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Published March 29, 2024

Best RBC Credit Cards in Canada

The best RBC credit card options in Canada include several co-branded cards that are especially popular among those looking to earn travel rewards.

Written By

Edited By

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own.

Note: On March 28, 2024, the sale of HSBC Bank Canada and its subsidiaries to the Royal Bank of Canada closed. All HSBC credit card holders were transitioned to RBC credit cards.

The Royal Bank of Canada, commonly known as RBC, is one of Canada’s Big Six Banks. The issuer offers a range of credit cards, such as cashback, travel and rewards cards. Here are the best RBC credit cards according to NerdWallet’s analysis.

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The best RBC credit cards

RBC ION+ Visa Credit Card


$48

20.99% / 22.99%

1x-3x Points

Up to 7,000 Points
Our Take
Why we like it

One of RBC’s newest offerings, the RBC ION+ Visa is a solid, low-fee rewards card with generous earning rates on daily spending.

Pros
  • Earn unlimited 3x on a variety of common spending categories, like groceries, gas, food delivery, and even digital gaming.
  • Get a monthly fee rebate every month when you have an RBC Signature No Limit Banking or RBC Advantage Banking for students account.


Cons
  • Limited insurance offerings, but mobile device insurance is included.
Product Details
  • Get 3,500 Welcome Points on approval and earn 3,500 bonus points when you spend $500 in your first 3 months.*
  • Earn 3X Avion points for every $1 spent¹ on:
  • Grocery, Dining & Food Delivery – Satisfy your taste buds by earning points on groceries, dining out, food delivery.ⁱ
  • Rides, Gas & EV Charging – Enjoy earning points on gas, rideshare, daily public transit, electric vehicle charging.ⁱⁱ
  • Streaming, Digital Gaming & Subscriptions– Stay entertained while earning points on streaming, gaming, eligible digital subscriptions, eligible digital downloads, and in-game purchases.ⁱⁱⁱ
  • Earn 1 Avion point for every $1 spent on all other qualifying purchases.¹
  • Annual Fee $48² ($4 charged monthly).
  • Pay With Points – Redeem your Avion points to pay bills, your credit card balance or even send money to friends with Interac e-Transfer⁴. Minimum redemption is only $10, so you can use your points where you need them most.
  • Save at Petro-Canada – Save 3¢/L on fuel and earn 20% more points when you pay with a linked RBC card.⁶
  • Earn more Be Well points at Rexall – Earn 50 Be Well points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases at Rexall when you pay with your linked RBC card and scan your Be Well card.⁷
  • Save Big on Delivery with DoorDash – Get a 3-month complimentary DashPass subscription – a value of almost $308. Enjoy unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees on qualifying orders of $15 or more when you pay with your eligible RBC credit card⁹. See how to save with DoorDash.
  • Enjoy a Monthly Fee Rebate – Get a $4 rebate¹⁰ each month ($48/year) on the monthly fee of your credit card when you have an RBC Signature No Limit Banking or RBC Advantage Banking for students account.
  • Mobile Device Insurance⁵ Included – Get 2 years of coverage up to $1,000 in the event your mobile device such as your cell phone is lost, stolen, accidentally damaged or experiences mechanical failure when you purchase your mobile device with this credit card.
  • Purchase Security and Extended Warranty Insurance⁵ – Automatically protects eligible card purchases against loss, theft or damage within 90 days of purchase, and doubles the manufacturer’s original Canadian warranty by up to one additional year, to a maximum of five years.
  • Corresponding legal references and product terms are available on the RBC website, which will be available and agreed upon in the customer onboarding process.
Apply Now

RBC ION Visa Credit Card


$0

20.99% / 22.99%

1x-1.5x Points

3,500 Points
Our Take
Why we like it

The no-fee RBC ION Visa Card earns Avion points on every dollar spent with elevated rates for eligible grocery, gas, gaming purchases and more. Cardholders can save up to 3 cents per litre on fuel when they pay with their RBC ION Visa at Petro-Canada. It may lack lavish travel perks and robust insurance coverage, but as far as no-fee cards are concerned, the RBC ION Visa has a respectable lineup of benefits for everyday spenders.

Pros
  • No annual fee.
  • Petro-Canada fuel discounts.
  • Earn bonus Be Well points on Rexall purchases.
  • Accelerated earn rate on eligible grocery, gas, transit, streaming and digital gaming purchases.


Cons
  • Insurance is limited to purchase security & extended warranty protection.
Product Details
  • Enjoy 3,500 Avion points upon approval.*
  • Earn 1.5X Avion points¹ on:
  • Grocery – Satisfy your taste buds by earning points on groceries.ⁱ
  • Rides, Gas & EV Charging – Enjoy earning points on gas, rideshare, daily public transit, electric vehicle charging.ⁱⁱ
  • Streaming, Digital Gaming & Subscriptions – Stay entertained while earning points on streaming, gaming, eligible digital subscriptions, eligible digital downloads, and in-game purchases.ⁱⁱⁱ
  • Earn 1 Avion point for every $1 spent on all other qualifying purchases.¹
  • Pay With Points – Redeem your Avion points to pay bills, your credit card balance or even send money to friends with Interac e-Transfer⁴. Minimum redemption is only $10, so you can use your points where you need them most.
  • Save at Petro-Canada – Save 3¢/L on fuel and earn 20% more points when you pay with a linked RBC card.⁶
  • Earn more Be Well points at Rexall – Earn 50 Be Well points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases at Rexall when you pay with your linked RBC card and scan your Be Well card.⁷
  • Save Big on Delivery with DoorDash – Get a 3-month complimentary DashPass subscription – a value of almost $30.⁸ Enjoy unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees on qualifying orders of $15 or more when you pay with your eligible RBC credit card⁹. See how to save with DoorDash.
  • Purchase Security and Extended Warranty Insurance⁵ – Automatically protects eligible card purchases against loss, theft or damage within 90 days of purchase, and doubles the manufacturer’s original Canadian warranty by up to one additional year, to a maximum of five years.
  • Corresponding legal references and product terms are available on the RBC website, which will be available and agreed upon in the customer onboarding process.
Apply Now

RBC Avion Visa Infinite


$120

20.99% / 22.99%

1x-1.25x Points

Up to 55,000 Points
Our Take
Why we like it

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite is a premium card that comes with extensive insurance coverage, a generous intro offer, plenty of Visa Infinite benefits, and a competitive flat rewards rate with no limit to what you can earn.

Pros
  • You can transfer Avion points to many frequent flyers programs and even score promotional bonuses on those transfers to further increase their value.
  • Strong insurance coverage and travel protection, including mobile device insurance up to $1,500.


Cons
  • It can be tricky to redeem your points for the most value.
  • A high income is required.
Product Details
  • Get up to 55,000 Avion points* (a value of up to $1,100†), that’s enough to fly anywhere in North America or the Caribbean!
  • Earn 1 Avion point for every dollar you spend* and an extra 25% on eligible travel purchases.
  • Avioners can book flights with points on any airline, on any flight, at any time, early or last minute, with no blackout periods or restrictions.
  • Avioners earn points that never expire so your points will be waiting for your next adventure.
  • Redeem your points for travel and more. Use points for anything from paying bills and paying your card balance to redeeming for Gift Cards and Merchandise at top brands like Apple. The Avion Rewards program gives you the freedom of choice to use your points your way, and helps you make the most as an Avioner.
  • Eligible Avion Rewards members can also convert points to other loyalty programs including WestJet dollars, British Airways Avios points and Hudson’s Bay Rewards points.
  • Link your RBC card with a Petro-Points membership to instantly save 3₵ per litre on fuel at Petro-Canada stations and earn 20% more Petro-Points and 20% more Avion points.
  • Link your RBC card with a Rexall Be Well account and get 50 Be Well points for every $1 spent on eligible products at Rexall. Redeem Be Well points faster for savings in store on eligible purchases where 25,000 Be Well points = $10.
  • Get access to RBC offers which provides access to earn points faster at specified brands.
  • Extensive insurance including: mobile device insurance, travel insurance (trip cancellation, interruption and emergency medical) and other eligible purchases to protect you and your family.
  • Avioners get access to luxury Visa Infinite benefits including first in line for exclusive events, and hotel and dining benefits.
  • Avioners no longer need 14-days to book travel using the RBC grid.
  • Get $0 delivery fees for 12 months from DoorDash¹⁷ – Add your eligible RBC credit card to your DoorDash account to:
  • Get a 12-month complimentary DashPass subscription± – a value of almost $120.
  • Enjoy unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees on orders of $15 or more when you pay with your eligible RBC credit card.
  • Corresponding legal references and product terms are available on the RBC website, which will be available and agreed upon in the customer onboarding process.
Apply Now

RBC® British Airways Visa Infinite‡


$165

20.50% / 22.99%

1x-3x Points

Up to 60,000 Points
Our Take
Why we like it

As Canada’s only co-branded British Airways card, the RBC® British Airways Visa Infinite‡ is a smart choice for frequent flyers of the airline.

Pros
  • Receive a Companion Award eVoucher by spending $30,000 or more in any calendar year.
  • There’s no spending cap on accelerated reward rates.


Cons
  • Avios doesn’t transfer to other loyalty programs, so this card is only useful to travellers loyal to British Airways.
  • Airport lounge access is not included.
Product Details
  • Intro offer: Get Up to 60,000 Aviosˆ: Receive 15,000 Avios as welcome bonus upon approval. 35,000 bonus Avios when you spend $6,000 CAD in the first 3 months. Another 10,000 bonus Avios after your first yearˆ.
  • Earn 3X Avios when you shop with British Airways and BA Holidays*
  • Earn 2X Avios for every $1 spent on qualifying dining spend*
  • Earn 1X Avios for every $1 CAD spent on qualifying net purchases*
  • Earn a companion voucher when you spend $30,000 CAD annually. You can either take a companion with you or fly solo instead for a 50% Avios discount on the cost of one reward seat ticket. Plus, you’ll have the flexibility to pay a lower, flat fee to cover taxes, fees and carrier charges and a fixed Avios amount when you make a Reward Flight booking.
  • Eligible members who spend a minimum of $30,000 CAD on qualifying purchases on their card in a calendar year (“calendar year” refers to the time period starting from January 1 and ending December 31) will receive a maximum of one Companion Voucher for that calendar year. See ba.com/rbc-visa for full terms and conditions.
  • 10% off British Airways flights when you book and pay with your card∞
  • Redeem for flights and more – you can spend your Avios on all of the travel things you love, including cabin upgrades with British Airways or reward flights with British Airways and any of the oneworld partner airlines to almost 1,000 destinations worldwide**
  • Comprehensive Insurances including 31–day out of country/province emergency medical insurance¹, flight delay insurance², hotel burglary³ and rental car⁴ insurance. Even eligible purchases you make with the card are protected³.
  • Luxury Visa Infinite benefits⁵ such as first in line service for exclusive events and hotel and dining exclusives via www.visainfinite.ca
  • Complimentary 24/7 Concierge Service⁵.
  • Link your RBC card with a Petro-Points membership to instantly save 3₵ per litre on fuel at Petro-Canada stations and earn 20% more Petro-Points and 20% more Avion points
  • Get $0 delivery fees for 12 months from DoorDash
  • Link your RBC British Airways Visa Infinite card with a Rexall Be Well account and get 50 Be Well points for every $1 spent on eligible products at Rexall. Redeem Be Well points faster for savings in store on eligible purchases where 25,000 Be Well points = $10
  • Eligibility: This card requires a minimum personal income of $60,000 or a minimum household income of $100,000. Must also be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory of residence.
  • Corresponding legal references and product terms are available on the RBC website, which will be available and agreed upon in the customer onboarding process.
Apply Now

RBC® Cash Back Mastercard‡


$0

20.99% / 22.99%

0.5%-2%

N/A
Our Take
Why we like it

Cardholders earn cash back on all purchases, with elevated rewards on groceries, for no annual fee.

Pros
  • No annual fee.
  • Cash back on all purchases.
  • Elevated cash-back rewards earned on eligible grocery store purchases.


Cons
  • Cash-back earn rate is lower than some other cards in its class.
  • Not a good fit for customers who want to earn elevated rewards in any category aside from groceries.
Product Details
  • Unlimited cash back on your spending.*
  • 2% cash back on groceries.*
  • Up to 1% cash back on all other qualifying purchases and pre-authorized payments.
  • No Annual Fee.
  • Link your RBC card with a Petro-Points membership and instantly save on fuel at Petro-Canada stations and earn 20% more Petro-Points.
  • Get $0 delivery fees for 3 months from DoorDash¹⁴ – Add your eligible RBC credit card to your DoorDash account to:
  • Get a 3-month complimentary DashPass subscription¹⁵ – a value of almost $30.
  • Enjoy unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees on orders of $15 or more when you pay with your eligible RBC credit card.
  • Corresponding legal references and product terms are available on the RBC website, which will be available and agreed upon in the customer onboarding process.
Apply Now

WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard


$119

20.99% / 22.99%

1.5%-2%

Up to $450
Our Take
Why we like it

The WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard provides frequent WestJet flyers with free checked bags, Status Lift benefits, an annual companion voucher, and the ability to earn rewards on travel and everyday purchases.

Pros
  • Enjoy an annual World Elite round-trip companion voucher that can be used anywhere WestJet flies.
  • Free checked bags for the cardholder and up to eight guests when flying WestJet on the same reservation.
  • Status Lift benefits make it easier to get closer to tier status with WestJet.


Cons
  • No free airport lounge access, but cardholders will receive a complimentary membership to DragonPass Airport Lounges Program and can access select lounges for US$32 per person, per visit.
  • Partner airlines are limited to Delta, Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Qantas Airways.
Product Details
  • Get up to $450 in WestJet dollars¹ with the WestJet RBC® World Elite Mastercard. Plus, get a Round-Trip Companion Voucher Every Year – for any WestJet destination starting from $119 CAD³ (plus taxes, fees, charges and other ATC).
  • Get free first checked bags for the primary cardholder and up to 8 guests on the same reservation⁴
  • Earn WestJet dollars 1.5% on everyday purchases and 2% on flights or packages with WestJet or WestJet Vacations⁸
  • WestJet dollars never expire¹⁰ Use your WestJet dollars to book flights anytime so you can travel when and where you want.
  • No blackout periods.
  • Travel coverage including emergency medical insurance²⁰ as well as trip interruption insurance²¹, hotel burglary¹⁸ and rental car insurance¹⁸. Even eligible purchases you make on the card are protected.
  • Link your RBC card with a Petro-Points membership to and instantly save 3₵ per litre on fuel¹² and always earn 20% more Petro-Points¹³ at Petro-Canada.
  • Free Boingo Wifi for Mastercard holders¹¹ at over 1 million hot spots.
  • Get $0 delivery fees for 12 months from DoorDash^. Add your eligible RBC credit card to your DoorDash account to: Get a 12-month complimentary DashPass subscription± – a value of almost $120. Enjoy unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees on orders of $15 or more when you pay with your eligible RBC credit card.
  • Eligibility: This card requires a minimum personal income of $80,000 or a minimum household income of $150,000. Must also be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory of residence.
  • Corresponding legal references and product terms are available on the RBC website, which will be available and agreed upon in the customer onboarding process.
Apply Now

RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege


$399

20.99% / 22.99%


Up to 55,000 Points
Our Take
Why we like it

High-end perks like airport lounge access, security fast track lanes, ski passes and flexible rewards, make the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege a solid choice for travellers looking for a little extra.

Pros
  • Six complimentary airport lounge passes per year.
  • Rental car discounts.
  • Airport security fast track lanes.
  • Book rewards travel on any airline, at any time.


Cons
  • High annual fee.
  • Low earn rate.
Product Details
  • Earn 1.25 Avion points for every dollar you spend.
  • Minimum personal income of $200,000 required to apply.
  • Book flights on any airline, on any flight, at any time.
  • Get two-for-one ski passes. Conditions apply.
  • Get 20% off at Hertz and earn 3x the points.
  • Get $0 delivery fees for 12 months from DoorDash.
  • Enjoy global airport lounge access, airport security fast track lanes and dedicated airport parking at select Canadian airports.

RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business


$175

19.99% / 22.99%

1x-1.25x Points

25,000 Points
Our Take
Why we like it

Flexible and convenient, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business card offers a sweet enrollment bonus, comprehensive travel insurance and a competitive earn rate on business purchases.

Pros
  • A generous and easy enrollment bonus — no hoops to jump through and no purchase necessary.
  • Savings on gas and car rentals and business operations perks, like expense management tools and employee card controls
  • A suite of insurance coverage that’s tough to beat.


Cons
  • No amplified earn rates on relevant purchases to generate more Avion Rewards points.
  • Slightly higher fees for additional cards when compared to similar business credit cards.
Product Details
  • Intro offer: receive 25,000 Avion Rewards points upon enrollment.
  • Earn 1.25 Avion Rewards Points for every dollar spent in net purchases on up to $75,000 in spending every year.
  • Earn 1 Avion Rewards Point for every dollar spent in excess of $75,000.
  • Points can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, vacation packages, cruises, merchandise, gift cards and RBC Financial Rewards vouchers, or used to pay down credit card balances.
  • Points earned on employees’ Avion Visa Infinite Business cards can be combined with those earned through a business owner’s business and personal Avion cards.
  • $175 annual fee.
  • $75 annual fee for each additional card.
  • Add up to 9 cardholders to consolidate business expenses and earn points faster.
  • The Avion Collection: access to exclusive dining, entertainment and other experiences.
  • RBC Offers: special deals from brands like Telus, ADP and Apple that allow cardholders to save money and earn more points.
  • Visa Airport Companion: enjoy access to more than 1,300 airport lounges and airport dining and spa offers. Cards linked to a Petro-Points card save three cents per litre on gas and earn 20% more Avion Rewards points and Petro Points.
  • Save up to 30% off base rates on car rentals and earn three times the points at Hertz locations.
  • $0 delivery fees for 12 months from DoorDash.
  • Visa Infinite Business Concierge helps plan business travel by booking event tickets, making restaurant reservations and locating hard-to-find items.
  • Fraud alerts and zero liability protection if a card is stolen or used for fraudulent purchases.
  • Insurance and protection: out of province/country emergency medical expenses (15 days of coverage for those under 65; three days for those 65 and over), trip cancellation insurance (up to $1,500 per person per trip), trip interruption insurance (up to $5,000 per person per trip), flight delay insurance (up to $500 per trip), stolen/lost baggage insurance (up to $1,000), hotel/motel burglary insurance (up to $2,500), car rental collision and loss damage insurance (up to the actual cash value of the rental vehicle to a maximum of $65,000), travel accident insurance (up to $500,000), emergency purchase insurance (up to $500), mobile device insurance (two years of coverage up to $2,000), purchase security and extended warranty protection.
  • Access to Visa Spend Clarity for Business, a web-based reporting solution for expense management, and the Receipt App, for taking photos of receipts and tracking expenses in real time.
  • Preferred rates: 19.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances.

RBC® Business Cash Back Mastercard‡


$0

19.99% / 22.99%

1%-2%

N/A
Our Take
Why we like it

Like most no-fee cards, the RBC Business Cash Back Mastercard is light on perks, but the savings it provides on gas and other business-related purchases can make a real difference for small businesses.

Pros
  • No annual fee.
  • Offers savings on gas and other purchases, plus automatic enrolment in Mastercard’s Easy Savings Program.
  • 21-day interest free grace periods can be extended to 51-days upon request.


Cons
  • The 2% introductory earn rate expires after three months.
  • Cash back redemption is capped at $650 a year.
  • Limited insurance offerings.
Product Details
  • Earn 2% cash back on purchases made in the first three months.
  • Earn 1% cash back on purchases made after three months.
  • $650 annual cash back redemption limit.
  • Cash back can be redeemed for account credits at any time once the balance reaches $25 or more. Otherwise, the rewards will be automatically credited every January.
  • No annual fee for the first card and one additional card.
  • Automatic enrolment in Mastercard’s Easy Savings Program, which provides rebates on products and services from participating merchants.
  • Linked cards save 3 cents per litre on fuel and 20% more Petro-Points at Petro-Canada locations.
  • $0 delivery fees for 3 months from DoorDash.
  • Access to the RBC Offers program, which provides cash savings or bonus points on business spending at brands like Apple, ADP and Telus.
  • Purchase security and extended warranty protection on eligible business purchases.
  • Fraud prevention and zero liability protection.
  • Preferred rates: 19.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances.

RBC Avion Visa Platinum


$120

20.99% / 22.99%

1x Point

35,000 Points
Our Take
Why we like it

Travellers looking for a no-frills credit card may find what they’re looking for in the RBC Avion Visa Platinum. The perks are relatively few, but the travel insurance offered is well-rounded and the ability to book flights without seat restrictions can bring reliability and convenience to travel planning.

Pros
  • A generous welcome bonus upon approval.
  • Extensive travel insurance.
  • Savings on gas purchases and food delivery.


Cons
  • Limited perks and few opportunities to earn extra points.
  • No travel medical insurance offered.
  • Cashing in on the introductory offer may require more spending than what some cardholders find comfortable.
Product Details
  • 55,000 bonus points (a value of up to $1,1000). Apply by January 31, 2023 and get 35,000 Welcome Points on approval, plus earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $5,000 in your first six months.
  • Earn 1 Avion Rewards point for every dollar spent on qualifying purchases.
  • Earn bonus points through purchases at selected retailers when using an Avion Rewards credit card.
  • No blackouts or seat restrictions when redeeming points, even during peak travel seasons.
  • Points can be converted for use with multiple partner airline loyalty programs.
  • Avion members get access to exclusive travel, food, wellness and entertainment offers.
  • Annual fee: $120. Additional card: $50.
  • 19.99% interest rate on purchases; 22.99% on cash advances (21.99% for cardholders residing in Quebec).
  • Travel insurance includes travel accident coverage (up to $500,000), auto rental insurance (up to the value of the rental car damaged or stolen), trip cancellation insurance (up to $1,000 per covered person per trip), trip interruption insurance (up to $2,500 per covered person per trip), emergency purchase coverage (up to $500), flight delay insurance (up to $250 per day, or a $500 maximum p per flight), extended warranty insurance (up to $50,000) and coverage for belongings stolen from a hotel or motel (up to $2,500).
  • Linking an RBC Avion Visa Platinum card at Petro Canada allows cardholders to save three cents per litre on fuel, earn 20% more Petro-Points and earn 20% more Avion Rewards points.
  • Avion cardholders receive 20% off and 2x the points at Hertz Rent a Car.
  • Link the RBC Avion Visa Platinum to a Rexall Be Well card and earn 50 Be Well points for every dollar spent on eligible products at Rexall.
  • Add an eligible RBC credit card to a DoorDash account and enjoy no delivery fees for 12 months.
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Summary of best RBC credit cards

RBC credit cardAnnual feeIntro offer
RBC ION+ Visa Credit Card$48.Up to 7,000 Points.
RBC ION Visa Credit Card$0.3,500 Points.
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege$399.Up to 55,000 Points.
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Business$175.25,000 Points.
RBC® Business Cash Back Mastercard‡$0.N/A.
WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard$119.Up to $450.
RBC® British Airways Visa Infinite‡$165.Up to 60,000 Points.
RBC Avion Visa Platinum$120.35,000 Points.
RBC® Cash Back Mastercard‡$0.N/A.
RBC Avion Visa Infinite$120.Up to 55,000 Points.

RBC credit cards: Types, features and cost

RBC credit card options include co-branded cards, cashback cards and rewards cards, among others. RBC’s proprietary travel rewards program, Avion, allows users to redeem points for travel, merchandise and more.

Types of RBC credit cards

RBC’s collection of credit cards includes a large array of travel rewards cards, as well as cards specifically designed for students and businesses. Here are some of the main types of cards offered by RBC. 

RBC Mastercard and RBC Visa

RBC uses both Visa and Mastercard networks for its cards. At the time of this writing, RBC offers five Mastercards and 15 Visas. 

RBC cash-back cards

Cash-back credit cards let you earn a set amount of money back for each eligible purchase. RBC offers three cash-back cards, as of this writing:

RBC travel credit cards

Travel credit cards help you earn travel rewards, such as Avion points or WestJet dollars, and often feature travel-friendly perks, like airport lounge access, priority boarding and travel insurance.

RBC offers nine travel credit cards, as of this writing: 

RBC business credit cards

Business credit cards can help you manage your spending and earn rewards while running a business. RBC offers five business credit cards, as of this writing:

RBC student credit cards

If you’re attending a post-secondary school, student credit cards are worth considering, as they often have lower interest rates, low or no annual fees and can help you build credit. RBC offers six credit cards it deems suitable for students, as of this writing:

RBC low-interest credit cards

Low-interest credit cards have lower-than-normal interest rates that can be useful if you know you’ll carry a balance or need to minimize debt. RBC offers three low-rate cards, as of this writing:

Features of RBC credit cards

Interest rates

The purchase interest rate for RBC credit cards ranges from 12.99% to 20.99%. However, most of their cards sit at 20.99%.  The bank offers two cards with a variable rate: the RBC Visa CreditLine for Small Business and RBC RateAdvantage Visa Credit Card. 

The interest rate for cash advances on most of RBCs cards sits at 22.99%. 

Annual fees 

Many, but not all, RBC credit cards charge an annual fee. The fees for RBC credit cards range from $0 to $399, as of this writing. Getting a card with an annual fee may be worth it if the value of the rewards you’ll earn exceeds the cost. 

Rewards

Almost all RBC credit cards offer points or cash back rewards. The available reward programs include:

How to choose the best RBC credit card for you

When choosing any credit card, be sure to look for the eligibility requirements. It doesn’t make sense to apply for a credit card card that has age, location, income or credit score requirements you can’t satisfy. 

Additionally, you should consider the following:

Who should get an RBC credit card?

RBC credit cards can be particularly attractive to those looking to earn Avion points. Depending on the card you select, you can earn between one and three points per CAD spent. Categories include groceries, gas, dining and more. 

RBC cards may also appeal to jet-setters looking for a flexible travel rewards program that gives you numerous redemption options, has no blackout dates and even lets you transfer points to several other loyalty programs. 

Furthermore, RBC is the only financial institution that offers Canadians WestJet- and British Airways-branded credit cards — handy if you’re a frequent flyer on either airline.

How to apply for an RBC credit card

  1. To apply for an RBC credit card, visit the bank’s website, then click on the “Apply Now” button for the card you want.
  2. At this stage, RBC may list the income requirements to apply for a card. Be sure you meet these requirements before proceeding. . 
  3. You’ll then be asked if you’re an existing client or not. If you already bank with RBC, the application process is much faster. You’ll log in to your pre-existing account, which already has your personal information, and go from there. 
  4. You’ll then be asked to review the card’s details, such as APR and annual fees, before clicking “Continue”. 
  5. When prompted, give your name and personal info, such as a phone number, email address, home address and birth date. 
  6. The bank will also ask about your monthly rent or mortgage payment, your employment status and history, as well as the name and phone number of your employer. You’ll be expected to provide your income, how much (if any) you earn from investments and whether you pay alimony. 
  7. Once you’ve provided all of the required info, you’ll be asked to review your application and the terms and conditions of the card before submitting it. Depending on the card, you may get a response in as little as 60 seconds, or the bank may have to review your details and contact you at a future date to let you know if your application was successful.

Frequently asked questions about RBC credit cards

How do I apply for an RBC credit card?

You can apply for an RBC credit card online, over the phone or by booking an appointment at a branch near you. It generally takes about seven to 10 business days to get your RBC credit card in the mail, once your application is approved.

How to activate an RBC credit card

You can activate your RBC credit card online or over the phone. Online activation can be completed via your online account or by visiting rbc.com/activate. Once you’ve activated the card, sign the back and destroy your old card, if applicable.

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23 Best Credit Cards in Canada for April 2024

23 Best Credit Cards in Canada for April 2024

NerdWallet Canada’s picks for the best credit cards include top contenders across numerous card categories. Compare these options to find the ideal card for you.

Credit Card Interest Calculator

Credit Card Interest Calculator

Interest charges don’t need to be a mystery. Use our credit card interest calculator to see how much interest you’d owe if you carry a credit card balance.

16 Best Business Credit Cards in Canada for April 2024

16 Best Business Credit Cards in Canada for April 2024

The right business credit card can help companies earn rewards, discounts and other benefits that reduce overall operational costs. Used wisely, they can help keep a business’s expenses organized and improve owners’ credit scores, too.

Everything You Need To Know About Canada’s New Credit Card Fee

Everything You Need To Know About Canada’s New Credit Card Fee

Canadian merchants can now charge consumers an extra 2.4% just for swiping a Visa or Mastercard. How many businesses will charge the fee remains unclear.

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Georgia Rose

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