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MoneySense is an established personal finance publication serving Canadians since 1999. Our editorial team of experienced journalists collaborates with independent finance experts to compare products from major banks, credit unions and card issuers. We evaluate fees, rewards, insurance and practical benefits so you can find the right RBC credit card for your needs.
Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) provides a broad lineup of credit cards to match different spending habits and priorities. Whether you want flexible travel rewards through Avion points, straightforward cash back, or airline-specific perks like WestJet dollars, RBC has competitive options on Visa and Mastercard networks. Below is a concise guide to the top RBC cards for travel, everyday rewards, low interest and cash back.
| Best credit card by category | Why we love it |
|---|---|
| Best RBC travel credit card RBC Avion Visa Infinite Annual fee: $120 |
Earn at least 1 Avion point per $1 on all purchases and enjoy flexible travel redemptions. |
| Best RBC airline travel credit card WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard Annual fee: $139 |
Earn up to 1.5 points per $1 on WestJet purchases and receive an annual companion voucher. |
| Best RBC no-fee travel rewards credit card RBC ION Visa Annual fee: $0 |
1.5 Avion points per $1 in several everyday categories such as streaming, groceries and gas. |
| Best RBC cash back credit card RBC Cash Back Preferred World Elite Mastercard Annual fee: $99 |
1.5% cash back on the first $25,000 in yearly purchases; then 1% thereafter. |
| Best RBC low-interest credit card RBC Visa Classic Low Rate Option Annual fee: $20 |
Low 12.99% interest rate on purchases and cash advances — useful for carrying balances. |
Best RBC travel credit card
At a glance: The RBC Avion Visa Infinite is a premium travel card with a flexible rewards structure and robust travel benefits. Cardholders earn 1 Avion point per $1 on most purchases and 1.25 points per $1 on eligible travel expenses, including flights, hotels, cruises and car rentals. The card also includes comprehensive travel insurance and other premium perks.
RBC Avion Visa Infinite
Annual fee: $120
Rewards: 1 – 1.25 Avion points per $1
Welcome offer: Up to 70,000 Avion points (advertised travel value up to $1,500). Offer terms and application deadline apply.
Card details
| Interest rates | 20.99% on purchases; 22.99% on cash advances and balance transfers (21.99% for Quebec residents) |
| Income required | $60,000 personal annual income |
| Point value | 1 Avion point = up to $0.023 when redeemed for travel via RBC’s Air Travel Redemption schedule |
Pros
- High potential value per Avion point when redeemed for travel through RBC’s redemption options.
- Flexible redemptions: travel bookings, transfers to select partner airlines, or statement credits.
- No blackout dates or seat restrictions on eligible redemptions.
- Strong travel insurance, including trip cancellation/interruption and emergency medical coverage, plus mobile device insurance.
Cons
- 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases not made in Canadian dollars.
- Top earn rate is 1.25 points per $1, which is moderate compared with some competitor premium travel cards.
- Higher income requirement may limit eligibility for some applicants.
Best RBC airline travel credit card
At a glance: The WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard is tailored for WestJet flyers. It offers an annual round-trip companion voucher, free checked bags, and accelerated WestJet point earnings—1.5 points per $1 on WestJet flights and vacations, and 1 point per $1 on other purchases. These benefits make it a strong choice for frequent WestJet travellers.
WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard
Annual fee: $139
Rewards: 1 – 1.5 WestJet points per $1
Welcome offer: Up to 70,000 WestJet points in staged rewards (details and timing apply).
Card details
| Interest rates | 20.99% on purchases; 22.99% on cash advances |
| Income required | $80,000 personal or $150,000 household income |
| Point value | 1 WestJet point ≈ $0.01 toward WestJet travel purchases |
Pros
- Annual companion voucher for a round-trip WestJet flight; option to exchange for lounge vouchers.
- Complimentary first checked bag for primary cardholder and up to eight travel companions.
- Comprehensive travel insurance protections.
- Fuel savings at Petro-Canada and opportunities to earn Rexall Be Well points.
Cons
- Rewards are restricted to WestJet flights and vacation packages, limiting flexibility compared with transferable programs.
- High income requirement may prevent some applicants from qualifying.
Best RBC no-fee travel rewards credit card
At a glance: The RBC ION Visa is a no-annual-fee rewards card that earns 1.5 Avion points per $1 in select everyday categories—groceries, transit and rides, gas and EV charging, streaming and subscription services, and digital gaming. All other purchases earn 1 point per $1.
RBC ION Visa
Annual fee: $0
Rewards: 1 – 1.5 Avion points per $1
Welcome offer: Up to 14,000 Avion points (equivalent to advertised value in gift cards). Offer terms and deadlines apply.
Card details
| Interest rates | 20.99% on purchases; 22.99% on cash advances and balance transfers |
| Income required | None specified |
Pros
- Earn rewards across common everyday categories, including digital gaming and streaming services.
- Redemption flexibility for travel, statement credits, merchandise and gift cards.
- Perks like Petro-Canada fuel savings, Be Well points at Rexall and a complimentary DashPass trial.
- Purchase security and extended warranty insurance included.
Cons
- This card sits in the Avion Premium tier, so it doesn’t qualify for RBC’s highest-value Air Travel Redemption Schedule available to Avion Elite members.
- Insurance coverage is more limited than what’s offered on RBC’s premium travel cards.
Best RBC cash back credit card
At a glance: The RBC Cash Back Preferred World Elite Mastercard pays tiered cash back—1.5% on the first $25,000 charged annually, then 1% on additional purchases. It also includes benefits such as fuel savings at Petro-Canada, Rexall rewards and a 12-month DashPass subscription for delivery savings.
RBC Cash Back Preferred World Elite Mastercard
Annual fee: $99
Rewards: 1.5% cash back on first $25,000 annually; 1% thereafter
Welcome offer: 12% cash back for the first 3 months on up to $2,000 in purchases (terms and expiry apply).
Card details
| Interest rates | 20.99% on purchases; 22.99% on cash advances and balance transfers |
| Income required | $80,000 personal or $150,000 household income |
Pros
- Lower annual fee than many premium cash back cards, with competitive earn rates on everyday spending.
- Fuel savings and bonus point earning opportunities when linked with Petro-Canada and Rexall loyalty programs.
- Includes a 12-month DashPass subscription for reduced delivery fees.
Cons
- Insurance coverage is limited compared with full-featured premium cards.
- The higher 1.5% cash back rate is capped on the first $25,000 spent each year.
Best RBC low-interest credit card
At a glance: The RBC Visa Classic Low Rate Option is geared toward cardholders who need a low interest rate to manage balances. It offers a flat 12.99% rate on purchases, cash advances and balance transfers. While perks are limited compared with rewards cards, it still includes simple benefits like Petro-Canada fuel savings and a complimentary short-term DoorDash promotion.
RBC Visa Classic Low Rate Option
Annual fee: $20
Low interest rate: 12.99% on purchases
Welcome offer: Introductory 0.99% interest for the first 10 months on balance transfers and no annual fee for the first year (terms and expiry apply).
Card details
| Interest rates | 12.99% on purchases, cash advances and balance transfers |
| Income required | None specified |
Pros
- Low annual fee and no minimum income requirement make this accessible to many Canadians.
- Additional cards are available at no extra charge and cardholders can access RBC Offers for savings.
- Fuel discounts and promotional delivery benefits are included.
Cons
- No travel insurance is provided, unlike many rewards or premium cards.
- While the base rate is competitive for carrying a balance, some low-rate cards include balance-transfer promotions that this card may not always offer.
More top Canadian credit card guides
- Best credit cards in Canada
- Best travel credit cards
- Best travel insurance credit cards
- Best Air Miles credit cards
- Best no foreign transaction fee cards
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