RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege Card review
May 12, 2025
While we adhere to strict editorial guidelines, partners on this page may provide us earnings.
Overall rating
First year value
$1,517
Get this card if you:
- want to earn Avion points faster
- want exlusive travel perks
- value a generous welcome offer
Scores by category
Welcome Bonus 3.8
Travel 2.6
At a glance
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege Card is a premium travel rewards credit card offering elevated earn rates on all eligible purchases, with additional benefits such as complimentary airport lounge access and comprehensive travel insurance. It requires a high personal or household income for eligibility and carries a substantial annual fee.
Highlights
$1,517
First year value
up to 70,000 points
Welcome bonus
$399
Annual fee
Interest Rates
20.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Balance transfer APR
22.99%
Cash advance APR
Eligibility
Very Good
Recommended credit score
$200,000
Required annual personal income
$200,000
Required annual household income
Quick overview of RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege Card
When a card has the words “Infinite” and “Privilege” in its name, you’re right to have certain expectations. First, you’re going to assume there’s a bunch of perks for the elite clientele this card clearly caters to. Next, you’re probably going to brace yourself for the inevitably high fees. And last, you might ask, “can I even qualify for this card?”
All of this is applicable to the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege Card. It’s a high-tier travel card for the high-tier travellers. It's got a pretty competitive welcome bonus and great earn rates. Let's see if this card is right for you!
✅ Who’s the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege card for?
This card is for well-to-do travel fiends – full stop. This card also resonates with me as someone who keeps multiple travel cards on hand at any given time, because having a network of cards with access to different lounges is a great idea. Plus, Avion points are so easily transferable and valuable with the RBC Air Travel Redemption Schedule. I could definitely see this card fitting in alongside an Amex whose points I might transfer to Marriott Bonvoy for hotels and keep the Avion for flights.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Competitive welcome bonus, earned on approval
- Great insurance coverage
- 1.25 Avion points per dollar spent on eligible purchases
- Plenty of of bonus perks like lounge access and ski pass
Cons
- Intimidating, unskippable annual fee
- High-income barrier, with a very good credit score needed
💳 Current welcome bonus
-
Get up to 70,000 Avion points* (a travel value of up to $1,500†).
70,000 Avion points* is enough for two roundtrip tickets to almost anywhere in Canada & the US (Alaska and Hawaii require more points). Taxes and fees extra.†
• 35,000 Avion Points on approval*
• 20,000 bonus points when you spend $5,000 in your first 6 months*
• 15,000 one-time anniversary bonus points after 12 months of account opening*
In addition to the generous welcome bonus, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege offers a competitive 1.25 points for every dollar you spend, regardless of purchase category. So, if you plan to put a reasonable (considering the snack bracket this card targets) $2,000 a month on this card, you’re clearing 2,500 points a month.
Plus, this card pairs with a Petro Points card, and gives you 20% more Avion points and 3¢/L savings.
One of the best parts of the Avion program is just how flexible the points are. For travel, the far-and-away best value is to book through the RBC Air Travel Redemption schedule, where your monthly spending over a year could net you close to $700 worth of points (and that’s not including the welcome bonus).
On top of that, you can also redeem your points through RBC Rewards, pay off your RBC bank statement, make donations to charity and purchase merchandise and gift cards through the RBC Rewards program.
But it should be noted – this is truly a card for travel. Even transferring through a partner airline, you’re still getting an incredible bang for your buck, that’s nearly halved in value if you’re springing for gift cards.
- Very generous welcome bonus and high earning potential
- Valuable points when used for travel
- Exceptional insurance coverage
- Flexibility to transfer points 1-1
If insurance is important to you, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege is going to be very tempting indeed.
- Emergency medical insurance: This card covers eligible medical expenses incurred while traveling abroad for up to 31 days in a row, and that coverage is unlimited.
- Travel accident insurance: The RBC Infinite Privilege provides coverage in case of accidental death or dismemberment while traveling on a common carrier. It covers up to $1 million.
- Lost baggage insurance: It also covers the cost of replacing lost or stolen baggage and personal items while traveling on a common carrier. The coverage amount is up to $1,000 per insured person.
- Trip cancellation insurance: It provides coverage for non-refundable travel expenses in the event of unexpected illness, injury or death of either the cardholder or an immediate family member. The coverage amount is up to $5,000 per insured person.
- Trip interruption insurance: Like for trip cancellation, this card provides coverage for non-refundable travel expenses in the event of illness, injury or death of the cardholder or an immediate family member, or if the cardholder’s travel plans are disrupted due to a covered reason. It covers a generous $2,500 per insured person.
- Mobile device insurance: The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege covers the cost of repairing or replacing your mobile device in the event of accidental damage or theft up to $1,500 per incident.
- Extended warranty insurance: This card doubles the manufacturer’s warranty for up to two additional years on purchases made with your card. It covers up to $10,000 per claim made.
- Purchase security insurance: It also provides coverage against theft, loss or damage for 90 days from the date of purchase on items purchased with your card.
- Rental car insurance: The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege offers coverage for theft or damage to rental vehicles when you rent a car for up to 48 consecutive days. The coverage is relative to the value of the rental vehicle.
As you’d expect from a card called “Infinite Privilege” this card comes chock full of bonuses that squarely aim to appeal to travelers, plus that ski pass I mentioned above.
- Called “The Friday Friend Pass,” you get a buy-one-get-one-free deal when you purchase your lift pass with your RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege at participating Canadian ski resorts.
- Global lounge access, fast track at security lanes and dedicated parking at participating Canadian airports (for anyone who’s wrestled with airport parking on a tight timeline, this could be huge).
- Enjoy 20% more Avion points and 3¢/L savings at Petro Canada.
-
Get 50 Be Well points for every $1 spent on eligible products at Rexall.
-
Save up to 20% on Hertz car rentals and earn 3x the points per dollar spent
- Access a one-year DoorDash “DashPass” subscription, valued at $120
Not all people love this card. Says reddit user baikal7, “Pretty much any Visa Infinite Privilege is around $400-$500.
Many people cringe at the high annual fee of the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege. But they shouted out the fast track lanes – something as a traveler I adore – and noted its price was pretty competitive with its peers.
This card is for the real travel heads, and I suspect more than a few point nerds. I see its value extracted most effectively when paired with other cards that might also allow transfer to Avion partner airlines so as to accrue points fast. Plus, with no minimum spend requirement, you can use the bonus on the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege pretty much immediately, which is awesome for spontaneity (unlike Amex cards, for instance).
This card really goes head to head with the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege, and depending on what you’re looking for I’d honestly endorse either of these. For instance, Scene points just aren’t as flexible as Avion points, and arguably less valuable for travel, on the whole. But Scotiabank also allows you to save on foreign exchange fees with this card, which is incredible if you’re travelling abroad for any length of time.
They both have a high annual fee and demand a higher income and credit score. One thing to note is the Scotiabank Platinum more passes a year, compared to RBCs, for those craving comfort while travelling extensively.
Disclosures:
Conditions Apply. Visit here for the Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card to learn more.*See Card Provider's website and Card Application for complete card details, terms and current offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information.
up to 80,000 points
Welcome Bonus
$2,581
First Year Value
$81
Annual Value
Get this card if you...
- travel often and want premium travel perks like lounge access
- want to avoid paying foreign exchange fees
- value a great welcome offer
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$399
Annual Fee
9.99%
Purchase
9.99%
Cash Advance
9.99%
Balance Transfer
Our Take
The Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card is a premium travel rewards credit card offering elevated earn rates on all eligible purchases, with additional benefits such as complimentary airport lounge access and comprehensive travel insurance. It charges no foreign transaction fees and provides access to exclusive events.
Eligibility
Good (620 - 670)
Recommended Credit Score
$12,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Pros
- The card offers a competitive low interest rate on purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers
- Comprehensive insurance coverage
- Complimentary Airport lounge access
- No foreign transaction fees
- Ideal for travelers as it has no foreign transaction fees
- Offers a substantial welcome bonus that includes up to 80,000 Scene+ points
- Enjoy premium perks like Hertz #1 Club Gold membership and concierge services.
Cons
- High annual fee: At $399, the annual fee is steep, which could offset the rewards and benefits for some cardholders
- Below average rewards rate: Lower compared to other cards with similar or lower annual fees
- Limited American Express acceptance: Especially outside major cities
- Rewards potential: The net rewards potential is relatively low when considering the high annual fee
- Non-transferable points: Scene+ points cannot be transferred to other rewards programs
Annual Interest Rates
9.99%
Purchase
9.99%
Cash Advance
9.99%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$399
Annual Fee
0.00%
Foreign Transaction
5.00%
Balance Transfer
$5
Cash Advance
$29
Over The Limit Penalty
Rewards Scene+
2x
Scene+ points for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
4x
Scene+ points for every dollar you spend on hotel bookings, car rentals, and things to do with Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia
0%
No foreign transaction fees
10
Complimentary airport lounge passes per year
Insurance Benefits
$1,000
Mobile device insurance amount
$2,000,000
Emergency medical insurance amount
10
Emergency medical insurance over 65 days
$500,000
Travel accident insurance amount
$1,000
Hotel burglary insurance
$65,000
Rental car insurance amount
Earn up to $2,500* in value in the first 14 months, including up to 80,000 bonus Scene+ points.
To qualify for this Offer make sure to apply for and open a new Scotiabank Platinum American Express credit card account (“Account”) between January 3, 2025 and October 31, 2025.
To qualify for the 80,000 bonus Scene+ points:
Earn 60,000 bonus Scene+ points by making at least $3,000 in everyday eligible purchases in your first 3 months.
Plus, for a limited time, you are eligible to earn a 20,000 Scene+ point bonus when you spend at least $10,000 in everyday eligible purchases in your first 14 months.
Once you qualify, your account will be credited in 2 instalments:
60,000 bonus Scene+ points will be credited to the applicable Scene+ membership account approximately 8 weeks after the qualifying $3,000 in eligible purchases being posted to your Account within the first 3 months of Account opening.
An additional 20,000 bonus Scene+ points will be credited to the applicable Scene+ membership account approximately 8 weeks after you have met the $10,000 spend threshold in your Account within the first 14 months of Account opening.
Note: For joint Accounts, the applicable bonus will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the Account of the borrower that completed the last transaction to meet the qualifying amount of eligible purchases in the case of the 60,000 Point Bonus and the Additional 20,000 Point Bonus.
Individuals who are currently or were previously primary or secondary cardholders of a Scotiabank personal credit card in the past 2 years, including those that switch from an existing Scotiabank personal credit card, as well as employees of Scotiabank, are not eligible for this offer.
*See terms and conditions for full details.
Rates, fees and other information are effective as of July 2, 2025. Subject to change.
Our Take
The Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card is a premium travel rewards credit card offering elevated earn rates on all eligible purchases, with additional benefits such as complimentary airport lounge access and comprehensive travel insurance. It charges no foreign transaction fees and provides access to exclusive events.
Eligibility
Good (620 - 670)
Recommended Credit Score
$12,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Pros
- The card offers a competitive low interest rate on purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers
- Comprehensive insurance coverage
- Complimentary Airport lounge access
- No foreign transaction fees
- Ideal for travelers as it has no foreign transaction fees
- Offers a substantial welcome bonus that includes up to 80,000 Scene+ points
- Enjoy premium perks like Hertz #1 Club Gold membership and concierge services.
Cons
- High annual fee: At $399, the annual fee is steep, which could offset the rewards and benefits for some cardholders
- Below average rewards rate: Lower compared to other cards with similar or lower annual fees
- Limited American Express acceptance: Especially outside major cities
- Rewards potential: The net rewards potential is relatively low when considering the high annual fee
- Non-transferable points: Scene+ points cannot be transferred to other rewards programs
Annual Interest Rates
9.99%
Purchase
9.99%
Cash Advance
9.99%
Balance Transfer
Fees
$399
Annual Fee
0.00%
Foreign Transaction
5.00%
Balance Transfer
$5
Cash Advance
$29
Over The Limit Penalty
Rewards Scene+
2x
Scene+ points for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
4x
Scene+ points for every dollar you spend on hotel bookings, car rentals, and things to do with Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia
0%
No foreign transaction fees
10
Complimentary airport lounge passes per year
Insurance Benefits
$1,000
Mobile device insurance amount
$2,000,000
Emergency medical insurance amount
10
Emergency medical insurance over 65 days
$500,000
Travel accident insurance amount
$1,000
Hotel burglary insurance
$65,000
Rental car insurance amount
Earn up to $2,500* in value in the first 14 months, including up to 80,000 bonus Scene+ points.
To qualify for this Offer make sure to apply for and open a new Scotiabank Platinum American Express credit card account (“Account”) between January 3, 2025 and October 31, 2025.
To qualify for the 80,000 bonus Scene+ points:
Earn 60,000 bonus Scene+ points by making at least $3,000 in everyday eligible purchases in your first 3 months.
Plus, for a limited time, you are eligible to earn a 20,000 Scene+ point bonus when you spend at least $10,000 in everyday eligible purchases in your first 14 months.
Once you qualify, your account will be credited in 2 instalments:
60,000 bonus Scene+ points will be credited to the applicable Scene+ membership account approximately 8 weeks after the qualifying $3,000 in eligible purchases being posted to your Account within the first 3 months of Account opening.
An additional 20,000 bonus Scene+ points will be credited to the applicable Scene+ membership account approximately 8 weeks after you have met the $10,000 spend threshold in your Account within the first 14 months of Account opening.
Note: For joint Accounts, the applicable bonus will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the Account of the borrower that completed the last transaction to meet the qualifying amount of eligible purchases in the case of the 60,000 Point Bonus and the Additional 20,000 Point Bonus.
Individuals who are currently or were previously primary or secondary cardholders of a Scotiabank personal credit card in the past 2 years, including those that switch from an existing Scotiabank personal credit card, as well as employees of Scotiabank, are not eligible for this offer.
*See terms and conditions for full details.
Rates, fees and other information are effective as of July 2, 2025. Subject to change.
I love the Amex Platinum. I literally struggled to cancel it, despite staring down the barrel of another nearly $800 annual fee. Making minimum spend in three months is absolutely no joke, but for the high-income individuals both the Platinum and the Infinite Privilege cards target, it should be doable.
The perks are incredible. Some of the best lounge access in the world, incredible concierge service, and great dining and travel credits. That combined with welcome bonus and you have a card that's tough to beat.
That said – if you found the annual fee tough to swallow for the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege, the Platinum might be a bridge too far.
Disclosures:
Contact American Express for the most up-to-date referral bonus figures.
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
up to 100,000 points
Welcome Bonus
$471
First Year Value
$0
Annual Value
Welcome Bonus: Earn up to 100,000 Membership Rewards® points* - that’s up to $1,000 towards a weekend away.
Get this card if you...
- are a frequent traveler who wants luxury perks like lounge access
- want to rack up rewards quickly
- want great travel insurance, perks and concierge services
Annual Fee & Annual Interest Rates
$799
Annual Fee
21.99% - 29.99%
Purchase
Our Take
The American Express Platinum Card® is a premium travel rewards credit card offering elevated Membership Rewards® points on eligible purchases, with a substantial welcome bonus for new cardholders. Cardholders enjoy exclusive benefits such as access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide† through the American Express Global Lounge Collection™, comprehensive travel insurance, and personalized concierge services.
Eligibility
Excellent (740+)
Recommended Credit Score
Pros
- Access to a wide range of luxury perks, including premium concierge service
- Complimentary lounge membership providing access to over 1,400+ airport lounges worldwide†
- Annual statement credits: $200 annual travel credit, $200 annual dining credit
- Special insurance coverages like trip cancellation/interruption, flight delay, lost or stolen baggage and rental car theft & damage.
- Provides extended warranty (2 years) and purchase protection (120 days).
Cons
- High annual fee of $799, one of the heftiest among Canadian cards
- The rewards system can be complicated, especially for users not familiar with maximizing credit card points
- Requires good to excellent credit for eligibility
Annual Interest Rates
21.99% - 29.99%
Purchase
30%
Penalty
Fees
$799
Annual Fee
2.50%
Foreign Transaction
$45
Return Penalty
Rewards Membership Rewards
2x
points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible dining and food delivery in Canada
2x
points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible travel
1x
point for every $1 in all other Card purchases
1
additional point on Amex Travel Online for eligible hotel or car rental bookings
Insurance Benefits
$5,000,000
Emergency medical insurance amount
$500,000
Travel accident insurance amount
$1,000
Hotel burglary insurance
$85,000
Rental car insurance amount
Earn up to 100,000 Membership Rewards® points - that’s up to $1,000 towards a weekend away! Here's how:
New Platinum® Cardmembers, earn 70,000 Welcome Bonus points after you charge $10,000 in net purchases to your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership
Plus, earn 30,000 points when you make a purchase between 15 and 17 months of Cardmembership
Terms and Conditions Apply.
Our Take
The American Express Platinum Card® is a premium travel rewards credit card offering elevated Membership Rewards® points on eligible purchases, with a substantial welcome bonus for new cardholders. Cardholders enjoy exclusive benefits such as access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide† through the American Express Global Lounge Collection™, comprehensive travel insurance, and personalized concierge services.
Eligibility
Excellent (740+)
Recommended Credit Score
Pros
- Access to a wide range of luxury perks, including premium concierge service
- Complimentary lounge membership providing access to over 1,400+ airport lounges worldwide†
- Annual statement credits: $200 annual travel credit, $200 annual dining credit
- Special insurance coverages like trip cancellation/interruption, flight delay, lost or stolen baggage and rental car theft & damage.
- Provides extended warranty (2 years) and purchase protection (120 days).
Cons
- High annual fee of $799, one of the heftiest among Canadian cards
- The rewards system can be complicated, especially for users not familiar with maximizing credit card points
- Requires good to excellent credit for eligibility
Annual Interest Rates
21.99% - 29.99%
Purchase
30%
Penalty
Fees
$799
Annual Fee
2.50%
Foreign Transaction
$45
Return Penalty
Rewards Membership Rewards
2x
points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible dining and food delivery in Canada
2x
points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible travel
1x
point for every $1 in all other Card purchases
1
additional point on Amex Travel Online for eligible hotel or car rental bookings
Insurance Benefits
$5,000,000
Emergency medical insurance amount
$500,000
Travel accident insurance amount
$1,000
Hotel burglary insurance
$85,000
Rental car insurance amount
Earn up to 100,000 Membership Rewards® points - that’s up to $1,000 towards a weekend away! Here's how:
New Platinum® Cardmembers, earn 70,000 Welcome Bonus points after you charge $10,000 in net purchases to your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership
Plus, earn 30,000 points when you make a purchase between 15 and 17 months of Cardmembership
Terms and Conditions Apply.
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege vs. RBC Avion Visa Infinite
| Features | RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege | RBC Avion Visa Infinite |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $399 | $120 |
| Welcome offer | Get up to 70,000 Avion points* (a travel value of up to $1,500†). | Enjoy 35,000 Avion points upon approval^ (travel value of $750†). |
| Insurance | Comprehensive travel, purchase protection, extended warranty, etc. | Comprehensive insurance, but coverage is less for key categories |
| Benefits |
◦ Very generous welcome bonus and high earning potential
◦ Valuable points when used for travel ◦ Exceptional insurance coverage ◦ Flexibility to transfer points 1-1 |
◦ Incredible welcome bonus for its fee
◦ Valuable points when used for travel ◦ Great insurance, though less so than the Privilege ◦ Flexibility to transfer points 1-1 |
| Review | You're reading it! | Read review |
| More information |
✅ Is the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege card worth it?
If you’ve got a hankering for travel, I would say that this card is as worth it as many of its similarly priced peers, especially if you want the bonus without the three to six month minimum spend requirements of competitor cards.
That said, I think this card is best used alongside a suite of travel cards, up to and including the Amex Platinum (so long as fees don’t shake your knees). All that said, yes – I think the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege is worth it.
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.
- American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment
FAQs
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.
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†Terms and Conditions apply.