James K.Toronto, ON · Mar 2026
★★★★★
Switched from Avion premium after I realized I wasn't using the perks. ION+ earns same 3x on what I spend most on. $48 vs $120 — $72 less for similar everyday value.
Overview
The RBC ION+ Visa targets a specific niche: RBC customers who want everyday rewards without paying $120+/year. At $48/year (vs the no-fee ION at $0), ION+ earns 3x Avion points on dining + groceries + streaming + transit — competitive with mid-tier rewards cards at a fraction of the cost.
Earn 3x on the headline categories, 1x on everything else. Avion points are RBC's flexible rewards currency, transferable to Aeroplan + WestJet at 1:1 + British Airways Avios at 1:1. The 3x earn on dining matches Amex Cobalt's rate on dining for $96/year less.
Welcome bonus + first-year fee waiver promos run periodically. RBC banking customers may get integration perks and rate discounts on related products.
Welcome bonus
★ NEW CARDHOLDER OFFER
Variable promo bonus + first year fee waiver
First-year fee often waived for new RBC customers.
8,000+ Avion pts
Spend $1,000 in first 3 months
≈ $120 travel value
Rewards & earn rates
Here's exactly what you earn per dollar across every category — and where this card pulls ahead of the field.
3xx
Dining + groceriesRestaurants, UberEats, Skip, all grocery stores
3xx
Streaming + transitNetflix, Disney+, Crave, TTC, GO
1xx
Everything elseAll other purchases
Benefits & perks
Beyond the rewards, here are the perks worth knowing about.
✈️Avion transfer partners
Transfer to Aeroplan + WestJet + British Airways Avios at 1:1 ratio.
🛡️Standard Visa insurance
Purchase protection 90 days + extended warranty + mobile coverage.
🔁RBC integration
Banking customers get integrated rewards + occasional rate discounts on RBC products.
Fees & rates
The numbers that show up on your statement.
ANNUAL FEE$48First year often waived
NO-FEE TIERION ($0, 1.5x)Lower earn rate option
PURCHASE APR20.99%Standard
FX MARKUP2.5%⚠ Not FX-free
MIN INCOME$15,000/yrLow bar
Pros and cons
✓ PROS
- 3x earn on dining + groceries + streaming + transit
- Only $48/year (vs $120+ for similar premium cards)
- Avion transfer flexibility
- Universal Visa acceptance
- First-year fee often waived
- Strong RBC integration
✗ CONS
- 2.5% FX markup
- No premium perks (no lounges or travel insurance)
- Avion points value lower than Membership Rewards
- 1x baseline outside categories is mediocre
- Less compelling for non-RBC customers
Who it's for
★ APPLY IF
- RBC existing customers wanting low-cost rewards
- Households wanting 3x category earn without $120 fee
- Aeroplan or WestJet transfer optimizers
- Buyers wanting to test RBC Avion ecosystem before upgrading
✗ SKIP IF
- Foodies (Cobalt 5x dining wins)
- Premium card seekers (no lounges/perks)
- Non-RBC customers (no integration benefits)
- International shoppers (FX markup)
How it compares
We pitted this card against its closest rivals.
How to apply
The eligibility checklist before you hit the application button.
MIN CREDIT SCORE700+ recommended
MIN INCOME$15,000/year
OTHER ELIGIBILITYCanadian resident · 18+
DECISION TIME5-7 business days
Editor's verdict
8.0/10
★★★★★
FINAL VERDICT
Best low-cost rewards card for RBC customers.
For RBC customers wanting 3x category earn without paying $120+/year, ION+ delivers genuine value at $48. The math works for households with $800+/month combined dining + grocery spend. Cobalt earns more but costs 3x as much. ION+ is the rational pick for budget-conscious rewards seekers.
Apply for RBC ION+ Visa ↗User reviews
What current and former cardholders are saying. Aggregated from Trustpilot, Reddit (/r/PersonalFinanceCanada), and our own community comments.
4.2 / 5 ★
567 reviews
Linda P.Vancouver, BC · Feb 2026
★★★★★
Strong no-fee tier card. Streaming earn is the underrated category — Netflix + Disney+ + Spotify all earn 3x.