Find my card

RBC ION Visa

RBC ION Visa

Reviewed by Jen, founder of MoneyMint · Updated September 25, 2026

RBC ION Visa Credit Card
RBC Royal BankNo Annual Fee

RBC ION Visa

Our take: strongest for groceries and gas — about 1.1% back in value (est.) with no annual fee, plus a welcome bonus worth about $100. We value ION points the way RBC does: 1,400 points = $10 in gift cards.

Welcome bonusUp to 14,000 Avion points as a welcome bonus
Apply on RBC’s site →

  • Goes straight to RBC
  • Our review

The RBC ION Visa is a no-annual-fee rewards card that earns RBC Avion points, with a modest boost on everyday categories like groceries, gas, transit, and streaming. It’s positioned as an entry point into RBC’s Avion ecosystem for people who want points without paying a yearly fee, rather than as a premium travel card — it skips the built-in travel insurance and higher earn rates found on RBC’s fee-based cards. For shoppers comparing no-fee options, it’s worth weighing against straightforward cash-back cards, since Avion points require redemption through RBC’s rewards program to realize their value.

3.1out of 5

MoneyMint rating

#25 of 34 no-fee rewards cards · How we rate

Rewards value
2/10
Insurance
4/10
Flexibility
8/10
Welcome bonus
1/10
Fee value
10/10
Perks
0/10

≈ $308

estimated first-year value after the annual fee, on a typical $2,050/month budget. Points are converted to dollars using MoneyMint’s own valuations — see our points value calculator for how each program is valued. See it for your spending →

At a Glance

Annual Fee

$0primary and supplementary cards

Rewards Rate

1.5x / 1x1.5x Avion pts on select categories, 1x on everything else — no disclosed cap

Foreign Transaction Fee

2.5%standard RBC Visa markup

Income Requirement

Not disclosedRBC does not publish an income or credit score minimum for this card

Rewards

~1.1%on groceries (est. value)

Purchase APR 20.99% · Cash Advance APR 22.99%

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • $0 annual fee, including for supplementary cards
  • 1.5x Avion points on groceries, gas/EV charging, transit, rideshare, streaming, and digital subscriptions
  • Welcome offer of up to 14,000 Avion points
  • Purchase security and extended warranty insurance included at no extra cost
  • Petro-Canada and Rexall partner discounts
  • No minimum income requirement disclosed as a barrier to entry

Cons

  • No complimentary travel insurance of any kind — must be purchased as a paid add-on
  • Flat 1x earn rate on all non-bonus spending, with no cash-back option
  • Standard 2.5% foreign transaction fee with no waiver
  • Purchase and cash advance APRs are unremarkable for a no-fee card, with penalty rates after missed payments
  • RBC does not publish a minimum income or credit score requirement, making eligibility unclear upfront
  • Includes a complimentary 6-month DashPass subscription when you add the card to your DoorDash account

Rewards & Earn Rates

Groceries1.5x Avion pts/$1No spend cap disclosed on official pages
Gas & EV charging1.5x Avion pts/$1No cap disclosed
Daily transit & rideshare1.5x Avion pts/$1No cap disclosed
Streaming, gaming, digital subscriptions1.5x Avion pts/$1No cap disclosed
All other purchases1x Avion pt/$1Base rate
Note: RBC’s own ION Visa product page states the included DoorDash DashPass subscription is 3 months, but RBC’s own official DoorDash Terms & Conditions PDF states 6 months for ION cardholders — a genuine conflict within RBC’s own materials, not resolved here. Separately, a secondary source (Ratehub) states the purchase APR is discounted in Quebec, but RBC’s official disclosure only applies a Quebec discount to the cash advance rate, not the purchase rate. Verify both directly with RBC before you apply.

Who It’s For

Best For

  • Consumers who want a genuinely fee-free card and are already earning/redeeming in RBC’s Avion Rewards ecosystem
  • Everyday spenders whose main categories are groceries, gas, transit, and streaming subscriptions
  • Applicants who pay their balance in full each month and don’t need built-in travel insurance

Not For

  • Frequent international spenders, due to the uncapped 2.5% foreign transaction fee
  • Travelers who want built-in trip cancellation/medical/baggage insurance without paying extra
  • Anyone who wants straightforward cash back rather than a rewards-points system with select bonus categories
IssuerRBC Royal Bank
Annual Fee$0
Welcome BonusUp to 14,000 Avion pts
Foreign Transaction Fee2.5%
MoneyMint rating3.1 / 5

Apply on RBC’s site →

This link goes directly to RBC’s official page. MoneyMint doesn’t currently have a paid partnership for this card, so this isn’t a monetized recommendation.

+ Compare with other cards

Not Sure? Three Cards People Compare It With

All everyday spending cards →

American Express Green Card

American Express Green Card

Pick this instead if most of your spending is everyday spending (~1.7% est.).

Fee $0Rating 4.0 ★Bonus $170

Read review

American Express SimplyCash Card

American Express SimplyCash Card

Pick this instead if most of your spending is groceries (~2% est.).

Fee $0Rating 4.0 ★Bonus $100

Read review

CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card

CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card

Pick this instead if travel insurance matters more to you.

Fee $0Rating 4.2 ★Bonus $200

Read review

Further Reading

3.1MoneyMint rating

RBC ION Visa

Best for groceries and gas · No annual fee · ~$100 welcome bonus (est.)

Apply on RBC’s site →Find a better fit

J

Jen, founder of MoneyMint

Reviewed by Jen. Every figure on this page was checked against RBC’s official card page on September 25, 2026. How we rate cards →

This is general information, not personalized financial advice — consider your own spending habits and consult a professional for decisions specific to your situation. Rates, fees, and offers are set by RBC Royal Bank and can change without notice; always confirm current terms on the issuer’s official page before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the annual fee for the RBC ION Visa?

The RBC ION Visa has an annual fee of $0 primary and supplementary. (Distinct from the fee-bearing RBC ION+ Visa at $48/yr — do not confuse the two.).

What is the rewards rate on the RBC ION Visa?

The RBC ION Visa offers: 1.5 Avion points per $1 on groceries, gas/EV charging, daily transit/rideshare, streaming, and digital gaming/subscriptions/in-game purchases. 1 Avion point per $1 on everything else. No spend cap disclosed on the 1.5x categories.

Does the RBC ION Visa have a welcome bonus?

Up to 14,000 Avion points — 7,000 on approval + 7,000 after $500 spend in 3 months ("up to $100 value" at minimum redemption rate). Applications must be submitted by November 4, 2026. Full terms are on RBC’s offer page.

What credit score do I need to qualify for the RBC ION Visa?

Generally, you’ll want a good credit score to be considered for the RBC ION Visa. Approval also depends on income and overall credit history, not credit score alone.

Does the RBC ION Visa charge foreign transaction fees?

2.5% over the benchmark exchange rate (RBC’s standard Visa markup).