Calculating the Real Value of the RBC Avion Visa Infinite

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On paper, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite looks like a flexible, premium-leaning travel card: a solid earn rate, broad flight options and a famously complicated web of redemption choices. As a travel writer who spends too much time with spreadsheets, I set out to calculate the real value of this card for an everyday Canadian traveller. After a few weeks of tracking spending, pricing flights and testing different ways to cash out Avion points, the story turned out to be more nuanced than the marketing suggests.

How the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Actually Earns Points

The first step in valuing any rewards card is understanding how quickly points pile up in the real world. With the RBC Avion Visa Infinite, the base earn rate is 1 Avion point per dollar on most purchases, and 1.25 points per dollar on travel-related spending such as flights, hotels and online travel agencies when they code as travel. That means a $600 round-trip ticket booked directly on a major airline’s Canadian site could earn about 750 Avion points, while $600 in groceries would earn 600 points.

To put this into context, I ran a simple one-year scenario for a frequent but not extreme traveller. Imagine you charge $2,000 per month in everyday spending and an additional $800 per month in travel over the course of the year, spread between flights, hotels and car rentals. That works out to $24,000 in general purchases and $9,600 in travel annually. On those numbers, you would earn roughly 24,000 points from everyday purchases plus 12,000 points from the travel accelerator, for a total of about 36,000 Avion points before any welcome bonus.

Now layer in a typical promotional welcome offer. Recently, RBC has run record-high bonuses on the Avion Visa Infinite in the ballpark of up to 70,000 points for new cardholders who meet minimum spend requirements in the first six months. While offers change frequently, it is reasonable for a new cardholder hitting those thresholds to end their first year with around 100,000 Avion points when you combine organic spending and the bonus.

Those 100,000 points are the foundation of our valuation experiment. The next question is how much real travel (or cash-equivalent value) you can squeeze out of that balance, which depends heavily on how you redeem.

Baseline Redemptions: The Floor Value of Avion Points

RBC markets Avion as a flexible currency, and that flexibility comes with a clear floor value. For most straightforward redemptions, Avion points are effectively worth about 1 cent or less per point, and sometimes closer to half a cent. This baseline matters because it is what you get when you do not put in much effort to optimize.

Consider two simple use cases. First, redeeming points to cover general travel through the Avion Rewards travel portal or against travel purchases at a “cash-like” rate. In many scenarios, especially for Avion Elite-tier credit cards like the Avion Visa Infinite, you can often redeem around 100 points for $1 toward travel, which implies 1 cent per point. Some other redemption paths, particularly for lower tiers or for certain categories, can drop closer to 0.6 cents per point. If you took the easy route and redeemed our hypothetical 100,000 points at 1 cent each, you’d get about $1,000 in travel.

Second, look at non-travel redemptions. Statement credits, merchandise and some gift cards usually yield poorer value. For instance, a typical cash-back style statement credit might require roughly 17,200 points for $100 off your bill, which works out to around 0.58 cents per point. At that rate, 100,000 points might only clear about $580 of your balance. Gift cards can sit somewhere in between, frequently around 0.7 cents per point. These options are convenient but clearly not how you unlock the best value from Avion.

From a traveller’s perspective, this means you should treat 1 cent per point as the approximate floor value of Avion points, and anything under that as leaving money on the table. If you are consistently redeeming for statement credits, the card becomes much less compelling compared with straightforward cash-back alternatives that do not ask you to track a points currency at all.

Testing the Air Travel Redemption Schedule in Real Life

The most heavily advertised way to get outsized value from the RBC Avion Visa Infinite is the Air Travel Redemption Schedule, a fixed chart for economy flights within defined geographic zones. On this chart, a set number of points covers a ticket up to a certain maximum dollar value before taxes and fees. The sweet spot is when the cash price of the ticket is close to that cap.

To see how this plays out, I priced a sample off-peak Toronto to Vancouver round-trip economy flight at about $650 before taxes and fees on a major Canadian carrier in the shoulder season. On the Avion fixed schedule, a long-haul flight within Canada and the US economy band might require around 35,000 Avion points with a maximum ticket value in the low-to-mid $700 range before taxes. If you redeem 35,000 points for a $650 base fare, you are effectively getting around 1.86 cents per point on the base fare alone. Add the ability to cover taxes and fees at roughly 1 cent per point on top, and the blended value can creep higher.

I then compared this to simply using points at a flat 1 cent toward travel. Redeeming 35,000 points that way would only cover $350 of the ticket, leaving $300 plus taxes and fees in cash. Under the fixed schedule, those same 35,000 points could cover almost the entire base fare of that $650 ticket, effectively saving you about $300 more than the cash-like redemption. This is where Avion starts to look genuinely attractive.

The catch is that not every itinerary lines up so neatly. When I looked at a Toronto to London economy round-trip in the fall, base fares varied widely. One itinerary priced around $1,200 before taxes and surcharges, while the fixed schedule for the relevant international zone might cap out near that range for 65,000 points. At that price point, you could push beyond 1.8 cents per point on the base fare. However, British and European routings often come with very high taxes, carrier surcharges and airport fees that Avion does not always fully cover on the chart booking. In some real-life examples, travellers reported using 65,000 points on a transatlantic itinerary and still paying close to $1,000 in cash out of pocket for taxes and surcharges. In cases like that, your effective value per point drops sharply because the points cover only a modest slice of the all-in cost.

The lesson from the fixed chart is that it can be powerful for relatively expensive economy tickets within North America or to some international destinations when base fares are high and taxes are moderate. It is much less appealing on routes burdened with large carrier surcharges, such as some itineraries via the UK, where the cash component eats away at the benefit of using points at all.

When Transferring Avion Points Beats Booking Through RBC

The other advanced way to extract value from the RBC Avion Visa Infinite is transferring points to airline partners. Avion points from Elite-level cards can typically move to programs like British Airways Executive Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, American Airlines AAdvantage or WestJet Rewards. The headline here is that these transfers can yield 1.5 to 2 cents per point or more when used strategically, particularly for premium cabins and off-peak sweet spots.

Consider a common aspirational scenario: a business class ticket from Toronto to Madrid via a European hub. Cash fares for such itineraries often run in the $3,000 to $4,000 range, even during sales. Using a partner program like British Airways Avios, you might be able to book an off-peak one-way business class flight from a North American gateway to Europe for somewhere in the region of 50,000 to 70,000 Avios plus taxes and surcharges, depending on the exact route and carrier. If you transferred 70,000 Avion points to Avios and redeemed for a $3,000 seat, your raw value would be around 4.3 cents per point before considering fees. Even if you discount for surcharges and compare to a cheaper sale fare, you are still very likely clearing well above 2 cents per point.

Another, more modest example comes from short-haul economy flights. Suppose you want to fly Vancouver to Los Angeles. A cash ticket might be around $350 to $400 on a major airline. Some partner award charts price this type of route in the 15,000 to 20,000 miles range in economy plus moderate taxes. If you move 20,000 Avion points to a partner and redeem for a $380 ticket, your value is about 1.9 cents per point, significantly better than simply erasing the charge at 1 cent per point.

There are caveats. Transfer ratios are generally 1:1, but bonus transfer promotions sometimes appear, offering, for instance, 30 percent more Avios when you convert during a limited-time window. These promos can dramatically improve value, but you should never assume they will be available when you need them. Partner award seats can also be scarce during peak periods, and surcharges vary by airline and route. WestJet dollars, for example, behave more like a cash currency tied closely to ticket price, often tracking near 1 cent per point post-conversion, whereas long-haul premium awards via oneworld and other partners can be far more lucrative.

In my testing, the pattern was clear: if you are willing to learn another frequent flyer program and have some flexibility on dates and routes, transferring Avion points can comfortably push your average value into the 1.5 to 2 cents per point range over time. If you prefer simple, one-click redemptions, you will usually sit closer to the 1 cent floor.

Real-World First-Year Math: Is the Card Worth the Fee?

Once you have some realistic point valuations, you can finally answer the practical question: what is the RBC Avion Visa Infinite actually worth in a typical traveller’s first year? The card carries a $120 annual fee, occasionally offset in practice by promotions, but we will assume you pay it in full.

Return to our earlier earning scenario: about 36,000 points from organic spending plus a reasonable welcome bonus that brings you to around 100,000 points by the end of year one. If you redeem at a rock-bottom 0.6 cents per point through statement credits or weak gift card offers, your 100,000 points would be worth roughly $600. Subtract the $120 fee and you are left with a net $480 in value before considering travel insurance or side perks. That is not terrible, but it is not spectacular compared with top Canadian cash-back cards that can return 2 percent or more on common categories with no complicated redemption rules.

If you instead redeem at a conservative 1 cent per point by using points for travel through more efficient channels, your 100,000 points equate to about $1,000 in travel. After the annual fee, that nets you roughly $880 in real-world benefit, on par with or slightly better than many no-nonsense travel cards, assuming you actually travel often enough to use the points.

The story changes more dramatically if you are comfortable using the Air Travel Redemption Schedule or transferring to airline partners. If you manage to average 1.7 cents per point across a combination of fixed-chart and partner bookings over a couple of trips, your 100,000 points are suddenly worth about $1,700 in flights. After paying the $120 fee, you have realized a net benefit of around $1,580 for your first year. At that level, the Avion Visa Infinite stands out, especially when you stack the rewards on top of the included travel insurance, which can replace or reduce the need for a separate policy on many trips.

In plain terms, the card can be excellent value if you travel regularly, do not mind planning redemptions, and are willing to chase outsized opportunities. If you rarely leave the country or prefer simple cash-back, the theoretical upside of Avion points is unlikely to materialize in your day-to-day life.

Hidden Costs, Perks and the Psychology of Points

Calculating the “real” value of the RBC Avion Visa Infinite also means looking beyond charts and into the friction around using the program. One subtle cost is time: searching the Avion portal, comparing fixed-chart versus cash bookings, and hunting for partner award space can take hours for a complex trip. If you enjoy the game, it feels like a puzzle; if you do not, it is a chore that quietly reduces the appeal of the card.

There are also genuine perks that do not show up in cents-per-point math. The card includes a package of travel insurance such as out-of-province medical coverage up to a set limit for eligible cardholders, flight delay and trip interruption coverage, lost or delayed baggage insurance and rental car collision damage waiver when you pay with the card. For a family that takes two or three trips a year, buying equivalent standalone coverage for each trip can cost hundreds of dollars, so the embedded insurance has real, if variable, monetary value.

Another psychological factor is that points encourage aspirational travel. Many cardholders report that they are more willing to book a slightly nicer hotel or a more direct flight when they are spending rewards instead of cash, even though those rewards are ultimately a form of earned value. A business class redemption that feels “free” may in fact be the result of careful earning over several years. If that redemption brings a once-in-a-decade upgrade to your travel experience, assigning a rigid cent-per-point value may miss part of the picture.

On the flip side, a significant number of Avion members never redeem efficiently. Points sit unused for years or get cashed out for low-value statement credits when budgets are tight. In those cases, the banks win: the headline earn rates and welcome bonuses look rich, but actual realized value falls well below potential. When you factor in this behavioural reality, it becomes clear that the Avion Visa Infinite is best suited to travellers who are willing to engage with their rewards instead of treating them as an afterthought.

The Takeaway

After running the numbers and testing real itineraries, my conclusion is that the RBC Avion Visa Infinite is a card with a wide value range that depends heavily on how you use it. At the low end, if you redeem haphazardly for statement credits or low-yield merchandise, you might be getting only about 0.6 cents per point and wondering what the fuss is about. At the high end, disciplined travellers can nudge average value toward 2 cents per point, especially by making smart use of the Air Travel Redemption Schedule for pricey economy tickets and transferring to airline partners for premium cabins and strategic short-haul redemptions.

In the first year, a reasonable cardholder who earns roughly 100,000 points between a welcome bonus and everyday spending can expect travel value in the $1,000 to $1,700 range, net of a $120 annual fee, if they apply even a moderate amount of strategy. That makes the card a compelling option for Canadians who fly regularly, care about flexibility and are open to learning the basics of partner programs. For occasional travellers who prefer simplicity and cash, a high flat-rate cash-back card may feel more honest and less work.

The “real” value of the RBC Avion Visa Infinite, then, is not a single number but a spectrum, shaped by your travel habits, willingness to plan and comfort with a bit of points geekery. Used thoughtfully, it can unlock trips that feel far richer than the dollars you put in. Used casually, it risks becoming just another card with a shiny brochure and underused potential.

FAQ

Q1. How much are RBC Avion points worth on average?
Most travellers can assume a baseline of about 1 cent per point when used sensibly for travel, with poor redemptions dropping closer to 0.6 cents and optimized partner or fixed-chart bookings sometimes pushing the value toward 2 cents per point.

Q2. Is the RBC Avion Visa Infinite worth the $120 annual fee?
For frequent travellers who can earn a strong welcome bonus and redeem points for flights at or above 1 cent per point, the card can easily justify the $120 fee, especially when you add the value of built-in travel insurance. For light spenders or those who prefer simple cash-back, it may not be as compelling.

Q3. What is the best way to redeem RBC Avion points for maximum value?
The highest value often comes from either using the Air Travel Redemption Schedule for expensive economy flights that approach the chart caps or transferring Avion points to airline partners and redeeming for premium cabins or strategic short-haul routes with good award pricing.

Q4. Are Avion points good for booking hotels and cars?
You can redeem Avion points toward hotel stays and car rentals through the travel portal, but these redemptions usually track near the 1 cent per point range or less. They are fine for convenience, though they rarely deliver the outsized value you can achieve on flights.

Q5. Do Avion points expire if I cancel my card?
Avion points generally remain active as long as you hold an eligible Avion Rewards account. If you cancel your Avion Visa Infinite and do not have another Avion-earning product, your points may be lost, so it is wise to redeem or transfer them before closing the card.

Q6. How does the Avion Visa Infinite compare to Aeroplan credit cards?
Aeroplan cards can offer very strong value if you are loyal to Air Canada and Star Alliance, but they are tied to a single ecosystem. Avion is more flexible, allowing you to redeem for almost any flight or transfer to multiple partners. The better choice depends on whether you value flexibility or deep benefits within one airline network.

Q7. Can I use Avion points to cover taxes and fees on flights?
Yes, when you book flights through Avion, you can typically use points to cover applicable taxes and fees at a “cash-like” rate, often around 1 cent per point. This can meaningfully reduce your out-of-pocket cost, although it does not always erase high carrier surcharges on certain international routes.

Q8. What kind of travel insurance does the RBC Avion Visa Infinite include?
The card usually comes with out-of-province emergency medical insurance up to a specified limit for eligible cardholders, along with coverage for trip interruption, flight delay, lost or delayed baggage and rental car collision damage waiver when you charge the trip or rental to the card, subject to the policy terms.

Q9. Is the RBC Avion Visa Infinite a good choice for occasional travellers?
It can be, especially in the first year if there is a strong welcome bonus, but occasional travellers may struggle to earn and redeem enough points to justify the annual fee. If you only travel once every year or two, a no-fee card or straightforward cash-back product might better match your habits.

Q10. How many Avion points can I realistically earn in a year?
A typical cardholder who spends around $2,000 a month on everyday purchases and $800 a month on travel could earn roughly 36,000 points annually from spending alone, with total first-year earnings potentially reaching about 100,000 points when combined with a competitive welcome bonus, depending on the current offer and their ability to meet minimum spend requirements.