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Mr. Loonie
RBC Ion Visa

RBC Ion Visa

7.5
Good
Expert Score · 5 reviews How we score

Best for: People who want Avion points on groceries, gas and streaming with no annual fee

Your spending a month
What’s in each?
Light:
Groceries $400, restaurants $100, gas $100, recurring bills $100, everything else (base rate) $250, foreign currency $50
Typical:
Groceries $800, restaurants $250, gas $250, recurring bills $250, travel $150, everything else (base rate) $650, foreign currency $150
Big:
Groceries $1,200, restaurants $500, gas $400, recurring bills $400, travel $500, everything else (base rate) $1,600, foreign currency $400
Yours:
Your own amounts, saved on this device only
Year one
$691
Every year after
$572

Ranked #50 of 176 for year one. See the list

See how we worked it out
Welcome offer you’d get
$119
The full offer. Up to 7,000 Avion points.
Annual fee
None
Apply now on RBC’s site (opens in a new tab)
We may get paid if you apply through this link. It never changes our score.

Have this card?

Details from RBC’s site. Banks can update terms at any time, so give them a quick look before you apply. Source

What you’d earn Welcome offer Can I get it? Fees Similar cards
From the numbers

The good and the bad

Stands out

  • Good: 1.5 points per $1 on groceries, gas, rideshare and transit At our value for these points, that’s about 2.6% back.
  • Good: No annual fee It costs nothing to keep.
  • Good: Welcome offer up to 7,000 Avion points About $119 at our value for these points.

Watch for

  • Watch for: 2.5% on foreign purchases Use a no foreign fee card when you travel.

Worked out from the card’s rates and fees.

Show your work

What you’d earn

With typical spending of $2,500 a month.

Avion points valued at 1.7¢ each.

  • Groceries $245
    1.5 points per $1 · 2.6% back $800 a month · 14,400 Avion points a year
  • Restaurants $51
    1 point per $1 · 1.7% back $250 a month · 3,000 Avion points a year
  • Gas $77
    1.5 points per $1 · 2.6% back $250 a month · 4,500 Avion points a year
  • Recurring bills $51
    1 point per $1 · 1.7% back $250 a month · 3,000 Avion points a year
  • Travel $31
    1 point per $1 · 1.7% back $150 a month · 1,800 Avion points a year
  • Everything else $133
    1 point per $1 · 1.7% back $650 a month · 7,800 Avion points a year
  • Foreign currency $31
    1 point per $1 · 1.7% back $150 a month · 1,800 Avion points a year
For you Year one Later years
Points you earn36,300 Avion points a year, at 1.7¢ each $617 $617
Welcome offer7,000 Avion points you’d reach $119 $0
Annual fee $0 $0
Foreign currency fee2.5% on $1,800 a year −$45 −$45
Total $691 $572

Rows are rounded to the dollar.

What counts in each category
Groceries
1.5 points per $1
Gas
1.5 points per $1 Including EV charging
Rideshare
1.5 points per $1 On rideshare and daily public transit
Transit
1.5 points per $1
Streaming
1.5 points per $1
Everything else (base rate)
1 point per $1

1.5 points per $1 spent on Streaming, Digital Gaming & Subscriptions

How Avion points work, and why 1.7¢

We count Avion points at 1.7¢ each, a typical value when you use them well. Depending on how you use them, they’re usually worth 0.58¢ to 2.3¢.

We set one value per points program and use it on every card in that program, so you can compare points cards and cash back cards on the same scale.

These are example budgets to compare cards side by side, not averages. Your own spending will give a different number.

Checked on Nov 8, 2026. Source

Welcome offer

Can your spending get the full offer?

At $2,500 a month, here’s when you’d reach each step.

  1. 1

    3,500 Avion points · about $60

    Get approved for the card.

    • On purchases within the first 6 months
    • Get 7,000 points on approval
  2. 2

    3,500 Avion points · about $60

    Spend $500 in your first 3 months.

    You’d reach it in month 1.

Offer ends Jan 12, 2027.

Offer checked on Nov 8, 2026. Source

Before you apply

Can I get it?

  • Age 18 or older 19 or older in BC, NB, NL, NS and the territories
  • Where you live Canada
  • Credit score No minimum on record Most banks don’t publish one, and we don’t guess.

Mr. Loonie’s tip Each application shows up on your credit file. Leave a few months between card applications.

What critics say

Other reviewers on this card

7.5
Good
Expert Score How we score
  • SAVVY New Canadians (opens in a new tab) Jan 2023

    “If you are looking for an entry-level credit card with no annual fees and easy-to-understand rewards, the RBC ION Visa may be for you. For a $4 monthly fee, you can earn double the points on groceries, gas, daily transit, and streaming subscriptions, by opting for the RBC ION+ Visa instead. Alternatively, the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card also works well for earning cash back on everyday purchases, and it does not have an annual fee.”

  • Yore Oyster (opens in a new tab) Oct 2022

    “Considering the RBC ION Visa credit card doesn’t charge an annual fee, it’s worth it as an entry-level travel credit card. The major upside of this card is that you can earn Avion points, and redeem them for bill payments, merchandise, Interac e-Transfers, and travel purchases. However, it may not be worth it if you are not likely to purchase at participating Petro-Canada, Rexall, and DoorDash, or you’re looking for a specialized cash back credit card.”

  • Finder (opens in a new tab) Sep 2022

    “The RBC ION Visa is an innovative card that lets you earn 1.5x the rewards for select digital purchases along with everyday purchases like gas and groceries. It comes with practical benefits such as a 3-month complimentary DashPass subscription, gas savings at Petro-Canada and the chance to earn more Be Well points at Rexall.”

  • Money We Have (opens in a new tab) Sep 2022

    “My RBC ION Visa review is positive. Canadians finally have a credit card that’s clearly designed for students. The card has a decent earn rate compared to other student credit cards. More importantly, it has no annual income requirement, which is vital for many students.”

  • MoneyGenius (opens in a new tab) Sep 2022
    7.4

    “There's really not much to complain about with this card. The earn rate is decent, the reward categories are pretty cool, and not having any income requirements is a sweet bonus that opens it up to even more users. But does it distinguish from any other cards without income requirements? Yes it does, thanks to the fact that the RBC ION Visa will earn you points on your gaming purchases and electric vehicle charging, which is unheard of in Canada so far. If you fit those niche spending categories, this card could have exactly the forward-looking rewards you were waiting for.”

What cardholders say

Ratings from people with this card

No ratings yet. If you have this card, tell others what it’s like.

Applied and weren’t approved?

Insurance and perks

What comes with it

  • Extended warranty Included
  • Purchase protection Included
  • Save 3¢/L on fuel and earn 20% more points at Petro-Canada
  • Earn 50 Be Well points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases at Rexall
  • Get a 3-month complimentary DashPass subscription
  • Mobile wallets Apple Pay, Google Pay
Coverage limits

We haven’t recorded the coverage limits for this card yet. Read RBC’s insurance certificate before you count on any coverage.

Not included

Not listed for this card: travel medical, trip cancellation, trip interruption, flight delay, lost baggage, car rental damage and mobile device.

Fees and interest

What it costs

Annual fee
None
Purchase interest
20.99%
Cash advance interest
22.99%
Foreign currency fee
2.5%
All fees and rates

Fees

Extra cards
None
Cash advance fee
$5.00
Balance transfer fee
3%, Maximum
Over-limit fee
$29
Source
Issuer page

Interest rates

Balance transfer interest
22.99%
Source
Issuer page

Read the card terms and conditions for the full terms.

Checked on Nov 8, 2026. Source

Before you decide

Similar cards for the same spending

With typical spending. This card: $691 year one, $572 every year after.

See all cards ranked for your spending

Some of these links pay us when you apply, at no extra cost to you. Most don’t, and pay never changes our score. How we make money

Common questions

Questions people ask

What is the annual fee on the RBC Ion Visa?

There is no annual fee.

How much is the RBC Ion Visa welcome offer worth?

Up to 7,000 Avion points, about $119. You get it in 2 steps: 3,500 Avion points when you are approved; 3,500 Avion points after you spend $500 in the first 3 months.

Does it charge a foreign transaction fee?

Yes, 2.5% on purchases in other currencies.

What is the interest rate?

20.99% on purchases. Cash advances are 22.99%.

Does it include insurance?

It lists extended warranty and purchase protection. Read the insurance certificate for the limits.

Rates, fees and offers come from the card issuers and change often. We work to keep this page accurate and current, but it may contain mistakes, so always check the issuer’s terms before you apply. This page is general information and isn’t financial advice.

Spot something wrong? We’ll check it with the bank. Suggest a correction

Card names, logos and trademarks belong to their owners. No issuer wrote, paid for or approved what we say about this card. Our scores and opinions are our own.

Mr. Loonie is independent and supported by affiliate links. We may earn a commission when you apply through some links, at no cost to you. How we make money

$691
year one for you
Apply now on RBC’s site (opens in a new tab)
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