RBC ION Visa
Skip for nowWhat the roles mean
- A no-fee RBC card: 1.5 Avion points per $1 on groceries, gas, transit, rideshare and streaming
Welcome offer now
Up to 14,000 Avion points — "up to $100 of value in gift cards."
Ends November 4, 2026.
Checked on RBC's own page October 21, 2026. See RBC's page
What it earns in a year
37,200 points a year
Worth about $205 at the simplest redemption, up to $372 at the best.
Based on $30,000 a year of spending ($9,600 groceries, $3,000 gas, $3,000 dining…). Welcome offer not included.
Try it with your own spending →
- Groceries: 1.5× points.
- Gas / EV: 1.5× points.
- Transit: 1.5× points.
- Entertainment: 1.5× points.
- Everything else: 1× points.
Highlighted = use this card here.
Using your points
On the spending above, 37,200 points a year: worth $205 the easy way, $372 the best way.
- Easy way (0.55¢): Merchandise and most gift cards
- Best way (1¢): The best gift cards. These cards can't move points to airlines
How to apply for the RBC ION Visa
Check first
- Welcome offer not for switches: you can't get it by switching an existing RBC personal credit card to this one
- Check you qualify No minimum income listed. You need to live in Canada and be the age of majority in your province.
- Have this ready Your address and how long you've lived there, your employer and yearly income, and your monthly rent or mortgage. Your SIN is optional for a credit card; you can leave it blank.
- Expect a credit check Applying adds a hard inquiry to your credit report, which lowers your score a little for a few months. Space applications about 90 days apart.
- Apply on RBC's own site Apply online from the bank's product page, where the offer above is shown. This isn't an affiliate link: we earn nothing if you apply.Apply on RBC's site →
- After you're approved Put the spending needed for the welcome offer on the card before the deadline, and pay the full balance every month.
How to use it
- Welcome offer: spend $500 in the first 3 months for the full 14,000 points. Apply by November 4, 2026
- Groceries, gas, EV charging, transit, rideshare, streaming, digital gaming: 1.5 points per $1
- Everything else: 1 point per $1. A cash-back card does better
- Redeeming: gift cards are the best use: 1,400 points = $10. No airline transfers
- Example: $800/month groceries + $250/month gas = 18,900 points a year = about $135 in gift cards
Key facts
- Annual fee
- $0
- Purchase interest
- 20.99%
- Foreign currency fee
- 2.5%
- Min. personal income
- None published
- Min. household income
- None published
- Rewards
- RBC AvionSee every RBC Avion card
Annual fee waiver
- No annual fee
From rbcroyalbank.com product page, checked October 17, 2026. Not an affiliate link.
More RBC cards
RBC Avion Visa Infinite$120 fee
RBC Avion Visa Platinum$120 fee
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege$399 fee
WestJet RBC Mastercard$39 fee
RBC ION+ Visa$48 fee
WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard$139 fee
RBC Cash Back MastercardNo annual fee
RBC Cash Back Preferred World Elite$120 fee
RBC British Airways Visa Infinite$165 fee
Pros
- No annual fee, no published income requirement
- Up to 14,000 points: 7,000 on approval, 7,000 after $500 in 3 months (RBC: up to $100 in gift cards)
- 1.5 points per $1 across most everyday categories, no cap
- Points never expire while the account is open
Cons
- Points are worth about 0.7¢ in gift cards, so 1.5 points is about 1% back
- No airline transfers (Avion Select tier)
- 1 point per $1 on everything else
- No travel insurance or phone insurance
- 2.5% on foreign-currency purchases
- Points are lost 12 months after you close the account
- No welcome offer if you switch in from another RBC personal card
Insurance included
- Purchases: 90 days of theft/damage cover, warranty +1 year
Maximums as RBC lists them. Conditions apply; the insurance certificate decides claims.
Perks
- DoorDash: DashPass offer
- Avion Rewards: offers from 2,000+ brands
Other cards for groceries
Back a year on $9,600 of groceries, caps included. Points at best-case value. Before annual fees.
| Card | Earns on groceries | Back a year | Annual fee | Terms checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Cobalt | 5× points≈ 10.0% in value | $960 | $192 | October 21, 2026 |
| Scotiabank Gold Amex | 6× points | $576 | $120 | November 2, 2026 |
| Neo World Elite Mastercard | 5% back | $480 | $149 | October 21, 2026 |
| National Bank World Elite Mastercard | 5× points | $480 | $150 | October 21, 2026 |
| Desjardins Cash Back World Elite Mastercard | 4% back | $384 | $100 | October 23, 2026 |
| SimplyCash Preferred | 4% back | $384 | $120 | October 21, 2026 |
| RBC ION Visa | 1.5× points | $144 | $0 | October 21, 2026 |
Other cards for gas / ev
Back a year on $3,000 of gas / ev, caps included. Points at best-case value. Before annual fees.
| Card | Earns on gas / ev | Back a year | Annual fee | Terms checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SimplyCash Preferred | 4% back | $120 | $120 | October 21, 2026 |
| Amex Cobalt | 2× points≈ 4.0% in value | $120 | $192 | October 21, 2026 |
| Amex Gold Rewards | 2× points≈ 4.0% in value | $120 | $250 | October 21, 2026 |
| CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Privilege | 2× points≈ 4.0% in value | $120 | $499 | October 21, 2026 |
| CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite | 4% back≈ 3.9% in value | $118 | $120 | October 21, 2026 |
| BMO eclipse Visa Infinite | 5× points≈ 3.4% in value | $101 | $120 | October 21, 2026 |
| RBC ION Visa | 1.5× points | $45 | $0 | October 21, 2026 |
How the offer has changed
One row per check of RBC's page, newest first. Old rows are never edited.
| Checked | Welcome offer | Fee, year one | Ends |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 21, 2026 | Up to 14,000 Avion points ("up to $100 of value in gift cards"): 7,000 on approval + 7,000 after $500 in 3 months. Apply Jun 16 – Nov 4, 2026Unchanged since October 17, 2026: same offer and window; $0 fee, 20.99%/22.99%, 1.5x/1x earn | $0 | November 4, 2026 |
| October 17, 2026 | Up to 14,000 Avion points ("up to $100 of value in gift cards"): 7,000 on approval + 7,000 after $500 in 3 months. Apply Jun 16 – Nov 4, 2026Changed: was 7,000 points on approval with no spend requirement | $0 | November 4, 2026 |
General information, not financial advice. Offers change; confirm on RBC's page before you apply.