately $75 in gift cards. The offer breaks down into two tiers:

• 4,000 Avion points — awarded upon approval (no spending required)
• 7,000 Avion points — awarded after spending $500 within the first 3 months

Apply by May 6, 2026 to qualify.

The $500 spending threshold is one of the lowest in the Canadian credit card market — most welcome offers require $1,000–$5,000 in spending. For a free card, getting $75 in gift cards just for making your normal purchases is a strong deal.

Earning Avion Points

The ION Visa earns Avion points on every purchase, with bonus earning on everyday essentials:

Bonus Categories (1.5x)

• Groceries — Supermarkets, grocery stores, and specialty food shops
• Gas & EV charging — Gas stations and electric vehicle charging stations
• Transit & rideshare — Public transit, Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare services
• Streaming services — Netflix, Disney+, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Prime Video, and similar
• Digital gaming — PlayStation Store, Xbox, Nintendo eShop, Steam, and in-game purchases
• Eligible digital subscriptions — App subscriptions, cloud storage, and digital downloads

Everything Else (1x)

All other purchases earn 1 Avion point per $1 — including dining, shopping, online purchases, bills, and everything not in a bonus category.

Earning Projections

Here's what you'd earn based on realistic monthly spending:

For a card that costs $0/year, earning $167–$319 in annual rewards is competitive with many cards that charge $50–$100 in annual fees.

How the 1.5x Bonus Category Works

RBC uses merchant category codes (MCCs) to determine which purchases qualify for the 1.5x rate. This means the bonus applies automatically based on where you shop — you don't need to activate categories or opt in each quarter like some U.S. cards require.

However, not all purchases at eligible-sounding stores qualify. For example, a gas station convenience store purchase may code differently than a fuel purchase. Walmart groceries may code as a general merchandise store rather than a grocery store. If maximum bonus earning is important, stick to dedicated grocery stores and gas stations for the most reliable 1.5x coding.

What Are Avion Points Worth on the ION Visa?

This is an important distinction: Avion points earned on the ION Visa are worth less per point than Avion points earned on the Avion Visa Infinite. That's because the ION Visa has access to a narrower set of redemption options.

On the ION Visa, the primary redemption path is gift cards, where your effective return per point is roughly 0.7¢. This means:

• At 1.5x earning (bonus categories): effective return of ~1.05%
• At 1x earning (everything else): effective return of ~0.7%

These rates are modest compared to travel cards — but competitive for a no-fee card. The key advantage is the low redemption threshold: you can redeem starting at just 1,400 points for a $10 gift card, so you're never sitting on a balance you can't use.

Can You Upgrade to Unlock Better Redemptions?

Yes. If you later upgrade to the RBC Avion Visa Infinite ($120/year), your accumulated ION Visa points carry over — and you unlock the full Avion redemption suite including the Air Travel Redemption Schedule (fixed-point flight bookings on 500+ airlines) and airline partner transfers to British Airways, Cathay Pacific, American Airlines, and more. This makes the ION Visa a smart starting card if you're building toward an Avion Infinite in the future.

Redeeming Avion Points

Gift Cards (Best Value on ION)

The most practical redemption for ION Visa cardholders. Redeem Avion points for gift cards from top Canadian and international brands:

• Apple — iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, App Store credit
• Amazon.ca — Anything on Amazon
• Best Buy — Electronics, appliances, tech accessories
• Starbucks — Coffee and food
• Uber / Uber Eats — Rides and food delivery
• And many more — Browse the full catalogue at avionrewards.com

The minimum redemption is just 1,400 Avion points for a $10 gift card. Most programs require 5,000–10,000 points before you can redeem anything, so this low threshold is a genuine advantage — especially for lighter spenders who don't want points sitting unused for months.

Merchandise & Experiences

Avion Rewards also offers merchandise, event tickets, and experiences through its online catalogue. Value per point on merchandise can vary — gift cards typically offer the most consistent per-point value.

Avion Rewards Marketplace

Access savings and deals from over 2,000 top brands through the Avion Rewards marketplace. This includes exclusive offers, discounts, and promotions available to all Avion cardholders.

What You Can't Do (ION Visa Limitations)

The ION Visa does not support:

• Air Travel Redemption Schedule — You can't book flights through the Avion fixed-point pricing system (available on Avion Visa Infinite and above)
• Airline partner transfers — You can't convert points to British Airways Avios, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, American Airlines AAdvantage, WestJet Rewards, etc.
• Travel statement credits — You can't apply points against travel purchases on your statement
• Hotel, car rental, or travel expense redemptions — These are Infinite-tier features

If these redemption options are important to you, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite ($120/year) unlocks the full suite.

Insurance & Benefits

The ION Visa includes basic insurance — not as comprehensive as Infinite-tier cards, but solid for a free card.

Purchase Security

Protects eligible purchases made with the card against loss, theft, or accidental damage for 90 days from the date of purchase. This is useful for electronics, holiday gifts, and higher-value items that are most vulnerable right after you buy them.

For example, if you buy a new pair of headphones with the card and they're stolen within 90 days, purchase security can cover the replacement cost.

Extended Warranty Insurance

Extends the manufacturer's original warranty by up to one additional year on eligible items purchased with the card. This applies to warranties of five years or less. Buy a laptop, kitchen appliance, or gaming console with the ION Visa, and the warranty is automatically extended — no registration needed.

What Insurance Is NOT Included

The ION Visa does not include:

• No emergency medical insurance — You'll need separate travel medical coverage when travelling outside your province
• No trip cancellation or interruption insurance — No reimbursement for pre-paid travel costs
• No mobile device insurance — Your phone isn't covered (the More Rewards RBC Visa Infinite includes this for free)
• No rental car collision/loss damage insurance — You'll need to accept the rental CDW or use a different card (the RBC Visa Platinum includes this for free)
• No travel accident insurance — No common carrier accidental death coverage
• No baggage delay or loss insurance

For a free card, the purchase security and extended warranty are meaningful — but if you need travel insurance, you'll need to pair the ION Visa with another card or purchase standalone coverage.

Partner Perks & Digital Features

RBC Partner Perks

The card includes ongoing savings with popular Canadian brands — shared across most RBC credit cards:

• Petro-Canada — Save 3¢/L on fuel and earn 20% more Petro-Points when you link your card. Combined with the 1.5x earning on gas, Petro-Canada fill-ups become a double reward.
• Rexall — Earn 50 Be Well™ points per $1 on eligible purchases at Rexall pharmacy locations
• DoorDash — 6-month complimentary DashPass subscription (waived delivery fees and reduced service fees on eligible orders). DoorDash orders also earn 1x Avion points.

Avion Rewards Access

With the ION Visa, you get full access to Avion Rewards — RBC's rewards platform with offers and savings from over 2,000 top brands. This includes rotating promotions, bonus point offers, and exclusive deals available to all Avion cardholders.

Digital Features

• RBC Mobile App — Manage bills, set up mobile pay, view transactions, lock/unlock your card, and track your Avion points balance
• NOMI Insights — AI-powered banking intelligence that learns your spending patterns and sends tailored alerts, reminders, and money-saving insights
• Fraud Protection — Zero liability on unauthorized transactions, both in-store and online
• Tap-to-Pay — Compatible with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay for contactless payments
• Free Additional Cards — Add authorized users at $0 per additional card. Additional cardholders earn Avion points on their purchases too, pooling into your shared account.

The Real Value: What $0/Year Gets You

For a card with no annual fee and no income requirement, this is a strong total package — especially in year one when the welcome bonus adds ~$75 in extra value.

ION Visa vs. ION+ Visa vs. Avion Visa Infinite

How to choose:

• ION Visa ($0) — Best for cost-conscious earners who want free rewards. No income barrier, no commitment.
• ION+ Visa ($48) — Worth it if you spend $3,000+/month in bonus categories. The 2x rate plus mobile device insurance can justify the $48 fee.
• Avion Visa Infinite ($120) — The upgrade for travellers. Unlocks airline partner transfers, the Air Travel Redemption Schedule, full travel insurance (including unlimited emergency medical), and the ability to book any flight on 500+ airlines with no blackouts.

The ION Visa is the free entry point into Avion Rewards. If your spending grows or your travel needs change, you can upgrade and carry your full points balance with you.

How This Card Fits Into Your Wallet

The ION Visa works well as both a standalone card and as part of a multi-card strategy:

Standalone: ION Visa Only ($0)

If you want one simple, free card that earns on everything, the ION Visa covers the basics. You earn points on every purchase, redeem for gift cards at a low threshold, and get purchase security plus extended warranty. It's the simplest possible rewards setup.

Pairing Option 1: ION Visa + RBC Visa Platinum ($0 total)

Use the ION Visa for all everyday spending (1.5x on groceries, gas, transit, streaming) and keep the RBC Visa Platinum for car rentals (free CDW coverage) and travel bookings (travel accident insurance). Total annual fee: $0. You get rewards earning, rental car insurance, and travel accident coverage — all for free.

Pairing Option 2: ION Visa + No-FX-Fee Card ($0–$120 total)

If you travel internationally, pair the ION Visa for domestic spending with a no-foreign-transaction-fee card for purchases abroad. The ION Visa's 2.5% FX fee makes it unsuitable for foreign purchases, but domestically it's a strong earner.

Upgrade Path: ION Visa → Avion Visa Infinite

Start with the ION Visa to build your Avion points balance. When your income reaches $60K (or $100K household) and you're ready for travel perks, upgrade to the RBC Avion Visa Infinite. Your accumulated points carry over and unlock the full Avion redemption suite — flights on 500+ airlines, airline partner transfers, and unlimited emergency medical insurance.

Drawbacks to Consider

No Airline Partner Transfers

This is the biggest limitation versus the Avion Visa Infinite. The ION Visa cannot transfer points to airline partners like British Airways Executive Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, American Airlines AAdvantage, or WestJet Rewards. You're limited to redeeming through the Avion Rewards marketplace (gift cards, merchandise, etc.). If airline miles and premium cabin bookings are your goal, you need the Avion Visa Infinite.

Lower Point Value

Avion points on the ION Visa are worth roughly 0.7¢ each when redeemed for gift cards — compared to 1.5–2.0¢ on the Avion Visa Infinite when used for flights via the Air Travel Redemption Schedule. This means the same number of points on the ION Visa buys you roughly half the value of what they'd be worth on an Infinite-tier card. The earning rate is higher (1.5x vs 1.25x on travel), but the per-point redemption value is significantly lower.

No Travel Insurance

There's no emergency medical insurance, no trip cancellation, no flight delay coverage, and no baggage protection. If you travel, you'll need to pair the ION Visa with a card that includes travel insurance or purchase standalone coverage. A single medical emergency abroad without coverage can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

No Mobile Device Insurance

Unlike the ION+ Visa ($48/year) and the More Rewards RBC Visa Infinite ($0/year), the standard ION Visa does not include mobile device insurance. If phone protection is important to you, consider one of those alternatives.

2.5% Foreign Transaction Fee

Standard 2.5% FX fee on all non-CAD purchases. On a $1,000 USD vacation spend (roughly $1,370 CAD), that's $34 in FX fees — easily wiping out whatever points you'd earn on those purchases. Don't use this card abroad.

Standard Interest Rate

The 20.99% purchase rate and 22.99% cash advance rate are standard across most RBC cards. This is not a low-interest option — always pay your balance in full each month to avoid interest charges that would far exceed the value of any points earned.

MCC-Dependent Bonus Categories

The 1.5x bonus relies on merchant category codes, which don't always align with what you'd expect. Walmart grocery purchases, for example, may code as "general merchandise" rather than "grocery" — meaning you'd earn 1x instead of 1.5x. For maximum bonus earning, shop at dedicated grocery stores, gas stations, and transit providers.

Who Is This Card Best For?

This card is an excellent choice if you:

• Want a $0 annual fee rewards card — no cost, no commitment
• Spend heavily on groceries, gas, transit, and streaming — the 1.5x categories cover most people's biggest everyday expenses
• Prefer gift card redemptions over airline miles — practical, immediate value from brands like Apple, Amazon, Best Buy
• Are a student, newcomer, or building credit — no income requirement makes this one of the most accessible rewards cards in Canada
• Want to start building an Avion points balance that carries over if you upgrade to the Avion Visa Infinite later
• Like the flexibility of low redemption thresholds — 1,400 points ($10 gift card) means you're never stuck waiting

It's not the best choice if you:

• Want to transfer points to airline partners — you need the RBC Avion Visa Infinite ($120/year) for that
• Need travel insurance — medical, cancellation, and flight delay coverage require an Infinite-tier card
• Want mobile device insurance — consider the ION+ ($48/year) or More Rewards RBC Visa Infinite ($0/year)
• Spend frequently in foreign currencies — the 2.5% FX fee makes this card expensive abroad
• Prefer cash back over points — the RBC Cash Back Mastercard offers straightforward 2% on groceries and 0.5% on everything else
• Want airport lounge access — not available on any ION-tier card

Bottom Line

The RBC ION Visa is the best free entry point into Avion Rewards — and one of the strongest no-fee rewards cards in Canada for everyday spending. With 1.5x Avion points on groceries, gas, transit, streaming, and digital subscriptions, a 1,400-point redemption threshold for $10 gift cards, and no annual fee or income requirement, it makes earning rewards accessible to everyone.

The card's limitations are real — no airline transfers, no travel insurance, and a lower per-point value than Infinite-tier cards — but that's by design. The ION Visa is a starting point, not the finish line. Earn points on your everyday spending today, and when you're ready, upgrade to the Avion Visa Infinite to unlock the full Avion redemption suite. Your points carry over, so nothing you earn now goes to waste.

For Canadians who want a simple, free card that earns meaningful rewards on the spending they're already doing — without worrying about annual fees, income requirements, or complex redemption strategies — the RBC ION Visa is an easy choice.